(Humanities Team Member, IB Theory of Knowledge Coordinator, Tutor in History and Religious Studies)
Ustadh Safaruk Chowdhury
Ustadh Safaruk Chowdhury is a distinguished researcher, educator, and philosopher specializing in Islamic Studies, Sufism, and Philosophy. He is a dedicated member of the humanities team and serves as the IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Coordinator, where he brings his deep understanding of philosophical inquiry and Islamic thought to modern educational contexts. With a focus on both classical Islamic knowledge and contemporary philosophical debates, Ustadh Safaruk is at the cutting edge of Islamic intellectual tradition, combining rigorous academic scholarship with a passion for teaching.
Academic Background: From Philosophy to Islamic Studies
Ustadh Safaruk’s academic journey began at King’s College London, where he completed a degree in Philosophy, earning the Associate of Kings College (AKC) award. His studies provided him with a solid foundation in Western philosophy, critical thinking, and logic, which he would later integrate into his Islamic studies. Following his graduation, Ustadh Safaruk traveled to Al-Azhar University in Cairo, where he immersed himself in traditional Islamic studies, gaining expertise in Islamic theology (Kalam), jurisprudence (Fiqh), and Sufism.
Ustadh Safaruk later returned to the UK to complete his MA in Islamic Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), where he graduated with distinction. His doctoral dissertation was a detailed exploration of the life and thought of Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami, a prominent Sufi hagiographer, which was published as a book titled A Sufi Apologist of Nishapur: The Life and Thought of Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami (Sheffield: Equinox Publishing, 2019). His scholarship highlights his deep engagement with classical Islamic texts while exploring their relevance to contemporary philosophical and theological debates.
Research Focus: Islamic Theology and Philosophy
Ustadh Safaruk’s research interests span a wide array of topics within Islamic theology and philosophy, with a particular focus on Sufism, ethics, and epistemology. One of his most significant contributions to the field is his work on Islamic Analytic Theology, where he explores the intersection between Islamic theological thought and Western analytic philosophy. His research project, “Beyond Foundationalism: New Horizons in Muslim Analytic Theology,” was funded by the John Templeton Foundation in collaboration with the Aziz Foundation and Cambridge Muslim College. This groundbreaking project seeks to introduce new frameworks for understanding Islamic theology in light of modern philosophical developments.
In 2021, Ustadh Safaruk published his highly acclaimed book, Islamic Theology and the Problem of Evil (New York and Cairo: AUC Press), which addresses one of the most profound and enduring questions in theology: how can an all-powerful and merciful God allow evil and suffering in the world? This work is the first in Islamic studies to approach the topic using the analytic theology method, drawing on both Islamic sources and contemporary philosophical insights to offer a nuanced and thoughtful response to the problem of evil.
Teaching and Educational Contributions
As a dedicated educator, Ustadh Safaruk has worked in various academic institutions, bringing his rich knowledge of Islamic studies, theology, and philosophy to students. He currently teaches at institutions such as the Ibn Rushd Centre of Excellence for Islamic Research, Whitethread Institute, and the Centre for Islamic Knowledge (CIK), where he offers courses on Islamic philosophy, kalam, and the works of classical Islamic scholars like al-Ghazali and al-Sulami.
Ustadh Safaruk is also an educational curriculum consultant, advising schools and academic institutions on the integration of Islamic studies into broader educational frameworks. His role as the IB Theory of Knowledge Coordinator allows him to guide students in exploring fundamental questions about knowledge, belief, and reality, encouraging them to critically examine different ways of knowing from both Western and Islamic perspectives.
Publications and Scholarly Work
In addition to his books, Ustadh Safaruk has authored numerous research papers and articles on topics ranging from Sufism to paraconsistent logic and Islamic metaphysics. Some of his notable publications include:
- “The Scales of God: Al-Ghazali and Divine Conceptualism”: An exploration of the relationship between divine omniscience and human free will in Islamic philosophy.
- “Explaining Evil in the Biosphere: Assessing Evolutionary Theodicies for Muslim Theists”: A study on how Islamic theology can respond to the problem of suffering in the context of evolutionary theory.
- “God, Gluts, and Gaps: Examining an Islamic Traditionalist Case for Contradictory Theology”: A paper addressing the complex theological debates surrounding the divine attributes in Islamic thought.
His work often seeks to bridge the gap between classical Islamic theology and contemporary issues, offering fresh perspectives on age-old questions. As the Executive Editor of the Journal of Islamic Philosophy, Ustadh Safaruk continues to contribute to the development of Islamic philosophical thought.
Engagement with the Muslim Community
Beyond academia, Ustadh Safaruk is an active participant in Islamic events, conferences, and seminars, where he engages with the broader Muslim community. He is a frequent speaker at youth programs and academic events, addressing a wide range of topics, including theodicy, Sufism, and the role of philosophy in Islam. His work aims to inspire young Muslims to engage deeply with both their faith and contemporary intellectual challenges, encouraging them to contribute meaningfully to society.
