Our Teachers - Fountain Institute

Dr. Abdal Hakim Murad was the primary figure who led the opening duas for the Fountain Bookshop in 2003, which was the official beginning of the Fountain Institute under this name.

He graduated with 1st class honours in Arabic in 1983 at the University of Cambridge. Thereafter he studied Islam under traditional teachers at Al-Azhar, Egypt. He went on to reside for three years in Jeddah, where he administered a commercial translation once and maintained close contact with Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad and other ulama from Hadramaut, Yemen.

In 1989, Dr Abdal Hakim returned to England and spent two years at the University of London learning Turkish and Farsi. Since 1992 he has been a doctoral student at Oxford University, specialising in the religious life of the early Ottoman Empire.

In 1996, he was appointed University Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge. In 2009 Dr Abdal Hakim helped to open the Cambridge Muslim College (CMC).

Dr Abdal Hakim is Professor at Ebrahim College and Cambridge Muslim College. He primarily focuses on his research and at EC specifically, he teaches a course called ‘Aspects of Islamic Civilisation’, and advises on curriculum, and research.

Shaykh Mohamed Mlamali Adam was born in Zanzibar into a family well known for piety. He became known in Britain as Shaykh Mohamed Adam. In East African circles he was known as Shaykh Mohamed Mlamali.

Shaykh Adam named our organization “Fountain.” When asked about the meaning, he explained, “From it, many will come to drink.” Though this was hard to fully grasp over 20 years ago, today we see how it has blossomed in our town of Luton, Alhamdulillah.

He grew up in an environment which nourished his faith. From an early age he showed signs of great intelligence. His father oversaw his Islamic education, first taking him to study in a local Quran school. He then chose teachers who were known for their knowledge and uprightness, the first of these being Shaykh Abdullah Mu’adhin and Mu’allim Hi mid Hajj under whom he studied the basic books in the Islamic sciences. He then became a student of Shaykh Muhammad Qamus, whose lessons he constantly attended in the Shaykh’s mosque in Mbuyuni, where he studied advanced books with him. He had passion for gaining knowledge and had love for being in the presence with the scholars and the pious. He was so attached to Imam al-Ghazali and his books that he would carry a volume of the lhya Ulum al-Din with him wherever he went, even to school to the annoyance of some of his teachers.

Among his other teachers was the great scholar, Shaykh Su layman al-Alawi with whom he studied in Masjid Gofu, Sayyid Ahmad bin Hasan Jamal al-Layland Sayyid Ahmad Hamid Mansib bin Shaykh Abu Bakr bin Salim, who had returned to Zanzibar after ten years of study in the famous Ribot of Tarim. Shaykh Mohamed also studied with Sayyid Umar bin Abdullah bin Shaykh Abu Bakr bin Salim. Keeping company with Sayyid Umar made an indelible mark on Shaykh Mohamed that his teaching style and approach to dawah reflected this. Their hearts remained attached and when Sayyid Umar finished teaching Imam al-Haddad’s book ‘the Complete Call’ in the last month of his life in the Ribot of Moroni in the Comoros Islands, Shaykh Mohamed at the same time, his student, completed the translation of the same book into English in London.

Perhaps the scholar from whom he received most in terms of knowledge and etiquette was Habib Umar bin Ahmad bin Sumayt, whom he first met as a child. Shaykh Mohamed fell in love with him and constantly kept his company. He said at times he would sit at a distance from Habib Umar in order to enjoy the pleasure of gazing at him. Habib Umar later authorised him to teach and initiated him into the spiritual path. Shaykh Mohamed had a strong attachment to Habib Ahmad Mashhur bin Taha al-Haddad. So keen was he to learn from Habib Ahmad that he would call him from London and read to him and ask him questions over the phone. Habib Ahmad at the time was in Kenya and later in Jeddah. He was the first person to translate Habib Ahmad’s unique work, ‘Key to the Paradise’

He also studied under Habib Abd al-Qadir bin Abd al-Rahman al-Junayd whom he once met at the house of Habib Ahmad Mashhur bin Taha al-Haddad in Jeddah. He studied a number of books with him over the phone and received ijazah from him. He was always learning and teaching himself new things. He kept up to date with current affairs and new developments in a range of different areas. He always had a book in his hand and as soon as he heard of a book that had been published or had become available, he would make every effort to get his hands on it. Whenever he spoke, regardless of the topic, he would make reference to a Quranic verse or a hadith or a saying of one of the great imams. His love of learning and humility drove him to learn from his students and those far younger than him. He would often call his students and spend hours discussing a particular issue or analysing something of interest. He had a gift for languages and was fluent in several, excelling particularly in English and Arabic. Habib Umar bin Sumayt directed him to become a translator which he did with great success. He became a court interpreter while he was still in Zanzibar and later translated a number of books from Arabic into English and Swahili which many people benefited from. One of his more recent translations was Habib Ali al-Jifri’s ‘Wayfarers to God’.

