Shaykh Zahir Mahmood, the erudite scholar was born in England and has gained licenses to teach (ijaazas) in many Islamic sciences including Qur’an, Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and Traditions (Hadith) of The Prophet (SAW) from various Shyukh.
Following the completion of his secular studies at the age of 16, Shaykh Zahir Mahmood enrolled at Dar al-Uloom al-Arabiyya al-Islamiyya, Bury (a satellite college to al- Azhar University), where he initiated his studies of the Alimiya course. Thereafter, he studied 3 years in the presitigious seat of learning al-Jamia al-Islamiyya Karachi, Pakistan.
Shaykh Zahir Mahmood went on to complete his Alimiya course at the pioneering Dar al-Uloom Newcastle, South Africa which has since been used as a template for other seats of learning in the region. Here, the Shaykh studies included a detailed analysis of Sahih al-Bukhari with the renowned scholar Shaykh Qasim Seema.
Returning back to the UK, he gained a BA in Applied Theological Studies from the University of Birmingham and taught the Alimiya course at Madina al-Uloom Kidderminster for a subsequent 2 years. He also translated to English part of the classical Hanafi text on Fiqh, al-Shurunbulali’s Nur al-Idah.
For the past four years Shaykh Zahir Mahmood has been an khateeb (preacher) at one of Birmingham’s largest mosques, Jame Masjid. From this base, he has taught many workshops including Arabic at various levels and Seerah (the Life of The Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him). He has endeavoured to reach out to the local youth as well as spanning the country to deliver the message of Islam in the English language.
In 2004, he committed himself to delivering a weekly study circle (dars) from Birmingham Jame Masjid covering many Islamic aspects ranging from the detailed study of the lives of the Prophets (AS), the Companions (RA), the Last Messenger of Allah (SWT) Muhammad (SAW) and most recently Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) …etc. In this same year, he founded the as-Suffa Institute of Learning in Birmingham where he is one of the resident scholars.
source: http://www.as-suffa.org/
Some of the talks given by Shaykh Zahir Mahmood can be heard on Darul Islam website. May Allah swt give good health and long life to Shaykh Zahir Mahmood in order that the ummah continue to benefit from his lessons and knowledge. Ameen.