The Unofficial Biography of Shaykh Hamza: Footnotes
Footnotes
A
Mark Van Doren (June 13, 1894 – December 10, 1972) was an American Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, writer and a critic, apart from being a scholar and a professor of English at Columbia University for nearly 40 years, where he inspired a generation of influential writers and thinkers including, Thomas Merton, John Berryman, and Beat Generation writers such as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. He remained literary editor of The Nation, in New York City (1924–28), and its film critic, 1935 to 1938. "Mark Van Doren -." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 6 June 2010. .
B
The great books are those that tradition, and various institutions and authorities, have regarded as constituting or best expressing the foundations of Western culture (the Western canon is a similar but broader designation); derivatively the term also refers to a curriculum or method of education based around a list of such books. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_books>
C
Email conversation with Shaykh Hamza’s Sister, Nabila Hanson. She stated he was born in ’58 and that he is the second son.
D
This is an educated guess, most likely the son of Michael O’Hanson. Everything lines up pretty nicely, but I could be wrong.
E
That’s the correct spelling. I’ve checked several times, regardless how Shaykh Hamza pronounces the word. A Discover Magazine article which Shaykh Hamza discusses in “Islamic Theology” spells it the same.
F
Additional Footnote: Shaykh Hamza references this trip and “The Incorruptibles” in the Lecture “Islamic Theology (2013).” He recommends people read a Discover Magazine article about it as well: http://discovermagazine.com/2001/jun/featsaints#.UoZJ_dKkrVg
G
On the Island, there are several Monasteries. The only Church related to George is named St. Georgios Krimnon, but this Church makes no mention of the Saint’s body. A link to the site is here: http://www.e-zakynthos.com/zakynthos-churches/monastery-st-georgios-krimnon.php
H
I had to guess on the spelling.
I
From How to Read a Book, Part 2 by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf (See Endnote for Bibliographical data): "I was 13 years old, in eighth grade, in Mrs. Augustine Ellie's class; she was my English teacher."
J
As per the lecture "Educating Your Child in Modern Times", the only Jesuit boarding school on the East coast, established in 1789 is Georgetown Prep. Editor (4/22/2022 ): Later SHY states the name of the School, in the self biography, “Nomad.” American Jihad: Islam After Malcolm X, by Steven Barboza, pp. 351–356.
K
I’m not sure which college or when. Possibly, he was taking College classes while in high School.
L
The Deen Intensive Bio Page states he was attending college in Santa Barbara, California. But on the Rihla TV show, during an episode interviewing his brother Troy, Shaykh Hamza states that he was attending Ventura College with his Sister Nabila. I could be mixing up two separate periods of his life.
M
Shaykh Hamza references the year 1977 in this speech, but then says he was 17 years of age. Which doesn’t work, because he was born in 1958 (based on his Sister Nabila). Not sure where the discrepancy is.
N
sequence of England then Timbuktu confirmed in “Nomad.” American Jihad: Islam After Malcolm X, by Steven Barboza, pp. 351–356
O
The Zaytuna College Biography specifies that he studied at the Islamic Inst of Al-Ain. The two names possibly belong to the same facility. But in the Wesgreen speech, Shaykh Hamza
P
The Zaytuna College Biography page specifies that he was in Abu Dhabi from 1979-1984.
Q
No other information about his trip to Mali exists, except that he went in 1978 (see Lecture “Islamic Theology” 2013 as well).
R
Shaykh Mohammad Ahmad Al-Shaybani was Mufti of Abu Dhabi
S
Shaykh Bayyah Ould Salik was head of the Islamic court in Al-'Ain
T
Anecdote: When asked who was smarter, the Egyptian or Mauritanian Scholars? The Mauritanian Scholar replied, “By day the Egyptians, by night the Mauritanians”
U
The author Munawar Ali, witnessed this on the Rihla to Saudi Arabia in 2005, where Shaykh Hamza was welcomed by the Prince's of that nation. There were many functions where Shaykh Hamza met many notable and highly positioned government officials.
