Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education

The Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education (NFIE) is a non-profit, tax exempt, religious and educational organization dedicated to serve Islam with a special focus on Tasawwuf(Sufism),

Sunday, May 17, 2026

The Unity In Islam Symposium - A Call To Togetherness | Fazlur Rahman Ansari Book Launch- soukISLAM- Dec 2, 2024

 YouTube Video:

https://www.youtube.com/live/qbHRlipdFIU?si=SR-exhZr5W6evs5E

Join us as we explore the timeless teachings of Islam that foster harmony, understanding, and brotherhood among all Muslims. Through thought-provoking discussions and inspiring insights, we aim to strengthen the bonds that unite us as an Ummah. This special event will celebrate a book launch and showcase the inspiring works of the late Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique (R.A) and the late Maulana Dr Fazlur Rahman Ansari (R.A), whose contributions have profoundly impacted the Ummah. Live from UNISA (University Of South Africa) Monday 2 December 2024 at 5pm (South Africa) InshaAllah.

Book: Islam to the Modern Mind: Lectures in South Africa 1970 and 1972 by Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari- Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari; Yasien Mohamed (editor); Mahdie Kriel (transcriber); Awaatief Daniels (assistant) Islamic Bookstore.Com islamicbookstore.com

Mawlana Fazl-ur-Rahman Ansari (1914-1974) was undoubtedly one of the great sages of the twentieth century. He reminded us of the sacred journey into the infinite undertaken by every human being, consciously and unconsciously. He was able to explain, in the language of the contemporary age, the fundamental truththat in our beginning lies our end and in our end lies the secret of ourbeginning. Thus he was able to demonstrate with a mastery of cosmology, not only from the perspective of the Quran and hadith, but also from his knowledge of the scientific findings of the contemporary age, that all creation would ultimately return to the state before creation when the secret of our souls would be made manifest.

Mawlana Ansari deplored the intellectual, moral and spiritual stagnation of the ummah and reminded us of the urgent need for an Islamic response to the intellectual challenges of the twentieth century. He believed that the great majority of Muslims of the contemporary age have resigned themselves to being sentimental enthusiasts or professional traditionalists. He urged the Muslims tomake the values of Islam operational in their day-to-day lives. It was in the 1970's that he predicted that Islam would arise from the west, as indeed appears to be the case in both America and Europe, where Islam is recorded as the fastest growing religion in these regions.

Islam to the Modern Mind draws from the lectures the eminent scholar gave in South Africa in 1970 and 1972, and deals with three broad themes; a deeper understanding of the basic principles of Islam, an Islamic response to the intellectual challenges of the twentieth century, and the methodology of Islamic spirituality.

Mawlana Ansari was able to marry the inner technology of Islamic spirituality with the outer technology of modern science to produce a beautiful and noble example for Muslims to follow. As the twentieth century draws to close, his teachings are evermore relevant. The editors and publishers of Islam to the Modern Mind should be greatly commended for making available these valuable and thought-provoking discourses for a new generation of readers.

PDF: Islam to the Modern Mind: Lectures in South Africa 1970 and 1972 byFazl-ur-Rahman Ansari-

YouTube Video: Message To The Youth Dr Fazlur Rahman Ansari: South Africa (1960's)- عباس عبد الهادي-March 16,2025

Biography:Dr Hafiz Muhammad Fazlur Rehman Ansari Al Qadri (ra)

World Federation of Islamic Missions (WFIM):Karachi, Pakistan: Founder, Dr. Muhammad Fazlur Rahman Ansari (alayhi rahma)
The World Federation of Islamic Missions after its humble beginning in 1958 has developed its activities according to its objectives and has established an Islamic Center in Karachi-Pakistan where its Headquarters is situated.

The main objectives of the World Federation of Islamic Missions:To serve in all parts of the World through the exposition, propagation and implementation of teachings and ideas of Islam;
To establish and maintain Islamic mission and other Humanitarian institutions in different countries for the propagation of Islam.

To establish and maintain Institutions for training Islamic Missionaries, scholars and Muslim Social Workers;
To conduct research on Islam and other religions and ideologies;
To publish magazine, newspapers and other literature propagating the cause of Islam;
To establish and maintain mosque, lecture halls, libraries and other institutions for Islamic cultural activities.

This Islamic Center Complex Comprises:Mosque: Jama Masjid El-Markaz El-Islami;
Aleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies;
Islamic Research and Publications Bureau;
Darul Qur’an;
Qaderiyah Library and Reading Room; and Health Centres.

Aleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies:

The Institute was established to prepare such missionaries of Islam who may reach out the Message of Islam successfully to all the ideological groups of mankind which is the crying need of Islam today. The Preparation of such Muslim Missionaries is only possible if they are fully-equipped with Islamic learning and Modern thoughts. The Institute Formed the first attempt in this direction and designed a six-year graduation couse consisting of Islamic learning and modern philosophical and social thoughts to enable the Ulama to know at the first hand the problems, the doubts and the difficulties which conform the modern mind, and present their solutions in the light of Islam.The other distinctive features in the adoption by the Institute of English, side by side, with Arabic, as the medium of instruction. All essential subjects like study of the Holy Qur’an, the Life of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), Islamic Jurisprudence, Islamic History, Psychology, Ethics, Metaphysics, Character-Building, Philosophy of Religion, and Comparative Religions are included in the curriculum of the Institute.
The Institute has its own hostel for foreign students and the students from different corners of Pakistan, where board and lodging facilities are provided to the students of the Institute.

