Soaking the Soul in the Recital

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 Speaker

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.