INTERVIEW WITH SAMI YOUSIF

Interview With Sami Yusuf, 13/9/05
nosheen on Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:32 am

.About Sami Yusuf:

The renowned Muslim British singer Sami Yusuf, born in 1980, started playing many musical instruments at a very young age. He attended music courses in one of the world’s most prestigious music schools, the Royal Academy of Music.

Yusuf, the youngest son of a descent Azeri family that settled in London, got married to a German woman three months ago.

Sami’s training in Western Musical theory and the Middle Eastern modes (or Maqams) helped produce his distinctive voice that has performed to sell out venues around the world.

Sami Yusuf, UK's leading Nasheed singer, is preparing to release his new album, “My Ummah,” on September 30. May Allah give him more success.

Your video clip with the song of “Al-Muallim” went to number one on Turkish music channels. Are you aware of that?

Yes, I heard this from some of my friends in Turkey. I love all of the Muslim world. In particular, I love Turkey more because of its Ottoman heritage. Hence, first and foremost, let me tell you that it is a great pleasure and honor for me to be interviewed by you and your newspaper. I didn’t know that my music would be number one in Turkey and in Egypt. Because initially when we were making this first album, my aim was that the album should be for particular groups, which to be frank and candid are, the Muslims living in the West. It achieved real success among Muslims in the West, elhamdulillah. But we were surprised and shocked when it became apparent that it had become a success, and went to number one in the East as well. All I can say is that this is not Sami Yusuf’s success, but the blessings of Allah and the blessings of the Holy Prophet Mohammed’s (pbuh) name. This is an honor and I am proud of it.

When people first listen to you, they think that you are chanting, however, your music style is more than chanting. How do you interpret your outperforming popular music icons and making the youths who had earlier been fans of pop singers become your fans?

Personally, I don’t regard my music as chanting. Here, I am not going to discuss whether chanting is good or bad. I think we have two types of arts in music: Good music and bad music. We must try to create a new genre to do with good art and good music. I hope that I am part of that genre, which talks about good music. I believe that you don’t have to chant to make good music. Regarding icons, to be famous or not to be famous is not an issue for me. My main objective has always been to do something for Islam and to make the youths be proud of their religion and identity. That is the ultimate goal behind what I am doing. Of course, if you are doing something good, fame comes with it; however, fame is like a test from God. I am not doing all these for fame.

After the September 11 attacks in the U.S., emphasis on the Muslim world being “backward” has been made more than before. You seem to have demolished that in your video clip, what do you say?

First of all, Islam is very beautiful, whether Sami Yusuf releases a video clip or not. The overwhelming majority of Muslim people are good people who obey the laws and want to be good citizens. Apparently, we are faced with some “backwardness” and “bigotry,” But really, this people are in the minority. They are not the voice of Islam. They cannot represent the majority. Islam has beautiful messages advising us to believe in one God and to be good people. This is the essence of Islam that does not give any message advocating violence. Turkish people have a very good understanding of Tasawwuf (Sufism). They really understand these messages well. Unfortunately, this is what some people overlook and sometimes get too involved in the details and forget the main elements why Islam was sent as a message to mankind.

All songs in your first album are related to the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). What was your aim while doing this?

Of course, people know about the Prophet and love him. But some do not really know how humanitarian he was, how a great human being he was. Our Prophet has been lifted even higher by non-Muslims. He is the most righteous human being who has ever lived. He was a great humanitarian, unfortunately some misunderstand him. I try to explain this with my music.

How did your family contribute to your Islamic understanding?

I was born into a Muslim family and they love Islam. They are not very very conservative. Of course, they pray. I have a sister and a brother. I am the youngest one. I recently got married. My wife is German. One always passes through various stages of his life. Hence, life is a journey. Even though I used to pray before, sometimes, my awakening occurred when I was 16. I can say, maybe, I am a little more conservative than my family (smiling).

What was the real cause of that awakening?

Many things, but firstly, the “hidayet” (true path) to Allah. I am the kind of person who always researches, thinks and tries to learn the truth. This awakening occurred as a result of many things. Elhamdulillah, the turning point came when I was about 16 or 17 and I really wanted to do something for Islam.