About Me
Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips is a Jamaican Canadian Islamic Scholar who converted to Islam in the early seventies after journeying from Christianity to Communism. Shortly after his reversion to Islam, he embarked on another journey to the other side of the world seeking Islamic knowledge which took him to Saudi Arabia where he completed a BA in Madeenah, and an MA in Riyadh, then to the University of Wales, UK, where he completed a PhD in Islamic Theology in the early nineties.
After graduation, Dr Bilal became a teacher of Islamic studies for 10 years in an Islamic High School, Manaret Riyadh, and a lecturer of Arabic and Islamic studies in the American University in Dubai, UAE, for another 10 years. During his 10 years in the UAE, he also founded the Islamic Information Center in Dubai, and during his subsequent 6 years in Qatar he was the Islamic consultant for the Islamic Information wing of Sheikh Eed Charity in Doha and founder of the Islamic Studies Academy.
He has written, translated and commented on over 50 published books on various Islamic topics. He has also edited and published the 56 book Eemaan Reading Series for children and presented Islamic programs for a number of years on Riyadh Channel 2TV, Sharjah TV for ten years, as well as Peace TV, Huda TV, Islam Channel, UK, and the Deen Show, Chicago, USA.
In 2000 Dr Philips founded the Islamic Online University offering free Islamic courses and a BA in Islamic Studies to over 20,000 registered students from over 160 different countries world wide. He is also the founder and former head of the Islamic studies department of Preston University (2002), Ajman, UAE, the founder and head of the Islamic Studies Academy (2007), Doha, Qatar, the founder and head of the English medium Islamic studies department of Knowledge International University (2008), Riyadh, and head of the College of Da’wah and Islamic Culture (English Section 2009), Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan.
Most recently, Dr Bilal was appointed the director of PERF [Professional Education and Research Foundation] and supervising director of Preston International College and Al-Fajr International School, Chennai, India.
4. Do we have to combine our shortened Salah in Mina ( Zuhr/Asr , Magrib/Isha) as i heard you in your lecture for Haj . But i also heard Sheikh Mohammad Salah who mentioned we dont have to combine our Salah in Mina but just only shortened.
JazakAllah Khayr
As salam u alaikum
I’m a 21 year old guy from India and Al-Hamdulillah I’ve entered into the true fold of Islaam in the year 2009 (Al-Hamdulillah). I was a born Muslim (name sake) who rarely practiced Islaam and that too full of Shirk and Bid’ah (Astaghfirullah). Now that I’ve realized the true Islaam and its importance I want to gain full knowledge (Quraan and Sunnah ) of Islaam and also preach Islaam (be a da’ee).
I’ve enrolled myself for the online Islamic course (Islamiconlineunivrsity.com) run by Dr. Bilal Philips. So my questions are :
1. Firstly, is this course enough to gain full Islaamic knowledge (because my thirst for the knowledge is not getting filled) ?
2. Is this course designed in a systematic manner ?
3. How can I focus on learning Islaam, preaching Islaam and earning my bread and butter parallel. I have to earn to give my parents a luxurious life, earn a lot through Halal source (for multiple reasons) and marry my two sisters (InshaAllah) ?
4. How should I balance all the above ?
5. When you do this much for religion how do you earn your bread and butter ? (Personal but please answer)
My thirst is also not getting filled because the local Ulema ask me to read books on my own and they say “ask only few questions”.
Kindly answer my questions patiently.
May Allah give us all success both here and here after. AAMEEN
Reply on : hasan_bond07@yahoo.com
Assalamu Alaikum Brother Bilal Philips,
I was wondering if you could explain to me the term ‘Islamist’. It is widely used in the media and I feel sometimes offended by it.
Thank you.
Assalaam alaikum Doctor Bilal ,
We are a small group of Muslim students studying at Aberystwyth University, Wales, we have recently started an Islamic Society for students with14-16 members. We were provided with a gymnasium as a prayer hall by the University. Its very sad to see the state of Muslims in this part of Wales. There are more than 30 Muslim doctors of the medical profession living from past 15-20 years in this place, without any care for Islam. We want to invite you for some of the lecture seminars for the new Islamic society & guide us with your experience and knowledge. It would be a great honour for us.
Jazakhallahi khair.
Assalaam Alaikum.
Aijaz Udin Mohamed
46 Marine terrace,
SY23 2BX,
Aberystwyth, Dyfed
Wales, UK
07414726000
assalamualyukum sheik , I live in the usa and i really want to study islam at a islamic school. i want to study at a school that teaches the correct aqeedah . i want to study somewhere overseas where it is free to study. do you know of any place where i can go?
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum wa Rahmatullaah,
I am from Trinidad. Just wanted to let you know I signed up for the diploma course and plan to bring it to students who do not have access to internet.
wasalaamu ‘alaikum wa Rahmatullaah
Salaam alaykum sister. I’m very sorry to hear about your parent’s reaction, but it is not uncommon due to widespread ignorance in the Ummah in our times. I would seek the help of those who your family respect who can understand your choice and defend it from the generation of your parents or from an older generation who could advise them and persuade them, in shaa allaah.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
The prayers in Minaa are shortened but not combined. If I said combined, it was a mistake on my part.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
wa alaykum salaam.
