--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Muslims have been an almost entirely…" description: "\"Muslims have been an almost entirely benevolent force in the 20th century. They did not wreak the havoc the Western powers wreaked on the world. They h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/hamza-yusuf-3536_20th-century_muslims-have-been-an-almost-entirely-ben_1228032.jpg" --- # Muslims have been an almost entirely benevolent force in… ![“Muslims have been an almost entirely benevolent force in the 20th century. They did not wreak the havoc the Western powers wreaked on the world. They have not come anywhere near to the environmental degradation that we've done to the planet. So I think Muslims need to be seen in the proper light…” quote by Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/hamza-yusuf-3536_20th-century_muslims-have-been-an-almost-entirely-ben_1228032.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/hamza-yusuf-3536_20th-century_muslims-have-been-an-almost-entirely-ben_1228032.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/hamza-yusuf-3536_20th-century_muslims-have-been-an-almost-entirely-ben_1228032.jpg) > “Muslims have been an almost entirely benevolent force in the 20th century. They did not wreak the havoc the Western powers wreaked on the world. They have not come anywhere near to the environmental degradation that we've done to the planet. So I think Muslims need to be seen in the proper light. They're mostly decent, hardworking people, people with deep family values, and they want to live in peace.” [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Muslims are portrayed as largely positive contributors, contrasting with Western historical harms and environmental impact. **In simple terms:** Muslims are mostly decent, hardworking, family‑oriented, and peace‑seeking. Key Takeaway Recognize and highlight positive contributions of Muslim communities. Themes peace family values environment perception culture Mood thoughtful balanced Type analytical reflective When to use this quote - community outreach - interfaith dialogue - media representation Key Concepts social cohesion environmental stewardship historical narrative Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance acknowledging positive traits while addressing challenges? - What role does media play in shaping perceptions? A Different Perspective Overgeneralizing any group can ignore internal diversity and issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Degradation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degradation/) [Environmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environmental/) [Environmental degradation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environmental-degradation/) [Family Value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family-value/) [Family values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family-values/) [Hardworking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardworking/) [Islam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islam/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Live In Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-in-peace/) [Muslims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muslims/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [We don't need more Hindus, more Christians, or more Muslims - we need more Buddhas, more Jesuses, and more Krishnas - then there will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaggi-vasudev/we-don-t-need-more-hindus-more-christians-or-more-muslims-we-need/) [Jaggi Vasudev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaggi-vasudev/) > [European Muslims need to feel ownership of security, rather than viewing the police as an occupying army.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ignatius/european-muslims-need-to-feel-ownership-of-security-rather-than/) [David Ignatius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ignatius/) > [There was a time when only specialized Christian missionaries needed to be able to defend the gospel of Jesus Christ against the attacks of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-mcdowell/there-was-a-time-when-only-specialized-christian-missionaries-needed/) [Josh McDowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-mcdowell/) > [“If your target as a Muslim artist, writer or speaker is to target only Muslims you need to rethink your plan.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gide/if-your-target-as-a-muslim-artist-writer-or-speaker-is-to-target-only/) [André Gide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gide/) > [There can be no religious discourse which is in conflict with its environment and with the world and therefore, we Muslims need to modify…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdel-fattah-el-sisi/there-can-be-no-religious-discourse-which-is-in-conflict-with-its/) [Abdel Fattah el-Sisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdel-fattah-el-sisi/) > [Yes, Europe needs to be more welcoming, but that's only half of it. Muslims need to embrace the obligations of European residence and citizenship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ignatius/yes-europe-needs-to-be-more-welcoming-but-that-s-only-half-of-it/) [David Ignatius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ignatius/) > [All we talk about is 'Islamic terrorism.' If the two words are associated for long enough it's obviously going to have an effect on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-power/all-we-talk-about-is-islamic-terrorism-if-the-two-words-are/) [Samantha Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-power/) > [I think most Muslims are incredibly upset with the state of America's foreign policy today and the state