Steven Demetre Georgiou commonly known by his stage name Cat Stevens reverted to Islam in December 1977, and adopted the name Yusuf Islam. He auctioned all of his guitars for charity, and left his musical career to devote himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslims community.
While on holiday in Morocco, Stevens was intrigued by the sound of the Azaan (the Islamic ritual call for Salaah), which was explained to him as "music for God”. Stevens said, "I thought, music for God? I’d never heard that before – I’d heard of music for money, music for fame, music for personal power, but music for God!”
Two events of his life (once, almost drowned at the coast of Malibu, California, and second, close to death when contracted Tuberculosis) intensified his quest for Truth. Looking into various religions, at last reached to Islam. He abandoned his profession as Musician instantly.
Later, he married to Fauzia Mubarak Ali of Karachi, Pakistan, who was educated at Kinnaird College, Lahore, and Columbia University, New York. Her family background is not known publicly. Afterwards, he surrendered back to Music under unknown influences. Pray for him to be steadfast on Right Path. I wanted to Share his expressions with Al-Farooq. Your sister in Deen, Sara Thompson, UK.
Everybody who comes into the world has to make sense of it for their own security and peace of mind. The Universe is a very big place, and it’s easy to get lost. I was no different.
The Universe consists of billions of galaxies and each galaxy has an uncountable number of stars. This alone should be enough for us to ponder. Yet in addition to the vast expanding heavens, we observe the radiance of the earth and its kaleidoscope of creatures, colors and ecological patterns, in harmony with the motions of the sun and moon.
As we look more deeply at the scale of things above and below us – seas, mountains and the grandeur of the heavenly skies – we are forced to question our own existence. Because we have minds and the ability to question, certainly everybody has sufficient reason to ask themselves what it all means?
In recent decades physicists, in their pursuit of scientific truths, have unearthed a hidden order in nature; some have called it the Cosmic Code. Based on this order, scientists aim to uncover a grand unifying Theory of Everything. If ever this order is decoded, it is envisioned by some that all fields of knowledge could be linked together. In view of this astounding possibility, world renowned physicists have commented: “If we do discover a complete theory, it should in time be understandable in broad principle by everyone, not just a few scientists. Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists and just ordinary people, be able to take part in the discussion of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason- for then we would truly know the mind of God.” (Stephen W. Hawking, A Brief History of Time, 1988)
Many scientists have concluded that, according to the laws of nature and the unimaginable number of coincidences which must have united together connecting an infinite amount of molecules and unique elements to generate and form what we call ‘life’, everything seems to point one way. Their conclusion proves one thing: how impossible the existence of this immeasurable universe would be without certain constants. It is precisely because of the vital existence of these ‘constants’ or universal laws that everything in the cosmos balances and holds together.
To summarize this in simple terms, without an overall singular design – supported by universal constants, there would be nothing to see, no one to see it – let alone sit around and talk about it.
The centrality of this original source is observed by the uniformity in the workings of these forces of nature all through the universe; the common origin of everything in the universe and the blueprint of life all across the species. Combine this with the generally accepted theory of the Big Bang, that mysterious moment in non-time when the universe started to exist, and we end up talking about singularity – or oneness. It now becomes necessary to analyze the implication of this information.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ [الأنبياء: 30]
“Did the disbelievers not observe that the heavens and the earth were closed (like one single unity), then We opened them? And We created from water every living thing. Would they still not believe?” (Al-Anbiyaa 21:30)
What such realities signify to people of faith is acceptance, in scientific terms, of the presence of Intelligent Design: in other words – GOD – Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa).
Although some rational minds may choose to reject the implications of a Divine Design, the evidence of life starting from a point of unity (oneness) is undeniable. Yet an alternative answer to life’s puzzle has never been agreed between them. Therefore it is left up to a person’s conscience to choose what he prefers to believe.
The conscience itself is probably the most vital characteristic of being human. We often refer to this aspect as ‘morality’ or ‘spirituality’. And it is the amazing spiritual nature of humanity, which makes us unique – and also makes us accountable. It is the inner discussion with the self, which distinguishes the human being from the animals.
Regardless of where a person’s conscience asks him or her to look – if guided – a seeker of truth will inevitably find a mysterious door leading to his Creator – Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). Even the greatest scientists repeatedly confirmed their ultimate wish to know the ‘Mind of God’. Their journey towards unravelling the mysteries of the universe is usually sparked by a common desire: to know what lies behind the unseen and makes it work. As the renowned scientist and father of the atomic age, Albert Einstein, is reported to have said, “I want to know God’s thoughts; the rest are details.”