For Video Testimonials please go to Video Page (please click here)
“There are not many people that you
meet and in the first hour of sitting with them you decide you love them
for the sake of Allah, but for me that was the case one week ago, when I
had the honour of sitting in on a course by Shaykh Akram Nadwi. The
next week I was with him again and by no means did he cease to amaze me
any less. When someone like Shaykh Akram speaks and explains things the
way he does, you know that anyone who is not benefiting from him will
look back in 10 years and think, man I totally lost out there. You may
know a topic inside out but because of the depth of his knowledge and
more importantly his understanding, when he explains something you are
thrown back by how he explained it in a way you never heard it before.
MashaAllah. These courses are essential for every Muslim. If people are
sincere about seeking knowledge that will connect them to their Creator,
Allah (SWT), then they will take full advantage as they will not only
help one understand their purpose in life in a deeper and more
meaningful way but they will also be in a strong position to articulate
Islam to the people around them in a way that makes sense and appeals
the the hearts and minds.” - Tariq Shaekh, iERA, London
"As a non Muslim (currently!) I have been delighted by the whole experience of the MEOC lectures and have found them so helpful in my studies and 'quest for the Truth'. I had been doing lots of reading and studying and had started to read the Qur'an and this lecture seemed to come at the perfect time.The whole experience has been well organised, welcoming and informative and the depth and breadth of knowledge of Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akran Nadwi is truly inspiring and motivating. Excellent course delivery with suitable breaks allowing for reflection and brief stretch of legs, plus useful and interactive question and answer sessions.The two lectures I have attended thus far have benefited me enormously and I look forward to more God willing." - Sarah Jarman, Bedford
"Jazakumullah khair for the efforts of the MEOC for arranging these blessed gatherings of knowledge. The seminars I've attended so far have several elements that make them very special, starting from the choice of topics themselves which cater to the more profound needs of the people rather than addressing some superficial issues that seem to be more fashionable today. Even the content of the seminars and the manner of teaching by Shaikh Akram Nadwi are directly focussed towards developing a deeper understanding of these issues. In these seminars, one gets a glimpse of the years of learning that have gone into the brilliant scholarship of Shaikh Nadwi. Furthermore his knowledge seems to be blessed by an acute understanding of the needs of the Ummah. The seminar on the 'Legacy of Ibrahim (a.s.)' was exceptionally beautiful, wherein, the Shaikh in his own words confessed that he was attempting to transmit, not knowledge, but the state of his heart, to the others present. While the knowledge and the insight that one gains into the Qur'an, the Sunnah and the history of Muslims through these seminars is invaluable, I personally feel that these sessions are more than just one-day courses. I am inclined to call them gatherings of Remembrance of Allah, and we all know the blessings of such gatherings!" - Mohini Verma, PhD Student, Cambridge University
"It was a very informative day with everyone I was introduced to or spoke to being kind and helpful. I was warmly welcomed and felt "at home" right away as it appears were all the visitors who were not of Islamic faith. Questions were answered in a loving way so as not to make me feel that it was a "silly thing" to be asking about, as sometimes happens in this type of situation. I was very grateful to be introduced to some of the ladies who had converted to Islam from either another or no faith. That way I was able to see that these people were not just following the faith of their parents or the faith of the home they had grown up in. It also meant these people had probably, at some stage, had the same sort of questions that I had. To have the opportunity to purchase books etc. was lovely. It was a wonderful feeling to come away with my purchases and my notes I had taken (information overload, probably describes how my mind was feeling!!) to meditate on. I look forward to speaking to someone in the near future about my questions from the day and additional ones I have since reading the books. Thanks once again for a lovely experience." - Dianne Holt, Cambridge
"I thought the course was really excellent, with a speaker in command of such vast knowledge of the topic. The organisation was also very good in every way
"Salam alaykum, sheikh Akram's scholarly and practical approach to Islam has been inspirational and has helped improve the way in which I approach and deal with issues." - Nurudeen Afinowi, Cambridge
"Alhamdulillah! May Allah bless the Sheikh and everyone involved in this noble endeavour, Ameen. It is always good to get a refresher of what we know about the life of the prophet Muhammad pbuh. It is always good to hear it from a different perspective as well, as different scholars do focus on different aspects of the same hadith. And it is good to supplement it with what we do not know about the life of the prophet Muhammad pbuh. Jazak Allah Khair to the Sheikh and everyone in involved in making these events into a success, Ameen." - Mohamed Imran, Oxford University
"Alhamdulillahi-Rabbil-Aalameen. Prophet Muhammad - The Example Seminar was excellent. Thank you very much for taking feedback seriously. Jazakumullahu Khair. Congratulations - keep up your hard work" - Shahnaz Akhtar, London
"Jazak'Allah khair for a fabulous seminar. I truly enjoyed it and it was very much worth the trek from London to Cambridge" - Antti Kangaslahti, London
"JazakAllah for arranging such a wonderful and eye-opening seminar. Very well organized, very profound indeed. And I liked the interactive method of instruction" - Hassan Goreja, PhD Student, Cambridge University
"The sincerity and piety of sheikh Akram Nadawi was a great source of inspiration for me. His great knowledge was beautifully expressed masha' Allah in a very simple way that touches everyone in the audience regardless of their marital status. I came along with a friend who is a new Muslim not intending to attend all sessions, but we ended up there all day. The emphasis on the importance of the family, how simple are Islamic rules, the distinction between our cultural heritage and the true message of Islam and his openness to answer all audience questions, in my opinion were the reasons behind the great success of the session yesterday. It was a great honour for me to attend yesterday's session and I thank Allah for giving me the unique chance to attend a session by a great a scholar to guide me through out my marriage-life." - Mona ElQazzaz, PhD Student, Cambridge University
"I have been to two of the CISS courses and can say with certainty that they have been inspiring to the highest degree. Shaikh Akram's style of teaching ensures that you are connected from the start, not only in terms of the relevance of the knowledge he is sharing, but also through the openness of the sessions. He not only shares the important knowledge on the topic but also encourages the questioning of all that knowledge in order to make it relevant for us in today's world. These courses have helped me to reinvigorate and renew my passion for my faith and have encouraged me to continuously seek and apply the vast knowledge there is in Islam." - Rimla Akhtar, Chairperson, Muslim Women's Sport Foundation, London
