Gateway to Divine Mercy

24/02/2026

𝟱𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲
Shaykh Pirzada's Formative Years in the UK - In His Own Words.

On 5th Ramadan 1394 AH, 22nd September 1974, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada arrived in the United Kingdom after visiting the sacred cities of Makkah and Madinah. He arrived with little in his possession, but with something far greater in his heart. A deep trust in Allah. A burning sense of responsibility. And an unwavering commitment to serve.

Those early days were not easy. New streets. New people. New challenges. Yet with every difficulty came certainty that Allah’s promise is true. Doors opened through sincerity. Hearts were won through character. Support came through du‘a.

This documentary is not simply a recollection of events. It is a deeply personal reflection, narrated by Shaykh Pirzada in his own words. It is a journey back to the streets of High Wycombe, to the homes that first welcomed him, to the Jubilee Road Wycombe Mosque, and to the resting places of those whose sacrifices helped plant the seeds of something far greater than anyone could imagine.

From those humble beginnings would emerge Jamia Al-Karam in 1985. What began as a vision rooted in faith became a centre of knowledge, nurturing generations of scholars, leaders and servants of the community across Britain and beyond.

Fifty years on, this is a story of steadfastness. A story of nights spent planning and praying. A story of sacrifice made quietly for the sake of Allah alone. A story that reminds us that when intentions are pure and reliance is firm, Allah places barakah in even the smallest of beginnings.

By his side throughout this journey has been his noble wife, a pillar of patience, sacrifice and quiet strength. Her unwavering support, countless sacrifices and shared vision for service have been woven into every step of this mission. Behind the scenes, through years of dedication, she has been a partner in this lifelong commitment for the sake of Allah.

As we mark 5th Ramadan, the date of his arrival, we reflect on five decades of knowledge, compassion and service. We thank Allah for the gift of sincere leadership, and we ask Him to preserve Shaykh Pirzada and his family, and continue to benefit the Ummah through their efforts.

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/RMIr5XWn_TM

Support Jamia Al-Karam: https://giving.alkaram.org/pf/shaykh-pirzada-4d737

06/07/2025

06/12/2024

"Indeed we are for Allah, and to Him we are to return.”

Condolences and prayers at the passing away of Mawlana Shaykh Hisham Kabbani. May Allah Almighty shower his soul with countless blessings, grant him a high station in Paradise, and bless his family and followers with patience at this difficult time.

(Photo is from Saturday 29th June 2013 at the "Gateway 2013 - Seeking our Beloved (ﷺ)" Conference held at the LG Arena, Birmingham, UK)

The radiant Shaykh Hisham Kabbani.

Here he is enlightening the audience with his pearls of wisdom at the Gateway 2013 - Seeking Our Beloved ﷺ Conference earlier this year.

23/08/2021

"Indeed we are for Allah, and to Him we are to return.”

With profound sadness, on behalf of everyone at Jamia Al-Karam, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada, expresses his grief, condolences and prayers at the passing away of the learned reciter of the sublime Qur’an and a very humble and God-fearing individual, Shaykh Abu Asim Abd al-Shafi al-Badawi al-Azhari (ra).

Shaykh Abu Asim (ra) was an exceptional reciter and teacher of the sublime Qur’an, who also taught many at Birmingham’s Darul Qurra and Islamic Research Centre. In the summer of 2014, he opened the Gateway to Divine Mercy ‘Fulfilling Our Duty’ Conference held at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham with his melodious recitation of the sublime Qur’an.

May Allah Almighty shower his soul with countless blessings, grant him a high station in Paradise, and bless his family and students with patience at this difficult time.

(Photo is from Sunday 15th June 2014 at the Gateway to Divine Mercy ‘Fulfilling Our Duty’ Conference held at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK)

04/06/2020

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un

SHAYKH PROF. DR. ABDUL FADEEL AL-QAWSI PASSES AWAY

On behalf of everyone at Jamia Al-Karam and Al-Azhar Alumni UK, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada, extends condolences at the passing away of Shaykh Prof. Dr. Abdul Fadeel al-Qawsi; expressing his deep sadness and grief as the scholarly world of Islam, particularly Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, mourns the loss of one of its notable, erudite yet humble, scholars.

Shaykh al-Qawsi was a member of the Supreme Council of Senior Scholars of Al-Azhar, Vice President of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates, and former Federal Minister for Religious Affairs of Egypt. He leaves behind a legacy of intellectual literature and scholarly writings, as well as hundreds of students around the world.

Shaykh al-Qawsi developed a unique relationship with Shaykh Pirzada based on mutual respect for scholarship, sense of duty and the mission to serve. He was hosted at Jamia Al-Karam, spent time engaging with its projects and attended the landmark Gateway Conferences. In 2011, he deputised for the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb Shaykh al-Azhar, and visited Jamia Al-Karam to officially inaugurate the UK Branch, Al-Azhar Alumni UK.

Recently, in July 2019, he led the ceremony in Cairo, where, on behalf of the University of Al-Azhar, he formally received the 7-volume Arabic commentary of the Qur’an written by Shaykh Pirzada, the Imdad al-Karam fi Tafsir Khayr al-Kalim. May Allah make his grave a garden of blessings, and grant him a high station in Paradise. Amin.