He moved to Britain in the mid late-1970s to work in journalism. His teachers Habib Ahmad Mashhur bin Taha al-Haddad and Sayyid Umar Abdullah directed him to start teaching and he duly did so. His house in London was an oasis of knowledge and remembrance. He taught in Arabic, English and Swahili, welcoming students seeking knowledge, and where countless texts in a variety of disciplines were read and concluded. He established a class in Wembley in 1989 with the permission and encouragement of Habib Habib Ahmad Mashhur bin Taha al-Haddad which continued until shortly before his death. Over the years a great many people benefited from his unique teaching style.

His heart was attached to the great imams of Hadramawt. He knew so much about the people and places of Hadramawt especially Ta rim that it was as if he had lived there even though he never visited the city. He knew the works of Imam al-Haddad, both poetry and prose almost by heart. e spent his whole life learning and teaching. Even towards the end of his life when his health was failing he continued to teach and help others. He was like a father to his students. He spent a lot of his time not just teaching them but helping them in their personal affairs and assisting them on their path.

The last book Shaykh Mohamed taught in his house before his admission to hospital was alFawa’id AI-Shatiriyyah, by Habib Salim bin Abdullah al-Shatiri. Habib Salim had gifted the book to Shaykh Mohamed along with his ijazah not long before his own death on pt Jamad al-Thani 1439, 18th January 2018. The final discussion I had with him over the phone revolved around the death of Habib Ali alAydarus, a close companion of Imam al-Haddad who died in India. Shaykh Mohamed passed away in London on 7th Safar 1441 / 5th October 2019. May Allah raise his rank and continue to benefit us by him.

Ridhwan ibn Muhammad Saleem graduated in Medicine from Kings College London in 1997. During his clinical training, he commenced his pursuit of Islamic knowledge attending the circles of the spiritual master, Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani, and sitting at the feet of the prolific thinker and scholar, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, with whom he completed several texts including the Ajerumiyya in Grammar, Sanusiyya in Aqeedah, and al-Naseeha al-Kafiya of Sidi Ahmad Zarruq. During this time, he also had the blessing of studying some of the Hikam of Ibn `Ata-illah with Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller.

After his graduation and pre-registration training, Shaykh Ridhwan decided to pursue Islamic knowledge full-time and was able to do so with the help of a supportive wife who shared his commitment to Islamic study. They lived for over a year in Liverpool, where Shaykh Ridhwan sat on a daily basis with the Hadith-Master, ‘Allamah Shaykh Siraj al-Islam Chawdry (may Allah protect him), studying Hanafi Fiqh and Tafsir of Quran. Shaykh Ridhwan later asked for Shaykh Siraj’s permission to teach, which he granted.

Following his sojourn in Liverpool, Shaykh Ridhwan continued his studies for several years in the blessed ancient city of Damascus at the feet of notable individuals. His studies were supervised by the erudite scholar, Sayyid Shaykh Muhammad al-Ya’qoubi al-Hassani, who issued him several written ijaazas (licences) to teach the sacred sciences. During his time in Damascus, Shaykh Ridhwan benefited from private classes with several remarkable teachers, including Shaykh Khaleel al-Sabbagh and Shaykh Mur`i al-Rasheed. He had daily classes with Shaykh Abd al-Wahhab Najib in his small mosque in the old souq in the Maghribi quarter of Damascus.

He had the blessing of being taken by Shaykh al-Yaqoubi to sit with some of the spiritual giants of Damascus, many of whom have since passed from this worldly plane. These notables included the late Shaykh Ahmad Habbal, the Sayyid Shaykh Taj al-Deen al-Kittani, and the late Shadhili Master Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Shagouri. He sat in many private gatherings of Shaykh al-Shaghouri and received the blessing of the Shaykh holding his subha in his hand along with his own and mixing them together while smiling at Shaykh Ridhwan.

While in Damascus, Shaykh Ridhwan was a regular attendee at the public classes and Friday sermons of the shining beacon of Ahl al-Sunnah in the Arab world, Shaykh Saeed Ramadan al-Bouti. He also met the esteemed Shaykh personally on occasions, and asked for and was granted his blessing and special supplication for the work of the deen in Britain.

Shaykh Ridhwan visited the late celebrated scholar of Damascus, Shaykh Adeeb al-Kallas, and, for the baraka requested his Ijaza to teach the religious sciences which the Shaykh graciously granted.

During his studies, Shaykh Ridhwan benefited greatly from the personal company of Imam Zaid Shakir and regular attendance at the private circles of Shaykh Muhammad Ba Shuayb.