"I want to thank your organisation for arranging these series of lectures by Dr Nadwi. I have attended two of these lectures and have found them immensely enlightening. Dr Nadwi is a rare scholar of our times and although he is knowledgeable enough to talk at length on issues of philosophy, literacy or poetry, he is always keen to emphasise the practical implications of his teachings - that Islam in essence is a religion to be practiced with real actions and not confined to theory written in textbooks. MEOC has done an excellent job in the way they have taken care of all the details required of organising such events. I pray that Allah rewards all those involved in all aspects of these courses." - Dr Atiqul Baree, Portsmouth
"May Allah (SWT) reward the brothers and sisters involved in this effort and to Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi, in particular, for sacrificing their time and utilizing their efforts to deliver this much-needed knowledge to the public. The seminars thus far, have been very beneficial in increasing my personal knowledge, confidence in how Islam can address modern day issues, developing my appreciation of the immense effort and vast contribution of our pious predecessors and taking a more open-minded perspective and flexible approach to fiqh-related issues. May Allah (SWT) continue to bless the brothers and sisters involved and take this effort from strength to strength!" - Mohammed Naeem Bashir, Luton
"I would just like to say I came out of that lecture theatre yesterday with one word. WOW! The sheikh really was amazing. This is the first time I have looked properly into what hadith really is and the history behind it and I am glad it was introduced to me from a brother such as him. As well being mesmerised by his soft, humble and direct approach his piety and knowledge just radiated out of him. In addition to gaining an invaluable insight in to the life and times of the sahabas and muhadditheen of past generations (May Allah be please with them all), I can now appreciate the time, the dedication and the painstaking process that was involved in maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the hundreds of thousands of ahadeeth that we so readily have available today. I have also learnt enough respect so as to not just blurt out any hadith to anyone without the proper understanding of it. This lecture for me was truly inspirational and has reignited my passion to learn Arabic to a level where I can appreciate the words of Allah and His Rasul (SAW) for what they really are and not to settle for substandard translations. Booking for the course next month is a no brainer! Jazakallah for making all this happen." - Amirul Julal Syed, Cambridge
"Many thanks for organising the course yesterday; I just wanted to say how impressive it was and how much of a boost it is to the community to know that we have such a blessing amongst us on an insha-Allah regular basis." - Dr Mohsin Badat, Cambridge
"Alhamdulliah. Thank you for the Usul al Hadith course last week. JazakAllah Khair. I found it very enlightening and have a better understanding of this important Islamic science now. Also I feel much more appreciative of the scholars of the past for putting so much work into collecting and sorting out Hadith. I enjoined learning from Ustadh Dr Akram Nadwi with his deep knowledge and down to earth style. Because of this I now have started a monthly course with him in London studying the Muwatta of Imam Malik and Fiqh al Quduri." - Danyal Laskar, London
"The Magnificent Journey continues... Today's seminar was yet another awesome seminar in the series with exceptional crowd and amazing insights from Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi. This is truly a historic seminar series on the explanation of The Quran and is redefining our understanding and relationship with the Book of ALLAH. The emphasise of Dr Nadwi on establishing our connection with ALLAH and utilising the space given to us for recognising one God, is the key highlight of these seminars. Each seminar begins by strongly negating the wrong practises which have been introduced in the true teachings of worshipping one ALLAH and then builds on it by inviting us to ponder on the sings of ALLAH and get closer to our Rabb. Truly inspiring series, I would strongly recommend everybody including men, women and families to attend the Magnificent Journey Seminars as these are life changing and truly install this urge of loving the Book of ALLAH. The subtle nuances of the language which make the Qur'an such a powerful speech are beautifully explained by Dr Akram Nadwi in a nice balanced way keeping the things simple and interesting at the same time. His tremendous scholarships of Hadith literature and exceptional skills of Arabic language make this series a unique experience and a historic event in the city of Cambridge." - Awais Ahmed Awan, Cambridge
"Jazakumullahu khayran. I can't thank you enough for the opportunity. I am so impressed by the Sheikh, subhanallah, mashaAllah. A very rare example of tradition fused with awareness of the environment and reality while not compromising God consciousness. If only there were more like him. Questions, I'm so glad we can ask them even if it's not about the sura. Yes, how else are we to learn from his wisdom and experience if we don't ask? The issues facing Muslims in the West are so many and so confusing and I just love the fact that he does not have an inferiority complex about Islam. It's really sad to see psychologically defeated scholars start throwing away tradition in the name of progress and fitting in. Sheikh Akram Nadwi gives you the sense that the real life is in the hereafter so don't have to get so tied up with the philosophies and controversies that sometimes take away our attention from the real purpose. The onus is on us, are we being pious?" - Aisha Barkatulla, Cambridge
"Alhamdulilah! I had never imagined that I would be able to study under
such a knowledgeable Sheikh. The course was breathtaking and full of
practical advices. The amount of knowledge he shared in these two days
was amazing, Subhan Allah. I would like to thank and make dua for MEOC
for organizing such beautiful journeys for us. They just pull you out of
this race of the world. May Allah protect all of us from the fitnah of
this world. May these journeys carry on, ameen!" - Shazia Seemi (Bristol)
"I was just wanted to add to the growing feedback of how remarkable that weekend was for me. By Allah, I do not say it lightly that it was possibly the best weekend I've ever had. The introduction to the study of Hadith, Shaykh Akram's Nadwi teaching and the impeccable jems and one-liners he would dish out regularly stunned me constantly throughout the course. But more than that, being taught by such a knowledgeable and humble scholar, masha'Allah, was a unique and awe-inspiring experience for me. Alhamdulillah, I was able to stay after Maghrib and also after Fajr, to listen to his lectures outside of the course. So in essence, my entire weekend was spent in the Shaykh's company and I could understand -- rather, catch a glimpse of -- how students in the past would love to remain in their teacher's company, soaking up their knowledge and benefiting from their wisdom. Jazkallahu khair for the opportunity to attend such an incredible course, and insha'Allah, I pray I can attend it again (up north!). May Allah SWT bless Shaykh Akram Nadwi and preserve his likes, Ameen. (I'd also like to add that the book stall was amazing, masha'Allah -- I don't think I've spent so much on books in one go!)" - Aanisah Rahim (London)
"Probably the best Islamic education event I have ever attended! I would urge anyone who is serious about connecting to a traditional authority of Islamic knowledge, or just wants an Iman-boost, to attend events with Shaykh Akram. MEOC are brilliant for organising it. May Allah reward you abundantly for this and all your efforts. I can't imagine the reward for someone who works to link people of the 21st century to the Prophet (SAWS). May Allah always keep our intentions pure for Him. Ameen" - Abu Musa (London)
"I would just like to say how excellently organised the seminar was and also how beneficial, may allah reward the sheikh and all the brothers and sisters involved with organisation of the seminar abundantly. The venue was also excellent and the over night stay in the masjid was very convenient and also uplifting. The only improvement I can suggest is to have more courses in the north and the midlands but you guys are doing that anyway. Jazakallah khair for everything" - Naveed Raza (Birmingham)
"Attending the imam Nawwawis 40 hadith under a muhadith like Shaykh Akram Nadwi is an experience which is somethin else. He explains the hadith in such detail and at the same time teaches in a way you can understand and relate to. He is a real teacher that can teach you so that you understand and remember and even shows you how to act upon it. He has such knowledge and wisdomthat just opens your mind. And at the same time when you study with him in person you see his simple and humble he is MashaAllah. May Allah reward him abundantly for his efforts and preserve him so that more people can benefit inshaAllah. If there is anyone who wants to learn then he should make the effort to learn from this great shaykh" - Mohammad Kausar Chowdhury (London)
"MashaAllaah my family loved the seminar.. it was well organised. The facilities were excellent, especially creche facilities. Thanks go out to the sisters looking after all the mischievous kids.Apart from a short talk a year ago, this is the first time i have attended the shaykh's talks. All i can say is 'where has he been?'. MashaAllaah one of best two or three courses I have attended in all my 12 or so years as a practicing muslim. Full of real knowledge, straight to the facts, not much razmatazz, just how it should be. Thinking of making it a regular event..inshaAllaah. May Allaah reward you all with the best." - Saud Jukaku (London)
"The atmosphere was such a brilliant one that it pulled you in like a magnet. The wisdom and anecdotes given in the explanation of these traditions were priceless. They brought one's focus back to God and the hereafter, which made the class not only academic but spiritual. I felt at peace and like a true student of knowledge again." - Sofwan Ahmed (London)
"Thank you and all the volunteers and especially Shaikh Nadwi for organising and delivering such a great course. I feel honoured and blessed for having the opportunity to attend and in-sha Allah benefit from learning the sacred hadith. May Allah SWT bless you all abundantly for all your efforts and sacrifices and your valuable time. I wholeheartedly recommend Shaikh's courses to all. He is not only very knowledgeable but also very humble and pious. May Allah SWT bless him with good health, long age and more knowledge and wisdom! Amen" - Shakil Ahmed (Birmingham)
"How magnificent to have spent a weekend in the company of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam and his companions, reading and studying their ahadeeth. I feel as though I was transported to their times and have returned with renewed strength and resolve to continue the work we need to do in the ‘Daar ud-Da’wah’ we live in. I am sitting here with Ijaazah in hand feeling honoured that Allah allowed me to be a student of Sheikh Akram Nadwi and through him find some connection with some of the great scholars of our past. From his poignant scholarly anecdotes, to his emphatic exhortations, punctuated with Urdu and Persian poetry; studying with the Sheikh is a truly enriching experience. I’m actually learning a lot from him both about rectifying myself and the most important focal points for that and rectifying some of the causes of the downfall of our Ummah today. Without resorting to alienating any particular group or school of thought, the Sheikh is not afraid to hold a mirror up to what needs changing in our communities and in our times. I liked the balance of holistic spiritual principles and finer technical details Sheikh also discussed and his lessons are suitable for serious students of knowledge and people who are in the early stages of their journey. I look forward to future courses. I found the crèche facility to be very useful. I would have found it very difficult to attend without it. The venue was great and respected the privacy of brothers and sisters. May Allah make knowledge a proof for us and not against us. Ameen." - Fatima Barkatullah (London)
"A comprehensive review of the most famous forty hadith collection, the students were given an insight into the meaning of the hadith and how it could be applied to ones daily life. Shaykh Akram explantion of the hadith is a testament to his indepth knowledge of the hadith literature and its allied sciences. Gems of information were given to students at the course from our pious predecessors- priceless! A course that was valuable to students of knowledge , scholars and the layman alike. Credit has to also be paid to MEOC for organising and delivering such a course. May Allah reward the Shaykh and the volunteers of MEOC- i look forward to attending future courses." - Dr Afzal Mohammed (Burton upon Trent)
"I recently attended the Tafsir of Surah Nuh. Whilst I had heard much about Shaykh Akram, this was my first class with him. The first thing that you cannot help but appreciate is how the Shaykh hooks you with his connection to knowledge, in a pure sense, there was no need to employ any speaking tactics to keep the attendees engrossed. The Shaykh, made every point relevant, to connect the text with our lives today and our response to get closer to our Creator. Indeed the Shaykh mentioned countless gems that he mentioned offhand but when contemplated on, really struck a chord in the heart. It was also great that the Shaykh was very open to questions, however sensitive, and tackled them head on, without compromising the principles of our faith, exemplifying that Allah azza wa jal has not only blessed him with knowledge, but also wisdom. I don't say this lightly, I genuinely believe, if you have the opportunity to study with the Shaykh, and you don't take it, then you have missed out on tasting the fruits of the knowledge of the Scholarship of our time and land" - Umer Suleman, South London
