I was privileged to be able to interview Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad at Cambridge a few days ago. Known as “Britain’s Most Influential Muslim”, Sheikh Abdal Hakim is currently Lecturer of Islamic Studies in the Faculty of Divinity at Cambridge University, amongst working on other projects. He has translated many Islamic books and provided commentaries on a range of topics.
Note: if he’s a Sheikh that you don’t agree with, that’s fine, but please note that this video has been uploaded to help and encourage sisters in their deen, not for debates on which Sheikh says what. All scholars should be respected; negative or rude comments will be deleted and the users blocked.
The questions I asked him were as follows:
1). 1:10 What is ‘Hijab’ and how should it affect us on an inner and outer level?
2). 4:53 For Muslim women living and working in the West, how do you suggest we can ensure that we are growing spiritually, whilst being surrounded by materialism and often being tempted by it?
3). 7:46 What advice would you give to sisters (reverts and non-reverts) who are finding it difficult to start wearing hijab?
4). 11:06 What methods can one use to increase one’s eeman? Many people nowadays suffer from having severe “dips” in their faith, and become very distressed upon realising this. Could you suggest some methods that might help to rectify this type of spiritual crisis?
5). 14:10 Do you have any recommendations of books or articles about the “basics of Islam”, for people who are interested in finding out about the foundations of the religion?
FYI he mentions these books:
“Islam, Religion of Life”, by Abdul Wadod Shalabi:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Islam-Religion-Abdul-Wadod-Shalabi/dp/1929694083
“The Qur’an” Translation, by Thomas Cleary: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quran-Thomas-Cleary/dp/192969444X
6). 16:07 What is the best way to advise and correct fellow Muslims if you feel as though they are doing something “wrong”?
7). 18:52 What about if you don’t have access to a sufficiently knowledgeable person and wish to seek an opinion on something that hasn’t had a fatwa given on it?
FYI he mentions this website: http://spa.qibla.com/
8). 20:58 Is it permissible for Muslim women to wear coloured hijabs or attire?
9). 23:23 How can Muslim women with ‘busy’ lives (working, studying, looking after dependents etc) contribute positively to society, whilst representing Islam in the best way possible?
10). 25:30 Is it permissible for us Muslim women to shake hands with men, for example, at job interview or formal occasions? (Same answer goes for Muslim men shaking hands with women).
11). 27:16 Do you have any tips for sisters to maintain the correct intention when wearing hijab, when it’s always criticised in some way or another by both Muslims and non-Muslims?
12). 28:49 When thoughts of taking off her hijab come to a sister, what can she do?
13). 32:00 Are there any areas of his work where Imam Al-Ghazali mentions the role of Muslim women?
FYI He mentions the following book:
“Tao of Islam”, by Sachiko Murata: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tao-Islam-Sourcebook-Relationships-Islamic/dp/0791409147
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Videos of talks by Sheikh AHM are accessible on YouTube, as well as http://www.cambridgekhutbasetc.blogspot.com
Essays that he’s written may be found at http://www.masud.co.uk
