Skip to content
Islamic Sharia Council – Northern Britain
Donate
Donate Choose a service
Scholar-Led Council

About ISCN

A confidential, scholar-led Islamic Sharia adjudication body with clear religious and civil boundaries.

Who We Are

Islamic Sharia Council – Northern Britain is a religious adjudication body providing confidential, scholar-led guidance and services for Muslim individuals and families.

Our Purpose

We help applicants navigate religious matters through a clear administrative and scholarly process. Our approach is broadly Sunni and respectful of the applicant’s own madhab (school of jurisprudence) within the Sunni tradition.

1

Confidentiality

Private matters are handled discreetly. Named certificates, rulings and case records are not published.

2

Scholarly Care

Questions requiring a Fatwa or adjudication decision are referred to the appropriate scholars.

3

Clear Boundaries

We explain where religious guidance is separate from civil marriage, divorce, probate, adoption or guardianship.

Leadership

Sheikh Richard MacLeod, Head of ISCN

Religious adjudication matters requiring collective scholarly consideration are referred to the Islamic Adjudication Council (Majlis al-Shura).

Meet the leadership and scholars →

Religious, Not Civil, Jurisdiction

ISCN is not a UK civil court and has no civil jurisdiction. Our religious services, certificates and adjudication decisions do not replace any civil process or independent legal advice that may also be required.

The Company

ISCN operates through The Islamic Centre Ltd, Company No. 15652088, incorporated in England and Wales.

The Council

Leadership and scholars

Named roles only. Case assignments stay confidential.

Sheikh Richard MacLeod

Sheikh Richard MacLeod

Head of ISCN

Sheikh Richard leads the Council’s commitment to careful religious guidance, clear processes and compassionate service. His work brings together Islamic study, marriage counselling and organisational leadership.

Show moreShow less about Sheikh Richard MacLeod
Role
Head of the Islamic Sharia Council – Northern Britain
Islamic Study
More than a decade of study in Saudi Arabia, followed by formal study through Zad Academy and continuing scholarly study circles.
Counselling
Qualified marriage counsellor with training in Islamic marital guidance and family support.
Leadership
Entrepreneur, educator and organisational leader with more than two decades of business and community experience.
View full profile: Sheikh Richard MacLeod
Sheikh AbdulBasith Mohammed

Sheikh AbdulBasith Mohammed

Deputy Head of ISCN

Supports the Council’s religious guidance, marital services and community-facing work.

Show moreShow less about Sheikh AbdulBasith Mohammed
Relevant Experience
Leads prayer and teaching at Newcastle Central Mosque; Islamic educator with experience in Qur’anic studies, Hadith and family guidance.
View full profile: Sheikh AbdulBasith Mohammed

Scholars

Islamic Adjudication Council

Not every matter is considered by every person shown.

Sheikh Dr Mahmoud Al-Saeed Abu Al-Ezz

Sheikh Dr Mahmoud Al-Saeed Abu Al-Ezz

الشيخ الدكتور محمود السعيد عبدالمجيد أبو العز

Islamic Adjudication Council Member

A Lecturer in Usul al-Fiqh at Al-Azhar University’s Faculty of Sharia and Law, Tanta. He holds a PhD with First Class Honours, an ijazah in the seven Qur’anic readings, and experience in fatwa and Friday preaching.

Show moreShow less about Sheikh Dr Mahmoud Al-Saeed Abu Al-Ezz
Qualifications
PhD (al-‘Alimiyyah) in Usul al-Fiqh, First Class Honours, Al-Azhar University, Tanta (2021); Master’s in Usul al-Fiqh, Al-Azhar University, Cairo (2017); ijazat in the seven Qur’anic readings and the major books of hadith.

His journey3 entries

  1. Stage 01

    Qualifications

    Master’s (al-Takhassus) in Usul al-Fiqh, grade Very Good, Faculty of Sharia and Law, Al-Azhar University, Cairo (2017).

  2. Stage 02

    Qualifications

    PhD (al-‘Alimiyyah) in Usul al-Fiqh, First Class Honours, Faculty of Sharia and Law, Al-Azhar University, Tanta (2021).

  3. currentStage 03

    Career and service

    Lecturer, Department of Usul al-Fiqh, Faculty of Sharia and Law, Al-Azhar University, Tanta (current)

View full profile: Sheikh Dr Mahmoud Al-Saeed Abu Al-Ezz
Sheikh Dr Al-Saeed Abdel Fattah Badran

Sheikh Dr Al-Saeed Abdel Fattah Badran

الشيخ الدكتور السعيد عبدالفتاح بدران

Islamic Adjudication Council Member

A Lecturer in Usul al-Fiqh at Al-Azhar University’s Faculty of Sharia and Law, Tanta. He holds a PhD with First Class Honours and brings experience in fatwa, preaching and reconciling marital disputes.