"I was just wanted to add to the growing feedback of how remarkable that weekend was for me. By Allah, I do not say it lightly that it was possibly the best weekend I've ever had. The introduction to the study of Hadith, Shaykh Akram's Nadwi teaching and the impeccable jems and one-liners he would dish out regularly stunned me constantly throughout the course. But more than that, being taught by such a knowledgeable and humble scholar, masha'Allah, was a unique and awe-inspiring experience for me. Alhamdulillah, I was able to stay after Maghrib and also after Fajr, to listen to his lectures outside of the course. So in essence, my entire weekend was spent in the Shaykh's company and I could understand -- rather, catch a glimpse of -- how students in the past would love to remain in their teacher's company, soaking up their knowledge and benefiting from their wisdom. Jazkallahu khair for the opportunity to attend such an incredible course, and insha'Allah, I pray I can attend it again (up north!). May Allah SWT bless Shaykh Akram Nadwi and preserve his likes, Ameen. (I'd also like to add that the book stall was amazing, masha'Allah -- I don't think I've spent so much on books in one go!)" - Aanisah Rahim (London)
"Probably the best Islamic education event I have ever attended! I would urge anyone who is serious about connecting to a traditional authority of Islamic knowledge, or just wants an Iman-boost, to attend events with Shaykh Akram. MEOC are brilliant for organising it. May Allah reward you abundantly for this and all your efforts. I can't imagine the reward for someone who works to link people of the 21st century to the Prophet (SAWS). May Allah always keep our intentions pure for Him. Ameen" - Abu Musa (London)
"I would just like to say how excellently organised the seminar was and also how beneficial, may allah reward the sheikh and all the brothers and sisters involved with organisation of the seminar abundantly. The venue was also excellent and the over night stay in the masjid was very convenient and also uplifting. The only improvement I can suggest is to have more courses in the north and the midlands but you guys are doing that anyway. Jazakallah khair for everything" - Naveed Raza (Birmingham)
"Attending the imam Nawwawis 40 hadith under a muhadith like Shaykh Akram Nadwi is an experience which is somethin else. He explains the hadith in such detail and at the same time teaches in a way you can understand and relate to. He is a real teacher that can teach you so that you understand and remember and even shows you how to act upon it. He has such knowledge and wisdomthat just opens your mind. And at the same time when you study with him in person you see his simple and humble he is MashaAllah. May Allah reward him abundantly for his efforts and preserve him so that more people can benefit inshaAllah. If there is anyone who wants to learn then he should make the effort to learn from this great shaykh" - Mohammad Kausar Chowdhury (London)
"MashaAllaah my family loved the seminar.. it was well organised. The facilities were excellent, especially creche facilities. Thanks go out to the sisters looking after all the mischievous kids.Apart from a short talk a year ago, this is the first time i have attended the shaykh's talks. All i can say is 'where has he been?'. MashaAllaah one of best two or three courses I have attended in all my 12 or so years as a practicing muslim. Full of real knowledge, straight to the facts, not much razmatazz, just how it should be. Thinking of making it a regular event..inshaAllaah. May Allaah reward you all with the best." - Saud Jukaku (London)
"The atmosphere was such a brilliant one that it pulled you in like a magnet. The wisdom and anecdotes given in the explanation of these traditions were priceless. They brought one's focus back to God and the hereafter, which made the class not only academic but spiritual. I felt at peace and like a true student of knowledge again." - Sofwan Ahmed (London)
"May Allah reward you, the sheikh and all the volunteers for a truly
blessed event. The experience was truly enlightening. May Allah have
mercy on all your families and grant them Janatul Firdous" - Sujel Miah (Luton)
"I thank you and may Allah reward you all for your efforts.This was one of the most inspiring and beneficial courses I have ever been to. I have been telling all my friends they must attend it next time so you need to run it in London again soon" - Syed Yaqoob Ali (London)
"I completed the study of this text with Shaykh Muhammad Akram a couple of years ago, when he taught it in Central London; it was a most inspiring and enthralling encounter. I could not let another opportunity like that slip through my fingers. MashaAllah, the amount of knowledge and information Shaykh can capture in a couple of sentences and the sheer pace he teaches at; not once could my pen pause for breathe. The way Shaykh takes a hadith, dissects and then extrapolates it to contemporary applications, really emphasised how the Qur'an and Sunnah are compatible in the 21st Century. Every point he makes seems so important that one cannot help but TRY and write EVERYTHING down!!! Shaykh didn't even need to be eloquent in his speech, because the simple yet informative explanations he gave were enough to bamboozle us. It was a very blessed gathering; many students and scholars had gathered from across the country. It was a great virtue to be part of such a hallowed congregation. Those who never attended a lecture of Shaykh Muhammad Akram, I assure you that it'll be a lecture where you won't start dozing half way through, but rather you'll be straining both your ears to try and catch every word he utters. Because when you've missed one word, you've missed a whole chapter of Knowledge. I pray that Allah protects and preserved Shaykh Muhammad Akram and rewards his for all his efforts. And may Allah reward MEOC for organising such an inspiring and virtuous course. Ameen.If you organised this course again in London, I would definitely attend, inshaAllah!!!" - Tufayl Ahmed (London)
"I thank you and may Allah reward you all for your efforts.This was one of the most inspiring and beneficial courses I have ever been to. I have been telling all my friends they must attend it next time so you need to run it in London again soon" - Syed Yaqoob Ali (London)
"I completed the study of this text with Shaykh Muhammad Akram a couple of years ago, when he taught it in Central London; it was a most inspiring and enthralling encounter. I could not let another opportunity like that slip through my fingers. MashaAllah, the amount of knowledge and information Shaykh can capture in a couple of sentences and the sheer pace he teaches at; not once could my pen pause for breathe. The way Shaykh takes a hadith, dissects and then extrapolates it to contemporary applications, really emphasised how the Qur'an and Sunnah are compatible in the 21st Century. Every point he makes seems so important that one cannot help but TRY and write EVERYTHING down!!! Shaykh didn't even need to be eloquent in his speech, because the simple yet informative explanations he gave were enough to bamboozle us. It was a very blessed gathering; many students and scholars had gathered from across the country. It was a great virtue to be part of such a hallowed congregation. Those who never attended a lecture of Shaykh Muhammad Akram, I assure you that it'll be a lecture where you won't start dozing half way through, but rather you'll be straining both your ears to try and catch every word he utters. Because when you've missed one word, you've missed a whole chapter of Knowledge. I pray that Allah protects and preserved Shaykh Muhammad Akram and rewards his for all his efforts. And may Allah reward MEOC for organising such an inspiring and virtuous course. Ameen.If you organised this course again in London, I would definitely attend, inshaAllah!!!" - Tufayl Ahmed (London)