V
Never mentioned previously, and never mentioned since. Shaykh Hamza’s time in Andalusia is a bit of a mystery. If he’s reading this, I hope he can elaborate, on what he was doing there.
W
I had a brush with Ghaddafi’s hospitality in Granada, Spain, in 1984. While on a visit from the Emirates, I was staying at Fathi’s apartment in Granada, and one morning we went out intending to drive to a café for breakfast, only to find the inside of his blue Mercedes completely destroyed from a firebomb, courtesy of the Colonel, who had ordered the assassination of dissident Libyan expatriates all over the world. The two of us felt as if we just had a brush with our own mortality. All that remained intact from the firebomb were my Warsh Mus’haf, from which I had been memorizing the Qur’an, and a leather-bound copy of Ibn Abi Zayd’s al-Risalah (The Epistle) in Maliki jurisprudence that I was studying at the time. While the outside covers of the two books were charred, all of the pages inside them were miraculously intact and unblemished. Both the reminder of the fragility of life as well as the clear sign of providential care for God’s Book and the Prophet’s shariah, as embodied in The Epistle, were a cogent proof for me that I was spending my life studying what will, God-willing, save me from the Fire, and this had a profound impact on me. God is my Witness for what I relate here.
X
I discount the age of 16. Possibly Dr. Umar didn’t realize that Shaykh Hamza was older. I don’t see why Shaykh Hamza would be in Spain studying in a madrassa before conversion. A better guess would place him 19-20 years of age, at the time he was in Spain (Probably right after conversion)
Y
A text on Arabic grammar.
Z
While on the Rihla to Medina in 2005, the author witnessed Shaykh Hamza expertly handle a student who became unconscious due to heat exposure. Shaykh Hamza stabilized the student then sent him off to the hospital.
a
Rumor Alert: In the IIS Interview, Shaykh Hamza mentions that he was ready to start his Master’s Degree. But he never mentions the Master’s again in later talks about his education. Brother Saqib Usman emailed me and explained that at the Fawakih program in Michigan (2009) Imam Zaid Shakir mentioned that Sh Hamza’s application to Sanford was denied, even though he met all the requirements / qualifications required.
b
Rihla 2005 to Saudia Arabia – Shaykh Mohammad stated himself that he was one of the teachers of Shaykh Hamza. As well, at the lecture “Unity in Diversity”, Shaykh Hamza recognizes Shaykh Mohammad al-Yaqoubi as his teacher. Mentioned again at Rihla 2011 by Shaykh Humza during the closing remarks.
c
Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah and I both share a teacher, because one of my teachers in Fiqh was his teacher in Quran, Shaykh Bayyah bin Salik; A brilliant Mauritanian scholar, one of the most amazing people I ever met, and he was his teacher.
d
Sh Faraz Rabbani (2007 McMaster) stated that Shaykh Hamza received ijaza of some of the texts of Shaykh Haddad at the hands of Habib Ahmad Mashur al-Hadad. He mentioned “Knowledge and Wisdom” specifically at that time.
e
Habib Ahmad Mashur al-Hadad was one of my teachers, and also sidi Abdul Hakim Murad and Dr Umar. We were fortunate to know him and spend time with him
f
"I have a couple teachers from Tunisia. Shaykh Dan Dabagh? Shaykh Uthman al Houmadi?. I also knew Binta Chelabi. I met her dad too, in the 80's. I visited Tunisia and Libya and then I was in Emirates. I lived both in Mecca and Medina, studying with some scholars there."
h
Shaykh Ahmed jibran was a student Shaykh Yaseen al-Faydani. Shaykh Hamza called him the last muhaddithoon in mecca. "We use to read with him whenever we visited Mecca" (54 minutes 44 second)
i
Shaykh Muhammad al-Shareef made the most public admonishment and received wide circulation (especially from those that don’t like Shaykh Hamza). Shaykh Shareef wrote quite candidly on sunniform.com in 2010 explaining his actions, and the follow-up to his letter. You can read the thread here: http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?55592-Muhammed-al-Shareef-Sankore-Institute-refuting-Shaykh-Hamza-Yusuf!
