But the unhealthy lifestyle that came with his glitzy career took its toll, and the British multi-instrumentalist eventually fell ill. But, as the saying goes, there is a good side to every situation, and that time of his life paved the way for him to contemplate his life, his mortality and the purpose of living.
In 1977, at the peak of his career, Stevens converted to Islam, adopting his Muslim name, Yusuf Islam, the following year. Nevertheless, his name was not the only thing that changed; he started sporting a beard, wearing a robe and sandals and he cut his curly brown hair. Then he auctioned all his guitars and left his music career to devote himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community.
But, after staying away for some 28 years from what he says he does best, Yusuf staged a musical comeback with his 2006 album, “An Other Cup,” which he said was a tentative return. However, the London-based artist, who now only goes by his first name, has just this year released yet another album of new material, “Roadsinger,” in which he offers a set of Cat Stevens' simple yet weighty lyrics blended with the positive worldview of Islam.
The 61-year-old Yusuf speaks of his life, his recent comeback and “Roadsinger” in an e-mail interview with Sunday's Zaman.
We know that you converted to Islam in a period when your life was going badly. Can you tell us your conversion story?
I had been searching for spiritual answers from the beginning. As a young pop star starting out in the music business, I was working non-stop, playing three gigs a night at times, and living an unhealthy lifestyle. Eventually I fell ill with tuberculosis, and it was the first time I had in my life to really reflect on my own mortality.
When I weighed everything, I began to realize that something was missing. I was continuously asking myself, “What is the explanation for this life; what is the purpose of living?” That is where my spiritual journey began. The songs that I wrote from that point on were indicative of my more spiritually focused, searching heart. The next turning point in my life came when I went swimming one afternoon in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Malibu in the US. I had swum out too far and found that I was unable to help myself or fight the great current. It was then that I called out to God -- promising that if he saved me, I would work for Him.
Soon after this I was given a copy of the Quran from my older brother. I was amazed to discover that Muslims share a common prophetic heritage with Jews and Christians -- through Abraham -- and that Jesus, Moses, Noah and all the other prophets I had learnt about as a young child were all mentioned in the Quran. The message of Islam carried me further than the Christian tradition, straight to the real faith of Jesus and all the Prophets of God.
The Quran had all the universal answers that I had been seeking for years, and in 1977 I embraced Islam.
What was it that affected you that much in the Quran?
For me, the appeal of the Quranic message lay in its truthfulness and the clarity it gave with regards to this universe and how it works together with belief. Without belief, human life and existence is a mystery. Also, the message of the Quran is not directed towards any particular tribe, race or nation -- but to mankind as a whole. At its heart is the teaching of the worship of One God, and no second or third.
Is there any specific reason for choosing the name “Yusuf”? Could not your name still remain Cat Stevens?
I have always been very fond of the name “Joseph,” and I was able to relate in a very profound way to the story of Prophet Joseph in the Quran. This was someone who was bought and sold in the marketplace, much like I was in my career, with marketing and the other aspects of the “music business.” Not to mention that my first school in London was St. Joseph's! Today I allow people to refer to me as Cat Stevens; after all, that was my show name, and it has many good memories for people. I simply had to move on from show business to real life; I needed a new name.
You not only changed your religion but also cut your ties with your former life and made radical decisions. Did your young age have any impact on making those decisions?
In my latest album, “Roadsinger,” I wrote a song which says, “To be what you must, you must give up what you are.” That is a very strong concept. Many years ago I wrote the same thing in a different way; in the song, “Father and Son” I said, “I know that I have to go -- away, I know I have to go.” Sometimes we must leave to comeback. My decision to write songs and make music again was based on altering my view from before.
After you converted to Islam you abandoned everything related to music. You even asked for your albums not to be sold. And following a hiatus of around 30 years, you are back with a pop album. What has changed?
After I embraced Islam, many people told me to carry on composing and recording, but at the time I was careful, for fear that it might be for the wrong reasons. I felt unsure what the right course of action was. I have gathered a lot of knowledge on the subject in the meantime. I knew it was not good enough simply to follow what some people say; you have to be convinced fully within yourself. And I knew there are hadith which expressly show that the Prophet allowed certain music and even sometimes encouraged it. Good words which make you think will always have a place in Islam, and putting music to them doesn't hurt; it only becomes stronger.
It is important for me to be able to help bridge the cultural gaps others are sometimes frightened to cross, and there is a definite need to increase the amount of positive contact between Western and Eastern cultures. Music does that. I think it's good to have people admiring Muslim artists and our philosophy of life. That is what my music is trying to convey.
Sufism says that the human being is nothing, whereas music offers reputation and fame. When you were about to return to music, did you experience confusion related to this point?
You must always beware of the ego and its dangers. But hiding away and being quiet isn't the best way to advance peace and understanding. Some have to teach, some have to listen. Once you understand the whole business is about communication and learning, fame is secondary. It's a consequence, not a goal.