"Thank you and all the volunteers and especially Shaikh Nadwi for organising and delivering such a great course. I feel honoured and blessed for having the opportunity to attend and in-sha Allah benefit from learning the sacred hadith. May Allah SWT bless you all abundantly for all your efforts and sacrifices and your valuable time. I wholeheartedly recommend Shaikh's courses to all. He is not only very knowledgeable but also very humble and pious. May Allah SWT bless him with good health, long age and more knowledge and wisdom! Amen" - Shakil Ahmed (Birmingham)
"How magnificent to have spent a weekend in the company of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam and his companions, reading and studying their ahadeeth. I feel as though I was transported to their times and have returned with renewed strength and resolve to continue the work we need to do in the ‘Daar ud-Da’wah’ we live in. I am sitting here with Ijaazah in hand feeling honoured that Allah allowed me to be a student of Sheikh Akram Nadwi and through him find some connection with some of the great scholars of our past. From his poignant scholarly anecdotes, to his emphatic exhortations, punctuated with Urdu and Persian poetry; studying with the Sheikh is a truly enriching experience. I’m actually learning a lot from him both about rectifying myself and the most important focal points for that and rectifying some of the causes of the downfall of our Ummah today. Without resorting to alienating any particular group or school of thought, the Sheikh is not afraid to hold a mirror up to what needs changing in our communities and in our times. I liked the balance of holistic spiritual principles and finer technical details Sheikh also discussed and his lessons are suitable for serious students of knowledge and people who are in the early stages of their journey. I look forward to future courses. I found the crèche facility to be very useful. I would have found it very difficult to attend without it. The venue was great and respected the privacy of brothers and sisters. May Allah make knowledge a proof for us and not against us. Ameen." - Fatima Barkatullah (London)
"A comprehensive review of the most famous forty hadith collection, the students were given an insight into the meaning of the hadith and how it could be applied to ones daily life. Shaykh Akram explantion of the hadith is a testament to his indepth knowledge of the hadith literature and its allied sciences. Gems of information were given to students at the course from our pious predecessors- priceless! A course that was valuable to students of knowledge , scholars and the layman alike. Credit has to also be paid to MEOC for organising and delivering such a course. May Allah reward the Shaykh and the volunteers of MEOC- i look forward to attending future courses." - Dr Afzal Mohammed (Burton upon Trent)
"I recently attended the Tafsir of Surah Nuh. Whilst I had heard much about Shaykh Akram, this was my first class with him. The first thing that you cannot help but appreciate is how the Shaykh hooks you with his connection to knowledge, in a pure sense, there was no need to employ any speaking tactics to keep the attendees engrossed. The Shaykh, made every point relevant, to connect the text with our lives today and our response to get closer to our Creator. Indeed the Shaykh mentioned countless gems that he mentioned offhand but when contemplated on, really struck a chord in the heart. It was also great that the Shaykh was very open to questions, however sensitive, and tackled them head on, without compromising the principles of our faith, exemplifying that Allah azza wa jal has not only blessed him with knowledge, but also wisdom. I don't say this lightly, I genuinely believe, if you have the opportunity to study with the Shaykh, and you don't take it, then you have missed out on tasting the fruits of the knowledge of the Scholarship of our time and land" - Umer Suleman, South London
"Alhamdulillah I've attended 3 seminars of Sheikh Akram's so far, and Insha Allah I will keep coming back for more! He was introduced to me by my brother who attends his study circles regularly in Oxford. I loved the seminar on Women scholars in Islam, it was a total eye opener into what a Muslim woman's role in society is, which surprisingly (or not) goes against many cultiural and conventionally held notions of Muslim women. My other favourite one was the tafseer of Surat al Fatiha and the last ten surahs, I will not be exaggerating when I say that I truly found it mind blowing. Sheikh Akram is an absolute treasure trove of knowledge but Masha Allah he always carries himself with the utmost humility. I have already had a look at the list of future seminars and I think MEOC is doing a great job in giving the layman an opportunity to have an exciting insight into the world of Muslim scholarship with its choice of highly intellectual topics. Last but not least, its a great opportunity to meet new people of diverse backgrounds. Well done all of you and may Allah reward you for your efforts." - Dr Fathima Shyma Fazal, Boston, Lincolnshire
"As a non Muslim (currently!) I have been delighted by the whole experience of the MEOC lectures and have found them so helpful in my studies and 'quest for the Truth'. I had been doing lots of reading and studying and had started to read the Qur'an and this lecture seemed to come at the perfect time.The whole experience has been well organised, welcoming and informative and the depth and breadth of knowledge of Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akran Nadwi is truly inspiring and motivating. Excellent course delivery with suitable breaks allowing for reflection and brief stretch of legs, plus useful and interactive question and answer sessions.The two lectures I have attended thus far have benefited me enormously and I look forward to more God willing." - Sarah Jarman, Bedford
"Jazakumullah khair for the efforts of the MEOC for arranging these blessed gatherings of knowledge. The seminars I've attended so far have several elements that make them very special, starting from the choice of topics themselves which cater to the more profound needs of the people rather than addressing some superficial issues that seem to be more fashionable today. Even the content of the seminars and the manner of teaching by Shaikh Akram Nadwi are directly focussed towards developing a deeper understanding of these issues. In these seminars, one gets a glimpse of the years of learning that have gone into the brilliant scholarship of Shaikh Nadwi. Furthermore his knowledge seems to be blessed by an acute understanding of the needs of the Ummah. The seminar on the 'Legacy of Ibrahim (a.s.)' was exceptionally beautiful, wherein, the Shaikh in his own words confessed that he was attempting to transmit, not knowledge, but the state of his heart, to the others present. While the knowledge and the insight that one gains into the Qur'an, the Sunnah and the history of Muslims through these seminars is invaluable, I personally feel that these sessions are more than just one-day courses. I am inclined to call them gatherings of Remembrance of Allah, and we all know the blessings of such gatherings!" - Mohini Verma, PhD Student, Cambridge University