Islamic Research and Publications Bureau:

The Bureau has produced Islamic literature in English and Urdu and more than 50 publications of the Bureau are under circulation all over the world. The Bureau also publishes the monthly Journal “The Minaret” Monthly International. The Journal published regularly since 1964 and carries articles on different aspects of Islam and Islamic way of life. Some of the research publications of the Bureau have receive international recognition such as the:Qur’anic Foundations and Structure of Muslim Society, Islam and Buddhism in the Modern World, Islam and Contemporary Science, Islam and Christianity in the Modern World.

Darul Qur’an:At the Islamic Centre, Darul Qur’an an has been established for teaching the Holy Qur’an and the basic knowledge of Religion to the children.

Darul Hifz:

At the Islamic Centre, Darul Hifz and Tajweed has been established for memorizing the Holy Qur’an. At present a number of students are memorizing the Holy Qur’an. Board and lodging facilities are also provided to the students.

Qaderiyah Library and Reading Room:

We have a library with the reading room having over 18,000 books on Islam and other Subjects. All the important newspapers and magazines published by other Islamic Organizations are received in the Library.

Health Centres:

There are seven free Homeopathic clinics established at different parts of the city providing medical facilities to poor persons. The average daily attendance of the patients at the Health Centers is about 250.

Affiliation Organizations:

There are more than 38 affiliated Organization of the World Federation of the Islamic Missions in different countries of the world. The Federation is always keen to establish close contacts with the persons who are working for the cause of Islam in different parts of the World. We exchange literature, information and assistance to such organizations by making available trained missionaries for working in other countries.

Building :

The mosque with a large prayer hall and the Aleemiyah Institute with hostel building have been completed to a great extent. The construction work is still in progress and, Insha Allah, with the help and assistance which we receive from our patrons and sympathizers, we hope to complete this building in the near future.

Board of Directors:

The management and the affairs of the The World Federation of Islamic Missions is controlled and governed by a Board of Directors. The Executive Board comprises of the President; Vice-President; General Secretary; Joint Secretary; Treasurer and Directors for Educations, Health, Social Welfare and International Affairs.

posted by NFIE @ 11:38 PM 0 Comments

Indigenising Islam as a Minority:South African Community and Shaykh Seraj Hendricks: Middle East Institute -NUS:Feb 16, 2023


 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/8yFBwaHPfE0?si=4k6JAyrHODh_H6KF

The Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore, in coordination with Wardah Books, invites you to join Dr Hisham A. Hellyer, a scholar in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (USA), Dr Suzaina Kadir, Vice Dean and Associate Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS and Mr Fazlur Rahman, a Muslim community leader for a discussion on the ‘indigenisation’ of Islam as minorities, with reflections on the South African Capetonian Muslim community in general, and the example of the late Shaykh Seraj Hendricks, often referred to as the ‘Mufti of Cape Town’. Capetonian Muslims are indelibly impacted by South-east Asia, one of the main origins of Muslim South Africa, while deeply impacted by Western traditions. The community’s history as a deeply integral component of South Africa, which was cut off from much of the world due to its earlier apartheid regime, has since become a focus of interest of many Muslim minority communities. Shaykh Seraj Hendricks was a contemporary South African Sufi shaykh and Islamic scholar who drew from his own Western education and training from sages and savants in Mecca, many of whom also taught numerous South-east Asian Muslim religious authorities.

YouTube Video: Indigenising Islam as a Minority: The Case of Shaykh Seraj Hendricks- CIS Cambridge-Oct 25, 2022

The Centre for Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge, in coordination with the Woolf Institute, invites you to an evening in the company of Dr Hisham A. Hellyer, Dr Timothy Winter, Dr Asim Yusuf, Ms Arzoo Ahmed for a panel discussion on the case of the late Shaykh Seraj Hendricks and his role and impact as a Muslim minority leader in Cape Town, South Africa, as an example of the indigenisation of Muslim religious authority as a minority, deeply impacted by Western traditions. Dr Hellyer will also share insights on his recently published book "Shaykh Seraj Hendricks: A Luminous Lamp in the Shade of Table Mountain", a contemporary Sufi shaykh and Islamic scholar who was one of the main reference points for the Muslim community of the Cape in South Africa, who drew from his own Western education and his training at the hands of sages and savants in Makka. Speakers: Ms Naz Shah MP is the Member for Parliament for Bradford West and Labour’s Shadow Minister for Crime Prevention; first elected in 2015 and retained her position in both the 2017 and 2019 General Elections, her past roles were as Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Shadow Women and Equalities Minister under the previous Labour leadership. She is also the vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims. Dr Hisham A. Hellyer is a visiting fellow at Cambridge University’s Centre for Islamic Studies & scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. A senior associate at the Royal United Services Institute (UK), he has held posts at Harvard (USA), the American University (Egypt), and the University of Technology (Malaysia). The author of 7 books, including “Muslims of Europe: the ‘Other’ Europeans”, his expertise, ranging from international politics to belief, features regularly in the international press. Elected in 2020 as Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he was appointed senior scholar of Azzawia Institute by Shaykh Seraj Hendricks. Dr Timothy J. Winter is currently the Shaykh Zayed Lecturer of Islamic Studies in the Faculty of Divinity at Cambridge University and Director of Studies in Theology at Wolfson College. Educated at Cambridge, Al-Azhar and London universities, he is also the founder and dean of Cambridge Muslim College. He has published and contributed to numerous academic works on Islam, including as Director of the Sunna Project, and is a leading figure in inter-faith activity, notably as one of the signatories to the Common Word statement. He is well-known as a contributor to BBC Radio 4’s ‘Thought for the Day’. A prolific writer, Dr Winter is the author of several books, including ‘Traveling Home: Essays on Islam in Europe”. Dr Asim Yusuf was a founding trustee and first chair of the British Board of Scholars and Imams. A consultant psychiatrist and clinical director working for the U.K. National Health Service and a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr Asim has a special interest in spirituality and mental health and is internationally recognized as a leading authority on the topic of Islamic spirituality and mental health. The founder of the Islamic Ethics and Global Citizenship Initiative, he was made OBE in 2022, for services to the Muslim community. Ms Arzoo Ahmed is Head of Ethics at Our Future Health, the UK’s largest ever health research programme. Over the last year, she was Ethics Lead for the Newborn Genomes Programme at Genomics England, and prior to this she was a researcher at the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. She is a Research Associate on the Qatar National Research Funded project: Genomics, Islamic Ethics, and Public Engagement. Between 2016-2019, Ahmed was Director at the Centre for Islam and Medicine and a Research Associate at the Office for Public Management. Ahmed is completing an MA in philosophy at King’s College London, holds a BA in Physics and an MPhil in Medieval Arabic Thought from the University of Oxford, and an ‘Alimiyyah certification from Al-Salam Institute. Thanks to the Woolf Institute for their support of this event.

