Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera
(PhD, Author, Publisher, Muslim Scholar, Dean of Whitethread Institute for Postgraduate Studies, Director of Zamzam Academy)
Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera is a highly respected British Muslim scholar, renowned for his deep knowledge in both the Islamic and Western academic traditions. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera began his journey into Islamic scholarship at a young age by memorizing the Qur’an. This achievement is a significant milestone for any Islamic scholar, as it forms the foundation of one's spiritual and intellectual connection to the sacred text of Islam. He pursued further Islamic education at the prestigious Darul Uloom seminary in Bury, UK, where he graduated after extensive study of various Islamic disciplines, including Arabic, Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and Hadith (Prophetic traditions).
After completing his studies in the UK, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera sought further specialization and traveled to India, where he enrolled at the esteemed Mazahir ‘Ulum in Saharanpur. There, he earned a specialized license to issue fatwas (legal responses), making him one of the few scholars equipped to deliver authoritative Islamic rulings on complex legal matters. This credential is recognized as a high honor in Islamic scholarship, requiring not only profound knowledge but also a keen understanding of both classical and contemporary issues facing the Muslim community.
In addition to his traditional Islamic education, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera pursued higher education in Western academic institutions. He earned a BA from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, showcasing his commitment to broadening his intellectual horizons beyond the religious sciences. He later completed his MA and Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, a renowned center for the study of Islam and the Middle East. His academic background enables him to bridge the gap between traditional Islamic scholarship and modern academic inquiry, allowing him to engage with contemporary challenges in a nuanced and informed manner.
Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera’s contributions to Islamic scholarship have earned him honorary fellowships at prestigious institutions such as the Cambridge Muslim College in the UK and The Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in Amman, Jordan. These affiliations reflect his standing as a scholar who is recognized and respected on an international level for his erudition and commitment to Islamic learning.
Beyond his academic credentials, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera has a wealth of practical experience serving Muslim communities. He spent eight years as an imam in Southern California, USA, and over five years in London, UK. These experiences have given him valuable insight into the unique challenges that Muslims face in the West, particularly in navigating their religious identity while living in non-Muslim societies. His work as an imam involved not only leading prayers but also providing pastoral care, delivering sermons, and offering guidance on various personal and communal matters. His ability to connect with diverse audiences and offer relevant advice on pressing issues has made him a sought-after speaker and lecturer across the globe.
In addition to his community work, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera is the founder of the Whitethread Institute(www.whitethreadpress.com), a postgraduate institute dedicated to the continued development and education of Islamic scholars. The institute offers advanced courses in various Islamic sciences, providing a platform for scholars to deepen their knowledge and equip themselves to address contemporary challenges facing the Muslim ummah (community). Through the Whitethread Institute, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman has contributed significantly to the intellectual and spiritual growth of a new generation of scholars.
His scholarly contributions are not limited to teaching and lecturing. Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera is an active author and has worked on several publications through White Thread Press, a publishing house he established. White Thread Press focuses on producing high-quality Islamic literature that is both accessible to the general public and valuable for scholars. These publications cover a wide range of topics, including hadith, Islamic law, spirituality, and more, and they have gained a reputation for their rigorous scholarship and clarity.
Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera’s lectures are widely available online, with many hosted on www.zamzamacademy.com, a platform dedicated to spreading traditional Islamic teachings. He also offers courses through Rayyan Institute (www.rayyaninstitute.com), allowing students from around the world to benefit from his knowledge. His international reach, both in person and online, has made him one of the most influential scholars of his generation.
An avid traveler, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera continues to teach hadith, engage in scholarly research, and contribute to the global Islamic discourse. His unique combination of traditional Islamic learning, Western academic expertise, and practical experience in diverse Muslim communities has equipped him to address the pressing issues of our time with wisdom, compassion, and intellectual rigor.
