Scholars

Guest Speakers:

SHAYKH MUHAMMAD AL-YAQOUBI (SYRIA)

Born in the early 1960’s, Shaykh Muhammad descends from a scholarly family whose lineage goes back directly to the beloved Prophet, may peace & blessings be upon him, through his grandson Sayyiduna al-Hasan, may Allah be well pleased with him. His ancestors, such as his father and spiritual Master Shaykh Ibrahim al-Ya'qoubi (d.1985/1406 H.) are also considered to be some of the most prominent ‘Ulama’ of Sham in recent times. Under this blessed upbringing, Shaykh Muhammad followed a solid traditional curriculum and studied major classical works on various Shari'ah disciplines. He taught his first class in Qura'an and Tajweed at the age of eleven, and soon after delivered his first public speech and friday khutba before reaching fifteen years of age. Following this continued success, he received several ijazas in the science of Hadith from notable personalities in the Muslim world.

Shaykh Muhammad pursued academic studies at the University of Damascus and obtained a degree in Arabic literature, prior to completing a two-year study of philosophy at the Arab University of Beirut. In 1991, Shaykh Muhammad travelled to Sweden joining the PhD linguistics program at Gothenburg University, and later worked there as a teacher of classical Arabic literature. The Shaykh also made significant contrbutions to the Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah in Kuwait both as a Research Editor, and Assistant Director of Research and Studies.

During this time in Europe, Shaykh Muhammad also served the Swedish community as Imam and notably Grand Mufti, and was continuously seen struggling for the establishment of Islam in the country. Alongside other commitments, Shaykh Muhammad also regularly attends conferences, delivers sermons, and offers timely counsel to numerous students across the globe.

SHAYKH GIBRIL FOUAD HADDAD* (BRUNEI)

*Subject to availability

Dr Gibril Haddad was born in Beirut (Lebanon), and embraced Islam as a graduate student at Columbia University in New York. Following this spiritual opening, he later moved to Damascus for a period of almost ten years and was blessed with the opportunity of studying under great ‘Ulama’ from the Sham region. Being a prolific author, Hadith expert, and renowned translator of several classical Islamic texts, Shaykh Gibril Haddad has published over 30 books on Islamic doctrine, Hadith, and History. His works continuously tackle and simplify many subjects of a contentious nature including:

Translations:

· Correct Islamic Doctrine (1999)

· The Prophets in Barzakh and the hadith of Isrâ and Mirâj (1999)

· Advice to our brothers the scholars of Najd (2002)

· Jesus Christ the Son of Mary and His Most Blessed Mother (2005)

· The Prophet's Night Journey and Heavenly Ascent (2006)

Original Work:

· Albani and His Friends: A Concise Guide to the "Salafi" Movement (2004)

· From the Two Holy Sanctuaries: A Hajj Journal (2006)

· The Four Imams and their Schools: Abu Hanifa, Malik, al-Shafi'i, and Ahmad bin Hanbal (may Allah be pleased with them, 2007)

· Sunna Notes: Studies in Hadith & Doctrine, Volumes I & II

· Siyar al-Khulafa' al-Rashidin ("The Rightly-Guided Caliphs", Forthcoming)

Most significantly for travellers on this tour, Shaykh Gibril also authored a concise book on ‘The Excellence of Syro-Palestine (al-Sham) and Its People’, which ultimately formed the inspiration to organising the proposed Ziyarah excursion. He is presently working on Mulla ‘Ali al-Qari’s Major Dictionary of Hadith Forgeries and has been graced with ijaza certificates from more than 100 shaykhs from Algeria to Yemen.

Participating Scholars/Tour Guides:

IMAM SAJID HUSSAIN ZAFAR (PAKISTAN)

Born in the early 1970’s, Imam Sajid originates from the beautiful valleys of Kashmir before heading to Karachi in formal pursuit of the traditional Islamic sciences. Here after gaining initial qualifications, the Shaykh later enrolled into a six-year religious studies programme at an institution affiliated to the renowned scholar and former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-azhari (may Allah have mercy on him). During this period he also continued secular studies and notably received Gold Medals at both the FA and BA grades, before advancing to specialise in the field of Hadith. Still at a young age, Imam Sajid then formally began his teaching career while obtaining a double MA degree in Islamic studies and Arabic from the Kashmir and Punjab Universities respectively. Prior to his arrival in England the Shaykh held honourable positions of a Qadhi (Judge) and Professor of Islamic studies, while also being gifted the ‘Presidential Award’ by the Pakistan Government in recognition of his educational achievements.

SIDI MUHAMMAD YASEEN (UK)

Born and raised in England, Sidi Yaseen is a student of sacred knowledge who developed a strong interest in acquiring the traditional Islamic sciences from an early age. While actively participating in local gatherings of dhikr and knowledge, Sidi Yaseen secured his basic Islamic foundations through studies with qualified ‘Ulama’ from the community amongst them most notably Shaykh Rasul Baksh Saeedi of the FR Institute. Thereafter to further develop his Arabic proficiency, Ustadh Yaseen travelled to the ‘land of Knowledge’ (Syria) and during this stay was fortunate enough to consistently meet and learn from several renowned Scholars of the current era.

Following his return, efforts were renewed to continue an academic career that would also provide an opportunity to engage with the Muslim youth of society. To date, he credibly holds a Bsc in Computer Science & Software Engineering and more recently recieved a Msc in Real Estate Management. Alongside other interests, Sidi Yaseen currently studies Tafsir & Hadith at the established Sultan Bahu Educational Trust, and personally leads other circles of sacred knowledge on a daily basis.

In order to further develop the educational and spiritual aspects of the tour, inspiring lectures have been arranged that will frequently be delivered throughout the planned itinerary. Topics chosen will revolve around the theme ‘Yearning for the Pious’ and blessed lands of Sham, while Q&A opportunities have been included to add a dynamic element to the learning process. Qualified Islamic scholars have been requested to lead this part of the excursion.