People are enemies of what they do not know.” — Imam ʿAlī (peace be upon him)

This Week’s Friday Bulletin Guest

Our special guest this week is a distinguished Friday Prayer Leader and international religious scholar. Out of respect, we are obliged to mention the scholarly titles and ranks of our guests, but this guest humbly declined. Ali al-Hakim is a cleric trained in both Islamic seminaries and universities in Iran and the UK. He is a seasoned Friday Prayer Leader, and his scholarly works have been published in multiple languages. In this interview, we present just a glimpse of his background, academic and cultural contributions, and his insightful perspectives. Had we been given more time—and had his humility not held us back—we are certain we would have shared many more of his valuable insights and experiences with you in this brief segment.

1. Could you begin by telling us about your background as a Friday Prayer Leader and your academic experience?

I have been a congregational or Friday Prayer leader for over 35 years, and specifically, I have served as a Friday Imam for around 12 or 13 years. I used to lead Friday prayers in Brighton, and I am currently serving in South East London, in the East Croydon area.

In terms of academic activities, by God’s grace, I have spoken and presented papers at numerous international conferences and universities around the world. This includes universities in Iraq such as al-Mustansiriya, Baghdad, and Jamiʿat al-Zahrāʾ in Karbala, as well as institutions in Malta, Canada, UK, Iran, and other countries. Additionally, I have authored several books in German, English, and Arabic.

2. What academic and practical prerequisites are necessary for a successful Friday Prayer Leader in terms of raising awareness and transmitting knowledge to the public?

Both theoretically and practically, the core requirement for effectively delivering educational, propagational, and spiritual guidance to the wider public is the ability to discern what is truly needed. A competent Imam must be able to identify and address people’s real questions and needs, and above all, must adhere to the principles of the Sharīʿah.

To lead his community along the path of growth and progress within the framework of Islamic law, an Imam must be able to clarify doubts, provide necessary guidance, and explain what people do not yet understand.

Practically speaking, his ethical conduct and commitment to justice must embody the teachings of the Qur’an and the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). He must live as a tangible representation of Qur’anic ethics and the noble standards of the Ahl al-Bayt, serving as a role model of how to live an honourable life in Western society, in line with divine instruction.

3. Friday Prayer Leaders can, like teachers, highlight the positive role of the Islamic community in combating hatred, prejudice, racism, extremism, and terrorism. Could you share your view on this?

What you’ve pointed out is correct. A Friday Prayer Leader is very much like a teacher to his community. He must guide the Muslim community and emphasise vital moral and social values—such as rejecting all forms of discrimination, resisting prejudice, standing against racism, and firmly opposing extremism and terrorism.

Indeed, all of these moral problems plaguing modern society are rooted in one central issue, as Imam ʿAlī (peace be upon him) said: “People are enemies of what they do not know.”

The Qur’an contains many verses that highlight this same principle: that ignorance is the root of many societal problems. In fact, all these teachings from our sacred texts point to the central crisis of our age. Those who deviate from the truth often do so either out of ignorance or arrogance—and arrogance itself often stems from ignorance, because the arrogant person assumes they are superior, more righteous, more knowledgeable, and more virtuous than others. That very assumption is a result of not knowing how much more they still need to learn and grow.

Thus, people of true wisdom and insight understand that one must not be prejudiced, self-conceited, or discriminatory. They know that racial, cultural, and religious diversity is not a problem—it is a blessing. These differences should inspire, not divide; they add colour and vitality to our communities.

It is clear, then, why ignorant, prejudiced, and extremist individuals often oppose the truth and righteous path. Therefore, we must educate our communities to stand against all forms of terrorism and help their societies flourish along the path shown by the Qur’an and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).

4. What innovation or creativity have you introduced in your work of religious guidance?

I do not claim to be innovative or brilliant. I consider myself a servant of Islam and the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). Whatever I possess, I have learned from the Qur’an and the great scholars of Islam.

In the first sermon of the Friday prayer, I try to identify the cultural, intellectual, and practical needs of the Muslim community. I respond to doubts and explain the message of the Qur’an in the best possible way.

In the second sermon, I usually offer a strategic analysis of global events. As a member of Chatham House and by following global strategic reports, I have tried to guide the Muslim community in understanding world affairs with wisdom.

5. What are your thoughts on the Friday Bulletin? What suggestions do you have for its improvement?

There are of course both strengths and areas for improvement, but I would prefer not to delve into the negative aspects. There is much good to build upon. I do have one specific suggestion, however:

If possible, the Bulletin should include real stories and experiences of positive community engagement—cases where members of the Muslim community have made meaningful contributions in various fields. These stories could illustrate how those efforts were carried out, what lessons were learned, and how those lessons might benefit others.

Documenting and sharing these stories could also help other Imams prepare for challenges by learning from experiences their peers have gone through.

Such stories would also shed light on the community’s real needs and offer guidance on how to overcome the ethical challenges we collectively face.

In addition, I’ve always tried to learn from the community and to share those lessons widely.

One project I began during the COVID-19 pandemic was to write commentaries on “Fiqh al-Naṣṣ wa al-Ḥadīth” (Jurisprudence of Scriptural Texts and Hadith). In this project, I interpret selected Qur’anic verses and then choose a ḥadīth to explain and contextualise, aiming to present it through a deep and well-informed lens—so that it aligns seamlessly with Qur’anic teachings.

If something like this could be featured in the Bulletin, it would be excellent. I realise this is a demanding task—essentially a form of knowledge production—and perhaps not everyone would be eager to read such material. But sometimes, even the most effort-intensive works are worth it if they can benefit others.

These are my humble thoughts and suggestions for the continued growth and success of the Friday Bulletin, God willing.