(Professor, University of Toledo, USA)
Professor Ovamir G.Anjum
Dr. Ovamir G. Anjum is the Imam Khattab Endowed Chair of Islamic Studies at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Toledo, USA. A prominent scholar, Dr. Anjum’s academic focus lies at the nexus of Islamic theology, ethics, politics, and law, with an additional comparative interest in Western thought. His research spans multiple disciplines, including Islamic intellectual history, political philosophy, and cultural anthropology. As a historian, his work is deeply interdisciplinary, combining classical Islamic studies with modern theoretical frameworks to explore how Islamic thought engages with contemporary issues.
Dr. Anjum’s educational background is diverse and interdisciplinary. He earned his Ph.D. in Islamic Intellectual History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was trained in historical methods, Islamic philosophy, and ethics. Prior to this, he obtained a Master’s in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago, focusing on comparative intellectual traditions. Additionally, Dr. Anjum holds degrees in Computer Science and Nuclear Engineering and Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reflecting his versatile academic interests.
Dr. Anjum’s engagement with Islamic scholarship began early, growing up in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, where he was mentored by a diverse range of scholars. His Islamic training continued through personal study with South Asian Ḥanafī and Ahl-e-hadīs scholars, as well as scholars from Egypt’s Al-Azhar and Syria, studying fiqh, usūl al-fiqh, and Qur’anic recitation (qirā’āt).
He is the author of several critical works, most notably Politics, Law, and Community in Islamic Thought: The Taymiyyan Moment (Cambridge University Press, 2012), a significant exploration of the connections between siyasa (politics), sharia (law), and kalam (theology) in classical Islam, with comparative insights into Western political thought. His most recent work includes the translation of Madarij al-Salikin (Ranks of Divine Seekers) by Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 1351), one of the most influential Islamic spiritual classics. This monumental translation, published by Brill in 2020, is the largest single-author English translation of an Arabic text to date.
Academic Contributions and Current Research
Dr. Anjum is currently working on a comprehensive survey of Islamic history and a monograph on Islamic political thought, further contributing to the understanding of the historical and intellectual traditions of Islam. His ongoing research includes examining theoretical developments in Islamic thought following the Arab Uprisings of 2011, with a focus on how Islamic law, nation-states, and political transitions interact in the modern world. He is also editing a forthcoming volume tentatively titled “Islam and the Nation State in the Wake of the Arab Uprisings: Traditions, Transitions, and Trajectories,” which aims to explore how contemporary movements are reshaping Islamic political thought.
Teaching and Leadership Roles
At the University of Toledo, Dr. Anjum serves as a Professor of Islamic Studies and is also affiliated with the Department of History. He teaches courses that integrate Islamic theology, political theory, and ethics, often drawing comparisons with Western intellectual traditions. His students benefit from his interdisciplinary approach, which brings together classical Islamic studies and modern philosophical frameworks.
Dr. Anjum’s academic leadership extends beyond teaching and research. He is actively involved in various scholarly communities, presenting his work at international conferences and contributing to academic journals. As part of his mission to foster dialogue between Islamic intellectual traditions and contemporary issues, he regularly engages with both academic and public audiences.
Publications
- Politics, Law, and Community in Islamic Thought: The Taymiyyan Moment (Cambridge University Press, 2012)
- Translator of Madarij al-Salikin (Ranks of Divine Seekers) by Ibn al-Qayyim (Brill, 2020)
Educational Background
- Ph.D. in Islamic Intellectual History, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Master’s in Social Sciences, University of Chicago
- Master’s in Computer Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Bachelors in Nuclear Engineering and Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Contact Information
- Office: University Hall 4460
- Phone: 419-530-4598
- Email: [email protected]
Research Interests
Dr. Anjum’s research interests cover a wide array of topics within the realm of Islamic intellectual history and contemporary Islamic thought, including:
- Islamic theology, law, and politics
- Sufism and spirituality
- Comparative political theory
- Epistemology in Islamic thought
- Islamic political movements in the wake of the Arab Uprisings
Current Projects
- A survey of Islamic history
- A monograph on Islamic political thought
- “Islam and the Nation State in the Wake of the Arab Uprisings” (forthcoming volume)
Conclusion
Dr. Ovamir Anjum’s distinguished career as a scholar of Islamic thought reflects his commitment to bridging classical Islamic studies with contemporary issues. His interdisciplinary approach, combining historical research, theology, and political theory, continues to shape the way Islamic intellectual traditions are understood in today’s globalized world. Through his work, Dr. Anjum is advancing the study of Islamic law, politics, and spirituality, contributing to meaningful discourse across both Islamic and Western academic traditions.
