About
About Us
Empowering students through Islamic education
reigniting islamic principles
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver transformative educational experiences that help students live truly God-centred lives.
We achieve this by offering a comprehensive Islamic essentials program on over 21 university campuses across the UK.
Employing our unique Roots teaching method, we guide students to absorb the information, engage in reflection, and ultimately apply the knowledge in their lives.
REINFORCING CORE ISLAMIC VALUES
So why 'Roots'?
Allah says in the Quran:
Do you not see how Allah compares a good word to a good tree? Its root is firm and its branches reach the sky. [14:24]
Allah likens the Iman of a believer to a tree that is deeply rooted in the ground, and its fruit and branches are far reaching.
Our goal is to strengthen your foundations, allowing you to reap the abundant fruits of this tree of faith. Our focus is UK university students – a national effort to nurture unwavering, profound faith.
Welcome to Roots Academy, where faith finds its foundation.
ABOUT US
Our Scholarly Advisors
Sheikh Dr. Sajid Umar
Scholarly Advisor
A senior scholar serving at the Islamic Council of Europe as a jurist, he holds a PhD in Sharī'ah and Comparative Islamic Law (Al-Fiqh al-Muqaran) with honours, from the Higher Institute for Judiciary Studies (Ma'had al-'āli li'l-Qa'dhā) at the Al-Imam Muhammad ibn Sa’ud University, Saudi Arabia. He has served in leadership roles in countless educational institutions, and provides governance and direction to Roots from an academic as well as a strategic point of view.
Sheikh Dr. Muhammad al-Mustafa al-Shaybani
Scholarly Advisor
He was traditionally trained in the Islamic sciences by his father, the world-renowned Maliki scholar Shaikh Mustafa al-Shaybani who was a senior judge and author of numerous works in the field of jurisprudence. He then went on to study in the classical mahdara system of Mauritania, and served as an Imam in various countries for over 10 years. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies from Imam Muhammad ibn Sa’ud University, an MA and PhD in Islamic Studies from the university of Yarmuk (Jordan) and Manchester, respectively.
Sheikh Dr. Shoaib Saeed
Scholarly Advisor
He is a specialist in Tafsir and Quranic Studies, based in Scotland. He earned a degree in this field from Al-Azhar University and went on to complete a PhD at the University of London under the supervision of Professor M.A.S. Abdel Haleem, the renowned translator of the Qur’an. He has taught and researched at several universities in the UK and Europe, and published in leading academic journals.
Our Instructors
The tireless teachers, mentors, and inspirational educators who bring the curriculum to life.
Hisham Abu Yusuf
Instructor
He holds a BA Islamic Studies from Al-Azhar University, and has studied traditionally with scholars for a number of years, with a specific interest in the Qur'anic sciences and Shafi'i law. He has served as a Muslim Chaplain in higher education, an Imam, Khatib, and a teacher to young adults for a decade now. In addition to this, he also holds a BEng Electrical Engineering, a MSc in Senior Leadership, and has had a successful career holding leadership roles in startups and large corporations.
Mustafa Razzak
Instructor
Senior Instructor & Researcher He completed his Pharmacy degree from Aston University, a BA in Islamic Law from the European Institute of Human Sciences, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Newman University. His classical Islamic studies have been mainly with scholars in the UK.
Syed Hussain
Instructor
He graduated from a traditional 7 year Alimiyya programme studying the foundations of most Islamic sciences including fiqh, hadith, Quran, Arabic and other auxiliary sciences. He is currently a student of the Islamic Rational Sciences. He has also completed a masters degree in Theoretical Physics and is currently completing a PhD in Physics.
Mohammad Al-Kayani
Instructor
He serves as an Imam in Sheffield and a Youth Director. He studied the Islamic sciences traditionally for a number of years with scholars in the UAE, and has been teaching young adults for almost a decade. A nutritionist by profession, he is one of Roots' most engaging instructors (by the testimony of his students) and provides leadership and strategic oversight to the education team.
Shujhaat Aslam
Treasurer
Shujahat Aslam has delivered khutbas and classes at various mosques and universities in Nottingham. With 30 years of experience, he is actively engaged in dawah, charity work, community initiatives, and masjid management.
Omar Taha
Instructor
Omar was born & raised in South East London. He has degrees in Medicine and Psychology, and currently works as a GP. He simultaneously pursued Arabic & Islamic studies, with an Alimiyyah degree from Al-Salam Institute (ASI), and since completed an Ifta specialisation degree from ASI. He is a founding member and trustee of a mosque in Bromley named Al-Emaan Centre, and served as Chair of the South-East London & Kent Council of Mosques for 5 years.
OUR WORK SO FAR:
Testimonials from students
ABOUT US
Team Roots
We’re a volunteer-powered organisation, from across the UK, united by a passion to provide transformational teaching to every single student. We’re made up of various sub-teams:
Marketing & Design
Hopefully the reason you’re on this website and enjoying it.
Academic
They wrote the entire curriculum from scratch!
People
Yes, even Roots needs HR!
Delivery
The engine room of Roots, the people planning the Retreats, and making sure your workbooks are delivered on time.
External Partners
The primary point of contact for Islamic societies we partner with
Finance
The team that keeps the lights on
