Sheikh Sajid Umar is a qualified Mufti and Judge, as well as an educator, author, researcher, and developer with a vision of ignited communities that benefit humanity upon the ethos of sincerity, excellence and steadfastness.
He was born in Leicester, UK. He moved to Harare, Zimbabwe, where he completed his primary and secondary schooling and pursued a first degree in Information Technology focusing on hardware, software, network design and implementation and security. He went on to successfully open an IT business in Harare before the age of 20. Alongside his contemporary studies, Sheikh Sajid graduated from a Qur’an Academy at the age of 18. Subsequently, he turned his attention towards Islamic Studies.
He travelled to Riyādh and enrolled at Imām Muhammed bin Saud Islamic University, where he initially completed a 3-year University Diploma in Arabic language and Islamic Sciences. His studies continued there over the next four years, attaining a Bachelor’s degree in Sharī’ah with a grade of: (Excellent). He extended his studies for an additional three years, and achieved a Masters degree in Comparative Fiqh and Judiciary (Qadha), with honours, from the Higher Institute for Judiciary Studies (Ma’had al-‘āli li’l-Qa’dhā) after training as a judge and successfully completing an academic thesis on the topic of Liquidity Management using the famous Repurchase Agreement (REPO) contract, as well as it’s Islamic rulings and permitted Islamic alternatives. Thereafter he successfully pursued and completed his PhD within the Higher Institute of Judiciary at Al-Imam University, in a program spanning 5 years under the guidance of some of the world’s best Muslim scholars. His PhD topic was related to the topic of Financial Risk Management, and in particular, Standardised Hedging Contracts between Islamic Financial Institutions (Treasury Operations).
His belief regarding putting knowledge into action led Sheikh Sajid to spend much of his semester breaks as a student teaching various Islamic and development programs for both the youth and adults worldwide, ranging from lectures in Masājid to international conferences and live events, as well as lectures and lessons via Radio, TV and online platforms.
His academic resourcefulness led him to assisting in curriculum development used in English based Islamic schools and other educational establishments. He has authored several articles and dissertations in both Arabic and English pertaining to the Islamic Sciences.
Sheikh Sajid is also the head of Department of Fiqh and a lecturer at Knowledge International University. He also played an integral part in the start-up of the New Muslim Academy and HourIslam and enjoys continued participation as a lecturer and senior advisor within the programs.
Sheikh Sajid has also taken on an advisory role with Mercy Mission World as ‘Director of Islamic Development since 2010 with a scope of application over high-impact projects such as the National Zakat Foundation and Charity Right.’ He is currently the chairman of AlKauthar Institute and has been an instructor for its Weekend Courses and Student’s Guild Program since 2009. He also served as the Chief Islamic Editor for Little Explorers Magazine, which was the first of its kind. Sheikh Sajid is no stranger on the multimedia front either, as he has project managed several media related programs specific to Islamic Satellite Channels and is also blessed to be from among the founders of Tanzeel; an exciting and engaging on-line program focussing on the Qur’an.
His hobbies include book collecting, reading, and keeping up to date with the latest information related to visioning, management, leadership and current affairs.
Sheikh Sajid is happily married and the father of three young children, Abdullah, Ahmed and Khadeejah. Growing up, he used to be a keen golfer, footballer and cricketer, and till today does not mind kitting up whenever a sporting opportunity presents itself!