Shaykh Seraj Hasan Hendricks Website:

Shaykh Seraj Hasan Hendricks Obituary: Dr.Hisham Hellyer

Book:Shaykh Seraj Hendricks: A Luminous Lamp in the Shade of Table Mountain - Dr.Hisham Hellyer - Dar al-Turath al-Islami
“In this tribute of reverence and love, Shaykh Dr Hisham A. Hellyer fulfils the time-honoured tradition of recording in writing the biographies of luminaries who have passed on – most particularly, that of Shaykh Seraj Hendricks. He weaves into it the fascinating backstory of how the Muslims at the Cape, after two centuries of forced migration, isolation, social subjugation and enslavement, began, after the abolition of slavery in 1834, to re-establish links with the Muslim world, and specifically Makka. From this contact, the suppressed aspirations of Cape Muslims sprung into a resurgent and resilient tradition of scholarship that continues to the present day.”
– Maulana Taha Karaan

“Shaykh Seraj Hendricks was one of the very few inheritors to the mantle of the great luminary of Makka, Sayyid Muhammad b. Alawi al-Maliki, may Allah have mercy upon them both. It is not an easy task to speak of the likes of such a man as Shaykh Seraj, but this work has managed to bring together so much for those of us that valued the noble shaykh so much. As Shaykh Seraj’s muqaddam, Shaykh Dr Hisham knew Shaykh Seraj and his tariqa well indeed – and as a scholar in his own right, his writing will educate the reader about Shaykh Seraj, his life, and the legacy he leaves behind.”
—- Shaykh Afeefuddin Al-Jailani, Darul Jailani International

“It is challenging to pay tribute to my brother, friend and colleague, Shaykh Seraj Hendricks. He was a fabulous scholar, a visionary colleague, a profoundly knowledgeable and patient mentor, and a loving and transparent friend. It is difficult to capture all aspects of the positive contribution of my friend and colleague Shaykh Seraj Hendricks; but this book by Shaykh Dr Hisham A. Hellyer should give a glimpse to the vast light of Shaykh Seraj. May Allah ta’ala bless his soul, grant him forgiveness and company of the pious.”
—- Shaykh Dr Muhammad al-Ninowy, Founder, Madina Institute Seminaries

“In this tribute of reverence and love, Shaykh Dr Hisham A. Hellyer fulfills the time honoured tradition of recording in writing the biographies of luminaries who have passed on – most particularly, that of Shaykh Seraj Hendricks. He weaves into it the fascinating backstory of how the Muslims at the Cape, after two centuries of forced migration, isolation, social subjugation and enslavement, began, after the abolition of slavery in 1834, to reestablish links with the Muslim world, and specifically Makka. From this contact, the suppressed aspirations of Cape Muslims sprung into a resurgent and resilient tradition of scholarship that continues to the present day. Through this narrative Shaykh Dr Hisham has rightfully earned the gratitude of the Cape’s Muslims.”
—- Maulana Taha Karaan, Mufti of the Muslim Judicial Council, Cape Town

“Shaykh Seraj Hendricks was, like his name, a “Seraj”–a light- giving lamp–in his teachings and his example, for his family, students, and community. This work, A Luminous Lamp, sheds light on this beautiful life and legacy in ways sure to inspire.”
—- Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, Founder, SeekersGuidance

“A loving tribute to a beautiful soul who touched the lives and hearts of many, A Luminous Lamp elucidates the humility and integrity of Shaykh Seraj Hendricks, his scholarly lineage and erudition, and the century-long traditions and community of Azzawia in Cape Town, South Africa.”
—- Dr Mona Hassan, Associate Professor of Religious Studies & History, Duke University

“The iconic Azzawia Institute is situated on the slopes of the Table Mountain ampitheatre overlooking Table Bay where South Africa’s first Muslims arrived as slaves and exiles. Founded in 1920 by his grandfather, Shaykh Muhammad Salih Hendricks, the late Shaykh Seraj was steeped in his grandfather’s Makkan ethos and Ghazalian traditions. A scholar of note, an eloquent orator, a defender of social justice, a supporter of the creative arts, a spiritual beacon and a community leader, Shaykh Seraj was many things to many people. This brief bio-publication, a fitting tribute penned by Shaykh Dr Hisham A. Hellyer, gives the reader precious insights into the shining legacy of one of Cape Town’s finest sons.”
—- Shafiq Morton, Author and Journalist, Voice of the Cape