j
The aide is named in a later lecture, possibly an ISNA lecture. I will add it later when I dig it up.
k
"Sohail Khan knows this story, because he was there, Mehboob Khan's son". Rules of Engagement Speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkiUXCvClr0.
l
Haroon Sellers is a member of Zaytuna and does the voice over for many of Shaykh Hamza’s audio. This interview was conducted on behalf of Deen Intensive.
m
Shaykh Hamza delves into this topic (“Jihad in the Quran” ) in detail on his Blog. To read the full article, go to: http://www.sandalaproductions.com/Blog/26-the-sin-tax-of-ignorning-syntax.aspx
n
This biography information was on a UN page, which has since been removed.
o
The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre is an independent research entity affiliated with the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought. The Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought is an international Islamic non-governmental, independent institute headquartered in Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. -
p
Pre 2011. Most likely 2010 or 2009.
q
For information, refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyllands-Posten_Muhammad_cartoons_controversy
r
From the website: The Sohaib and Sara Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies is the central forum for interdisciplinary research and teaching in Islamic Studies at Stanford University . It seeks to facilitate and promote the study of Islamic cultures and societies, including history from the beginnings of Islam to the twenty-first century, systematic study of Islamic social contexts, the religion of Islam in all its internal complexity, and the diversity of human experience as seen in literature and the arts originating in societies affected by Islamic civilizations. (http://www.stanford.edu/dept/islamic_studies/#sthash.718LmtmQ.dpuf)
s
A national philanthropic initiative that promotes pluralism and inclusion in America
t
Text from the homepage of the Commission: https://www.state.gov/commission-on-unalienable-rights
EndNotes
1
Scott Mcleod. "All-American Shaykh". https://www.thecairoreview.com/q-a/all-american-sheikh/
2
Hanson, Hamza Yusuf. "What Happened to Poetry." The Spiritual Rumi Conference. Freemount, CA. 4 June 2010. Lecture.
3
Hanson, Hamza Yusuf. "Why I Came to Islam: Hamza Yusuf." Interview. American Muslim Hour. IIS, Altadena, CA, 1995. Television. (Can be purchased here: http://www2.islam.org/iis/products.htm)
4
Yusuf, Hamza. "Amid Mosque Dispute, Muslims Can Look to Irish-Catholics for Hope." The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com . N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2011. .
5
"Chisholm, Minnesota -." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia . N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2009. .
6
Yusuf, Hamza. "Nine Hundred Years Reviving the Spirit of Andalusia." Reviving the Islamic Spirit. Metro Convention Centre, Toronto. 25 Dec. 2005. Lecture.
Yusuf, Hamza, and John Taylor Gatto. Speech. Educating Your Child in Modern Times : Raising an Intelligent, Sovereign, Ethical Human Being. N.p.: Alhambra Productions, 2004.
10
"Rihla TV: Meeting with Family." Interview by Hamza Yusuf Hanson. Rihla TV . MBC. California, 2004. Television.
Siddiqui, Sabrina. “Trump Administration to Review ‘Role of Human Rights in Public Policy.’” The Guardian, The Guardian, 8 July 2019, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/08/trump-human-rights-review-panel-mary-ann-glendon-anti-lgbt-abortion. Accessed 8 July 2019. ?
22
Yusuf, Hamza, and Umar Farooq. "Attributes of Allah." Attributes of Allah. Chicago. 1 Jan 2004. Lecture.
23
The Secular and the Sacred in Higher Education with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf & Dr. John Sexton, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQJnjfq_aMk
24
Hamza Yusuf, Planning for Tommorow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt-iTYC_S9M
25
Wesgreen International School Welcomes Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. Perf. Hamza Yusuf. Youtube. Jesuslisa07, 28 Apr. 2010. Web. 1 July 2010. .
26
Hanson, Hamza Yusuf. "Another Mother of the Believers." Zaytuna Institute & Academy . Zaytuna Institute. 05 May 2009 .
