Shaykh Zahir (UK)
Shaykh Zahir Mahmood was born in England and has gained licences to teach (Ijaazas) in many Islamic Sciences including Quran, Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and Traditions (Hadith) of The Prophet (saw) from various Shuyukh.
Following the completion of his formal state education at the age of 16, he enrolled at Dar al-Uloom al-Arabiyya al-Islamiyya, Bury, where he initiated his studies of the Alimiya course. Thereafter, he studied 3 years in the prestigious seat of learning al-Jamia al-Islamiyya, Karachi, Pakistan.
He went on to complete his Alimiya course at the pioneering Dar al-Uloom Newcastle, South Africa, which has since been used as a template for other seats of learning in the region. Here, the Shaykh?s studies included a detailed analysis of Sahih al-Bukhari with the renowned Scholar Shaykh Qasim Seema.
Returning back to the UK, he gained a BA in Applied Theological Studies from the University of Birmingham and taught the Alimiya course at Madina al-Uloom Kidderminster for a subsequent 2 years. He also translated part of the classical Hanafi text of Fiqh, al-Shurunbulali?s Nur al-Idah in English.
For many years, he has been a Khateeb (preacher) at one Jamia Masjid in Aston. From this base, he has taught many workshops, including Arabic at various levels and Seerah and also delivered countless talks about the Sahabah (Companions of The Prophet (Peace be upon them). The Shaykh then moved on to set up his own insitiute by the name of As suffa where he currently teaches. He has endeavoured to reach out to the youth both locally and nationally by travelling throughout the country delivering talks and lectures in order to motivate the Muslim masses to become the best of people.
Shaykh Zahir has was part of the Viva Palestinia convoy and upon his return help establish the first Viva Palestina shop.