"The course by Shaykh Nadwi lived up to its billing and the course splendidly drove home just how crucial and relevant lessons from Ibrahim’s (as) life are to us today. Ibrahim's (as) life is not covered enough in Muslim circles or public discourse, which made the course very interesting. The stories of Ibrahim (as) particularly that of him and his two sons Ismail and Ishaq (as) are endlessly rich and fruitful and understanding them will go a long way in helping us make some sense of our reality. Shaykh Nadwi mashAllah demonstrated in-depth knowledge of Ibrahim's (as) story as narrated in the Quran and also the Biblical account as he taught us the Abrahamic foundations. His passion and the layout of the course were engaging and I left with a strong attachment to the 'intellectual & moral courage' of Ibrahim (as); a principle myself and every Muslim should be implementing in our lives.JazakAllahu Khair" - Mohamed Abdalla, Cambridge
"It was a very informative day with everyone I was introduced to or spoke to being kind and helpful. I was warmly welcomed and felt "at home" right away as it appears were all the visitors who were not of Islamic faith. Questions were answered in a loving way so as not to make me feel that it was a "silly thing" to be asking about, as sometimes happens in this type of situation. I was very grateful to be introduced to some of the ladies who had converted to Islam from either another or no faith. That way I was able to see that these people were not just following the faith of their parents or the faith of the home they had grown up in. It also meant these people had probably, at some stage, had the same sort of questions that I had. To have the opportunity to purchase books etc. was lovely. It was a wonderful feeling to come away with my purchases and my notes I had taken (information overload, probably describes how my mind was feeling!!) to meditate on. I look forward to speaking to someone in the near future about my questions from the day and additional ones I have since reading the books. Thanks once again for a lovely experience." - Dianne Holt, Cambridge
"I thought the course was really excellent, with a speaker in command of such vast knowledge of the topic. The organisation was also very good in every way
"Salam alaykum, sheikh Akram's scholarly and practical approach to Islam has been inspirational and has helped improve the way in which I approach and deal with issues." - Nurudeen Afinowi, Cambridge
"Alhamdulillah! May Allah bless the Sheikh and everyone involved in this noble endeavour, Ameen. It is always good to get a refresher of what we know about the life of the prophet Muhammad pbuh. It is always good to hear it from a different perspective as well, as different scholars do focus on different aspects of the same hadith. And it is good to supplement it with what we do not know about the life of the prophet Muhammad pbuh. Jazak Allah Khair to the Sheikh and everyone in involved in making these events into a success, Ameen." - Mohamed Imran, Oxford University
"The course was very good and very well managed. The structure of the course and the timing of the breaks were aslo very good. I learned alot from Sheikh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi and I left loving the Prophet (pbuh) even more and determined to investigate more about him. Jazak Allah khair for the experience and may Allah reward both the Sheikh and the organisers in their efforts." - Ayan Adan, London
"Jazakumullahu Khair for such a wonderful day. I will definitely be using the letter and spirit of what I learned in my lectures for my students. A very humble and approachable Sheikh with very tolerant and wise views. Everything else was very good and the sisters were all very hospitable" - Catherine, London
"Alhamdulillahi-Rabbil-Aalameen. Prophet Muhammad - The Example Seminar was excellent. Thank you very much for taking feedback seriously. Jazakumullahu Khair. Congratulations - keep up your hard work" - Shahnaz Akhtar, London
"" - Omar Hajaj, Al Jumuah Magazine, London
"Jazak'Allah khair for a fabulous seminar. I truly enjoyed it and it was very much worth the trek from London to Cambridge" - Antti Kangaslahti, London
"The Fiqh of Love was the most amazing Islamic seminar I have ever attended. I have told all my friends and family about Sheikh Nadwi and his inspiring talk. All in all, I want to say that everything was brilliant. The food arrangements, prayer arrangements, book stall...everything. Thank you so much for making it a possibility" - Anosha Saleem, LLM Student, Cambridge University
"The sheikh explained with such elegant simplicity the duties and rights of wife and husband, and even of children. The fact that he stressed the Islamic responsibilities helped cast away many of the cultural shackles that often imprison Muslims in less than pleasant marriages. If everyone took this course before they got married, they would truly appreciate their spouses all the greater, and they would be better Muslims for doing so, raising stronger families. This would then reflect itself in the state of our Ummah. I also enjoyed the wisdom with which he regarded divorce. A solution provided by Allah, so that no one becomes an oppressor....MashaAllah, beautiful!" - Sarah Elgazzar, Cambridge
"JazakAllah for arranging such a wonderful and eye-opening seminar. Very well organized, very profound indeed. And I liked the interactive method of instruction" - Hassan Goreja, PhD Student, Cambridge University
"The sincerity and piety of sheikh Akram Nadawi was a great source of inspiration for me. His great knowledge was beautifully expressed masha' Allah in a very simple way that touches everyone in the audience regardless of their marital status. I came along with a friend who is a new Muslim not intending to attend all sessions, but we ended up there all day. The emphasis on the importance of the family, how simple are Islamic rules, the distinction between our cultural heritage and the true message of Islam and his openness to answer all audience questions, in my opinion were the reasons behind the great success of the session yesterday. It was a great honour for me to attend yesterday's session and I thank Allah for giving me the unique chance to attend a session by a great a scholar to guide me through out my marriage-life." - Mona ElQazzaz, PhD Student, Cambridge University
"I have been to two of the CISS courses and can say with certainty that they have been inspiring to the highest degree. Shaikh Akram's style of teaching ensures that you are connected from the start, not only in terms of the relevance of the knowledge he is sharing, but also through the openness of the sessions. He not only shares the important knowledge on the topic but also encourages the questioning of all that knowledge in order to make it relevant for us in today's world. These courses have helped me to reinvigorate and renew my passion for my faith and have encouraged me to continuously seek and apply the vast knowledge there is in Islam." - Rimla Akhtar, Chairperson, Muslim Women's Sport Foundation, London
"I want to thank your organisation for arranging these series of lectures by Dr Nadwi. I have attended two of these lectures and have found them immensely enlightening. Dr Nadwi is a rare scholar of our times and although he is knowledgeable enough to talk at length on issues of philosophy, literacy or poetry, he is always keen to emphasise the practical implications of his teachings - that Islam in essence is a religion to be practiced with real actions and not confined to theory written in textbooks. MEOC has done an excellent job in the way they have taken care of all the details required of organising such events. I pray that Allah rewards all those involved in all aspects of these courses." - Dr Atiqul Baree, Portsmouth
