Has Cat/Yusuf found himself?

[CatLike75]

I am wondering if after all these years of trying to find peace and direction in his life, has anyone heard him address this subject in any interview. We hear why he's come back, but nothing about if he's happy now and if he feels it was all worth it. It seems to me that his whole 27 year journey has taken him back to where he originally started, music. I just hope he found what it was he was searching for.

[tydirious]

Yusuf would probably agree that where he has ended up now is where he always belonged at the beginning.

[Jancat]

If you believe in the circular theory of life, then it follows that Yusuf has come full circle, at least in his musical life.

I would imagine that the greatest lessons have been learned along the way, as we all discover on our individual paths. He's grown, he's changed, and he's mellowed, I'm guessing.

When Cat walked away from the music business and the secular world all those years ago he was disillusioned with it all. He's in a different place now - personally, musically, and idealogically - so maybe he feels that he can do things his way this time. Or at least, he can approach it in a way that he can feel comfortable about.

[Vivian]

I think Yusuf is completely at peace with himself now. He found that happy balance between his past and present. Both will take him into the future.

Peace,Vivian

[tydirious]

He is definently at peace otherwise he wouldn't be singing again.

[kareema113]

"When I became Muslim, I became happy." --- Yusuf Islam

[Starlight]

Now that he is expressing himself musically once again, yes! The creative spirit has been released after a long period of repression.

[berber]

Yusuf found himself whene he converted in ISLAM the true religion he work for his life like he lives all the time and he praqutice his religion like he dead tomorro that our religion

[Starlight]

"I let the music take me where my heart wants to go."

[tydirious]

You said it star..... you said it.

[kareema113]

starlight said:

Now that he is expressing himself musically once again, yes! The creative spirit has been released after a long period of repression.

I beg to differ. There is nothing "repressive" about Br. Yusuf's music before this new album. He directed his previous music to God and the Prophet Muhammad, as he continues to do. He's just including non-Muslims now as well. But we Muslims are a significant segment of his audience.

Please remember that there are people at this site who love the music and spoken word Br. Yusuf has created since 1979. You don't have to like it, but please respect it.

kareema

[kareema113]

berber said:

Yusuf found himself when he converted in ISLAM the true religion. he work for his life like he lives all the time and he practice his religion like he dead tomorrow. that our religion

You are correct, berber. This is how he does what Starlight describes below...

Posted by Starlight on Yesterday at 6:59pm
"I let the music take me where my heart wants to go."

kareema

[michaelb]

People often get confused with some idolitry or other, and it sometimes continues for many years. The truth of the matter is that we are all humans and all need to be one. To create an idol that one is to worship is bound to lead to hatred among those that don't believe and therefore it is antagonistic by nature. I wish we could all just celebrate life and the wonderfulness of just BEING, without some imagined deity getting in the way.

Peace and love hippies

[1976]

"in ISLAM the true religion"

Berber. I'm sure everyone here respects your religion, but don't post stuff like this anymore, ok? Otherwise we'll have someone else responding "christianity the true religion", "judaism the true religion"... and we don't really want that. Thanks.

[italianrover]

"rock'n'roll is my religion" - jeff tweedy

(and is true!) :-)

[CatLike75]

I agree 1976. Let's not start with religion issues here. It is the root of many conflicts. Sometimes I wonder if it has done more harm than good in our lifetime. We should always look within our own soul and continue to better ourselves no matter what or who you believe in. My original question was pretty simple, and I was afraid it would sidetrack. I didn't ask for an opinion if you thought he found himself, I simply asked if anyone had specifically heard him say anything regarding the fact that he left looking for something, and has he found it? If I were to analyze, I would say that he's not truely there yet. In one of the best tracks on "An Other Cup" he says, "but I must admit, I'm not there yet"..."maybe there's a world I'm still to find"...

[Turan]

Of course he isn't there yet. He is still alive.

[tydirious]

Yes guys keep religion out of it.
Back on topic...... he moreless found himself back in the music because his son brang the guitar home

[Jancat]

turan said:

Of course he isn't there yet. He is still alive.

That's exactly right, Turan - at least I think so...

He's still on the "...road to find out...", as each of us is. That's the essence of life, isn't it? It's the journey, not the destination.

[dal]

I really have no idea if he feels he's found himself, not knowing someone personally would make it hard to guess. I kind of am not completely sure what finding yourself really means. I think all of us continue to search out questions and answers to different puzzles in life until our eyes are closed the final time & maybe just maybe there will be questions after that. So
likecat75, I'd have to say your original sentiment of hoping he has found what he was searching for is a nice one, but that any comment or
observation on my part would be pointless & useless because I'm not close friends with him in the real 3D world and not just that - we sometimes let our friends & the world see but a part of us, perhaps not all of us AND besides that sometimes who we show the world is not in fact who we are at all. Also there are times when songwriters writing music place words and meanings in songs because of the lovely sounds the words make with the music & not even in fact because of some hidden deeper meaning. And how many even while feeling bewildered or regretful or bitter or any of those things would not tend to put on a confident face in front of cameras around the world, smile, and do their best to hide their soft sensitive underbelly? So I think maybe Yusuf knows, maybe he doesn't, surely God knows, but us we can't know.

I like to add that so many times i've read where people feel like they know
the heart and soul of an artist or performer from their words or work. I think
that is just really wishful thinking out of some emotions their works stirs up
inside some people. They want bad enough to be part of his world, to have an inside glimpse into his heart even if from afar. Still I think that wish, that desire of some is not a reality at all, just a deep burning wish on the part of someone who has felt an emotional connection to the artists work. Is that connection real? Probably only to the one who adores as most likely the artist is living in his REAL world, and oblivious to any connection at all.