“Shaykh Seraj Hassan Hendricks illuminated the hearts of those who saw him, with a presence of altruism and compassion, that resulted in serenity in those who came to him. A linguist, a philosopher, and an advocate for women’s rights, he was a pioneer among the people of knowledge, in pursuit of justice. The lamp shines; and those who seek, flutter towards its light. This eloquently written book by Shaykh Dr Hisham A. Hellyer, one of Shaykh Seraj’s closest students and inheritors of his legacy, echoes Shaykh Seraj’s passion for his religion, which embodied the attributes of love, upon the middle way. As Shaykh Seraj’s children and spouse, we encourage all those who respected Shaykh Seraj to read this book, A Luminous Lamp, and we pray you all find benefit.”
—- Rhoda Hendricks, Rashid Hendricks, Nuha Hendricks, and Alia Hendricks – Shaykh Seraj Hendricks’ wife and three children

Article:Shaykh Seraj Hendricks on the History of Tasawwuf at the Cape- Muslim Views

YouTube Video: Interview with Shaykh Seraj Hendricks:How the Ihya Overcame Apartheid
MishkatMedia -Jun 18, 2018

A remarkable encounter with Shaykh Seraj Hendricks who discusses the deep influence of Imam al-Ghazali in Cape Town, and also reminisces about his own role in the struggle against apartheid. Shaykh Seraj is a graduate of Umm al-Qura University in Makka, where he studied for ten years. Widely regarded as Cape Town’s most influential Muslim scholar and writer, he has been Head of the Fatwa Committee of the Muslim Judicial Council of Cape Town and Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University of Johannesburg.

Book: A Sublime Way:The Sufi Path of the Sages of Makka- Seraj Hendricks, H.A.Hellyer, Ahmad Hendricks- Mecca Books meccabooks.com

About The Book
In The Sublime Way: the Sufi Path of the Sages of Makka, Shaykh Seraj Hendricks, Ustādh Dr H.A. Hellyer, and Shaykh Ahmad Hendricks, describe the path of the way of the scholars of Makka – Ṭarīqa ʿUlamā Makka – who came from around the globe and engaged with each other in that holy city.
The authentic and indigenous spirituality of the Holy Cities has survived. This book is an authoritative Sufi guide in English transmitting the teachings of the great sage from the Holy City of Makka, Shaykh al-Sayyid Muhammad b. ʿAlawī al-Mālikī (d. 2004). This Meccan scholar represents one of the true inheritors of the Ghazālīan legacy in the modern age. The brotherhood follows the spiritual path of “self-purification (tazkiya), inner excellence (iḥsān) and the path (sayr) to God Most High”
Shaykh Seraj Hendricks and Shaykh Ahmad Hendricks were khulafa– spiritual representatives – of the pre-eminent sage, Sayyid Muhammad b. Alawi al-Maliki, who was a prominent master of this way. This volume explains various practical aspects of Sufism, and provides the reader with both some of the litanies and practices of the order, while also introducing how it engaged with a particular community of Muslims in South Africa. Scholars from around the world have provided glowing recommendations for it, including the likes of Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, Shaykh Muhammad Ninowy, Shaykh Afeefuddin al-Jailani, Dr Mona Hassan, and many others.

“This is a book that I believe, Allah Willing, would please the souls of the noble scholar, al-Sayyid Muhammad b. ʿAlawī al-Mālikī, and that of his forefathers, for it shows how united the scholars of Makka were in their Sufism. Indeed, it’s a very good explanation of the different facets of the path of Sufism, the way of the scholars of Makka – Ṭarīqa ʿUlamā Makka – who came from around the globe and engaged with each other in such a beautiful way in Makka. May Allah bless the authors for their efforts, and may He allow us to benefit.” – Syed Hasan b. Muhammad bin Salem al-Attas, Imam, Masjid Ba’Alawīe, Singapore

YouTube Video: Indigenising Islam : Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad: New Beginnings-May 31,2023

On the 4th of March 2023, New Beginnings had the pleasure of visiting Cambridge Muslim College. Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad AKA Timothy Winter addressed the attendees with important topics regarding harmonising Islam with British culture.





posted by NFIE @ 9:32 PM 0 Comments

Sufism in Saudi Arabia Since 1979:The Politics of Orthodoxy in Contemporary Islam-Besnik Sinani- Üsküdar Akademi- Apr 29, 2026

 YouTube Video:

https://www.youtube.com/live/UM01MjLlFGE?si=9C7oib0pyrF-tgub

Amazon: Sufism in Saudi Arabia Since 1979: The Politics of Orthodoxy in Contemporary Islam - Besnik Sinani https://www.amazon.com/Sufism-Saudi-Arabia-Since-1979/dp/9004697101

A groundbreaking study of Sufism in Saudi Arabia since 1979, this monograph explores the complex interplay between Saudi Sufism and state-driven Wahhabi orthodoxy. Essential reading for scholars of contemporary Islam, Middle Eastern politics, and religious reform.

