On Sunday, 19th October 2025, the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR), in partnership with WF Legal & Compliance, hosted a thought-provoking session at WF House in London, addressing an important responsibility that we all face: planning for what we leave behind. The event brought together an Islamic perspective and legal expertise to provide guidance on navigating wills, inheritance, and legacy planning with wisdom and foresight, ensuring both Islamic teachings, as well as legal requirements, are observed. Dr Shaykh Mohammed Ali Ismail delivered a presentation entitled "Beyond Distribution: The Spiritual and Jurisprudential Dimensions of the Islamic Will," in which he reframed the Islamic will (waṣiyyah) as far more than a legal formality—revealing it as a spiritual covenant between the believer and Allah (swt). Drawing on Qur'anic verses, Prophetic traditions, and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (a), he explored the moral and jurisprudential foundations of the will, including the one-third rule and the balance between spiritual accountability and family justice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=B6RVVmD2gpsgSqaT&v=a1YFy272sc8&feature=youtu.be Sister Zahra Kanani followed with "Wills, Succession and Inheritance Tax: A Muslim's Guide to the Law of England & Wales," providing practical guidance on how the law governs wills, probate, and inheritance tax. She explained the legal requirements for a valid will, the pitfalls of dying intestate, and the complexities of Inheritance Tax—including current thresholds and upcoming changes. Crucially, she addressed the tension points between succession law in England & Wales and Sharia-compliant wills, highlighting why professional legal advice is essential and how thoughtful planning can protect families from avoidable complications. https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=gqKsRLgwN6lBrqSm&v=5lO203_d7OM&feature=youtu.be The session concluded with a thoughtful joint Q&A, where attendees explored practical challenges including family provision, cross-border estates, and the complexities of honouring religious principles within a secular legal framework. Both talks are now available to watch on ICAIR's YouTube channel for those who missed the event or wish to revisit the content. https://www.youtube.com/@icair_ac

Introducing The ICAIR Podcast: Where Research Meets Community The International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) is pleased to announce the launch of The ICAIR Podcast — a new platform for thoughtful dialogue on the questions shaping our faith and our future. In each episode, we bring together leading voices from across disciplines and continents to explore the issues that matter most to Muslims today — from spirituality and ethics to community life, modern finance, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Through accessible yet substantive conversations, we bridge the richness of Islamic scholarship with the complexities of contemporary life. The ICAIR Podcast reflects our wider mission: to keep Islamic thought both rooted and relevant — honouring the depth of our tradition while engaging honestly with the ethical and intellectual challenges of our time. Join us as we ask difficult questions, seek meaningful answers, and build a conversation that honours both our heritage and our future. Episode 1 - Now Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3oQv-MnE8A How Doctors Face Death: End-of-Life Ethics in Medicine In the opening episode, Dr Iqbal Jaffer, a cardiac surgeon at McMaster University, reflects on the unseen burden of caregiving, the ethical complexity of life-and-death decisions, and how faith offers strength when medicine reaches its limits. Subscribe to the ICAIR YouTube channel and follow ICAIR on social media for updates on upcoming episodes. https://www.youtube.com/@icair_ac

WF Islamic Education and the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) were honoured to host a special evening seminar with Ayatollah Sayyid Muneer al-Khabbaz (h) on Sunday 3rd August at WF House in Harefield. The event, titled “Awaiting with Action: Our Bond with Ahl al-Bayt (a) and the 12th Imam (aj) in Modern Times”, brought together members of the community for an evening of spiritual reflection and scholarly insight. Event Highlights: The programme opened with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an, followed by Sayyid Muneer’s main address delivered in Arabic, with live English interpretation by Shaykh Afzal Merali. Following the lecture, an extended Q&A session offered attendees the opportunity to engage directly with His Eminence on timely and relevant issues. The evening also included congregational Maghrib and Isha prayers, led by Sayyid Muneer. In his lecture, Sayyid Muneer explained the spiritual, practical and social responsibilities encoded within the verses of Surat al-Asr — whereby he who truly fulfils them can be said to be a true awaiter of the 12th Imam (aj) with action. During the Q&A session, His Eminence responded to a wide range of thoughtful and important questions from attendees, covering topics such as political engagement, wealth and social responsibility, the nature of ma’ruf and munkar, and the importance of following qualified religious authority. Among the themes discussed, Sayyid Muneer addressed concerns about the future of the Shia community in the West. He urged believers not to be swayed by calls to return to the East, but rather to maintain a strong presence in Western societies — through Islamic centres, academic schools, the public expression of Shia identity, and the preservation of rituals such as mourning for Imam al-Husayn (a). He further explained that if individuals genuinely find it difficult to preserve their faith in their current Western environment, the solution may lie in relocating to another country where religious practice is more feasible — not necessarily returning to the East. Missed the event? You can now watch the full lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=PkqDGbx5z04uvHTX&v=kTmCgDVDXdU&feature=youtu.be

