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Hamza Yusuf
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May 4, 2025
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Who is amza Yusuf
Hamza Yusuf, born Mark Hanson in 1958, is an American Islamic scholar known for his adherence to traditional Islamic teachings. As a co-founder of Zaytuna College, he advocates for classical learning within Islam and has played a significant role in promoting Islamic sciences and traditional teaching methods globally. His advisory roles at the Center for Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and Stanford University's Islamic Studies program highlight his influence in academia. Yusuf also holds positions as the vice-president for the Global Center for Guidance and Renewal, led by Abdallah bin Bayyah, and as vice-president of the UAE-based Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, where Abdallah bin Bayyah serves as president. However, controversy surrounds the Forum due to its close ties to the UAE government and Yusuf's support for authoritarian leaders following the Arab Spring, leading to criticism and debate. Referred to as "arguably the West's most influential Islamic scholar" by The Guardian and labeled "perhaps the most influential Islamic scholar in the Western world" by The New Yorker, Yusuf has also been recognized among the top 50 of The 500 Most Influential Muslims. Despite this acclaim, he faces criticism for his views on race, politics, and his stance on the Syrian revolution.
Hamza's life and education
Born as Mark Hanson in Walla Walla, Washington, to academic parents at Whitman College, Hamza Yusuf grew up in northern California. Raised as an Irish Catholic Christian, he attended prep schools on both coasts. After a transformative experience involving a car accident and reading the Qur’an in 1977, he converted to Islam. Influenced by a couple from Saudi Arabia who followed Abdalqadir as-Sufi, Yusuf moved to Norwich, England, to study directly under as-Sufi. Later, he spent four years in Al Ain, UAE, studying Sharia sciences at the Islamic Studies Institute of the United Arab Emirates University. Fluent in Arabic, he delved into various classical Islamic disciplines.
In 1984, he distanced himself from as-Sufi’s teachings and pursued studies across North Africa, Spain, and Mauritania. It was in Mauritania where he forged a significant bond with Islamic scholar Sidi Muhammad Ould Fahfu al-Massumi, known as Murabit al-Hajj. In 2020, he completed his Ph.D. at the Graduate Theological Union, focusing on the transmission of authority and knowledge in Ibn Ashir’s Al-Murshid al-Mu’in. Prior to this, he obtained an associate degree in nursing from Imperial Valley College and a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from San José State University.
Hamza's career
Hamza Yusuf, alongside colleagues Zaid Shakir and Hatem Bazian, established the Zaytuna Institute in Berkeley, California, in 1996. This institute was dedicated to reviving traditional Islamic study methods and sciences. Their vision materialized in 2010 when Zaytuna College, the first four-year Muslim liberal arts college in the U.S., opened. It integrates classical liberal arts with rigorous Islamic disciplines, aiming to cultivate morally committed leaders. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Zaytuna College marked a historic milestone as the first accredited Muslim campus in the country. Yusuf expressed hope for more such educational institutions in the future. However, in recent years, he has faced controversies regarding his perspectives on race, politics, and the Arab revolutions.
view and influence
Yusuf ranks 36th on Jordan’s Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre’s list of the top 500 most influential Muslims worldwide. He’s recognized as a leading authority on Islam outside the Muslim world. Additionally, he has actively condemned terrorist attacks, including the 9/11 tragedy, labeling it as an act of mass murder and distancing it from the principles of Islam. Yusuf has also been involved in initiatives promoting peace between religions, signing letters urging peace and understanding between Islamic and Christian leaders, as well as refuting ideologies propagated by terrorist organizations. Furthermore, he participates in interfaith dialogue through the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies hosted by the UAE, supporting the country’s efforts in fostering tolerance and multi-faith initiatives, including plans for a multi-faith center in Abu Dhabi.
comments on the Syrian revolution
In 2019, Yusuf advocated for patience and prudence regarding the Syrian crisis. While some interpreted this as backing the Syrian regime, Yusuf strongly refuted these claims and provided a clear response. Additionally, in 2010, he translated a poem called the ‘Prayer of the Oppressed,’ dedicating it to oppressed people globally.
2016 Black lives matter comments
In December 2016, Yusuf’s remarks on the Black Lives Matter movement were seen as critical, emphasizing deeper issues within the black community, particularly the breakdown of family structures. He also highlighted concerns about racial biases within the Muslim community, noting disparities in addressing ‘white privilege’ versus ‘Arab privilege,’ citing treatment of Pakistanis and Indians in certain parts of the Arab world. These comments sparked social media backlash, although many scholars, including Imam Zaid Shakir, defended Yusuf, asserting that he doesn’t hold any racist beliefs and firmly rejects ideas of racial superiority.
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