Goals and Visions

 

Current goals and visions 

My current goals are to continue providing services and creating courses and educational content around Islamic Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR). 

 

What I aim to achieve and advocate for: 

Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADR): "A goal I have is to bring more awareness to, advocate for, and provide alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Having studied law, been to court numerous times, and worked in various legal spaces as well as seeing family and friends go through legal problems, I notice many issues in our legal systems. Besides most legal systems not practicing the laws of Allah, there are many other problems: court backlogs, the high cost of court matters, the length of time to resolve disputes, and the destruction of relationships and families.

Alternative dispute resolution can help resolve many of the legal problems people face. It is not always the answer, but in many cases, it is the best way to resolve legal issues. It also grants Muslims an opportunity to control how a problem is resolved, allowing them to choose to resolve their problems through the laws of Allah. I encourage Islamic educational institutions to include ADR in their modules, and I encourage religious leaders, scholars, and Islamic centers to offer it and bring it to the attention of the Muslim community. Most importantly, it must be made affordable.

There are many advantages to this: speed, affordability, and the fact that in a time where Shariah law is not incorporated in many parts of the world, this allows people to have their disputes governed by the law of Allah. Therefore, a goal I wish to see is more awareness, education, and affordable ADR services. Not to mention, it could be a lucrative income source for Imams or other religious figures who provide such services, as the world is seeing more people choose alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration, to resolve their problems."

Shariah Law: "Another goal of mine is to bring more awareness to the general Muslim population regarding the importance of seeking Shariah-compliant services. Living in a non-Muslim country, I have seen many Muslims neglect Shariah legal services. For example, they may draft wills that are not in line with Shariah or ensure their businesses comply with statutory law while overlooking Islamic law. My goal is to advocate for Muslims to ensure their lives are in compliance not only with statutory law but also with the laws of Allah.

Many Muslim lawyers practice law that goes against Islamic principles, perhaps unaware of the spiritual consequences. Part of this goal is to encourage lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and advocates to ensure their work aligns with Shariah. While it is not easy to practice Shariah in a country where it is not the primary legal system, I want to show that we can comply with statutory law while still aiming to the best of our ability to remain Shariah-compliant.
Allah understands that we cannot always change the law of the land, and sometimes, for our contracts or legal drafts to be enforceable, they must follow local statutes. However, we can still strive to make them as Shariah-compliant as possible. To achieve this, I not only need to raise awareness but also encourage lawyers to complete at least a one-year course on Shariah law, specifically in the areas of law they wish to practice."

Education: "I am advocating for Islamic educational institutions to go beyond teaching theory and to also focus on providing students with courses in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Furthermore, I am advocating for these institutions to offer Islamic law clinics. As part of their training and education, students would serve the public under a supervisor by providing free Islamic legal guidance and ADR services.

I experienced the value of this firsthand during the fourth year of my law degree. As part of a module, I was required to attend my college’s pro bono law clinic for four days to serve the public. It was an invaluable learning opportunity. Implementing a similar model in Islamic education would ensure that students gain practical experience while simultaneously providing a much needed service to the community."