The International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) is proud to announce the publication of the latest issue of Al-Qalam: Journal of Advanced Islamic Research (Vol. 2, No. 1), featuring new scholarship that deepens critical engagement with classical texts and modern debates in Shi‘i thought and Islamic studies. Issue Highlights: This issue explores the authenticity of foundational devotional texts, the evolving historiography of Shi‘i hadith literature, and the political-theological complexities of ziyārat traditions. It includes: Academic Articles: Assessing the Authenticity of the Ahl al-Bayt’s Supplications: A Case Study of Duʿāʾ ʿArafa – Hamid Khani (Farhang Mihrwash) critically examines the textual transmission and historical context of Duʿāʾ ʿArafa, arguing for its likely origin in the teachings of Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq rather than Imam al-Ḥusayn, challenging both academic and devotional assumptions. The Final Passage in Ziyārat ʿĀshūrāʾ: Original or Additional? – Sayyid Mahdi Mahmoudi investigates claims of textual corruption in Ziyārat ʿĀshūrāʾ, presenting new manuscript evidence that reframes the role of taqiyya in the preservation of Shi‘i devotional texts. A Typological and Statistical Analysis of Early Twelver Biographies of the Imams – Rouhollah Towhidi-niya and Muhammad Muhammadifar conduct a comparative analysis of al-Kulaynī’s al-Kāfī, al-Ṣadūq’s ʿUyūn Akhbār al-Riḍā, and al-Mufīd’s al-Irshād, mapping patterns in early biographical writing on the Imams. Research Notes: Some Notes on the State of Islam in English (Including a New Translation of Munājāt Shaʿbāniyya) – Aun Hasan Ali offers reflections on the challenges and possibilities of rendering Islamic piety in English, accompanied by a fresh, sensitive translation of Munājāt Shaʿbāniyya. Book Reviews: Contemporary Ḥadīth Studies in Iranian Scholarship – Mostafa Bargahi reviews recent efforts to critically reconstruct early Islamic textual sources, highlighting innovative trends in Shi‘i hadith studies. Living Shi’ism: Instances of Ritualisation Among Islamist Men in Contemporary Iran by David Thurfjell – Reviewed by Zahra Naghshband. Material Culture and Rethinking the History of Shīʿīsm – Hossein Mohseni discusses how material culture can reshape our understanding of Shi‘i historical identity. About Al-Qalam: Al-Qalam serves as a peer-reviewed forum for advancing rigorous scholarship in Shi‘i studies and Islamic thought, promoting dialogue between traditional and academic disciplines. The journal is published by ICAIR and continues to attract leading voices from across the Muslim intellectual world. Availability: The full issue is available for purchase through Amazon and the WF Shop in both softcover and hardcover formats. Order your copy on the links below: https://www.wfshop.org/International-Centre-for-Advanced-Islamic-Research-ICAIR https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1789912024?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_DSJFCSCNJ30P1B44N8SQ&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_DSJFCSCNJ30P1B44N8SQ&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_DSJFCSCNJ30P1B44N8SQ&bestFormat=true

