Imam and Preacher

Biography of Sheikh Dr. Fares Mustafa, Imam and Preacher of Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque & Centre.  

Sheikh Dr. Fares Ali Mustafa, Imam and Preacher of Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque & Centre in Dubai.
 

He was born in the city of (Damascus) in the Syrian Arab Republic, and received his elementary and secondary education in its schools. He studied various Shariah sciences at the hand of many of its esteemed scholars; moreover, he memorized the entire volume of the Glorious Qur’an when he was fifteen years old.

He obtained more than one Ijazah (acknowledgement of memorizing the Qur’an and license for teaching it) of a higher sequence of transmission from the Damascus scholars, including Sheikh Bakri `Abdul-Majid Tarabichi, who possessed the highest sequence of transmission in the entire world, specialized in the narration of Imam `Asim delivered by his two narrators Hafs and Shu`bah. He also studied the Qur’an at the hand of Sheikh Abu Hassan Mohyi Eddin Al-Kurdi.

Then he joined Al-Azhar University in Cairo, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in the Faculty of Usul-ud-Din (Theology), Department of Interpretation and Qur’anic sciences, and was ranked first on the college. He continued his postgraduate studies at the same university, got a (Higher Studies Diploma) grade: Excellent, then got (master's degree in interpretation and Qur’anic sciences) from Al-Azhar University: Excellent, together with a recommendation to print the message at the university's expense and exchange it among universities. Then he got (doctorate in interpretation and Qur’anic sciences) from Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul-ud-Din in Cairo, and Ph.D. entitled (Imam Abu Saud’s preferences in his interpretation, starting from Surat Al-Ma’idah to the end of Surat Al-Hijr) collection, study, and overbalancing with first class honours with a recommendation of printing the Ph.D. and exchange it among universities).

He participated in Dubai International Holy Qur'an contest -local branch- as a judge, and a member of the audit committee for revising Sheikh Maktoum’s printout of the Qur’an. He was honoured to teach the Glorious Qur’an and recitation rules at the Prophet's Mosque in 1415.

He lectured about the interpretation of the Glorious Qur’an and its sciences in America, Europe, and a variety of Arab countries.

Furthermore, he authorized, God willing, dozens of Muslim males and females on Hafs from the way of `Asim’s narration.

He recorded the Murattal Qur’an with his own voice by the narration of Hafs, under the supervision of the Islamic Research Academy in Cairo.

Moreover, he recorded selected recitations for Dubai Satellite Channel.

Currently, he serves as an Imam and Preacher of Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai, since 1995 until now.

Publications

1. Philosophy and purpose of Tajweed (in press).
2. A cup of coffee (in press), a collection of lectures delivered over three years in Dubai Satellite Channel; includes a variety of topics on the miraculousness of the Qur'an, morals, family, acts of worship, and doctrine.

Media participations

1. Present programs and religious segments in multiple channels (Dubai TV- Abu Dhabi Satellite Channel – Al Aqariya Real Estate – MBC Channel - Deira Channel – Fawasel Saudi Arabia Channel).
2. Islamic studies, researches, and reflections in Al Bayan Newspaper - Dubai.

Functions

1. Imam and Preacher of Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque & Centre.
2. Lecturer at Dubai University.
3. Lecturer at the Imam Malik College for Sharia & Lawin Dubai.
4. Member of the Audit Committee of Sheikh Maktoum's printout Qur'an.

The word of Sheikh Dr. Fares Al Mustafa, Imam and Preacher of Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque & Centre (may Allah be pleased with him) in Dubai

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious the Merciful

Allah (Glory be to Him) says (that which means): "In houses (mosques), which Allah has ordered to be raised (to be cleaned, and to be honoured), in them His Name is glorified in the mornings and in the afternoons or the evenings, * Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the Remembrance of Allah (with heart and tongue), nor from performing As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), nor from giving the Zakat. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (from the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection). * That Allah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out of His Grace. And Allah provides without measure to whom He wills." [Allah, the Great, is always Truthful].

How nice to see the dream come true, and it is wonderful to see a small plant grow up to be a tall palm tree. Many years have passed and days passed one after another, that took place when I was honoured to be an Imam and a Preacher of Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque & Centre in Dubai since 1995 until today. A mosque was under the honourable custody of Abu Rashid (Khalaf Ahmed Al Habtoor) (may Allah reward him). We were holding fast with this edifice of faith, and I had confidence that this mosque, which won the hearts of people would be a milestone in Dubai. I spent my lifetime in this Mosque where I got to know the people of the neighbourhood as we were a family, and I got to know Abu Rashid through his unique sponsorship of the Mosque, thus the dream came true. Days passed and this blessed Mosque has become and a great Islamic complex and an architecturally cultural lofty edifice that depicted the image of tolerant Islam, the civilized human Islam, and a humane and Islamic clear message.

My work in this blessed Mosque left in me a profound impact in the refinement of my experience, the evolution of my acquaintances, and pruning my relationships with people and the community, so it was not just a mosque. Yet, it was a wonderful faith milestone that disseminated Islam and the depicted the ideal image of a true Muslim who works for his religion and the world. Thus, the Mosque turned from just a mark in (Jumeirah) where I live to an important milestone of the landmarks of Dubai in particular and the Muslim world in general.

Among its walls, I spent days and lived Nights, and the impossible dream turned to be reality and the Mosque has become the most important in my life where I feel it is part of me and I am part of it. It is Islam which promotes conscience, cultivates souls, and enhance motivations. May Allah bless the efforts of those who helped the great Mosque to play its role and deliver its message. May Allah bless those who contributed to deliver this message. Peace be upon you!