Shaykh Haroon Sidat

About Shaykh Haroon Sidat

(Scholar of Islamic Theology, Law, and Sufism | Researcher at Islam-UK Centre, Cardiff University)

Shaykh Haroon Sidat

Haroon Ebrahim Sidat is an esteemed scholar of Islam, with a deep interest in Islamic theology, Islamic law, Sufism, and the social sciences. He joined the Islam-UK Centre at Cardiff University in 2015 after being awarded the prestigious Jameel scholarship for postgraduate study. His PhD thesis explores the rich and complex world of the dārul ‘ulūm (Islamic seminary) in modern Britain, contributing to a better understanding of the roles that religious institutions play in shaping Muslim religious leadership in contemporary society.

Since his initial research, Haroon has expanded his scholarly pursuits to include a detailed study of British imams and their evolving roles in the UK. He is currently involved in the significant project titled ‘Legacies of Learning: From Turath to Transformation,' which examines the Islamic intellectual legacy and how it continues to answer civilizational questions in the modern world. His work emphasizes how Islamic ethics, law, and history interact with the contemporary concerns of Muslims living in the West.

Educational Background
Haroon holds advanced degrees in Islamic theology, law, and philosophy. He has conducted ethnographic research within the British madrasa system, providing insight into how these institutions operate, both academically and socially. His education includes Islamic studies and contemporary social sciences, allowing him to analyze Islamic intellectual traditions with modern academic rigor.

PhD Thesis

Formation and Training of British Muslim Religious Leadership: An Ethnography of a Dar al-Uloom in Britain (2019)

This thesis offers an in-depth exploration of the British dar al-uloom system, documenting how British Muslim religious leaders (ulama) are trained and their role in shaping the wider Muslim community.

Key Research Projects

Legacies of Learning: From Turath to Transformation
This project delves into the intellectual and scientific contributions of Islamic scholars during the Islamic ‘Golden Age'. The focus is on how these scholars' interdisciplinary approaches contributed to human flourishing and knowledge-seeking as a form of worship, and how these principles can influence modern education.
Understanding British Imams
This project investigates the changing role of imams in Britain. Traditionally seen as religious leaders within mosques, the role of the imam has expanded to encompass pastoral care, interfaith activities, and even civic engagement. Haroon’s research in this area is shaping the understanding of Muslim religious leadership in Western societies, highlighting the increasing diversity of imam responsibilities in the post-9/11 landscape.

Publications
Haroon Ebrahim Sidat has published extensively on topics related to Islamic law, ethics, and modern Muslim challenges. His contributions provide valuable insights into how Muslim scholars navigate the intersections of traditional Islamic knowledge and contemporary social and ethical issues.

“The Taalib as a Bricoleur: Transitioning from Madrasah to University in Modern Britain”
This chapter reflects on Haroon's experiences of transitioning between the traditional madrasah system and the modern university, offering insights into the challenges and benefits of inhabiting two contrasting intellectual worlds.
“Competing Spaces of Religious Belonging: Deobandi Debates on Interest/Usury as a Case Study”
Published in the Journal of Hanafi Studies, this paper addresses the ethical and legal debates surrounding interest and usury in Islamic law, providing a critical analysis of how Muslim scholars engage with contemporary financial issues.

Teaching
At the undergraduate level, Haroon Sidat teaches a wide array of subjects, including:

Islamic Civilisation and History
Qur'anic Exegesis and Hadith Studies
Shari'ah Interpretation and its Application to Family Life
Islamic Spirituality and Morality
Islam in the Contemporary World
Sufism and Islamic Law

Haroon also supervises PhD students in fields such as Islamic law, Islamic theology, philosophy of Islamic law, and Islamic history. His current supervision projects include topics on Hanafi hadith methodology and the philosophical assessments of Qur'anic hermeneutics.

Recent Publications (Selected)

Sidat, H. 2023. The Taalib as a Bricoleur: Transitioning from Madrasah to University in Modern Britain. In: Islamic Studies in European Higher Education: Navigating Academic and Confessional Approaches. Edinburgh University Press.
Sidat, H. 2023. Competing Spaces of Religious Belonging: Deobandi Debates on Interest/Usury as a Case Study. Journal of Hanafi Studies.
Sidat, H. 2019. Between Tradition and Transition: An Islamic Seminary in Modern Britain. Religions 10(12).

Supervision Areas
Haroon is interested in supervising students in the following areas: