Mohammed Elfarooqui

Imam, teacher, and your neighbor in Houston. I teach the Prophet's life and the classical texts in a way that makes sense on a Tuesday night after work. Come to a class, catch a khuṭbah, or send me the question you've been sitting on.

One email when something new is posted. Nothing else.

Hi, I'm Mohammed.

I grew up in America going to public school during the week and the masjid on weekends, and I spent a long time trying to make those two worlds fit together.

That question led me to years of full-time study of the Qurʾān, Arabic, ḥadīth and fiqh with teachers here and abroad. Today I serve as an imam and try to be the teacher I needed at sixteen: someone who takes your questions seriously and answers them honestly.

Based inHouston, Texas
Serving since[Year]
FocusSīrah, ḥadīth, fiqh
Teaches inEnglish & Arabic

Teachers and studies

  1. Qurʾān & ArabicMemorization and grammar with Ustādh [Name]
  2. Fiqh & uṣūlStudied with Shaykh [Name]
  3. ḤadīthIjāzah in the Forty Ḥadīth from Shaykh [Name]
  4. ImamLeading prayer, teaching and counseling since [Year]

Fiqh Q&A

Real questions, answered in plain English. This is general guidance; for your specific situation, ask me directly.

Prayer

Can I combine prayers because of my work schedule?

Combining is established for travel. For genuine hardship at work, scholars differ. Here are the positions and the conditions for each.

Read answer
Money

Do I owe zakat on my 401(k)?

It depends on whether you can access the funds. Here's a simple way to calculate it under each view.

Read answer
Fasting

I missed fasts years ago and don't know how many.

Make an honest estimate, lean toward the higher number, and make them up steadily.

Read answer
Family

How do I tell my non-Muslim parents I've converted?

Kindness to parents stays an obligation. Here are practical steps for the first conversation.

Read answer
Money

Is a car lease allowed?

Leasing is generally treated differently from an interest-based loan. Here's what to check in the contract.

Read answer

Ask your question

Anonymous on the site. Your email is only for follow-up.

Speaking

I speak at masjids, MSAs, conferences, schools and interfaith events across the country. These are the talks organizers ask for most.

  • Loving the Prophet ﷺ in a distracted ageMasjids, Seerah nights
  • Faith on campusMSA welcome weeks, retreats
  • Marriage, before and after the weddingWorkshops, pre-marital
  • Islam, briefly and honestlyInterfaith, schools
  • Grief, patience and hopeCommunity gatherings

Speaker bio

Imam Mohammed Elfarooqui is a Houston-based imam and teacher. He studied the Islamic sciences with scholars in the U.S. and abroad and teaches weekly series on Al-Shifāʾ, the Forty Ḥadīth, and the Sīrah. He is known for making classical scholarship clear and practical for young Muslims in America.

Book Imam Mohammed

Say salām.

For interviews, collaborations or anything else. Religious questions go best through the Q&A form.