Those who know me often describe me as being loud, opinionated and feisty. “Nothing seems to get you down” they say. “I admire the fact that you're such a strong woman who doesn't give a damn about what people think.”

If only they knew.

 Sometimes I feel like such a fraud because that is no longer who I am – at least that is no longer how I feel at the moment. I have been depressed for a good few months now. Part of the reason is due to the fact that I have not been working for six months and I have been finding it difficult to get another job. On top of that my savings are running out so I am struggling financially.

Imam Muhammad Asim Hussain, is a graduate of Jamia Al-Karam in Nottingham and has been tirelessly serving the needs of the British Muslim community. He is renowned for his nationwide public lectures which focus on contemporary issues and his ‘down to earth’ and ‘on a level’ approach allows him to relate to all age groups.

Imam Asim is only 23 and currently lectures in Manchester Central Mosque as Jummah Khateeb. The Revival Editor, Sajid Iqbal, spoke to him about many issues including his life and what he thinks are the biggest challenges facing Muslims today.

Ed: Asalaamu Alaikum Shaykh, how are you?

Imam: Wa Alaikumus Salaam, very well.

What is the purpose of marriage in Islam? What are the benefits?

Marriage is a bond that makes it permissible for a man and a woman to have an intimate relationship. This would then allow a child to be born from that relationship and to have its name linked to both the mother and the father.

Can a boy/girl choose her own marriage partner?

Yes a boy or girl can chose their own marriage partners so long as it meets the criteria of Shariah (Islamic law). This means that they should be Muslim and their beliefs should not be of those that take them out of the fold of Islam. (1)

Do you need the consent of your parents to get married?

What is Ramadhan?

Ramadhan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. During this month which is either 29 or 30 days, Muslims all over the world fast by abstaining from food and water from dawn until the sun sets.

Ramadhan is a blessed month in which the Holy Quran was first sent down as a guide to mankind with clear signs for guidance and judgement between right and wrong. It is also a time when the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell-Fire are closed and the devils are chained up.

Why do Muslims fast in Ramadhan?

Fasting in the month of Ramadhan has been prescribed by Allah Almighty and is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims fast to show their submission, commitment and worship to their Lord.  

“An Englishman entered, dressed in the traditional robes and turban of an Ottoman Aalim. Five Hundred Indian troops who had arrived in Liverpool in 1902 stood and shouted “Allahu Akbar”.

When the Abdullah Quilliam Society approached me to create a website about a man called Abdullah Quilliam little did I realise the significance of this Victorian English convert to Islam. The more material that was given to me, the more fascinated I became with this forgotten champion of Islam.

The issue of single Muslim mothers is fast becoming a prevalent one; with divorce on the rise it seems only logical that some of these statistics would also apply to Muslim households.

Why then are they not revered as they deserve to be and instead looked down upon and scorned by many communities?  Is it really seen as so contagious that girls from ‘respectable’ families should stay away from these women in case they too, catch it? 

My views on the Woolwich atrocity are exactly the same as the vast majority of the UK population - they are that of utter shock and disgust.  The thought that in this day and age people are STILL carrying out these crimes in the name of religion and their “God” is just beyond belief and to this day I still refuse to believe that any religion would sanction this.

I personally believe that this is used as an excuse in today’s society and a way of trying to justify what has been done and what people plan to do. I challenge anyone to read any religious scriptures and highlight where in those pages, it tells you to carry out these crimes in the name of God.

Just when you thought terror and extremism in the name of religion in Britain had finally died down, it reared its ugly head in Woolwich, which shocked and disgusted the nation. Two crackpots committing a horrific murder happened to be Muslims and apparently did this barbaric act in the name of Islam.