Dr. Hatem al-Haj
Dr. Hatem al-Haj is the Academic Dean, School of Islamic Studies English department and a professor at Mishkah University. He received his doctorate in Islamic Law from Al-Jinan University (Tripoli, Lebanon) and a Masters in Islamic Law from the American Open University, graduating in both with the highest honors. Dr. Hatem also has a medical degree from Alexandria University Medical School and is a board certified pediatrician. His scholarly work and teaching focuses mainly on Islamic Law. Aside from academic teaching, Dr. Hatem also often hosts community classes and lectures in various locations and serves as a Khateeb. He answers diverse questions related to Fiqh and other Islamic matters on his personal website. As a practicing medical doctor he brings a unique and informed perspective on the juxtaposition of contemporary medical issues and Islamic law. His doctoral dissertation was titled “The Impact of Medical Advancements on Religious Edicts and Judgeship.” He is passionate about applying knowledge for a good cause and helped to found Building Blocks of Islam, a social services and educational organization that promotes community building by enlivening the Sunnah.
Why Mishkah?
“At Mishkah, we aspire to build a pioneering, mission-oriented, scholar-led higher learning institution, that makes the best use of current technologies for the benefit of the students of knowledge. It is a great joy to make this authentic knowledge accessible to students all over the world. Being in class with students from England, Pakistan, Egypt, and the US simultaneously is an extremely fulfilling experience. We address the various Islamic sciences in the traditional way of our predecessors, and we also project what we study on our current reality, ensuring the relevancy of our teachings.”
Teaching Philosophy
“The prophet likened the one who learns to benefit and others to a fertile land that doesn’t only grow its own vegetation, but holds the water for the seekers. I wish to have a share of this description by practicing the profession of the prophets: teaching.”
Education
- PhD in Comparative Fiqh, Highest Honors, Al-Jinan University (Tripoli, Lebanon)
- Masters in Islamic Law, Highest Honors, American Open University
- Medical Board Certification in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics.
- M.B., CH.B. (Equivalent to MD) Graduated with Honors, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
Professional Affiliations:
- Attending Pediatrician
- Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America –AMJA (Permanent Fatwa Council Member);
- Building Blocks of Islam (Board President)
Major Publications:
Books
- (‘Athār Tāṭāwwor Al-Ma’arif At-Tibbiyyah ‘ala Taghayyor Al-Fatwa wal Qada’)
- The Impact of Medical Advancements on Religious Edicts and Judgeship. Al-Haj, Hatem. Cairo: Dar Bilal ibn Rabah and Dar Ibn-Hazm, 2012. (In Arabic)
- Fiqh of Worship. Riyadh: IIPH. 2011. Print.
- A Manual for Gender Interactions. Riyadh: IIPH. 2014. Print.
Peer-reviewed journal articles
- (‘Athār Al-Hajah fee Raf’ Al-‘Ithm ‘an Ba’ḍ ma Ya’ṭariḍ Al-‘Amileen fee Al-Qita’ Al-ṭibbee) “The Impact of Necessity in Removing the Sin from Some of the Healthcare Practices.” Majallat Al-Jinan, Al-Muhakkamah (Peer Reviewed). Feb. 2011.
- (Nadhariyyat At-Tahkeem fee Ash-Sharee’a) “The Theory of Arbitration in Shari’a Law.” Al-Fiqh wal Qanoon, Al-Muhakkamah (Peer Reviewed). May 2013.
- (Hukm ‘Isti’mal Al-Mokhadirat fee At-Tadawee) “The Ruling on Using Narcotics for Medical Treatment.” Al-Bohooth wal Dirasat Ash-Shar’iyyah, Al-Muhukkama (Peer Reviewed). Cairo. July 2013.
- (Al-‘Amal fee Al-Majal Al-Handasee) Labor in the Engineering Field. Majma’ Fuqaha’ Al-Shari’a. 2007.
- (Majma’ Fuqaha’ Al-Shari’a Bi’America wa ‘Ishamoho fee Tarsheed Al-‘Ifta’ Bil-Amreekatayn)
- The Significance of Tangible Proofs in Asserting a Verdict. Al-Azhar University – Faculty of Languages and Translation’s Journal. 9(II): 221-272
- “Assembly of Muslim Jurists in America and its Contribution to Guiding Religious Edicts in North and South America.” 2007, Mo’tamar Al-‘Ifta’, Kuwait
Selected Articles:
- “Shari’ah in Today’s World: Renewing Islamic Discourse” YaqeenInstitute. Web.
- “Al-Basmalah.” IslamOnLine. Web.
- “Religious Institutions.” IslamOnLine. Web.
- “Islam or Muhammadanism.” IslamOnLine. Web.
- “Reviving the Role of the Masjid.” MuslimMatters
- “Sharia and Reform.” MuslimMatters. Web.
- “Reflections on Terrorism.” MuslimMatters. Web.
- “An Issue with Slavery.” MuslimMatters. Web.
Selected Arabic Articles:
(أثر تطور المعارف الطبية على تغير الفتوى والقضاء (كتاب مطبوع – دار بلال بن رباح ودار ابن حزم القاهرة
أثر الحاجة في رفع الإثم عن بعض ما يعترض العاملين في القطاع الطبي (بحث منشور في مجلة الجنان المحكمة ) لبنان – العدد: الأول – شباط 2011
نظرية التحكيم في الشريعة (بحث منشور في مجلة الفقه والقانون المحكمة ) المغرب – العدد: السابع – مايو 2013
حكم استعمال المخدرات في التداوي (بحث منشور في مجلة البحوث والدراسات الشرعية المحكمة) مصر – العدد: الثاني عشر – يوليو 2013
(أحكام تطبيب الأطفال (رسالة ماجستير
(تولي أعمال الشرطة في البلاد غير الإسلامية (بحث مقدم إلى المؤتمر الخامس لمجمع فقهاء الشريعة
(العمل في المجال الهندسي (بحث مقدم إلى المؤتمر الخامس لمجمع فقهاء الشريعة
مجمع فقهاء الشريعة بأمريكا وإسهامه في ترشيد الإفتاء بالأمريكتين (ورقة مقدمة إلى المركز العالمي للوسطية بوزارة الأوقاف الكويتية) مؤتمر الإفتاء 1428 هـ / 2007 م
(الاختلاط بين الجنسين ومسائل تتعلق به (بحث مقدم إلى المؤتمر السادس لمجمع فقهاء الشريعة بأمريكا
Website and Social Media:
http://www.drhatemalhaj.com/
http://www.facebook.com/drhatemalhaj