Hamza Yusuf

Date of Birth: January 1, 1960

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Biography

Hamza Yusuf, born Mark Hanson, is an influential American Islamic scholar and the co-founder of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California—the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the United States. Yusuf converted to Islam in 1977 and has since dedicated his life to Islamic education, interfaith dialogue, and community service. Known for his eloquence and deep understanding of both Western and Islamic traditions, Yusuf has become a prominent voice in contemporary Islamic thought. He has authored numerous books and articles on various aspects of Islam and has been a leading advocate for the integration of traditional Islamic knowledge with modern educational practices.

5 Interesting Facts about Hamza Yusuf

1. Hamza Yusuf was named one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre.

2. He has studied with renowned Islamic scholars in the Middle East and North Africa, including Mauritania, where he spent several years.

3. He co-founded Zaytuna College in 1996, which started as the Zaytuna Institute before becoming an accredited college in 2010.

4. Yusuf has been an adviser to various governmental and non-governmental organizations on issues related to Islam and the West.

5. He is a strong advocate for environmental stewardship within the Islamic community, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and ecological awareness.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hamza Yusuf

1. “If you don’t wake up for Fajr, then don’t wake up at all.”

2. “The greatest challenge of the 21st century is the challenge of the human soul.”

3. “True wealth is having a calm heart.”

4. “Islam is not a religion of the sword, it’s a religion of the word.”

5. “The Prophet Muhammad said that the greatest jihad is the jihad against your own nafs (ego).”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Hamza Yusuf’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $1-5 million, primarily through his educational endeavors, book sales, and speaking engagements.

Children

Hamza Yusuf is married to Liliana Hanson, and together they have five children. The family is known to be private, and not much information is publicly available about their children.