Abdal Hakim Murad (born Timothy John Winter in 1960)[1] is an influential British Muslim academic, theologian, writer, and translator. He is currently the Shaykh Zayed Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Faculty of Divinity, Cambridge University,[2] and the Dean of the Cambridge Muslim College,[3] which he helped found. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant Muslim intellectuals in the Western world.
Key Themes and Ideas[]
Murad's work often revolves around several core themes:
- Critique of Modernity: He offers sharp critiques of consumerism, secularism, and aspects of modern Western culture from an Islamic perspective, often highlighting their perceived spiritual and social costs.[4]
- Islamic Environmentalism: He is a prominent voice articulating an Islamic basis for environmental concern and stewardship.[5]
- Traditional Islamic Theology and Spirituality: He champions the revival and application of classical Islamic theological and spiritual traditions (especially Sufism) to contemporary challenges.[6]
- Muslim Identity in the West: He addresses the complexities of Muslim identity, integration, and cultural expression within Western societies.
- Interfaith Relations: He engages actively in dialogue and understanding between Islam and other faiths, particularly Christianity.
Influence[]
Abdal Hakim Murad is recognized for his eloquent prose, intellectual depth, and ability to bridge traditional Islamic scholarship with contemporary Western discourse. He has influenced a generation of Muslim students, academics, and community leaders, particularly in the UK and North America. His work often sparks discussion and debate both within and outside Muslim communities.
Media[]
Videos[]
- * ''A Perspective on the Pandemic'' – by Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad | youtube.com.
Abdal Hakim Murad is a prolific writer and translator. Some of his notable works include:
- Translations of classical Islamic texts, particularly works by Imam al-Ghazali (e.g., parts of the Ihya Ulum al-Din).[7]
- Commentary on the Eleventh Contentions (a collection of his insightful and often provocative essays).[8]
- Numerous articles, essays, and lectures available online and in print on various theological and contemporary topics.
- Travelling Home: Essays on Islam in Europe (2020).[9]
Podcasts[]
- Hermitix podcast. [10]
Early Life and Education[]
Born Timothy Winter in London in 1960, he converted to Islam as a young adult. He studied Arabic at Pembroke College, Cambridge University, graduating with a double-first in 1983.[11] He subsequently spent several years studying traditional Islamic sciences, including theology and jurisprudence, at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, and privately with scholars in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.[12]
Career and Work[]
Murad has been active as a lecturer, writer, and translator for several decades. His academic work focuses on Islamic theology (particularly Ash'ari theology), Sufism, and the relationship between Islam and modernity. He returned to Cambridge University to teach and is instrumental in the leadership and curriculum development at the Cambridge Muslim College, an institution dedicated to training Muslim community leaders and thinkers in both traditional Islamic sciences and contemporary disciplines.[13]
He frequently comments on contemporary issues facing Muslims in the West and globally, often engaging in interfaith dialogue and public intellectual discourse.
See Also[]
- Islam
- Sufism
- Ash'ari
- Cambridge Muslim College
- Islamic theology
- Environmentalism
References[]
- ↑ Winter, T. J. (Year). Title of a relevant work or biographical source. Publisher.
- ↑ Cambridge University Faculty of Divinity. (Date). Faculty profile page for Abdal Hakim Murad (Timothy Winter). Retrieved from [URL]
- ↑ Cambridge Muslim College. (Date). Leadership page. Retrieved from [URL]
- ↑ Murad, A. H. (Year). Title of work discussing modernity (e.g., Contentions series, specific essay). Publisher.
- ↑ Murad, A. H. (Year). Title of work on Islamic environmentalism. Publisher.
- ↑ Murad, A. H. (Year). Title of work emphasizing traditional Islam/Sufism. Publisher.
- ↑ Al-Ghazali. (Year). Title of translated work. Translated by Abdal Hakim Murad (Timothy Winter). Publisher.
- ↑ Murad, A. H. (Year). Commentary on the Eleventh Contentions. Publisher.
- ↑ Murad, A. H. (2020). Travelling Home: Essays on Islam in Europe. The Quilliam Press Ltd.
- ↑ Islam, Modernity and Tradition with Abdal Hakim Murad 107 views•Jun 14, 2021 9 0 SHARE SAVE Hermitix Podcast 7.21K subscribers
- ↑ Author. (Year). Biographical article or source mentioning Cambridge degree. Publication.
- ↑ Author. (Year). Source detailing his traditional Islamic studies. Publication.
- ↑ Cambridge Muslim College. (Date). About Us page. Retrieved from [URL]