Description
To mark Sandala’s publication of the late Dr. Thomas Cleary’s translation of the Qur’an, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, President of Zaytuna College, joins us to reflect on Cleary’s brilliant rendering of God’s Final Testament.
Cleary’s translation – remarkable for its clarity and precision – presents the Qur’an as a living text, inviting both Muslim and non-Muslim readers into its ethical and contemplative dimensions. Shaykh Hamza will explore how this faithful rendition of the Qur’an holds true to its greatest purpose: to soak the soul in its recital and timeless message.
Joining Shaykh Hamza Yusuf in conversation are Dr Aisha Subhani, Vice President of Zaytuna College, and Dr Asad Tarsin, as they consider the power of translation, the significance of this work, and the enduring relevance of the Qur’an’s guidance in our time.
About the Speakers
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
Hamza Yusuf Hanson is the president of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the US. Ranked 23rd by The Muslim 500, he advocates for traditional liberal arts education and serves on the UAE’s top fatwa council under Shaykh Abdallah b. Bayyah. As co-president of Religions for Peace, he collaborates on initiatives with the Vatican and the UN. Hanson, a member of the Jordanian Royal Academy for Islamic Studies, works on peace initiatives between Muslims and Christians. He translated The Marrakesh Declaration, promoting rights of other faiths in Muslim-majority societies, and authored Purification of the Heart.
Dr Aisha Subhani
Dr. Aisha Subhani is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician and chair of the department of emergency services at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston. She also serves as the Vice President of Zaytuna College, America’s first accredited Muslims liberal arts college. For almost 20 years, she has been the Director of the Deen Intensive Foundation which organizes and manages Muslim educational programs in the US and abroad, including the popular Rihla program. She currently resides in Davie, Florida with her husband and three children.
About the Host
Dr Asad Tarsin
Dr. Asad Tarsin, with a bachelor’s in Islamic studies, delved deeper into theology and spirituality under prominent scholars like Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. As a research fellow at Zaytuna College and Rihla Program board member, he focuses on inclusive Islamic education models. His debut book, Being Muslim: A Practical Guide, aims to elucidate Islam’s beauty. Alongside his role as an emergency physician, he resides in Michigan with his wife and children.
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