Brill: Sufism in Saudi Arabia Since 1979: The Politics of Orthodoxy in Contemporary Islam - Besnik Sinani 
About this book
This is the first full-length monograph to explore Sufism in Saudi Arabia since 1979—a groundbreaking journey into a rarely seen side of the kingdom’s religious life. Drawing on rich fieldwork, in-depth interviews with Sufi practitioners, and archival research, the book brings readers deep into the spiritual networks that persist beneath the surface of state-enforced Wahhabi orthodoxy. It traces a century of scholarly life in the Hejaz, follows transnational ties—especially those of the Ba ʿAlawi order—and uncovers stories of persecution, such as that of Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki. Timely and vivid, it also examines the profound religious shifts unfolding under the rule of Mohammed bin Salman.
Author / Editor information
Besnik Sinani, PhD (2020), is AIWG Research Fellow at the Center for Islamic Theology at Tübingen University. Before working in Tübingen, he taught and conducted research at the Freie Universität Berlin and the Leibniz – Center for the Modern Orient.

 Besnik Sinani: Biography: University of Oxford

Besnik Sinani: Biography: ACOR Jordan

Besnik Sinani: Biography: Konak Institute

Article: Post-Salafism: Religious Revisionism in Contemporary Saudi Arabia. Besnik Sinani
Center for Islamic Theology, Tübingen University, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/4/340

Article pdf:The Future of Sufism in Saudi Arabia Under Salafi–Sufi Polemics and Vision 2030’s Adoption of Wasaṭiyya:
 Khalid S. Al Nassar MA Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of PhD Theology and Religious Studies School of Critical Studies College of Arts University of Glasgow MARCH  2025 




posted by NFIE @ 4:24 PM 0 Comments

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Dr. Abdallah Rothman| Building Muslim Resilience in the 21st Century: IFIME- Aug 1, 2024

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/BX-gvwiiqco?si=9cn4i4197E44X972

In this enlightening keynote address at the “Muslims in Crisis - Interdisciplinary Reflections on Religiosity and Resilience” conference, Dr. Abdallah Rothman from Cambridge Muslim College explores the foundations of building resilience through the lens of Islamic psychology. The conference was organized by the Interdisciplinary Research Center Islam and Muslims in Europe (IFIME) at the https://www.sfu.ac.at/en/about-sfu/re... Sigmund Freud Private University Vienna https://www.sfu.ac.at/en/ . Dr. Rothman discusses how resilience can be cultivated by understanding the transience of all worldly matters, recognizing one’s locus of control, and anchoring oneself in the eternal aspects of life — God and the afterlife. He discusses how acknowledging the temporary nature of life’s challenges and grounding oneself in faith can empower individuals to navigate crises with strength and composure. Dr. Rothman emphasizes the importance of balancing action with trust in God’s wisdom (tawakkul) and focusing on internal change as guided by the Qur’an (13:11). The talk explores key Islamic psychological concepts, such as the soul’s identity, multidimensional existence, and the heart’s central role. Practical approaches and resources from Islamic tradition, including muraqaba, muhasabah, tafakkur, and physical disciplines, are presented as methods to develop and maintain resilience. Dr. Rothman also highlights the need for rest, self-care, and the importance of community support. He emphasizes the importance of achieving balance, where discipline and compassion play pivotal roles. This nuanced approach underscores the necessity of integrating both firmness and gentleness in the pursuit of a resilient mindset. Join us for this profound exploration into how Islamic teachings and psychological principles can converge to foster resilience in the modern world. Key Takeaways: The transient nature of worldly life and the importance of focusing on the eternal.
The role of internal locus of control in resilience.
Balancing action with trust in God’s wisdom.
Integrating Islamic psychological concepts to foster resilience.
Practical methods from Islamic tradition to enhance personal and communal resilience.

About Dr. Abdallah Rothman: Dr. Abdallah Rothman is a renowned scholar and practitioner in the field of Islamic psychology. He is the Head of Islamic Psychology at Cambridge Muslim College, founder of Shifaa Integrative Counseling, co-founder and President of the International Association of Islamic Psychology, and visiting professor of psychology at Zaim University Istanbul, International Islamic University Islamabad, and Al-Neelain University Khartoum. His work bridges traditional Islamic teachings and contemporary psychological practices to offer a holistic approach to mental and spiritual well-being. Watch this video to gain valuable insights and practical guidance on cultivating resilience rooted in Islamic principles.

 Dr. Abdallah Rothman's Website:

Article:An Islamic Model of the Soul
 for Applications
 in Psychology By Dr. Abdallah Rothman

Article: What Islam Offers to Modern Self-Help: An Islamic Paradigm of Psychology
by Dr.Abdallah Rothman The Productive Muslim Company

posted by NFIE @ 11:18 PM 0 Comments

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Al-Bukhārī The Life, Theology and Legal Thought of Islam’s Foremost Traditionist Belal Abu-Alabbas- Tea Over Books -with Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad: Cambridge Muslim College - May 12,2026

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/C4-Cp-1pMjQ?si=-l_NrUASRE1ZarRp

In this Tea Over Books session, Dr Belal Alabbas joins Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad to discuss his new book, Al-Bukhārī: The Life, Theology and Legal Thought of Islam’s Foremost Traditionist. The conversation explores Imam al-Bukhārī’s intellectual legacy, his contribution to Sunni theology and law, and the enduring significance of hadith scholarship in the Islamic tradition.

Amazon: Al-Bukhārī The Life, Theology and Legal Thought of Islam’s Foremost Traditionist Belal Abu-Alabbas

Muhammad ibn Ismāʿīl al-Bukhārī (d. 256/870) stands as one of the most distinguished figures in Islamic intellectual history. His magnum opus, the Ṣaḥīḥ, is revered as the most authoritative collection of Prophetic traditions in Sunni Islam and is the most cited book in Islamic history. Beyond its juridical and theological significance, the Ṣaḥīḥ was venerated in pre-modern societies as a source of spiritual blessings, recited to invoke divine favour, seek salvation, and even bring rain. Al-Bukhārī’s legacy endures, shaping Islamic scholarship and devotion to this day.

