Moody Imams, Cat Jealousy & Qur'anic Scholarship: A Conversation with Shaykh Qamar Ilyas al-Madani
In this deeply insightful episode, we’re joined by Shaykh Qamar Ilyas al-Madani — one of the few globally recognised translators of the Quran and a teacher of scholars — for a candid conversation on leadership, character, and community in the modern age.
From growing up in Birmingham to navigating marriage counselling cases, Shaykh Qamar shares hard-earned wisdom on the emotional and intellectual demands of being an imam today. We also explore the immense responsibility of translating the Quran — and whether simply knowing Arabic is enough to do it justice.
Topics include:
What makes a good imam (and a bad one)
Teaching with compassion & relatability
Public speaking & social media influence
Unique challenges of Quran translation
Real-life marriage issues from the counselling chair
Approaching divine text beyond literal language
An eye-opening conversation with one of the few scholars entrusted to translate the Quran — blending depth, humour, and practical advice for anyone involved in community work or spiritual learning.