Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad

Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad is a jurist who seeks to contextualise classical Islamic knowledge for the modern era. He is a firm believer that Islam is uniquely qualified — more than any other system — to build a divine civilisation capable of helping humanity to enjoy a better life in all spheres by maintaining the correct balance between the rights of the Creator and the rights of the creation. He believes Islam is the only viable alternative to the failing unjust and oppressive contemporary world systems, as Allah says: "You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind: you enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allah." (al-Qur'ān, 3:110) According to this verse, Shaykh Haitham identifies the pillars of Islamic reform as īmān (faith), unity of the Ummah, impactful action, and knowledge. Drawing from his expertise in Islamic principles — Usūl al-Fiqh, Maqāsid al-Sharī‘ah, ‘Aqīdah, and other Islamic sciences — he promotes these foundational pillars to guide the Ummah’s revival. He is known for developing advanced theories that explore the role of Islamic jurisprudence in obtaining solutions for the contemporary challenges facing humanity, and he critically re-evaluates how Islamic legal rulings (fatāwa) can be formulated in light of modern sociopolitical realities. Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad earned his PhD from SOAS, University of London, with a doctoral thesis on Islamic jurisprudence concerning Muslim minorities. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Sharī‘ah and Law from the University of Omdurman, Sudan, and a degree in engineering from the renowned King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Saudi Arabia. He has undertaken intensive studies in management, becoming a certified ISO 9000 auditor. In addition, he has studied various Islamic sciences under leading scholars of the Muslim world, including the former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Aziz ibn Baz, among many others. He has obtained many classical ijāzāt in various Islamic sciences, including Qur'ān and Hadīth. Shaykh Haitham has served as an Islamic judge for several UK-based arbitration and legal bodies for over 20 years; he is a judge at Islamic Council. He has delivered hundreds of courses on topics such as Fiqh, ‘Aqīdah, Usūl al-Fiqh, Maqāsid al-Sharī‘ah, Tafsīr, Sīrah, Islamic Thought, Islamic Leadership and Management, Da'wah, Reform, and Political Engagement. Shaykh Haitham has also submitted many academic papers in many universities around the world. He is frequently consulted by numerous Islamic organisations across Europe and beyond, and serves as a senior scholar at Islam21c. Shaykh Haitham has lectured in various universities around the Muslim world, provided counsel to Islamic institutions, authored several books and textbooks for different institutions, and travelled extensively to advocate for the reform and unity of the Ummah.
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380 Articles

Doha bombing has only exposed Israel’s war on peace

6 Min Read

Israel has no desire to coexist with Muslims; will its attack on Qatar mark a turning point for Muslim nations?

Scholarly debates on politics and polytheism

0 Min Read

Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad and Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi have a frank conversation about politics, power, and polytheism.

Condolences upon passing of Dr. Jaafar Idris

4 Min Read

The Sudanese professor, scholar, researcher, and author dedicated his life to furthering the Islamic sciences.

“They both lost” — Palestinian scholar on Iran-Israel

0 Min Read

Now that the dust has settled, Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad discusses the “12 Day War”.

An Islamic legal perspective on the Iran-Israel war

1 Min Read

Rightly or wrongly, some people may be asking, "Who should the Muslims support in this ongoing war?"

Advice for those delivering the Eid khutbah

6 Min Read

Here are some points khatībs may use for the Eid al-Adha 1446/2025 khutbah; please make takbīr between these points.

Who should avoid cutting hair and nails before Qurbani?

4 Min Read

This is a ruling on the cutting of hair and nails for the families of the one offering Qurbani/Udhiyah.

Reflections on civil resistance and the Palestinian struggle

1 Min Read

These are my personal thoughts on the recent demonstration marking the 77th anniversary of the Nakba.

A topic so taboo that YouTube won’t let us say it

1 Min Read

In this first episode of our new podcast, OnGuard, we address a topic that affects both Muslims and others: suicide.

An open letter to the authorities and people of Pakistan

1 Min Read

Pakistan can become a superpower by focusing on five pillars: education, unity, social justice, fighting corruption, and building alliances.