Why an Anglican Priest Left Christianity for Islam | Yusuf Ogston's Extraordinary Journey

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Uploaded: 06 Nov 2026 (6 days ago) · Shared: 11 Nov 2026
Duration: 1:14:38

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Books & Resources that Yusuf Ogston found helpful.. The Poem ‘The Journey’ by Mary Oliver Women who run with the Wolves’ by Clarissa Pinkola

Estes
The Poetry of Hafiz
The Poetry of Rumi
‘Letter to a disciple’ by Al Ghazali
‘The Book of Assistance’ by Iman al Haddad
‘Islam and the Destiny of Man’ by Gai Eaton
‘The Conference of the Birds’ by Farid ud-Din Attar
‘The Road to Makkah’ by Muhammad Asad
Novel ‘The Minaret’ by Laila AbuLeila
‘The Autobiography of Malcom X’ (especially chapter on the Haj)
‘The Vision of Islam’ by William Chittick & Sachiko Murata
Documentary (available on Youtube) ‘The Alchemy of Happiness’ (Life of Al Ghazali)
Youtube talks and lectures by Abdul Hakim Murad (Cambridge Muslim College)
Youtube talks and lectures by Hamza Yusuf (Zaytuna Institute)

0:00 - Intro: Yusuf Ogston's path to Islam

Early encounters with Islam
2:51 - Childhood memory of salah in Oman
4:59 - East London hospital among Muslims
00:07:11 - Watching villagers pray in India

Reading toward Islam
00:09:10 - Removing the clerical collar in Kent
00:09:42 - Reading Surah Maryam in the Quran
00:10:53 - Building an Islamic library in London

Mentors on the path
00:12:30 - Return to East London chaplaincy
00:13:44 - Emailing former priest Idris Tawfiq
00:16:21 - Meeting Yusuf Islam at Regent's Park

Crisis before conversion
00:19:34 - Living a double life as priest
00:21:28 - Prayer mat for a Muslim mother
00:25:36 - Softening of the heart in Islam

Theology unlearned
00:28:34 - From Trinity toward tawhid
00:30:42 - Who was Jesus as son of God?
00:31:15 - Nazarenes and Paul in the early church
00:35:01 - Jesus (As.) as a prophet again
00:36:01 - Suffering and surrender to Allah
00:39:35 - James the brother of Jesus (As.)
00:41:00 - Jesus (As.) and the Prophet (ﷺ)
00:42:35 - Questioning gospel authenticity

Priesthood and shahada
00:43:30 - Questioning the hierarchy of priesthood
00:44:54 - Islam's egalitarian prayer and taqwa
00:46:10 - Shahada in the Medina of Fez
00:51:03 - Choosing the name Yusuf

After conversion
00:52:56 - Leaving the priesthood quietly
00:54:33 - Losing livelihood after leaving
00:55:26 - Work with a Quaker charity
00:56:26 - Teaching in Egypt and Oman
00:57:21 - Advice for priests considering Islam
01:02:08 - Not wanting to be a trophy

Books and the future
01:02:56 - Road to Mecca and Guy Eaton
01:04:06 - The Vision of Islam and al-Ghazali (R.)
01:06:13 - Convert YouTube channels for seekers
01:08:58 - Going public after thirteen years
01:10:51 - Family at a life crossroads
01:12:15 - Discovering the meaning of tawba

Closing remarks
01:14:27 - Thanks to the viewers, farewell, and salam

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What is Christianity?
Christianity is a global religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who followers believe is the Son of God. It's a monotheistic faith, meaning Christians believe in one God who exists in three co-equal persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Christianity is based on the Bible, with the Old Testament and New Testament serving as sacred texts.

What is Islam?
One of the major religions of the world, Islam literally translates to "submission," as a follower of Islam (Muslims) devotes their life to that of their God. The religion began with the teachings of Muhammad in the 7th century. The theology of Islam is based on the Qur'an, which was given to Muhammad by God. Some of the major fundamental principles of Islam include the Five Pillars, which hope to unite all Muslims into a community. Two different factions of Muslims exist - the majority are known as Sunni, with a small percentage known as Shi'a - both predominantly reside throughout the Middle East. Muhammad died in 632 AD and the religion of Islam formally started after his death. The Quran was formally compiled and finalised in 650 AD, prior to which it was 'memorised' and written across many parchments.

Indeed, man is in loss, except those who have faith and do righteous deeds, and advise one another to truth and patience
Quran 103:1-3

O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah
Quran 3:64

To find yourself, think for yourself.
Socrates

It is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong.
Socrates

The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord
Mark 12:29

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Matthew 27:46

The more I know, the more I realize the less I know
Socrates

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
John 5:19

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord
Deuteronomy 6:4

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come
Matthew 12:32

He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.
Socrates

Nature has given us two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue so we should hear and see more than we speak.
Socrates

O Son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O Son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you
Hadith Qudsi

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
John 13:16

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God
Romans 8:14

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind
Matthew 22:37

To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge.
Socrates

The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.
Socrates

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God
John 20:17

Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me
John 14:6

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.
Socrates

Say, We believe in God and what was sent down to us, and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, and what was given to Moses, Jesus and all the Prophets by their Lord
Quran 2:136

Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.
Socrates

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.
Socrates

Understanding a question is half an answer.
Socrates

So in Jesus you are all children of God through faith
Galatians 3:26

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God
1 John 3:1

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me
John 5:30

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21

O Son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins as great as the earth, and were you then to face Me ascribing no partners to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it
Hadith Qudsi

The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you mates from yourselves, and for the cattle (also) mates. By this means He creates you (in the wombs)
Quran 42:11

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them
Matthew 5:17

Indeed, We have revealed to you, (O Muhammad), as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And we revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book (of Psalms)
Quran 4:163

If Adam's son had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys, for nothing fills his mouth except dust (death). And Allah forgives him who repents to Him
Quran 8:447

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
John 5:30

Every human being is made by God, and God loves the whole world
John 3:16

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me
Isaiah 49:9

Blessed be He Who has placed in the heaven big stars, and has placed therein a great lamp (sun), and a moon giving light. And He it is Who has put the night and the day in succession
Quran 25:61

He (Jesus) Himself stood in their midst and said to them, Peace be to you
Luke 24:36

An honest man is always a child.
Socrates

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I
John 14:28

O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of God. Indeed, God forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful
Quran 39: 53

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me
John 14:1

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