This pioneering critical study offers the first comprehensive examination of al-Bukhārī’s life, intellectual trajectory and the socio-political landscape that influenced his scholarship. It meticulously analyses his methods of hadith criticism and explores his engagement with the theological and legal discourse of his time. Through an extensive study of the theological debates he engaged with and the masāʾil (legal cases) in which he challenged Ḥanafī authorities, this book sheds new light on the legal landscape that underpinned his work. Providing both historical depth and analytical rigour, it is an essential contribution to the study of Islamic legal and hadith traditions.

Reviews:
Abu-Alabbas’s meticulous study of al-Bukhārī's life and thought, with its unparalleled discussions of his legal theory and theology, especially the theology of God’s speech, establishes al-Bukhārī as not only an eminent collector of ḥadīth but also a key contributor to the articulation of Sunni traditionalism. -- Jon Hoover, University of Nottingham

Few scholars in the Islamic tradition have been spoken of as reverently as al-Bukhārī, author of what is often called the most authoritative book in Islam after the Quran. Bypassing the centuries of hagiography around al-Bukhārī, Abu-Alabbas provides us with a much-needed examination of al-Bukhārī and his works based on an exhaustive reading of those works themselves. Centuries of scholars have written about al-Bukhārī, but this book can claim to have contributed something new. -- Jonathan AC Brown, Georgetown University

Al-Bukhārī is one of the towering figures of the Islamic tradition. His passion was obviously to collect and sift the sayings and precedential actions of the Prophet. His selection was close enough to the Sunni consensus of what those should be that he has sometimes seemed not a scholar of his time like al-Shāfiʿī or Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal but a window onto the state of things over two centuries before him. Modern-day scholars have been notably wary of probing the record for more about him than was laid out in the fifteenth century. Belal Abu-Alabbas’ study is very welcome, then, in making al-Bukhārī himself a subject of extensive inquiry, particularly developing his legal thought. -- Christopher Melchert, University of Oxford
About the Author:
Dr Belal Abu-Alabbas, B.A. (Al-Azhar), DPhil (Oxford), is a historian of Islamic intellectual and legal thought (7th–13th centuries). His research focuses on the hadith corpus, Islamic law and theology in the formative and classical periods. Dr Abu-Alabbas has previously held lectureships at the University of Nottingham and the University of Bristol, and a British Academy International Fellowship at the University of Exeter. He currently holds lectureships at Cambridge Muslim College and Al-Azhar University and is a Research Associate at the University of Nottingham. Among his publications are Belal Abu‑Alabbas, Christopher Melchert, and Michael Dann, eds., Modern Hadith Studies: Continuing Debates and New Approaches (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2020) and Belal Abu‑Alabbas, “The Principles of Hadith Criticism in the Writings of al‑Shāfiʿī and Muslim”, Islamic Law and Society 24:4 (2017): 311–35.

posted by NFIE @ 12:27 AM 0 Comments

Monday, May 11, 2026

The Biography of Ameer-e-Millat; Pir Syed Jamaat Ali Shah: Saint, Scholar, and Socio-Political Activist of Indo-Pak Subcontinent: Dr.Musharraf Hussain


 YouTube Video:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18NqZK6sYF/

In this video, I have the honour of speaking about one of the greatest spiritual luminaries of our time Ameer-e-Millat, Hazrat Pir Jamaat Ali Shah (R.A).
I share reflections on his remarkable life, unwavering faith, and extraordinary services to Islam a true Man of Allah whose love for the Muslim Ummah left an everlasting legacy that continues to inspire us to this day. I pray this brings benefit to your heart and soul. Dr.Musharraf Hussain

Amazon:The Biography of Ameer-e-Millat; Pir Syed Jamaat Ali Shah: Saint, Scholar, and Socio-Political Activist of Indo-Pak Subcontinent: Dr.Musharraf Hussain

This comprehensive biography of Pir Syed Jamaat Ali Shah (Ameer-e-Millat) offers a profound insight into one of the most influential spiritual and political figures of 19th and early 20th-century South Asia. Beginning with a reflection on the Divine purpose of human life, the book traces his early upbringing, education, and spiritual formation before exploring his pivotal role in reviving Sufism and guiding the Muslim community.
Through detailed chapters, readers discover his contributions to the Pakistan Movement, his unwavering support for Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah, and his leadership in landmark events such as the Khilafat and Shaheed Ganj movements. The book also highlights his establishment of mosques, madrasas, and welfare institutions, as well as his international efforts in service of Islam.
Rich with historical context and spiritual depth, this well-structured biography captures Ameer-e-Millat’s compassion, wisdom, and devotion to the Prophet Muhammad. It stands as an essential resource for students of Sufism, history, and the spiritual heritage of the Indo-Pak subcontinent.

Dr Musharraf Hussain is a distinguished scholar and visionary. He is the Chief Executive of Karimia Institute (Nottingham, UK). He was born in Pakistan and settled in the UK in 1966. Dr Hussain demonstrated exceptional academic talent from a young age, memorising the Quran and mastering Tajweed and Quranic Arabic.
He completed a Degree in Biochemistry and a Science Doctorate before dedicating his life to serving the Muslim community. Dr Hussain’s pursuit of Islamic knowledge led him to study under renowned scholars in Pakistan and Egypt. He has received numerous accolades for his outstanding services to community relations in Britain, including an OBE in 2008.
Dr Hussain has held leadership positions in various organisations and continues to inspire and contribute to the intellectual and spiritual growth of the Muslim community in the UK and beyond.

