Quotes from Cat Stevens

I've studied various schools of thought... I acknowledge that some Muslims consider music prohibited, but I've found a lot of evidence from the life of the Prophet to show that he allowed certainly, but even encouraged, music at certain times.

This is the beauty of the Qur'an: it asks you to reflect and reason, and not to worship the sun or moon but the One who has created everything. The Qur'an asks man to reflect upon the sun and moon and God's creation in general.

If you want to sing out, sing out, and if you want to be free, be free, cause there's a million ways to be, you know that there are.

I always knew looking back on my tears would bring me laughter, but I never knew looking back on my laughter would make me cry.

Say what you think; think what you mean.

You will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

When two hearts are meant for each other no distance is so far, no time is so long and no other love can break them apart.

I listen to the wind, to the wind of my soul Where I end up, well, I think only God really knows

I always knew looking back on the tears would make me laugh, but I never knew looking back on the laughs would make me cry.

Life is like a maze of doors and then all open on the side you're on. Just keep on pushing hard, boy, try as you may...you're going to wind up where you started from.

I never wanted to be a star, I never wanted to travel far / I only wanted a little bit of love so I could put a little love in my heart / I never wanted to be la-de-da, go to parties 'avec le bourgeois' / I only wanted to sing my song well so I could ring a small bell in your heart

Everything i do is for the pleasure of Allah.

Considering the fact that I have been in the spotlight more or less since I was 18, there is an aspect of normality to my public profile, which I have grown to live with. As much as I would like to disappear into the crowd, my work won't let me - difficult as it is for my family.

I believe Islam was truly spread by example. So whatever good a Muslim does publicly will be seen - the same is true for the bad.

Man may live and man may die searching for the question why. But if he tries to rule the sky, he must fall.

Man is created to be God's deputy on earth and it is important to realize the obligation to rid ourselves of all illusions and to make our lives a preparation for the next life.

I suppose that the media and their portrayal of Islam and the almost tribal separations and divisions of the Muslims are the greatest issues confronting Muslims in the United Kingdom.

The very first lesson that I learnt from the Qur'an was the message of unity and peace.

Music is a lady that I still love because she gives me the air that I breathe. We need all sorts of nourishment. And music satisfies and nourishes the hunger within ourselves for connection and harmony.

I grew up in the West End, so my whole background was living among theatres and musicals and the West End's coffee bars and clubs. It's kind of obvious that one day I should do something like that.

I became alienated from this religious upbringing, and started making music. I wanted to be a big star. All those things I saw in the films and on the media took hold of me, and perhaps I thought this was my god: the goal of making money.

It's very difficult to ignore humanitarian disasters. The royalties from my albums continue to support my charity work.

I looked at some of the statues of Jesus; they were just stones with no life. When they said that God is three, I was puzzled even more but could not argue. I believed it, simply because I had to have respect for the faith of my parents.

My imam at the Central Mosque said there was no problem with making music. In fact, he encouraged me - he said if the songs are moral, not offensive, then go ahead.