The reply to your questions are as follows:
1. If you joined the BA course it will be more than enough to fill your thirst for knowledge, in shaa Allaah.
2. It is designed in a very structured and systematic way, based on my experience in designing curriculums in other universities.
3, If you are seeking a “luxurious life”, then look elsewhere. Become a doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc.
4. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Be in this life like a traveller (taking only what you need for the journey.)”
5. Allah will provide means from where you will least expect it. I’ve been a teacher, professor, head of department, and chancellor of universities. I have had 4 wives and 20 children half of whom are grown up with their own children.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
wa alaykum salaam.
In the media, “Islamist” means a fanatical Muslim who wants to practice all of the religion and wants to mix religion with politics.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
wa alaykum salaam Brother Aijaz.
I’m honored by the invitation. My PhD is from Wales. However since 2010, I’ve been banned from the UK, so it just would not be possible.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
wa alaykum salaam Hamza,
The universities in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Sudan offer free studies. Also the international Islamic Uni of Uganda, of Islamabad, and of Malaysia all have scholarships. Otherwise, if you can’t get in. Please join the IOU (www.islamiconlineuniversity.com) and access the same knowledge in English medium with Arabic studies simultaneously.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
wa alaykum salaam.
May Allah give you success in spreading the knowlege as far and as wide as you can.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
wa alaykum salaam Yousuf,
You are welcome to join our group and to have contact with me in Saudi Arabia. However, the Hajj is now over, and I just came back from Madeenah last night. I left on the night of the 29th and had no internet access until today when I returned. Sorry.
Perhaps next year we can do it together.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
Slama alaykum dr.bilal , i am a student of your islamiconlineuniversity.com (Mohammed karamath sadath ullah -DP10037761), i have been living in china and studying here for long time i have been guided by Allah through most of your efforts i am trying to enter the medina islamic university ,but the i am not able to get the letter of recommendation here in china and i am almost 24 now , please help me .
wa alaykum salaam.
Why can’t any of the Islamic organizations there give you a letter of recommendation? Please send me your student number and I will check on your study records to see if i could write a recommendation letter for you in shaa Allaah.
was salaam
Dr Bilal
salam alaykum
the head of the islamic organization said that the Govt does not allow them to do such things for non-chinese , my student id in the diploma course is DP10037761.Jazak Allah khayr for your concern
As salaamu alaikum,
Is investing in gold haraam?
I am a revert and invested in a pension plan at my place of employment before learning about and understanding the severe punishment of dealing in riba. After quitting my job, I must transfer my pension into another locked-in investment, but I am very limited because I live in Canada and there aren’t many halal options for retirement savings. A bank employee suggested investing in gold in order to stay clear of interest and haram stocks. JazakAllahu khair.
Salam alaykum
Following are the details in accordance with IOU profile , I do not know how to figure out the student number but the number displaying beside my name is [DP10037761]
First name- Karamath Sadath Ullah
Surname- Mohammed
Completed Courses: Foundation of islamic studies (IIS 001)
Foundation of islamic studies part 2 (IIS 01x)
The Morals Foundation Of Islamic Culture (IIS 012)
Da’wah training course (IIS 013)
Fiqh Of Taharah (FQH 011)
As Salaam Alaykum Dr. Bilial. May peace and mercy be upon you.
I have a question of whether Yoga is allowed in islam or not. Because I have heard that Yoga is a type of Hindu worship to the sun but then I have also heard that if it is done merely as an exercise, there is no harm in doing so.
Also, I was wondering whether jeans and garments like that are forbidden for women to wear. Because I have read that women are not to copy men’s clothing and vice versa, and that jeans and those similiar wear are garmets that men usually wear, I would like to know if this is true.
Thank you for reading.
Salamalykum Sheikh,
Please upload your latest Khutbah’s on your youtube page.
JazakAllah Khayr.
As salaamu alaykum,
I am a revert and I have a few questions (sorry for the length or any repetition):
1. Can a Muslim man or woman attend the funeral ceremony of a non-muslim relative (e.g. parent, brother, sister)? What if the ceremony is held in a church?
2. Can a Muslim man or woman go to the burial of a non-muslim relative (e.g. parent, brother, sister)?
3. Can a Muslim man or woman attend the wedding ceremony of a non-muslim relative (e.g. parent, brother, sister)? Does it make a difference if the ceremony is religious or non-religious?
To not attend any of these ceremonies would make some of my non-muslim family members angry and may make them think negatively about Islam because they feel that my religion has already distanced me from the family. However, if it is haram to attend these ceremonies I make dua for Allah to give me strength in my iman and to make dealing with my family easy.
JazakAllah khair.
Salam alaykum Dr.Bilal sorry to bother you again , but just wanted to if you have checked my study records ?
Jazak Allah khayr
Salam alaykum Dr. bilal I have just discovered that you are in hongkong …with shk hussian …I am hoping to meet you tomorrow InshAllah(jan 8-2012) …I will reach hong kong in the morning InshAllah …subhanAllah this is a blesssing