"This was an excellent course. The course progressed at a good pace and the amount of time allowed for questions was appropriate. In addition to the content, much of the benefit of these courses is from the aproach, experience and perspective of the shaykh. He is humble, approachable and good-humoured. He is clearly steeped in knowledge but his courses are never purely about information - he emphasises the fact that our purpose is to live for the afterlife. Jazakumullahu khayran for your efforts." - Naveed Khan, Cambridge
"May Allah (SWT) reward the brothers and sisters involved in this effort and to Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi, in particular, for sacrificing their time and utilizing their efforts to deliver this much-needed knowledge to the public. The seminars thus far, have been very beneficial in increasing my personal knowledge, confidence in how Islam can address modern day issues, developing my appreciation of the immense effort and vast contribution of our pious predecessors and taking a more open-minded perspective and flexible approach to fiqh-related issues. May Allah (SWT) continue to bless the brothers and sisters involved and take this effort from strength to strength!" - Mohammed Naeem Bashir, Luton
"MashaAllah the course was excellent so JazakAllah khair for arranging it. Shaykh was brilliant as expected" - Hammad Hanif, Bristol University
"Both the Usul-ul-Hadith and Usul-ul-Fiqh courses I have attended so far have been absolutely wonderful. Shaykh Akram Nadwi's scholarship and spiritual knowledge is exactly what is required to help us understand and make sense of so many diverging schools of opinion and groups and is backed up by his immense knowledge of the sources of our Deen. His amazing knowledge is reflective of the numerous esteemed teachers that he has been a student of and his piety is quite apparent as soon as you meet and talk to him. I would like to thank both the Shaykh and the organisers who have given us the opportunity to receive the introductions to these disciplines which underpin the fundamentals of our Deen. We should be thankful to Allah that we have had the opportunity to gain a touch of sacred knowledge from the highly qualified Shaykh Akram Nadwi, who himself has received his knowledge in the traditional manner as part of unbroken chains of Shuyukh and their students, going all the way back to non other than our beloved Rasulullah, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam." - Abdul Hadi, Cambridge
"Alhamdulillah I was fortunate enough to attend the first of the Cambridge Islamic Sciences Seminars which attracted many from within Cambridge and without, both young and old. Sheikh Akram Nadwi is a true gem within the Muslim community here in the UK; with such a wealth of knowledge, he kept us engaged and gave us a sound introduction into the Sciences of Hadith. I came away from the course reignited in my pursuit for knowledge. I look forward to attending most, if not all, future courses throughout the year inshaAllah and would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to get acquainted with the Islamic sciences. " - Maria Alfaradhi, PhD Student, Cambridge University
"Alhamdulillah I was fortunate enough to attend the first of the Cambridge Islamic Sciences Seminars which attracted many from within Cambridge and without, both young and old. Sheikh Akram Nadwi is a true gem within the Muslim community here in the UK; with such a wealth of knowledge, he kept us engaged and gave us a sound introduction into the Sciences of Hadith. I came away from the course reignited in my pursuit for knowledge. I look forward to attending most, if not all, future courses throughout the year inshaAllah and would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to get acquainted with the Islamic sciences. " - Maria Alfaradhi, PhD Student, Cambridge University
"Shaykh Akram worked through the essentials of the course with a burning zeal to explain the multi-dimensional nature of the subject. The methodological approach was incisive and analytical. He made it patently clear that ‘teaching’ and ‘learning’ is a serious matter which carries a sense of responsibility. The Shaykh demonstrated with numerous examples, and the lively and open-ended question and answer session, that accuracy and truth in matters of faith is a forensic process that can never be compromised. One is left with a sincere desire to pursue knowledge that is not only sound but consistent with the approach of our Pious Predecessors. MEOC is to be congratulated for organising this seminar and the future programmes should be of interest to all those eager to benefit from this outstanding Islamic Scholar." - Sulaiman Kazi, Solicitor, Batley, West Yorkshire
"I found the Usul-ul-Hadith course by Shaykh Akram Nadwi to be very inspirational and beneficial. The course was very well structured, excellently delivered, and very easy for the student to absorb. I found Shaykh Akram to be a fountain of knowledge, and I found myself wanting the course to keep on going come evening time. The course was very well organised, prompt start, good arrangements for lunch, refreshments and prayer. I would recommend those who missed out on this first course to not make the same mistake twice and register for his coming talks as soon as they can InshaAllah." - Hammad Parwaiz, Medical Student, Cambridge University
"I feel extremely privileged to have attended such an exciting and deeply educational course. Sheikh Akram Nadawi's extensive knowledge of the muhadditheen, hadith and fiqh is subhanallah astonishing and his humble approach is inspiring to say the least. The differentiation between other courses I have attended was the sound level of interaction between student and teacher which inevitably created a positive energy in the classroom.The course changed my whole outlook on the subject of quoting Hadith to others and it helped me in understanding the magnitude of responsibility and immense seriousness when undertaking such a task, which many of us do without giving it much of a thought. This is a course I recommend to all brothers and sisters without any hesitation whatsoever.We must also remember that gaining knowledge is also a form of Ibadat (worship). May Allah guide us all towards the path of righteousness." - Aminul Dulal Syed, Cambridge
"The course was simply amazing, it was a lot of information to take in but was definitely worthwhile. As for Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi, words cannot serve justice for explaining how humble yet knowledgeable he is. Alhamdulillah I went with my whole family and intend to attend all of his future courses InshaAllah" - Rahee Ahmed, Law Student, Kent University
"We pray and hope you are in the best of health and Emaan. We would like to thank (JazzakAllah Khairan) to all the brothers and sister who made this course happen. The course structure was excellent. We found Shaykh to be very open and appreciated his company. Shaykh very much enlightened us towards understanding Hadith. We thought that this course will be very much like a lecture base, but really found the lecture not only informative but spiritually moving. To know someone like Shaykh Akram Nadwi was truly a blessed moment. We look forward to any future events by the Shaykh. Once again regarding MEOC a wonderful job. My wife would personally like to thank the sisters at the crèche. It was not a easy task for them. Inshallah they also received equal reward as those seeking the Knowledge. InshallAllah look forward to meeting you in the next course." - Abou/Umm Zahra, Luton