Shaykh Ridhwan is a medical practitioner, currently specialising and working in field of general adult psychiatry. He is Honorary Principal at the Ha Meem College of Islamic Studies in West London, and Co-founder of Lady Nafisa Independent School for Girls. He continues his specialist Islamic studies periodically in private classes with Shaykh Akram al Nadwi, who has granted him an Alim degree endorsed by Nadwat-ul Ulema. He lives with his wife and four children in Hounslow, West London.

Shaykh Ridhwan has been teaching the Islamic sciences at all levels since he returned to the UK from Damascus in 2005, and many students have completed traditional madrassa texts with him, including the staples of Hanafi fiqh such as the Maraqi al Falah and the Lubbab, Nasafi’s Aqaid, parts of the Hidayah of Murghinani, the Fath al Bari, the Ihya, and many other texts.

He has produced several original papers including: a novel research on the identity of Gog and Magog, building on the work of Shaykh Imran Hossein; a ground-breaking paper on the true age of Sayyida Aisha; and an exposition of the reality of militant Salafist groups claiming to represent Islam, all of which have been well received by scholarly circles. (Sh Ridhwan’s papers can be downloaded here).

In 2014, following a period of reflection on the situation of the Muslim community, Shaykh Ridhwan began work in earnest on the History course which was intended to be the first stage of the 3-stage syllabus, now named Civilizations.

The History course was delivered at Ha Meem college in 2016/2017 to very positive feedback from attendees, and delivered to a second cohort of students at Karima Foundation in High Wycombe, once again received very warmly. Guest lecturers at the History course have included Sh Faraz Rabbani, Sh Talal al Azem, Prof. Ahmad Khan (Netherlands), Sh Jawad Khalid.

Ijaza

Alim Degree (Shahada Alimiyyah), issued by Shaykh Akram al Nadwi, al-Salam Institute, endorsed by Nadwatul Ulema, India (1434/2013):

Traditional handwritten Ijaza to teach all transmitted and rational Islamic Sciences issued by Shaykh Muhammad al Ya’qoubi of Damascus (1426/2005)

Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood’s educational journey in the Islamic disciplines comprises a rich tapestry of experiences from the late 90s to 2007. He sought knowledge in many locations, benefiting from and receiving licenses in general and specific areas from scholars in Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Turkey, Mauritania, Makkah and Madinah.

The central place of studying abroad unfolded in Damascus, where Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood immersed himself in a traditional curriculum. He received one-on-one tutoring for particular subjects or was part of a small group of students. Over time, he studied various subjects to their advanced levels with various scholars. This led to a comprehensive study of the well-known and established scholarly works, showcasing the depth of arguments and positions representing the mainstream understandings of this Ummah.

Since his return to the UK in the last 17 years, Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood has been actively involved in teaching a broad spectrum of Islamic disciplines, from Sirah to Tafsir. In addition developing educational programmes at the various institutions he’s been serving. His significant contributions include a 9-year tenure as a Quranic Arabic tutor at the University of Oxford, where he designed and developed the Quranic Arabic programme, which was previously neglected, bringing it up to par with the other languages taught at the Faculty of Theology and Religion. He also played a crucial role in creating the first approved BSL (British Sign Language) Adhan, providing essential knowledge of the Arabic phrases that BSL can best capture. His academic achievements include a PGDip in teaching communicative Arabic and an MA in linguistics; he completed both postgraduate programmes at SOAS, which have further enriched his understanding and teaching of Islamic disciplines.

The following are the names of some of the scholars he studied under, each of whom played a meaningful role during his time away studying.

In Yemen: Habib Umar b. Hafidh In Damascus: Shaykh Abdulah Siraj ud-Din, Shaykh Shukri al-Luhafī, Shaykh Ramadhan al-Buṭī, Shaykh Muhammad Darwish, Shaykh Abdul Wahaab, Shaykh Muhammad al Yaqoubi, Shaykh Adnan al Majd, Shaykh Maree al Rashid and Shaykh Khalil al Sabbagh, In Mauritania: Murabit al-Hajj, Murabit Ahmad Fāl and Murabit Hadamīn. In Turkey: Shaykh Mahmud Effendi, Shaykh Muhammed Ameen Siraj, Shaykh Ehsaan Hojah. In Makkah: Shaykh Khalid, Shaykh Abdul-Qadir al-Dhabwān, Shaykh Ahmad al-Ruqaymi, Shaykh Ahmad al-Kāf, and Shaykh ‘Abbas al-Maliki In Madinah: Shaykh Abdur Rahman And in the UK: Shaykh Siraj and Shaykh Muhammad Ba Shuayb.

May Allah preserve those who are alive and grant them the best in this world and the hereafter. And may Allah shower His mercy on those who have returned to their creator and, forgive their shortcomings, and raise their ranks. He continues his learning under both local and international scholars. Shaykh Thaqib has been part of the Fountain for over 25 years.