Hamza Yusuf

Hamza Yusuf Hanson was born in 1958 in Walla Walla, Washington. Raised in a Christian family, he later embraced Islam in 1977, following an intensive personal search for spiritual and intellectual truth. This transformation marked the beginning of his lifelong journey in pursuit of sacred knowledge. After converting, Yusuf left the United States to study in the Muslim world. He immersed himself in classical Islamic scholarship under some of the most respected scholars of the 20th century. In Mauritania, he studied extensively under Shaykh Murabit al-Hajj, known for his ascetic life and mastery of the Maliki school and Islamic spirituality. He also studied in Morocco, Algeria, and the UAE, focusing on Arabic grammar, jurisprudence (fiqh), logic (mantiq), rhetoric (balagha), and theology (aqidah). These years laid the intellectual and spiritual foundations for his later work. Upon returning to the United States, Yusuf began translating and teaching the core texts of Sunni Islam. He also pursued academic studies at the University of California, Berkeley, gaining a broad understanding of the Western intellectual tradition. His command of both classical Islamic sciences and Western philosophy enabled him to speak fluently to Muslim and non-Muslim audiences alike. In the 1990s, Yusuf gained a wide following through his public lectures and educational initiatives. His emphasis on traditional Sunni theology (Ash‘ari/Maturidi), Maliki jurisprudence, and the ethical-spiritual legacy of Sufism resonated strongly with Muslims in North America and beyond, many of whom were searching for depth, authenticity, and coherence in their religious lives. In 2009, together with scholars such as Zaid Shakir and Hatem Bazian, he co-founded Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California. Zaytuna is the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the West and integrates traditional Islamic education with a classical liberal arts curriculum. It offers a unique model for higher Islamic learning rooted in both tradition and contemporary intellectual inquiry. Yusuf’s commitment to Islamic education extends to his translations and commentaries. His works such as Purification of the Heart and The Creed of Imam al-Tahawi are widely read and used in classrooms, study circles, and spiritual retreats. These texts reflect his concern with reviving the inner and outer dimensions of Islam in a way that speaks to the contemporary condition. He is also active in global efforts promoting peace, interfaith understanding, and ethical leadership. A founding board member of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, he regularly engages with international scholars and policymakers. His public appearances at the Vatican, the World Economic Forum, and other international platforms reflect his standing as a trusted religious voice. Consistently ranked among the most influential Muslims in the world, Yusuf continues to write, teach, and serve as President of Zaytuna College. His intellectual legacy lies in his ability to bridge sacred tradition with modern discourse, offering thoughtful responses to the challenges of modernity while remaining firmly rooted in Sunni orthodoxy.

Selected Short Writings & Essays

Hamza Yusuf’s intellectual contribution is not limited to books. Below are several of his shorter essays, each typically ranging from 3 to 5 pages in length, that explore key themes in Islamic philosophy, ethics, and modern engagement:

• Suffering as Surrender – Published in Renovatio Journal, this essay reflects on divine wisdom and the spiritual role of suffering.
• Why Holocaust Denial Undermines Islam – A moral argument grounded in Islamic principles against denialism and historical distortion.
• Spring’s Gift – A meditation on the renewal of faith and gratitude inspired by the spring season.
• Foundations of the Spiritual Path – An outline of the inward journey based on traditional sources.
• Buddha in the Qur’an? – A thought-provoking piece exploring the possibility of religious universals within the Islamic worldview.

These writings often explore the epistemological foundations of Islam, moral philosophy, education, and the interface between Islamic and Western thought.

Institutions Founded & Awards

• Zaytuna College (founded 2009): As one of its co-founders, Hamza Yusuf envisioned the institution as a place where Islamic sciences and liberal arts education converge to cultivate a new generation of intellectually rooted Muslim leaders.
• He has played an active role in various international initiatives for peace, including his involvement in the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies.
• In 2009, he was listed among “The 500 Most Influential Muslims” by the Washington Post.
• In 2016, he ranked prominently in the Muslim 500 list prepared by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, Jordan.