Q1. You have an extraordinary blend of expertise in Islamic jurisprudence, academia, and industrial innovation. Could you start by introducing yourself to our readers and share what motivated you to explore such diverse fields while maintaining your focus on scholarly and ethical pursuits?
My primary scholarly formation is in classical Islamic jurisprudence, with a focus on fiqh, usul al-fiqh, and Islamic commercial law. Alongside this, I pursued academic and professional work in the sciences and industrial innovation, particularly chemistry and polymer synthesis and its application in manufacturing. For AlHuda Today readers, it is important to emphasise that this interdisciplinary path was not incidental. Islamic scholarship, by its very nature, is meant to guide lived realities. Engagement with industry and applied sciences allows a jurist to understand how ethical principles intersect with production, finance, and societal needs, ensuring that Islamic guidance remains both authentic and relevant.
Q2. As a Chief Shariah Officer and Principal Jurisconsult, you guide institutions on complex Islamic legal and financial issues. How do you balance traditional jurisprudence with modern industry challenges?
The balance is achieved by remaining firmly anchored in the methodological foundations of Islamic law while engaging contemporary realities with intellectual clarity. Classical jurisprudence provides enduring principles—such as maqasid al-shariah, qawa‘id fiqhiyyah, and juristic precedent—that enable adaptation without dilution. Modern industry challenges are addressed through rigorous takyif fiqhi and structured Shariah governance. This ensures that innovation in Islamic finance remains principled, not reactive, and that institutional practices reflect substance rather than form alone.
Q3. Your pioneering work in chemistry and industrial innovations, including patents in paper manufacturing, demonstrates remarkable problem-solving skills. How has your scientific background influenced your approach to Islamic finance and ethical decision-making?
Scientific training cultivates precision, analytical discipline, and respect for empirical outcomes. These qualities are invaluable in Islamic finance, where complex structures must be examined beyond contractual wording to their real economic and ethical effects. For AlHuda Today’s audience, this intersection highlights an important lesson: Shariah compliance must be outcome aware. Ethical decision-making in finance requires the same rigor as industrial problem-solving—ensuring accountability, transparency, and measurable benefit.
Q4. You serve as Chief Shariah Officer for multiple financial institutes. What are the key challenges you face in ensuring that financial practices comply with Islamic principles while remaining competitive in global markets?
A central challenge is maintaining ethical substance amid global competitive pressures. Institutions often face incentives to replicate conventional financial models with minimal modification. The role of the Chief Shariah Officer is to safeguard Islamic values while enabling institutions to operate efficiently within regulatory and market constraints. This requires robust Shariah governance, continuous engagement with management, and a clear commitment to ethical differentiation rather than mere compliance mimicry.
Q5. How do you advise organizations on managing charitable funds and implementing ethical financial practices that align with Shariah principles?
Charitable funds such as zakat, waqf, and sadaqah must be governed with the same rigor as commercial finance—if not more. I advise organisations to prioritise transparency, proper fund segregation, Shariah-defined eligibility, and impact assessment. Ethical financial practices are holistic; they extend from charitable activities to investment policies, risk management, and institutional culture. For readers of AlHuda Today, this underscores that Shariah ethics are systemic, not compartmentalised.
Q6. Your leadership with Wifaqul Ulama focuses on addressing challenges faced by Muslim minorities. How can Islamic institutions leverage waqf, zakat, and other social finance tools to support vulnerable communities?
Islamic social finance instruments are uniquely suited to addressing structural vulnerability, particularly among Muslim minorities. Waqf can provide sustainable institutional support for education and social services, while zakat addresses immediate economic hardship. The key lies in professional management, collaboration, and alignment with local legal frameworks. When implemented strategically, these tools empower communities toward long-term resilience rather than short-term relief.
Q7. As a global scholar and educator, what do you consider essential in preparing the next generation of Islamic leaders to navigate both religious and contemporary professional challenges?
Future Islamic leaders must combine depth in the Islamic intellectual tradition with literacy in modern disciplines such as economics, governance, and technology. Equally vital is ethical formation—cultivating humility, responsibility, and public service. For AlHuda Today’s readers involved in education and training, this highlights the need for integrated curricula that prepare scholars and professionals to engage the modern world without compromising moral clarity.
Q8. With rapid technological and industrial developments, how can Islamic scholars and institutions responsibly use technology to educate communities and ensure ethical governance in finance and business?
Technology offers unprecedented opportunities for education, transparency, and governance. However, it must operate within clear ethical boundaries. Scholars and institutions should leverage technology to widen access to authentic knowledge, strengthen Shariah compliance systems, and enhance accountability. At the same time, human oversight and scholarly judgment remain indispensable to ensure that efficiency does not replace ethical responsibility.
Q9. You issue legal opinions (fatwas) on diverse matters affecting society. How do you approach complex ethical and financial questions while maintaining consistency with classical jurisprudence?
The process begins with precise understanding of the issue, followed by juristic classification grounded in established legal principles. Classical jurisprudence provides methodological consistency rather than rigid conclusions. Where legitimate scholarly differences exist, I prioritise evidence-based reasoning, public interest (maslahah), and harm prevention, while clearly defining the scope of each ruling. This approach preserves both integrity and relevance.
Q10. Given your experience in Islamic scholarship, finance, and global industries, what is your vision for the future of Islamic practice, education, and ethical leadership over the next decade?
I anticipate a shift from symbolic compliance toward substantive ethical leadership in Islamic finance and governance. Education will become more interdisciplinary, producing leaders capable of principled engagement with global challenges. Islamic institutions—particularly in minority contexts—will increasingly emphasise institutional strength, social justice, and intellectual confidence. This decade presents an opportunity for Islamic ethics to contribute meaningfully to global discourse on responsible finance and governance.
Q11. Finally, what advice or message would you like to share with AlHuda Today readers seeking guidance on combining faith, ethics, and professional excellence in their personal and professional lives?
Faith and professional excellence are not separate pursuits; they are mutually reinforcing when approached with sincerity and discipline. I encourage AlHuda Today readers to pursue mastery in their professions while remaining anchored in ethical accountability. Integrity, service, and responsibility should define one’s career as much as technical skill. When faith informs purpose and ethics guide action, professional success becomes a means of benefit to society rather than an end in of itself.