Quotes from Cat Stevens

I can never quite trust anybody anymore.

But when it comes to being loved, she's first/That's how I know The first cut is the deepest.

Because I don't play guitar any more, African harmonies and rhythms have been an inspiration to me. I love the raw origin of the sound. It complements my voice and words naturally.

And if my mind breaks up In all so many ways I know the meaning of The words, "I love you

Love heats my blood, blood spins my head, and my head falls in love.

Will you carry the words of love with you?

I don't like applause, I must admit. Ultimately, artists are shy creatures; they're introverts.

I'm afraid that a lot of things that people believe about Islam are totally different from the religion that most of us recognize. I was really fortunate that I got to know Islam before it became a headline.

A person who steals bread during a famine is not treated as a thief.

To be what you want to be, you must give up being what you are.

Now I'm not making love to anyone's wishes, Only for that light I see 'Cause when I'm dead and lowered low in my grave, That's gonna be the only thing that's left of me.

The fact that the Prophet cared for every human being and tried his best to ensure their security in the hereafter must be the most telling of his compassionate and merciful characteristics.

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

Find a girl, settle down, If you want you can marry.

A lot of people would have loved me to keep singing... You come to a point where you have sung, more or less... your whole repertoire and you want to get down to the job of living.

Maybe some people may have thought or imagined that Islam drains all creativity. In fact, when you look at history, you discover that the golden age of Spain is what actually produced what we call the guitar.

I used Coldplay's mixer, Michael H. Brauer, on 'Roadsinger'; he's brilliant. He won a Grammy for their record.

I used to be followed by a moon shadow. Now I'm followed by all these misconceptions, and they're like a ball and chain. I just want to write music from my heart and give people a message of hope and the search for a better place.

Muslims have been subjected to so many tyrants and oppressive regimes. That's what the Arab Spring was about, but the problem comes in trying to direct a revolution.

Though times have changed, it's a nice surprise to see that youthful feeling of anti-war sentiment returning once more to the cobbled main streets of Europe.

I always stood for the elimination of conflict and wars, and any of those causes that ignite them.

Islam is not just a religion. Islam is everything.

The spiritual quest was always the predominant aspect of my life. It's always been there. But there's also an incredible passion connected to it; it's not just a dry investigative process. I have been extremely emotional about it, and that comes out in the songs.

I thought everybody would embrace and understand my reasons for becoming Muslim.