Meet Dr. Ovamir Anjum, a distinguished scholar holding the prestigious Imam Khattab Endowed Chair of Islamic Studies at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Toledo. His research is a dynamic exploration of various facets within Islam, including theology, ethics, politics, and law, with a comparative perspective involving Western Thought.
Academic Background
Historical Perspective: Dr. Anjum’s academic journey begins with his background as a historian, shaping his unique interdisciplinary approach.
Educational Achievements
- Ph.D. in Islamic Intellectual History: He obtained his doctoral degree from the Department of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Masters in Social Sciences: Dr. Anjum also holds a master’s degree from the University of Chicago, further broadening his academic horizons.
- Diverse Educational Background: His educational journey includes a master’s degree in Computer Science and a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering and Physics, both earned at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Islamic Roots
Early Training:
- Home-Based Education: Dr. Anjum’s Islamic training began in his formative years, growing up in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
- Influential Figures: He had the privilege of learning from a diverse range of scholars, including his remarkable grandmother.
Scholastic Pursuits:
- Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh): Dr. Anjum delved into the study of Islamic jurisprudence with South Asian Ḥanafī and Ahl-e-hadīs scholars.
- Qur’anic Studies: His educational journey also involved in-depth study of usūl al-fiqh and qirā’āt of the Quran under the guidance of scholars from Egypt’s Al-Azhar and Syria.
Published Works:
- “Politics, Law, and Community in Islamic Thought: The Taymiyyan Moment” (2012): Dr. Anjum authored this significant work, published by Cambridge University Press, which delves into the complex interplay of politics, law, and community within Islamic thought.
- Translation Project: He undertook the ambitious task of translating Madarij al-Salikin (Ranks of Divine Seekers) by Ibn al-Qayyim, one of the most revered Islamic spiritual classics. This project, published by Brill in 2020, is the largest single-author English translation of an Arabic text.
Current Endeavors:
Dr. Ovamir Anjum’s scholarly pursuits continue with ongoing projects that encompass:
- Survey of Islamic History: An exploration of the rich tapestry of Islamic history.
- Monograph on Islamic Political Thought: An in-depth study of Islamic political thought, which promises to add valuable insights to the academic world.