[salsabil]

dal said:

I really have no idea if he feels he's found himself, not knowing someone personally would make it hard to guess. I kind of am not completely sure what finding yourself really means. I think all of us continue to search out questions and answers to different puzzles in life until our eyes are closed the final time & maybe just maybe there will be questions after that. So
likecat75, I'd have to say your original sentiment of hoping he has found what he was searching for is a nice one, but that any comment or
observation on my part would be pointless & useless because I'm not close friends with him in the real 3D world and not just that - we sometimes let our friends & the world see but a part of us, perhaps not all of us AND besides that sometimes who we show the world is not in fact who we are at all. Also there are times when songwriters writing music place words and meanings in songs because of the lovely sounds the words make with the music & not even in fact because of some hidden deeper meaning. And how many even while feeling bewildered or regretful or bitter or any of those things would not tend to put on a confident face in front of cameras around the world, smile, and do their best to hide their soft sensitive underbelly? So I think maybe Yusuf knows, maybe he doesn't, surely God knows, but us we can't know.

I like to add that so many times i've read where people feel like they know
the heart and soul of an artist or performer from their words or work. I think
that is just really wishful thinking out of some emotions their works stirs up
inside some people. They want bad enough to be part of his world, to have an inside glimpse into his heart even if from afar. Still I think that wish, that desire of some is not a reality at all, just a deep burning wish on the part of someone who has felt an emotional connection to the artists work. Is that connection real? Probably only to the one who adores as most likely the artist is living in his REAL world, and oblivious to any connection at all.

Good post, dal!

[tydirious]

It is indeed.
The only one man can answer the question and that is Yusuf. End of story.

[laurieann]

My belief is...
in the end
we are found
by the one who was
with us all along

[Starlight]

Excellent post Dal! Nobody knows what Yusuf is thinking but himself. All others, including those who claim to know his mind because they share his faith are merely guessing. He made a statement that he prefers to communicate through music because it is one thing that can't be misinterpreted. We need to let go of all these preconceptions (although some are so wrapped up in religion they are incapable of hearing through any other ears or seeing through any other eyes), and just listen.

[PixieDust]

kareema113 said:

tydirious said:

Yes guys keep religion out of it.
Back on topic...... he moreless found himself back in the music because his son brang the guitar home

Your topic implies that faith will be discussed.

It's virtually impossible to keep religion "out of it" because Br. Yusuf's last name is Islam and the songs on the new album are so pointedly in reference to Islam. Perhaps you just don't realize it because you're not Muslim. It's a religious album, so how can you 'keep religion out of it'?

And Br. Yusuf will not truly find peace until he passes through those gates and enters the garden he refers to several times on An Other Cup. They are the gates of Paradise, where he and all Muslims wish to go after the Day of Judgement.

kareema

I must have been mistaken. I thought the new album was secular, not religious.

And people of all religions wish to go to Paradise, not just Muslims. Really, let's keep the religion out of this thread. It was not meant to be that way.

[valleycreeper]

Whatever he feels is most important to talk about, whether religious or not, he should talk about it. I might not agree, but he's not at his best if he's not saying what matters most to him, as is true of all of us.

[CatLike75]

Kareema, I don't know how you can say that my topic "implied" religion. Finding one's self can come from various other things.
For the third time also stating this; My original question was very simple and I still have not gotten a direct answer from anyone. Did anyone actually hear him address this topic in a recent interview? That's all I asked, thanks Pixie. Why did we have to all add our own opinions under this post?

[Huru]

Yusuf has not mentioned in a recent interview or article that he has found himself. He did that many, many years ago. There are many fans on this site who can probably their fingertips on the audio or print evidence within a matter of minutes. It's pretty obvious that the man has found himself, without having to say so in exact words. Like others have said, he speaks through his music and lyrics.

In "The Beloved" (Track 10 of An Other Cup) are the words "Ya Habibi" (O Beloved). This is a common expression in both mainstream Islam and in mystical Islam ("Tassawuf" / "Sufism"). In the background are women doing the "zagareet" (the trill done with the tongue by middle-eastern women who are cheering happily). "He taught the people to worship, to bow to One God....." etc. etc. etc.

People can assert until the cows come home that this is a secular album. The fact is, It is half secular and half "religious." If people don't want to acknowledge that the album isn't at least half about spiritual matters, then don't mention the subject, and please don't respond to posts of people who DO want to discuss it! There will be plenty of people who WILL want to discuss it, and they will not like it if people try to shut them up. Why do some people feel the need to regulate what other people post on message boards? People asserting that we shouldn't discuss religion when discussing Yusuf's new album is just plain... well... I'm not going to be offensive here. People can try all they want to separate it from the man, but it won't happen because it cannot happen. People are welcome to do it if they absolutely must, but why bother? It's kinda weird to refuse to acknowledge where anyone is at in their consciousness.

[salsabil]

I think this new album is a mixture of both, indeed.
I wouldn't say that each song has some underlying Islamic meaning, but it definately has a spiritual feel to it throughout. (In my opinion.)
I love it!

Yusuf has always been one to try and build bridges, maybe we all could take a lesson from him, eh?

What's to argue about, Yusuf has a new cd out, THAT is wonderful!
Let's let the music take us where our hearts want to go...

Happy listening, Salsabil

[Huru]

Thank you Salsabil, that could and should have been the ending to my post, so thank you for writing it! Indeed, it is a most happy time... have just finished listening to the entire album several times. It is indeed very, very good, a truly good experience and feeling.