From June 20th to 22nd, 2025, the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR), in collaboration with the Shia Research Institute and NASIMCO, held its landmark International Conference “Faith and the Future – Challenges and Opportunities” at the ISIJ of Toronto, Canada. Bringing together scholars, professionals, and community leaders from around the world, the three-day conference explored how Muslims can engage meaningfully with the profound challenges and emerging possibilities of our time. Through keynote lectures, panel discussions, and workshops, participants examined themes spanning Education, Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Ethics, Ecology and Sustainability, and Islamic Studies—each addressing the question of how faith can inform and illuminate a rapidly changing global landscape. The conference fostered an atmosphere of intellectual depth and spiritual reflection, offering attendees not only critical engagement with contemporary issues but also a renewed sense of purpose in shaping a faithful and future-conscious world

The International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR), in collaboration with the World Federation of KSIMC, NASIMCO, and IMI Canada, successfully concluded the ICAIR Islamic Futures Symposium, held from April 25–27, 2025 at the Jaffari Community Centre (JCC) in Toronto, Canada. The event opened with a Public Forum on Friday evening, welcoming community members to engage with some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the community today. The forum served as an important platform to introduce the themes of the symposium and to highlight lived experiences, concerns, and aspirations. The public forum was live streamed for community members around the world and is now available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/fdy1MQpId04?si=gh8kF3JeEfFfNkcf Following the forum, over 50 distinguished scholars, professionals, and thought leaders convened for two days of expert panels and interdisciplinary roundtables. The closed-door symposium explored how Islamic thought intersects with contemporary global challenges, focusing on three critical areas: Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Ethics, and Education. Symposium Highlights included: Artificial Intelligence: Islamic ethical perspectives on AI development, challenges around data privacy and social justice, and the future of autonomous technologies. Biomedical Ethics: Islamic frameworks for navigating end-of-life care, emerging medical technologies, and contemporary bioethical dilemmas. Education: Strategies for modernizing Islamic education while preserving core values, and integrating traditional scholarship with digital-age learning. The symposium’s key outcomes include: A comprehensive final report detailing insights and strategic recommendations, Development of white papers on Islamic perspectives in AI, education, and biomedical ethics. Formation of collaborative networks for sustained scholarly and professional engagement. A research and policy action plan to guide future initiatives. ICAIR extends its heartfelt gratitude to all community members, participants, delegates, and volunteers who contributed to the success of this landmark event.

On Friday, March 7th, 2025, the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) hosted an in-person seminar at The WF House, Moorhall Road, UB9 6NS, entitled “Legacy of Insight: The Ahl al-Bayt’s (a) Contribution to Qur’anic Exegesis.” The seminar was delivered by Dr Shaykh Mohammed Ali Ismail and formed part of ICAIR’s Ramadan series, aligning with the reflective and Qur’anic spirit of the holy month. Dr Ismail guided participants through an exploration of the Ahl al-Bayt’s (a) enduring role as the foremost interpreters of the Qur’an—those whose infallible insight and spiritual authority illuminate its deepest meanings. The lecture unfolded in two parts: the first grounding their exegetical authority in the Qur’an and Sunna, and the second examining the methods through which this sacred knowledge was transmitted—through teaching tafsīr to companions, unveiling both the exoteric and esoteric dimensions of revelation, and embodying the Qur’an in daily life. The seminar offered a profound reminder of the centrality of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) to the living tradition of Qur’anic understanding and inspired participants to approach the Qur’an as a text not only to be studied, but lived.

On Friday, January 31st 2025, the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) held an in-person seminar at The WF House, Moorhall Road, UB9 6NS, entitled “What is Nahj al-Balagha About?” The session was presented by Dr George Warner, who guided attendees through a penetrating examination of Nahj al-Balagha—its scope, its silences, and the intentions of its compiler, al-Sharīf al-Raḍī. Dr Warner invited the audience to consider what the collection includes and excludes, what it emphasises and what it leaves unsaid. In doing so, he situated Nahj al-Balagha within the historical and intellectual conditions of its compilation, tracing how al-Raḍī’s choices reflect broader ways in which the Imams were remembered, represented, and thought about. Focusing on the ethical guidance contained within Nahj al-Balagha and the historical troubles it narrates, the discussion explored the kind of encounter with Imam ʿAlī (as) that al-Raḍī sought to create—for himself and for his readers—and how that vision has continued to resonate with timeless appeal.