Hamza Yusuf - Why is he so unpopular?
January 19, 2016 at 7:13 pm
(This post was last modified: January 19, 2016 at 7:41 pm by darkshadower1.)
I am an ex-muslim. I left because of the sheer stupidity of the religion. Especially when you look at so-called 'scholars' of Islam - from Anjem Choudhary to Zakir Naik it confirms my beliefs. They also seem to be quoted a lot here, they seem like everyone's favourite here and elsewhere like in the news.
However, I recently came across Hamza Yusuf of Zaytuna College (not just him but others like Tariq Ramadan). They seem to have a really good understanding of western civilization - its history, philosophy, science etc. This seems to me quite shocking, tbh he seems like one of the most relatable and understandable as well as intelligent and eloquent speakers of Islam, up there with Dawkins, Hitchens or Harris when it comes to atheism.
Does anyone know any others like him? I see literally no mention of him by atheists - even muslims who are seen as 'favourable' by atheists like Maajid Nawaz - who most Muslims don't like. Yet it is the opposite with Hamza Yusuf (he actually has a overwhelmingly favourable opinion by most Muslims). Hamza Yusuf is apparently 'the most influential scholars in the west', according to the Muslim 500, yet he is virtually unheard of. Maybe he doesn't seek attention or something, but I'm quite surprised someone like him is very well-learned and a good speaker yet unknown. It may have to do with the fact he seems to preach traditional Islam as opposed to ultra liberal and/or revolutionary Islam which doesn't attract media attention....
Most of his critics tend to be Wahhabis/salafis not Atheists. That's understandable since he's unknown. But IMO he is a bigger opponent to Atheism/secularism than Zakir Naik and others. This man can't be just put down as 'stupid' 'irrational' or 'backwards' like others, he is very well read and gives reasoned opinions. He seems to know every counter-arguments to arguments, and convincingly so.
However, I recently came across Hamza Yusuf of Zaytuna College (not just him but others like Tariq Ramadan). They seem to have a really good understanding of western civilization - its history, philosophy, science etc. This seems to me quite shocking, tbh he seems like one of the most relatable and understandable as well as intelligent and eloquent speakers of Islam, up there with Dawkins, Hitchens or Harris when it comes to atheism.
Does anyone know any others like him? I see literally no mention of him by atheists - even muslims who are seen as 'favourable' by atheists like Maajid Nawaz - who most Muslims don't like. Yet it is the opposite with Hamza Yusuf (he actually has a overwhelmingly favourable opinion by most Muslims). Hamza Yusuf is apparently 'the most influential scholars in the west', according to the Muslim 500, yet he is virtually unheard of. Maybe he doesn't seek attention or something, but I'm quite surprised someone like him is very well-learned and a good speaker yet unknown. It may have to do with the fact he seems to preach traditional Islam as opposed to ultra liberal and/or revolutionary Islam which doesn't attract media attention....
Most of his critics tend to be Wahhabis/salafis not Atheists. That's understandable since he's unknown. But IMO he is a bigger opponent to Atheism/secularism than Zakir Naik and others. This man can't be just put down as 'stupid' 'irrational' or 'backwards' like others, he is very well read and gives reasoned opinions. He seems to know every counter-arguments to arguments, and convincingly so.
