(Resident Scholar of the East Plano Islamic Center, Texas, US)
Shaykh Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi
Shaykh Dr. Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi is one of the most prominent and influential Islamic scholars in the United States today. Currently serving as the Resident Scholar of the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) in Texas, USA, and the Dean of The Islamic Seminary of America, Dr. Qadhi's contributions to the field of Islamic studies and his influence on Muslim communities, both in the U.S. and globally, are vast.
Early Life and Education
Born in Houston, Texas, on January 30, 1975, to Pakistani Muhajir parents, Dr. Yasir Qadhi’s early life was shaped by both his American upbringing and his connection to his family's cultural roots. His father, a doctor, was instrumental in founding one of the first mosques in the Houston area, reflecting a strong religious foundation. At the age of five, Dr. Qadhi's family moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he would later attend school.
By the age of 15, Dr. Qadhi had memorized the Qur'an, and he graduated high school two years early as class valedictorian. This early display of academic and spiritual promise set the stage for his future endeavors in Islamic studies. He returned to the U.S., where he earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston. However, Dr. Qadhi's passion for Islamic learning ultimately led him to pursue formal religious education.
In 1996, Dr. Qadhi enrolled at the Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Arabic from the College of Hadith and Islamic Sciences and a Master’s degree in Islamic Theology from the College of Dawah. His time in Madinah, a period that spanned nine years, played a crucial role in shaping his theological perspective and religious authority.
Upon returning to the U.S., Dr. Qadhi continued his academic journey at Yale University, earning a PhD in Theology. His dissertation focused on the writings of the 13th-century Islamic scholar, Ibn Taymiyyah, whose works have long been influential in Islamic thought.
Professional Career and Leadership
Dr. Yasir Qadhi's professional career is a blend of academic scholarship, community leadership, and public engagement. He began his career in Islamic education as an instructor and Dean of Academic Affairs at AlMaghrib Institute, a pioneering Islamic educational institution that offers seminar-based learning across North America. His role at AlMaghrib allowed him to travel extensively, teaching courses on a wide array of Islamic subjects, including theology, Hadith, Fiqh, and Qur’anic studies.
In 2019, Dr. Qadhi relocated to the Dallas metropolitan area, where he assumed his current role as the Resident Scholar at EPIC. His role at EPIC involves leading the community in spiritual matters, delivering khutbahs (sermons), providing religious counseling, and teaching Islamic studies.
In addition to his role at EPIC, Dr. Qadhi is also the Dean of Academic Affairs at The Islamic Seminary of America. His leadership at TISA focuses on developing future leaders and scholars who can engage with both the Islamic tradition and contemporary challenges. Dr. Qadhi is also the Chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), where he helps guide the broader Muslim community in navigating modern-day fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) issues.
Publications and Intellectual Contributions
Dr. Yasir Qadhi is an accomplished author and has written extensively on a wide range of Islamic topics, particularly theology and contemporary Muslim issues. Some of his notable works include:
- The Qur'an and the Just Society
- Transcendent God, Rational World: A Māturīdī Theology
- An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur’an
- Du’a: The Weapon of the Believer
- 15 Ways to Increase Your Earnings from the Quran and Sunnah
- Lessons from Surah al-Kahf
- The Miracle of the Qur’an
In addition to his books, Dr. Qadhi has also published numerous academic papers and given lectures on topics such as jihad, Islamic theology, and the preservation of the Qur'an. His research on jihad, particularly his analysis of Ibn Taymiyyah’s fatwas, has been presented at prestigious academic institutions such as Harvard Law School and the University of Edinburgh.
Dr. Qadhi’s YouTube channel, launched in 2012, has become one of the most popular platforms for Islamic education. With over 600,000 subscribers and 99 million views, his lectures and sermons reach audiences around the globe. His series on the Seerah (life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) is particularly well-regarded for its comprehensive and accessible approach.
Controversies and Challenges
Like many prominent public figures, Dr. Qadhi has faced his share of controversies. One of the most notable incidents occurred in 2016, when the terrorist organization ISIS labeled him an apostate (murtad) in its propaganda magazine, Dabiq, for his condemnation of their ideology. Dr. Qadhi has been an outspoken critic of extremist groups, particularly those that distort Islamic teachings for political gain.
Dr. Qadhi has also made headlines for his comments on the preservation of the Qur'an. In a 2020 interview with Mohammed Hijab, he stated that the “standard narrative” of Qur'anic preservation has “holes in it,” which led to widespread debate and criticism from various Islamic scholars. Dr. Qadhi later clarified that his remarks referred to the historical transmission of Qira’at (modes of Qur'anic recitation) and not the integrity of the Qur'an itself.
Conclusion
Shaykh Dr. Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi is a leading voice in Islamic scholarship and education, bridging the gap between traditional Islamic sciences and contemporary challenges. His academic achievements, coupled with his community leadership and public outreach, make him one of the most influential Muslim scholars in the world today. Through his roles at the East Plano Islamic Center, The Islamic Seminary of America, and his work with the Fiqh Council of North America, Dr. Qadhi continues to shape the discourse on Islam in the modern world, providing valuable insights for both scholars and laypersons alike.