Recently in Nov. 2006, his first pop album after 28 years, "An Other Cup", was released under the name Yusuf.
He currently lives in London with his wife and children, where he is an active member of the Muslim community.
Following Ayatollah Khomeini's February 14, 1989 death fatwa against author Salman Rushdie, he made statements that were interpreted as endorsing the killing of Rushdie. This generated a furor among a number of celebrities and free-speech activists in the West who spoke out about his comments on radio stations and newspaper editorials. On February 21, 1989, Yusuf Islam addressed students at Kingston University in London about his conversion to Islam and was asked about the controversy in the Muslim world and the fatwa calling for Salman Rushdie's execution. He replied, "He must be killed. The Qur'an makes it clear - if someone defames the prophet, then he must die."
He founded, and is chairman of, the Small Kindness charity, which initially assisted famine victims in Africa and now supports thousands of orphans and families in the Balkans, Indonesia, and Iraq. Islam also founded the charity Muslim Aid, but left as founding Chairman in 1999.
Introduction
Yusuf Islam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wa ashhadu anna Mohammadan rasululah
Hayya ′ala salat
Hayya 'all falah
La qad qamta salat
La qad qamta salat
Allahou Akbar
The lyrics to Yusuf Islam's song Introduction are a declaration of faith and a call to prayer. The opening lines, "Ashadu anna la-ilaha illa-lah, Wa ashhadu anna Mohammadan rasululah," are the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, which translates to, "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger." This is a fundamental tenet of Islam, and by reciting it, a person is declaring their faith and devotion to Allah.
The rest of the lyrics are a call to prayer, urging the listener to pray and seek salvation. "Hayya ′ala salat, hayya 'all falah" translates to "Come to prayer, come to success." These lines are often heard in the call to prayer broadcast from mosques around the world. The following lines, "La qad qamta salat, Allahou Akbar" mean "Prayer has started, Allah is the greatest."
Overall, the lyrics to Introduction are a powerful expression of faith and an invitation to join in prayer and devotion. They speak to the core of Islamic belief and may inspire listeners to embrace their faith and seek a deeper connection with Allah.
Line by Line Meaning
Ashadu anna la-ilaha illa-lah
I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.
Wa ashhadu anna Mohammadan rasululah
And I bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger.
Hayya ′ala salat
Come to prayer.
Hayya 'all falah
Come to success.
La qad qamta salat
You have established prayer.
Allahou Akbar
Allah is the Greatest.
Writer(s): Aaron Todd Carter, Percell Beale
Contributed by Amelia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Yashar Khara
God bless you sir, you've encouraged many many people to go and find the right way of living by your songs and your speeches 🙏
Unplugged S
Assalamualaikum.
I was introduced to Islam through no one. Since the age of 2yrs-21yrs I was educated in Catholicism School in Mauritius. I gained the envy to make research at my last year at school on Jesus. I then realised that my research lead me to the 3 Monotheism Religions, to study, to analyze, to compare, to make research with their Holy Books. 2months before I got 25yrs I gained the great desire to embrace Islam as I got all my answers right in it. I demanded permission to my Mum as due to my respect and love, she agreed. Less than 3weeks after I do my shahada and do Nikkaa(married) minutes later with a Muslim who had only prayed Allah to guide me on the right path since 2yrs and never force me to influence me. 9yrs now! And I was touch by "A for Allah" weeks I was converted and since now.
MUHAMMED BILAL PA
Love your songs and speech. Your life is so inspirational to all. May ALLAH bless you and your family ❣️❣️❣️
Niyas Venkatta
Maasha Allah
Estaba Escrito
very nice
Monolithic Fishmonger X
Salman Rushdie never forgave Yusuf for publicly wanting him to be murdered. After this past week, I can see why.