27
“Interfaith Iftar at UAE Embassy in Washington Celebrates Diversity and Tolerance.” The National, 24 May 2018. https://www.thenational.ae/uae/interfaith-iftar-at-uae-embassy-in-washington-celebrates-diversity-and-tolerance-1.733436
28
Zaytuna College, The Power of Powerlessness, Livestream Archive: The Power of Powerlessness | Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Zaytuna College, June 4, 2019, 1:08:31, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiNSJc9mdkM&
29
Yusuf, Hamza. “On Libya.” Sandala Productions, 24 Mar. 2011, www.seekersguidance.org/articles/general-artices/on-libya-shaykh-hamza-yusuf-sandala-productions/. Accessed 1 July 2019. ?
30
Yusuf, Hamza and Omar Farooq. Primordial Nature of Human Beings, Renovatio: The Journal of Zaytuna College, 26 Apr. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIj44LWAiDU.
31
KAUFMAN, JONATHAN. "'Rock Star' of New Muslim Generation Also Happens to Be White Suburbanite." Wall Street Journal [HAYWARD, California] 15 Feb. 2002, US ed., Business sec.: n. pag. Print .
“The Middle Path - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf.” Youtube, YouTube, 22 Nov. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DELDFAE6p6c. (Yusuf, “Exploring Freedom of Speech!”)
34
Hanson, Hamza Yusuf. Fatwa Concerning the Obligation of Following Rightly Guided Scholars . Hayward: Zaytuna Institute, 2001. Print.
35
Yusuf, Hamza. "God's Wikileaks: Ready or Not, All Secrets Will Be Revealed." Web log post. Sandala Productions . N.p., 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 5 Jan. 2011. < http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/article.php/20110106082404424>.
36
Zaytuna College Biography page, reviewed on Nov 20, 2013.
“Interpreting Language in Islamic Legal Theory with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf.” Performance by Hamza Yusuf, Interpreting Language in Islamic Legal Theory with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Zaytuna College, 24 Oct. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dOOU2Em8XM.
42
Yusuf, Hamza. Zaytuna College. (2019, Oct 19). Introduction to Logic.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7J_mrXHhsg
43
Yusuf, Hamza, and Habib Ali Jifri. "Revelation – A Sacred Trust". UK. 14 Oct. 2011. Lecture.
College, Zaytuna. “Living Links: The Concept of Isnad by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf.” YouTube, 24 July 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvL2kHoBYpY. Accessed 16 July 2019. ?(54:44)
47
The Critical Importance of Al Ghazali in Our Time - Hamza Yusuf. YouTube, 23 Mar. 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoRRoqVXeGw.
48
Yusuf, Hamza. “Danger of Religiosity” London, UK. 2003. Lecture.
49
Lecture "Traditional Education in an Age of Terror."
50
O'Sullivan, Jack. "'If You Hate the West, Emigrate to a Muslim Country'" The Guardian . N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 203. .
51
Hamza Yusuf. "Talking about Islam Violence". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlH-z40iASU
52
Lecture "Americas Tragedy An Islamic Perspective." Alhambra Productions. 2001.
Hanson, Hamza Yusuf. "About the Translation and Recording of the Prayer of the Oppressed." Sandala Productions . Web. 18 Feb. 2011. < https://www.sandala.org/blog/----about-the-translation-and-recording-of-the-prayer-of-the-oppressed#.Uo5KbtKkrVg >.
62
Yusuf, Hamza. (Feb 6, 2013) Religious Freedom: Why Now? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig-AULiE30E.
63
"About Hamza Yusuf." Sandala Productions. Web. 18 Feb. 2011. .
64
Miftaah Institute. Ep. 76 - Friday Night Live with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. YouTube, 22 Jan. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14KO1PCpm3Y.
65
Neighborly Faith. Neighborly Faith Dialogue: Hamza Yusuf and Eugene Cho. YouTube, 7 May 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBRRK5XgIIo.
66
Yusuf, Hamza. America: Commerce & Benevolence - Hamza Yusuf. YouTube, 3 July 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo31MMcW43s.
67
MBC Rihla with Shaykh Hamza. Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allah on Who Is Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. YouTube, 6 May 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dox0rwfPLzQ.