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Sami
Yusuf obtained a scholarship to study composition at the
acclaimed Royal Academy of Music in London |
Sami
Yusuf is a rising star in the sky of Islamic Inshad.
Composition, superior voice, carefully chosen lyrics and, above all,
devotion to Islam, make him the perfect model for a true artist with a
noble cause.
Sami
Yusuf has his own view of how music can play a central role in
delivering his beautiful message to the average westerner; making them
receives it with sympathy, or at least without enmity or malice.
Here,
Islamonline.net has the privilege to interview the Muslim British
artist, despite his busy schedule.
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IOL: We know that you come from a musical background; can you tell us
more about it? When did you decide to start this career?
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Yusuf: Yes, I come from a musical background and it would be fair
to say that music played, and still plays, an integral part in my
life. My whole family is musical, including my two nephews and 60 or
so cousins! Al hamdu-lillah, by His grace I have been fortunate
enough to have my father as my main teacher. I am indebted to him for
spending relentless hours teaching me, and also teaching me the
correct adab (good manners) required for a person who learns
not only art but also all kinds of knowledge.
He
taught me "dast balaye dast besiyaar ast", an old Persian
proverb that literally translated would be "hands above hands are
many", of course it sounds much more beautiful and eloquent in
Persian! It basically means that however much one might think he or
she is good, or is arrogant because of what he or she knows, they
should remember that there will always be people who are better than
they are and know more than they know. As Allah said in Surat Yusuf
(translated meaning): “and over all endowed with knowledge is
One, the All-Knowing.” My father also taught me to fear Allah
Most High and that everything should be done for His sake, because we
are only answerable to Him.
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IOL: You learnt to play several instruments at a very young age and
you obtained a scholarship to study composition at the acclaimed Royal
Academy of Music in London, do you consider yourself a professional
musician? Are you ready to produce your albums and projects to target
the non-Muslim audience or you will focus only on the Muslim audience?
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Yusuf: Well yes, I do consider myself a professional musician,
composer and producer, as I have been busy producing and composing for
the past six years. However, how good I am in any of these fields is a
different issue altogether. I do plan to release an album soon, which
will be targeted at non-Muslims, in sha’ Allah. May Allah
give me the strength to work for His sake and only for His sake.
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IOL: What kind of difficulties do you expect as a young Muslim British
artist practicing his Islam?
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Yusuf: Well, many. Some brothers are so obsessed with the fiqh,
or Islamic jurisprudence, of certain issues that they begin to show a
lack of good manners when stating their disagreement, opinion or even
dislike.
We
sometimes forget the hadith of our master and teacher Muhammad (peace
and blessings be upon him) that said, "I was sent for no other
reason but to perfect your adab (good manners) and
character." In another hadith, when asked who the best Muslim is,
he said, "The one who does not harm others by his words or his
actions."
As
a Muslim artist trying to practice his religion and call people to the
way of Allah Most High, I come across some brothers and sisters who
are insensitive when making their comments and have obviously not
studied enough about the issue they are addressing. Sometimes that can
be disheartening.
*
IOL: You have studied music in a western institution, but you also
understand the music theory of the Middle Eastern modes (or Maqams).Do
you think this should produce a different genre of Music and how can
you see the differences?
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Yusuf: Yes, I do think we should create different genres, or even
experiment with existing ones; for the simple fact that for Islam to
flourish, in sha’ Allah, and for the average westerner to
receive this beautiful message with sympathy, or at least without
enmity or malice, we must reach out to them and speak to them in their
own language and culture!
However,
I must stress that I am not implying that in order to reach this goal
we compromise our fundamental beliefs-to this I say an emphatic no!
Everything should be in accordance to the Shari`ah (Islamic Law) and
to the teachings and guidelines set forth by our master and teacher
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
*
IOL: Do you think that Muslims should pay more attention to music and
the other arts if they want to emphasize the different dimension of
their lives and civilizations?
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Yusuf: Subhan Allah, absolutely! Of course. Art (whether it
is music, fine art, drawing, architecture etc.) has always played a
very important role in introducing the richness and wealth of Muslim
civilizations. Muslims throughout history have been the pioneers of
their time and explored the secrets and mysteries of this world. Among
them were art, music, philosophy, architecture, mosaics, pottery,
medicine, mathematics…the list goes on and on. Subhan Allah,
this is the contribution made to world civilization at large by the
great Ummah of Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
Unfortunately,
in recent years, we see that bigotry and fanaticism have crept in and
are loudly voicing themselves once more in the Ummah of Mohammad
(peace and blessings be upon him). Although they are not as widespread
among normal Muslims, the extremists have a very loud voice in
spreading their narrow-mindedness and ignorance, bringing confusion to
the minds of many Muslims. I think that for Islam to flourish in the
West-and my belief is that it will, in sha’ Allah-it is
essential that we become forward thinking and break away from the
shackles of bigotry and fanaticism which act as a plague.
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IOL: Can we use music as a means of integration in European countries?
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Yusuf: Yes, I do think it can be used as a means for integration,
but it must be done according to the Shari`ah. For example, there
should not be any indecent or immoral connotations, basic things that
go against our fundamental understanding of Islam. The Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) said: "Every religion has an innate
characteristic; Islam's innate characteristic is modesty."
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IOL: Who are your favorite nasheed singers?
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Yusuf: There are quite a few, the obvious ones that come to mind
are Yusuf Islam and Dawud Wharnsby Ali, but when I want to relax I
listen to Ahmad Bukhatir.
For
More Information: www.samiyusuf.com
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