"I would just like to say I came out of that lecture theatre yesterday with one word. WOW! The sheikh really was amazing. This is the first time I have looked properly into what hadith really is and the history behind it and I am glad it was introduced to me from a brother such as him. As well being mesmerised by his soft, humble and direct approach his piety and knowledge just radiated out of him. In addition to gaining an invaluable insight in to the life and times of the sahabas and muhadditheen of past generations (May Allah be please with them all), I can now appreciate the time, the dedication and the painstaking process that was involved in maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the hundreds of thousands of ahadeeth that we so readily have available today. I have also learnt enough respect so as to not just blurt out any hadith to anyone without the proper understanding of it. This lecture for me was truly inspirational and has reignited my passion to learn Arabic to a level where I can appreciate the words of Allah and His Rasul (SAW) for what they really are and not to settle for substandard translations. Booking for the course next month is a no brainer! Jazakallah for making all this happen." - Amirul Julal Syed, Cambridge
"Many thanks for organising the course yesterday; I just wanted to say how impressive it was and how much of a boost it is to the community to know that we have such a blessing amongst us on an insha-Allah regular basis." - Dr Mohsin Badat, Cambridge
"Alhamdulliah. Thank you for the Usul al Hadith course last week. JazakAllah Khair. I found it very enlightening and have a better understanding of this important Islamic science now. Also I feel much more appreciative of the scholars of the past for putting so much work into collecting and sorting out Hadith. I enjoined learning from Ustadh Dr Akram Nadwi with his deep knowledge and down to earth style. Because of this I now have started a monthly course with him in London studying the Muwatta of Imam Malik and Fiqh al Quduri." - Danyal Laskar, London
"Of all the scholars I have had the opportunity to study with, I have found Shaikh Akram Nadwi to be the closest, in knowledge, manners and teaching, to how I would imagine some of the great Hadith scholars of the past would have been. He has a vast knowledge of Qur'an, Hadith and Fiqh, a down-to-earth, humble, approachable style, and great teaching ability. His classes are not just beneficial from a learning perspective, but also to marvel at the awe-inspiring wealth of knowledge of our scholars masha Allah. His 57 volume work going through the biographies of some 8,500 women scholars of Hadith is a monumental endeavour. The mere fact of its existence can be a major talking point in discussion with Muslims and non-Muslims, and is almost a stand-alone proof of Islam's unparalleled wealth of female scholarship." - Dr Omar Mahroo, Cambridge/London
"I have been fortunate enough to attend some of the classes given by Shaykh Mohammed Akram Nadwi in Oxford and London, and I would certainly recommend them to anyone seeking to increase their understanding of the sciences of Islam. Masha'Allah, Shaykh Akram's knowledge is both broad and deep, his training is traditional, his presentation is lively and relevant to our lives today, and one feels that his intention is truly to raise the level of every Muslim. His work on the women scholars of Islam is timely and inspirational, revealing the little-known fact that many thousands of women scholars were involved in developing and maintaining the tradition of scholarship in Islam. This was the case right from the earliest community in Madina until only about 200 years ago. Shaykh Akram makes sure that his knowledge is accessible to all seekers, regardless of gender, in the most correct and generous way, and his courses thus contribute to restoring a balance and harmony. May Allah bless him and preserve him. The courses planned for Cambridge are an opportunity not to be missed!" - Aziza Spiker, Cambridge
"Excellent courses and very well organised in all ways. MEOC is helping in great lengths towards the whole Muslim community of Cambridge and perhaps the UK in view of supplying authentic knowledge of Islam through renowned scholars. The Fiqh course was just one part of this chain of lectures which InshAllah we will enjoy to the bits for the whole year. The Fiqh course was thought provoking and extremely useful for someone who didn't even know the basics of Fiqh and it will help to enhance our vision and knowledge in the right direction. May Allah give us Tawfeeq to seek knowledge in the path of our Deen." - Dr Rizwan Khan, Cambridge
"The course was extremely well organised and expertly delivered. What I find most impressive about Shaykh Akram Nadwi is not only the astounding depth and breadth of sacred knowledge that he possesses, but also his awe-inspiring humility. When sitting in one of his lectures, it becomes clear very early on that you are in the company of a scholar of great rank. The series of structured and high quality seminars fills a long unfulfilled niche here in Cambridge and so the community is very much indebted both to the shaykh and you, the organisers, for providing us with such a great and regular blessing. JazakumAllah kheiran." - Yassar Mustafa, Medical Student, Cambridge University
"Alhumdullilah I had a fascinating day learning Usul-ul-Hadith from Shaykh Nadwi, today in Cambridge. Such a learned man and so humble, Subhanallah" - Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, St Ives, Cambridgeshire
"Excellent courses and very well organised in all ways. MEOC is helping in great lengths towards the whole Muslim community of Cambridge and perhaps the UK in view of supplying authentic knowledge of Islam through renowned scholars. The Fiqh course was just one part of this chain of lectures which InshAllah we will enjoy to the bits for the whole year. The Fiqh course was thought provoking and extremely useful for someone who didn't even know the basics of Fiqh and it will help to enhance our vision and knowledge in the right direction. May Allah give us Tawfeeq to seek knowledge in the path of our Deen." - Dr Rizwan Khan, Cambridge
"The course was extremely well organised and expertly delivered. What I find most impressive about Shaykh Akram Nadwi is not only the astounding depth and breadth of sacred knowledge that he possesses, but also his awe-inspiring humility. When sitting in one of his lectures, it becomes clear very early on that you are in the company of a scholar of great rank. The series of structured and high quality seminars fills a long unfulfilled niche here in Cambridge and so the community is very much indebted both to the shaykh and you, the organisers, for providing us with such a great and regular blessing. JazakumAllah kheiran." - Yassar Mustafa, Medical Student, Cambridge University
"Alhumdullilah I had a fascinating day learning Usul-ul-Hadith from Shaykh Nadwi, today in Cambridge. Such a learned man and so humble, Subhanallah" - Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, St Ives, Cambridgeshire
