The history of Islam is full with stories of men and women facing imprisonment and abuse at the hands of oppressors. Indeed, some among our greatest prophets and scholars have been incarcerated or tortured. The four Imams are no exception.

Explore the tribulations of our Immams Abu Hanifa, Malik, al-Shafi’i and Ahmad, and reflect on our stance for Muslims deprived of justice today.

Qur’an recitation by Moussa Zemmouri who was released from Guantanamo in 2005:-

Imam Malik ibn Anas

Hajj Abdassamad Clarke, translator and Imam of the Ihsan Mosque in Norwich talks about the trials of Imam Malik in the face of injustice and oppression and how he responded to them.

Muhammad Geloo talks about his detention and torture experience in Madinah, the City of the Prophet (saw), during which he could hear the Adhan (call to prayer) from the nearby Prophet’s mosque - the second holiest site in Islam.

Imam Abu Hanifa

Shaykh Shams Ad-Duha Muhammad, Founding Director and Principal of Ebrahim College in East London, talks about Imam Abu Hanifa’s fortitude in the face of oppression.

Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal

Imam Shakeel Begg, Imam of Lewisham Islamic Centre explains how Ahmad ibn Hanbal stood up for justice during a time of widespread injustice.

Umm Zubayr recounts her son’s experience of being targeted by security services for innocuous reasons.