Cat Stevens: From Musical Success to the Light of Islam

A Musical Icon in Search of Meaning

Cat Stevens, born Steven Demetre Georgiou, is an iconic figure in the music scene of the 60s and 70s. Known for global hits like Wild World, Father and Son, and Morning Has Broken, he symbolised success and social ascension at the time.

Born in 1948 in London to a Greek-Cypriot Orthodox family, he grew up in the Soho district, where he nurtured his passion for music. Quickly, he became an international star, enjoying wealth and recognition that many would envy. Nevertheless, behind this facade of success, Cat Stevens felt a deep inner emptiness.

At this time, he lived the classic excesses of celebrity: parties, alcohol consumption, and media pressures. Despite his fame, he felt uprooted, questioning the meaning of his life and the purpose of his existence.

This unease, sometimes voiced in his melancholic songs, led him to seek answers beyond the superficiality of his public life.

The Decisive Event: A Near-Death Experience

In 1975, an incident radically changed his life. While swimming off the coast of Malibu, California, Cat Stevens was swept away by a powerful current. Unable to reach the shore, he felt death approaching. In this moment of distress, he turned to God, whom he knew vaguely from his Orthodox upbringing. He made a sincere prayer: “God, if You save me, I will seek You and follow Your path.”

Miraculously, a wave pushed him to the shore, and he was saved. This event drew a spiritual turning point in his life. Stevens then started exploring various religions and philosophies to understand the mysterious force that had saved him.

However, none of these explorations brought him the peace he was seeking.

The Encounter with the Quran: A Spiritual Awakening

In 1977, another event changed his life. His brother, after a trip to Jerusalem, gave him a copy of the Quran. This gift, given without any particular expectation, would profoundly alter his perception of the world.

Cat Stevens began reading this sacred book, fascinated by its teachings and unique structure. Unlike other religious texts he had explored, the Quran spoke directly to his rational mind while touching his heart.

One of the verses that deeply impacted him was:

“وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا”
“Whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:32)

This verse reflected to him the universality and humanism of Islam, a religion he had previously seen as foreign and misunderstood. He was also struck by the simplicity and strength of the declaration of divine oneness:

“قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ، ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ”
“Say: He is Allah, [Who is] One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge.”
(Surah Al-Ikhlas, 112:1-2)

These words echoed within him as an eternal truth, a response to his search for meaning and spirituality.

A Deep and Sincere Conversion

After two years of study and reflection, Cat Stevens embraced Islam in 1977, adopting the name Yusuf Islam. He decided to dedicate himself to humanitarian and spiritual activities.

Many were surprised, even shocked, by this decision, but Yusuf explained that he had discovered in Islam an inner peace and a way of life in harmony with his convictions.

For him, Islam was not a break from his previous life but a completion of his spiritual quest. He stated: “I didn’t change religions; I simply found the essence of what I had always been looking for.”

A Biased Perception of Islam

Yusuf Islam’s story illustrates a common phenomenon: many criticisms of Islam are based on preconceived ideas or biased interpretations. Those who take the time to read and understand the Quran discover a rich, universal, and timeless text.

The Quran, unchanged for 14 centuries, continues to prove its relevance through modern scientific discoveries. For example, verses like this one:

“وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّۖ”
“And We made from water every living thing.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:30)

resonate today with advancements in biology, demonstrating that water is essential for life.

A Unique Force: The Miracle of the Quran

Unlike the visible miracles of other prophets, the Quran remains a living miracle, accessible to all, defying centuries and scientific developments. Each era finds truths adapted to its time, reinforcing the faith of those who study it.

As shown by Yusuf Islam, this text has the power to transform lives and answer the great existential questions of humanity.

Those who take the time to read it with an open mind often see their prejudices crumble, discovering a religion based on peace, justice, and mercy.

Cat Stevens: A Light for All Times

The story of Cat Stevens, now Yusuf Islam, is a strong testimony to the ability of Islam to offer answers to those who sincerely seek them.

While criticisms are frequently based on stereotypes, those who read and study the Quran discover a coherent, timeless, and miraculous book.

The true miracle of Islam is within reach of all: it is simply a matter of opening the Quran and letting its teachings speak.