Dr Musharraf Hussain's Website:
Sharing the Life, Works & Achievements of A Man of Allah: 
https://www.musharrafhussain.com/the-biography-of-ameer-e-millat/

The Biography of Ameer-e-Millat
Three years ago, I was asked by Pir Syed Munawar Hussain Jamati to translate the biography of his great-grandfather, Ameer-e-Millat (Leader of the Community) Pir Syed Jamaat Ali Shah. I am pleased to tell you that we are launching this significant book this week, Alhamdu-lillah. This book shows how a spiritual leader responded to political turmoil, social fragmentation, moral confusion, and challenges that strongly resemble our own time.
Every generation faces its own challenges:
The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in the Indo-Pak subcontinent were marked by profound upheaval. The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Zafar Shah, was removed. Muslims were facing the brutality of the British Raj as they were creating intellectual confusion and internal divisions. Century-old Islamic institutions were weakened, confidence was shaken, and people looked for a guide. It was in this unstable environment that Pir Syed Jamaat Ali Shah (widely known as Ameer-e-Millat) emerged as a figure of stability, wisdom, and moral leadership. His life reminds us that religious leadership is not simply about preserving tradition, but about renewing faith and reconnecting people with the deeper purposes of religion, even under harsh conditions.
In many ways, the challenges he faced mirror our own. Today, Muslims around the world continue to wrestle with questions of identity, authenticity, social responsibility, and spiritual depth. This book speaks clearly to our time; it demonstrates how spiritual authenticity and social engagement can coexist harmoniously. The life of Ameer-e-Millat offers a profound answer. It reflects the life of an authentic Muslim, a simple lifestyle characterised by pure living, consisting of healthy habits from the Sunnah. It invites us to adopt Islamic values to remain spiritually grounded.
Who was Ameer-e-Millat?
Saints and religious leaders, we imagine, are individuals who withdraw from society and focus solely on personal devotion. What makes Pir Syed Jamaat Ali Shah remarkable is that he represented a different model of spirituality. He was committed to inner purification and spiritual discipline but engaged with the social, educational, and political realities of his time.
His spirituality was not isolated from the world. Rather, it was expressed through service to humanity. He established educational institutions, schools and Madrassas, built Masajid, and supported community development through establishing civic societies. He demonstrated that closeness to Allah should translate into compassion for people.
Another remarkable aspect of his life was his emphasis on nurturing people. That’s obvious from the fact that a quarter of the biography is about his 100 deputies, highly trained and adept disciples. Therefore, his legacy is not only institutions and movements, but the individuals he mentored and inspired. They carried forward his teachings across all regions of India, from Sialkot to Srinagar and from Alipur to Ajmer. Therefore, his life reminds us of a timeless Islamic principle that spiritual excellence is not isolation but the ability to uplift and serve others.
Why does this book matter:
My primary responsibility was to ensure that the author’s voice (Syed Akhtar Hussain Shah Jamati) remained authentic. The goal was to make the work accessible to a broader English-speaking audience. The book is important for younger generations growing up in the English-speaking world, who may not have direct access to classical Urdu literature. They are prone to being colonised by the powerful consumerist culture of hedonism and are gullible.
Ameer-e-Millat was a critic of British imperialism and its materialistic approach to life. The book also offers important historical and spiritual perspectives for non-Muslim readers, scholars, and researchers interested in understanding the intellectual and spiritual traditions of Islam in South Asia. The translation, therefore, serves as a bridge. It connects generations. It connects cultures, and most importantly, it allows timeless wisdom to travel beyond linguistic boundaries.
Lessons we can draw:
The life of Ameer-e-Millat teaches us several lessons. Firstly, it reminds us that knowledge and spirituality must walk together. He combined scholarship with devotion, intellect with humility, and learning with action. He believed that revival must begin with correct creed and culture, which is connected to the divine revelation and the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him); it is grounded in historical consciousness.
Secondly, it teaches us the importance of resilience. Despite political and social upheavals, he remained steadfast in his faith and community service. His life illustrates that moral leadership demands patience, courage, and unwavering conviction. Thirdly, his example highlights the importance of mentorship and personal development. He invested deeply in people, recognising that the strength of any community lies in the character of its individuals.
Finally, his life encourages us to view Islam not merely as a set of rituals or doctrines, but as a way of living that nurtures the inner self and the material needs of society. Working on this translation was not simply an academic or literary exercise for me. It was a journey of reflection. Reading and translating the events of his life repeatedly forced me to ask myself how we measure success in religious leadership and scholarship today. His life challenged me to think beyond titles, positions, or public recognition. It invites us to measure success through devotion to Allah and service to humanity.
Closing reflection:
As we celebrate the publication of this book and admire this wonderful saint, we are encouraged to ask ourselves: What does genuine spiritual leadership look like in our time? How can I contribute to building a community rooted in Islamic values? The biography makes accessible the intellectual legacy of one of the prominent Muslim thinkers of the 20th century. JazakAllah to all those who contributed to bringing this important work to a wider audience. May this book serve as a source of knowledge, inspiration, and guidance for generations to come. Click HERE to get your copy.








posted by NFIE @ 8:41 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, May 7, 2026

The Art of Remembrance – Baraka Blue & Abdallah Rothman: Cambridge Muslim College: May 7,2023

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/w7TL-jcdSW8?si=WURJT7QiReRZcRj8

Join renowned author and spoken word artist Baraka Blue as he kicks off his UK book tour at Cambridge Muslim College. In this captivating interview, Dr. Abdallah Rothman explores Baraka Blue's latest publication, "The Art of Remembrance." Delve into spirituality, poetry, and the power of remembrance as they discuss the profound insights within this enlightening work. Purchase Book Here: https://www.rumicenter.love/shop/the-...