There are many things that Islam prohibits, whereas it is not really possible to exist in the musical world without doing these things. Do you have any special formula to avoid such difficulties?
In Islam, there is a simple rule which is taken from the Quran, it says, “God has subjected the heavens and the earth for your use.” So, the scholars say it is not that everything is forbidden except a few things; in fact everything is allowed except those (few) things which are clearly forbidden. It's the other way round.
You say you are back in the business you do best. During all those years, were you regretful that you were living without music?
In all stages of my life, I have sought happiness. When I left the music business, I was happy to finally be beginning a normal life, starting a family and doing things I had always wanted to do. Similarly, I am now at a point where I am happy and comfortable making music. One of the great things about discovering Islam was that it gave me both the security and freedom to make my own choices.
When returning to music, what were you concerned about the most?
I'd say my main concern was a strong desire to maintain a balance between being artistically creative and my other work in charity, education and other projects. Making the best use of my time has become a vital skill that I have learnt over the years. Sitting behind desks or simply giving talks wasn't satisfying me. You must have a broad vision for life, and sometimes God allows you to realize your dreams.
When you converted to Islam, you turned away some of your fans. Now you must once again be receiving reactions from your fans for releasing a pop music album. What is your response to these reactions?
Listening what others say about you shouldn't affect your direction if you know what you are doing is right. God is the final judge of all these small differences. The big issue is to believe in God and try your best to do good things to make the world better. Some people have actually changed their lives by listening to my words and music. They were on the road to suicide, but then they heard my songs and changed their minds. That has got to be good in anybody's book.
How do the fans of Cat Stevens feel about your decision to return to music?
When I accepted Islam, a lot of people couldn't understand. To my fans it seemed that my entering Islam was the direct cause of me leaving the music business, so many people were upset. However, I had found the spiritual home I'd been seeking for most of my life. And if you listen to my music and lyrics, like “Peace Train” and “On the Road to Findout,” it clearly shows my yearning for direction and the spiritual path I was traveling. Now that I'm back to making music after all these years, I'm overwhelmed by the warmth and love that I've been receiving. This was obvious at some of the recent concerts that I have played.
Will the fans of Cat Stevens find something for themselves in the album “Roadsinger”?
“Roadsinger” is an inclusive album which doesn't make much separation between the concept of Cat Stevens and the reality of Yusuf Islam. I have made an effort to return to the simplicity of my earlier style of recording. But some people say it is still too religious; others don't think that at all, they just like the songs and are happy to hear me sing again. I still have peace as my goal in life and work, and peace is in the meaning of the name “Islam.”
Does “Roadsinger” have any aim to explain Islam to the West?
Yes, but it is not like hitting [people] in the face. My music was always subtle and my words left space for people to walk around and discover the meaning for themselves. In the Quran there are many parables and metaphors which allow us to imagine the symbolic meaning behind the words. This helps internalize the lesson. The human mind is a complex thing and words need to be open to interpretation if they are not to read like a telephone book.
As an artist I am in a unique position as a looking glass through which Muslims can see the West and the West can see Islam. So whilst I hope that people in the West may be able to gain an insight into my faith and that of more than a billion people around the world, I also believe it is important for Muslims to attempt to understand Western culture and values. My own life to date has been informed by both and so I feel it is important to behave almost as an ambassador between cultures.
You've said the songs in “Roadsinger” had autobiographical features. Can you give an example?
The title track, “Roadsinger,” is the best example. It's a story of an outcast who arrives in a small town one day and is shunned by the people, which in a way symbolizes the prejudice and isolation that I've sometimes had to face. It's the kind of prejudice that is borne out of ignorance of what people believe and what they stand for. Many Muslims suffer this in the West.
What would you advise to the 18-year-old Cat Stevens?
“Take your time, think a lot; think of everything you've got…”
‘Time to speak of new things’
Just like Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi once said: “The past has vanished; everything that was uttered belongs there. Now is the time to speak of new things,” is Yusuf Islam going to “speak of new things” on the stage?
In my song “One Day at A Time” from the album “An Other Cup,” I say the same thing:
“One day at a time, we can learn to leave the past behind
One day at a time, we can look the future in the eye
One day at a time, we can learn to live
The gates of the Garden are open, wide; and the trusting
Seventy thousand will enter of them, without reckoning
One day at a time, we can learn to leave our fears behind
One day at a time, we can stare our hopes in the eye
One day at a time, we can learn to live
And if you meet the evening, don't wait for the sun to rise
One day at a time, we can leave old treasures behind
One day at a time, we can watch the clocks unwind
One day at a time, a child is born into this world, eyes blind
But one day he will find his sight, and glimpse another kind of Light
To live by -- one day
One day at a time, we can put machines behind
One day at a time, we learn how birds survive
One day at a time, we can learn to fly”
Benzer Haberler 
Music