of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-spurlock/i-think-most-muslims-are-incredibly-upset-with-the-state-of-america-s/) [Morgan Spurlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-spurlock/) > [I think Muslims have become the new Negroes in America. They are being mistreated at airports, by the Immigration - everywhere. Islam is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-jackson/i-think-muslims-have-become-the-new-negroes-in-america-they-are-being/) [Jermaine Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-jackson/) > [I don't like this vision that Turkey is successful because it is as successful as the western powers in economic terms. But I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/i-don-t-like-this-vision-that-turkey-is-successful-because-it-is-as/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I think Muslims in particular are facing similar obstacles African Americans did, historically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibtihaj-muhammad/i-think-muslims-in-particular-are-facing-similar-obstacles-african/) [Ibtihaj Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibtihaj-muhammad/) > [In popular culture, there isn't any other conception of Islam and Muslims other than what you see on the news... When you go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumail-nanjiani/in-popular-culture-there-isn-t-any-other-conception-of-islam-and/) [Kumail Nanjiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumail-nanjiani/) > [Most Americans do really think that Muslims all want to take over and they don't want democracy and they want nothing but Islamic law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-nussbaum/most-americans-do-really-think-that-muslims-all-want-to-take-over-and/) [Martha Nussbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-nussbaum/) > [I don't think Muslims do hate America. I think that's what we hear and that's what we believe. I don't think that's true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-spurlock/i-don-t-think-muslims-do-hate-america-i-think-that-s-what-we-hear-and/) [Morgan Spurlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-spurlock/) > [When I was growing up I don't think Muslims and Jews were considered to be opposites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-baddiel/when-i-was-growing-up-i-don-t-think-muslims-and-jews-were-considered/) [David Baddiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-baddiel/) ## More by Hamza Yusuf > [We must assert to the Abrahamic people that we are the last extension of the Abrahamic religion... There is no such thing as an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/we-must-assert-to-the-abrahamic-people-that-we-are-the-last-extension/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [September 11 was a wake-up call to me. I don't want to contribute to the hate in any shape or form. I now regret…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/september-11-was-a-wake-up-call-to-me-i-don-t-want-to-contribute-to/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [Islam is based on naql (texts) and ‘aql (intellect). Some people just have the texts – we call them naql-heads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/islam-is-based-on-naql-texts-and-aql-intellect-some-people-just-have/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [The entrenched beliefs many westerners profess about Islam often reveal more about the West than they do about Islam or Muslims.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/the-entrenched-beliefs-many-westerners-profess-about-islam-often/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [Our duty is to be patient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/our-duty-is-to-be-patient/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [“In essence, what is forbidden to do is likewise forbidden as an object of reflection. Included in this is thinking about the weaknesses or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/in-essence-what-is-forbidden-to-do-is-likewise-forbidden-as-an-object/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [I don't align myself with the West of the Muslim world. I align myself with what I perceive to be just and in accordance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/i-don-t-align-myself-with-the-west-of-the-muslim-world-i-align-myself/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [Religion is here to unite us. It's not here to divide us. If it's dividing us, it's not God's religion, it's something else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/religion-is-here-to-unite-us-it-s-not-here-to-divide-us-if-it-s/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [For young people, if someone tells you: you are the future - say No! I'm the present. You have things to do right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/for-young-people-if-someone-tells-you-you-are-the-future-say-no-i-m/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [I would rather live as a Muslim in the West than in most of the Muslim countries, because I think the way Muslims are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/i-would-rather-live-as-a-muslim-in-the-west-than-in-most-of-the/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [America is about choices, including those to live certain lifestyles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/america-is-about-choices-including-those-to-live-certain-lifestyles/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [We live in the age of Noah (a.s.) in the sense that a flood of distraction accosts us. It is a slow and subtle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/we-live-in-the-age-of-noah-a-s-in-the-sense-that-a-flood-of/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [“Everybody wants to change the world yet no one wants to change themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/everybody-wants-to-change-the-world-yet-no-one-wants-to-change/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [“Desire is an attempt to fill the void”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/desire-is-an-attempt-to-fill-the-void/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [Practice makes permanent, not perfect. If you practice the wrong thing, you make the wrong act permanent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/practice-makes-permanent-not-perfect-if-you-practice-the-wrong-thing/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) [Explore all 126 Hamza Yusuf quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) ## More 20th century quotes > [I think the inhabitants of the past are fighting hard to keep the rents they acquired in the 20th century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bennet/i-think-the-inhabitants-of-the-past-are-fighting-hard-to-keep-the/) [Michael Bennet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bennet/) > [Corporate America is a 20th-century dinosaur, trembling on the edge of extinction, and the only way for you to have a genuinely secure future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/corporate-america-is-a-20th-century-dinosaur-trembling-on-the-edge-of/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free. We sent a generation to college. We cultivated the most educated workforce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/america-thrived-in-the-20th-century-because-we-made-high-school-free/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The 20th century has been marked by cynicism, selfishness, greed, and the desire to please, all without changing the status quo. In the 21st…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/the-20th-century-has-been-marked-by-cynicism-selfishness-greed-and/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [I've studied the lives of the 20th century's great businessmen and concluded self-confidence was instrumental in all their success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-spanos/i-ve-studied-the-lives-of-the-20th-century-s-great-businessmen-and/) [Alex Spanos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-spanos/) > [Universal literacy was a 20th-century goal. Before then, reading and writing were skills largely confined to a small, highly educated class of professional people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-mackay/universal-literacy-was-a-20th-century-goal-before-then-reading-and/) [Hugh Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-mackay/) > [The great wars of the 20th Century made it into the worst Century ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-ambrose/the-great-wars-of-the-20th-century-made-it-into-the-worst-century-ever/) [Stephen Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-ambrose/) > [That is very different from how it used to be in the 20th century. Media was very one way. There's a small little industry.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/that-is-very-different-from-how-it-used-to-be-in-the-20th-century/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [If you look back on the history of the 20th century, the 19th century or even to the ancien régime of the 18th, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/if-you-look-back-on-the-history-of-the-20th-century-the-19th-century/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Up to the 20th century, we can say that this whole period was an Earth epoch, 'Earth' meaning the riches of the earth, simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lech-walesa/up-to-the-20th-century-we-can-say-that-this-whole-period-was-an-earth/) [Lech Walesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lech-walesa/) > [I think this century more than any other really has seen the phenomenon of people being uprooted in such numbers, such a degree. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/i-think-this-century-more-than-any-other-really-has-seen-the/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [If you look at that incredible burst of fantastic characters that emerged in the late 19th century/early 20th century, you can see so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/if-you-look-at-that-incredible-burst-of-fantastic-characters-that/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [Cruel and paradoxical though it undoubtedly is, the record shows that yje most succesful 20th century monarchs have been those who were not actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cannadine/cruel-and-paradoxical-though-it-undoubtedly-is-the-record-shows-that/) [David Cannadine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cannadine/) > [An interesting thing about New Zealand, you know, literature is that it really didn't begin in any real sense until the 20th century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-catton/an-interesting-thing-about-new-zealand-you-know-literature-is-that-it/) [Eleanor Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-catton/) > [The Warmth of Other Suns is a sweeping and yet deeply personal tale of America's hidden 20th century history - the long and difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brokaw/the-warmth-of-other-suns-is-a-sweeping-and-yet-deeply-personal-tale/) [Tom Brokaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brokaw/) Browse all 672 20th century quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Muslims have been an almost entirely benevolent force in the 20th century. They did not wreak the havoc the Western powers wreaked on the world. They have not come anywhere near to the environmental degradation that we've done to the planet. So I think Muslims need to be seen in the proper light. 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