Rumi Center for Spirituality & Arts: The Art of Remembrance: Baraka Blue

In the great tradition of Rumi and Hafez, Baraka Blue’s poetry is at once ecstatic and humorous, insightful and amorous, joyful and nostalgic.
In flashes of the visionary, the playful, the passionate, the lyrical, and the profound, Baraka Blue's words serve as a lively spiritual companion to all seekers, lovers and people of heart.

Praise for the art of remembrance:

“Baraka Blue has taken his place as the leading exponent of Sufi inspired verse in the English language and the clear successor to the late Daniel Abdal Hayy Moore who virtually invented the genre. The poet Caroline Forche called Moore “a rarity among his contemporaries - a surrealist of the sacred.”
By contrast, the younger poet might be called “a realist of the sacred.”
His poetry invokes the immediacy of the Divine Presence as a constant, contemplative reality. He looks for God in everything, never deviating from this essential vision. The Art of Remembrance is another tour de force from the American Muslim poet, a rich collection of verse steeped in the metaphysical language of Islamic spirituality, with a subliminal Hip-Hop heartbeat.” Michael Sugich- Author of Signs on the Horizon & Exemplar for our Time.

“Baraka Blue's poetry is not only beautiful, powerful, lyrical and profound, it also has this unique ability to awaken something deep within the reader, to help us remember ancient wisdom that many of our species have forgotten. This is more than art, it is alchemy." Adeyinka Muhammad Mendes- Poet, Teacher,Translator & Founder of the Nibras Foundation

“In these moving lines, the call of the eternal reverberates in the rhythms of the present. In Baraka Blue one hears the teachings of Rumi, Ibn Ata'allah and others in a form that echoes the voice of Walt Whitman.” Joseph Lumbard- The Study Quran, Translator, Commentary Writer, General Edidtor

“Baraka Blue’s [writing] is a brilliant and profound contemporary reflection on the very best of Sufi poetry, and itself an extension of that tradition. A thousand years ago, Sufi poetry found sublime expressions in Persian, and then Urdu and Turkish among other languages. Today, we are witnessing the emergence of Sufi poetry in English.
What a joy to witness this birth.” Omid Safi,Duke University- Author of Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Tradition

“As Emerson wrote to Whitman upon first reading Leaves of Grass,
so I write...
Baraka Blue, 'I greet you at the beginning of a great career.” Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore: Poet,Essayist,Playwright & aouthor of Dawn Vision (City Light Books)

“As with other languages in the past, the fecundating rains of the Quranic revelation have begun to coax forth blossoms of profound spiritual poetry from the English language.
Like the first blooms of spring, the appearance of this garden of verses is cause for celebration—not only of the timeless wisdom and beauty reflected therein—but of the coming flood of English Sufi poetry of which this collection is a harbinger.” Olduamini Ogunnaike, Author of Poetry in Praise of Priphetic Perfection: A study of West African Madih Poetry & its Precedents

“Baraka Blue’s poems are the songs of a soul suffused with devotion to the Prophet, the boundaryless horizons of Revelation, and echoes of hip hop.” Kabir Helminski- Author of Living Presence & Pocket Rumi, sufism.org

“In The Art of Remembrance contemporary Sufi poet Baraka Blue offers a window into his soul by sharing the majestic and creative ways in which the world of English forms can give voice to and crystallize for seekers the primordial silence and spiritual meanings that reside in the world of the Formless.” Mohammed Rustom- Author of Inrushes of the Heart: The Sufi Philosophy of Ayn Al Qudat

A Note from the Author:
Dear reader,
The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “God is beautiful and loves beauty.” One of the definitions of beauty (ihsan) he gave us is, “to worship God as if you see Him, and if you don’t see Him, He sees you.” The way he called us to is a way of presence with the Source of Beauty who is behind all forms and a way of beautifying the soul to reflect this Beauty. This is the Art of Remembrance. We pray this book is a doorway to joy, insight, beauty, and remembrance.
—Baraka Blue

Amazon: The Art of Remembrance – Baraka Blue:

Baraka Blue is one of the most widely read Sufi poets in the world today. In the great tradition of Rumi and Hafez, his poetry is at once ecstatic and humorous, insightful and amorous, joyful and nostalgic. In flashes of the visionary, the playful, the passionate, the lyrical, and the profound, Baraka Blue's words serve as a lively spiritual companion to all seekers, lovers and people of heart.The Art of Remembrance includes new and unreleased poems, as well as his most celebrated poems from previous collections. Designed by renowned artist Mukhtar Sanders, each poem in the collection is accompanied by stunning works of Arabic calligraphy featuring the 99 Divine Names.

YouTube Video: 
How Rumi’s Poetry Led Me to Islam: Baraka Blue- Rumi Center for Spirituality & Arts: May 7, 2026

In this clip, Baraka Blue reflects on his journey through different spiritual paths and how the words of Rumi slowly opened something deeper for him. As a poet, his connection to language and meaning made that encounter even more personal. This was filmed at our retreat at Azahara International in Andalusia. If you’d like to be part of future gatherings, you can find more at rumicenter.love

posted by NFIE @ 6:24 PM 0 Comments