07/05/2020

Tribute to the Mawlana

On this day in 2014 Mawlana Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil Al-Haqqani (RA) left this temporary world, may Allah elevate his status. Amin.

TRIBUTE TO THE MAWLANA

To mark the 40th Day Khatm of the passing away of the late Mawlana Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil Al-Haqqani (RA) of Cyprus, Haikal Muflahi and Mikhael Mala will be attending 'Gateway 2014; Fulfilling our Duty' and jointly leading nasheeds and qasa'id in honour of his life-long services to the religion and the people all around the world.

Haikal Muflahi has spent many years in the company and tutelage of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim (ra) and is an ardent follower of the path.

ONLY 5 DAYS TO GO... BOOK YOUR TICKETS TO TODAY VIA WWW.GATEWAY2014.COM OR CALL 0121 345 0600

30/04/2020

12/04/2020

Today marks the birthday of our Founder and Principal, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada. On behalf of everyone associated with and benefited from and his many projects, spanning nearly half a century in this country, we extend our congratulations, sincere well-wishes and heartfelt prayers to Shaykh Pirzada, asking Allah Almighty to grant him, and his noble wife, a long, healthy and prosperous life. Amin.

By the age of 40 years, Shaykh Pirzada had assessed the world around him and based on his knowledge, wisdom and vision set about making a positive contribution to the world and giving his own life a meaningful purpose in service to Allah and His Messenger (upon him be peace). In 1985, Jamia Al-Karam was established and today continues to transmit knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next. Along the way, he has provided credible and authoritative literary contributions in commentary to the Qur'an (www.TheSublimeWord.com) and the Hadith (www.TheSublimeTradition.com), thereby granting the Muslims a relevant reference point in order to grasp the intricacies of religion in today's world of confusion and misinformation. Allah accept these efforts and shower his works with continuous success. Amin.

A historic photo is shared as Shaykh Pirzada during the early months after the opening of Jamia Al-Karam in 1985 in Milton Keynes teaches a lesson to the early students. Those seated as students before him include Maulana Mushtaq Hussain al-Azhari (Jamia Al-Karam), Imam Sultan Mahmood al-Azhari (High Wycombe), Mayor Ansar Bashir Hussain (Milton Keynes) and Maulana Asif Ali al-Azhari (High Wycombe). Written on the blackboard are the timelessly blessed words that reflect the true reality, 'Allah's name I begin with, the utmost Kind, the ever Merciful'.

During these challenging times, as we pass through the blessed month of Sha'ban in anticipation of the sacred month of Ramadan, we ask everyone to kindly pray and make du'a for Shaykh Pirzada, his noble wife, Jamia Al-Karam and all his related projects. Jazakum Allahu khayran.

01/10/2019

Divine mercy indeed...

Great news from Samarkand...

SHAYKH PIRZADA COMPLETES HIS COMMENTARY TO SAHIH AL-BUKHARI

Earlier today, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada, completed the commentary to the final hadith (prophetic tradition) of Sahih al-Bukhari and wrote the final words to volume 10 of his ‘Imdad al-Bukhari fi Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari’, sitting right beside the blessed grave of the greatest scholar of hadith of all time, Imam Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Bukhari (ra), situated near the city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan.

Shaykh Pirzada’s journey into the commentary of Sahih al-Bukhari began in March 2011 from upon the raised platform of the Ashab al-Suffah inside al-Masjid al-Nabawi in the blessed city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and concluded earlier today. Shaykh Pirzada was warmly welcomed at the Bukhari Complex by the Deputy Qadi of Samarkand as well as the Senior Imam of Masjid al-Bukhari, and he was accompanied by Shaykh Rahmatullah al-Khawarizmi and Shaykh Fazil Abdul Qayyum from Tashkent.

For this historic visit, the room housing the actual grave was opened for Shaykh Pirzada situated directly below the mausoleum maqam of Imam al-Bukhari (ra). Shaykh Pirzada was also taken on a tour of the entire complex, museum, research centre and recently opened educational institution of hadith and research studies at this serene and blessed complex.

Congratulations to Shaykh Pirzada on this landmark achievement and moment, and prayers to Almighty Allah for the long life, health and further barakah in his efforts for Islam and the people. Amin.

Purchase your copy of the English volume 1 of ‘Bukhari: The Sublime Tradition’ today, visit www.TheSublimeTradition.com

01/06/2019

06/09/2018

"Indeed we are for Allah, and to Him we are to return.”

With great grief, on behalf of everyone at Jamia Al-Karam, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada, expresses his heartfelt sadness, condolences and prayers at the passing away of Sufi Javed Akhtar (ra) of Ghamkol Sharif, Birmingham, the son of Sufi Muhammad Abdullah Khan (ra). May Allah Almighty shower his soul with countless blessings, grant him a high station in Paradise, and bless his family and followers with patience at this difficult time.

The funeral prayer of Sufi Javed sb will be held today at 6pm at Ghamkol Sharif UK Birmingham.