Show moreShow less about Sheikh Dr Al-Saeed Abdel Fattah Badran
Qualifications
PhD (al-‘Alimiyyah) in Usul al-Fiqh, First Class Honours, Al-Azhar University, Tanta (2022); Master’s in Usul al-Fiqh, grade Excellent, Al-Azhar University, Tanta (2018).

His journey8 entries

  1. Stage 01

    Career and service

    Da‘wah, khutbah and guidance in mosques and cultural centres across Egypt (since 2011)

  2. Stage 02

    Qualifications

    Licence (BA) in Islamic and Arabic Studies, Sharia division, Excellent with Honours, Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies, New Damietta, Al-Azhar University (2012).

  3. Stage 03

    Career and service

    Assistant Lecturer (2019) and Teaching Assistant (from November 2014), Usul al-Fiqh, Al-Azhar University; began at the Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies

  4. Stage 04

    Career and service

    Prayer leader, preacher and teacher, Egyptian Ministry of Awqaf (January–October 2014)

  5. Stage 05

    Qualifications

    Master’s (al-Takhassus) in Usul al-Fiqh, grade Excellent, Faculty of Sharia and Law, Al-Azhar University, Tanta (2018).

  6. Stage 06

    Qualifications

    PhD (al-‘Alimiyyah) in Usul al-Fiqh, First Class Honours, Faculty of Sharia and Law, Al-Azhar University, Tanta (2022).

  7. Stage 07

    Career and service

    Lecturer in Usul al-Fiqh, Al-Azhar University (since 2022); now at the Faculty of Sharia and Law, Tanta

  8. Stage 08

    Career and service

    Secretary of the Department of Usul al-Fiqh at his faculty (since 2022)

View full profile: Sheikh Dr Al-Saeed Abdel Fattah Badran
Sheikh Dr Mohamed Mahmoud Abdelhadi

Sheikh Dr Mohamed Mahmoud Abdelhadi

الشيخ الدكتور محمد محمود عبدالهادي

Islamic Adjudication Council Member

An Assistant Lecturer in Comparative Fiqh at Al-Azhar University’s Faculty of Islamic Studies (Dec 2024 to date); Teaching Assistant (Jul 2023 to Dec 2024). He supports scholarly review across family matters, comparative fiqh and contemporary questions, is a former Fatwa Committee member at the Islamic Research Academy, and has been a member of the Council since June 2024.

Show moreShow less about Sheikh Dr Mohamed Mahmoud Abdelhadi
Qualifications
PhD in Comparative Fiqh, Al-Azhar University (in progress); MA in Comparative Fiqh, Al-Azhar University (2024), Very Good; LLB in Law, Faculty of Law, Mansoura University (2025); Diploma in Islamic Studies, Higher Institute of Islamic Studies, Cairo (2021); Preliminary master’s studies in Comparative Fiqh (Al-Azhar, 2019), Sharia (Dar al-Ulum, Cairo University, 2019) and Islamic Studies (Tanta University, 2017); BA in Islamic and Sharia Studies, Al-Azhar University (2014), Excellent with First Class Honours.

His journey15 entries

  1. Stage 01

    Qualifications

    BA in Islamic and Sharia Studies, Al-Azhar University (2014), Excellent with First Class Honours

  2. Stage 02

    Qualifications

    Preliminary master’s studies in Islamic Studies (Tanta University, 2017)

  3. Stage 03

    Career and service

    Member of the Fatwa Committee, Damietta Al-Azhar Region, under the Islamic Research Academy, Cairo (Jan 2017 to Jun 2023)

  4. Stage 04

    Publications and research

    Commentary on al-Fiqh al-Muyassar, Tafakkur Centre, Beirut, 2017

  5. Stage 05

    Qualifications

    Preliminary master’s studies in Comparative Fiqh (Al-Azhar, 2019) and Sharia (Dar al-Ulum, Cairo University, 2019)

  6. Stage 06

    Career and service

    Certified Sharia supervisor and auditor course, Egyptian Islamic Finance Association (2019)

  7. Stage 07

    Publications and research

    Lata’if al-Isharat ‘ala Nazm al-Waraqat and ‘Umdat al-Tahqiq fi al-Taqlid wa al-Talfiq (critical editions), Tafakkur Centre, Beirut, 2019

  8. Stage 08

    Qualifications

    Diploma in Islamic Studies, Higher Institute of Islamic Studies, Cairo (2021)

  9. Stage 09

    Publications and research

    Adab al-‘Ishrah fi Turath al-Sahb wa al-Al, Mabarrat al-Al wa al-Ashab, Kuwait, 2021

  10. Stage 10

    Career and service

    Teaching Assistant in Comparative Fiqh, Al-Azhar University, Jul 2023 to Dec 2024

  11. Stage 11

    Career and service

    Member of the Scientific Committee, Islamic Finance Institute, Fiqh al-Mal Foundation (Jun 2023 to date)

  12. Stage 12

    Qualifications

    MA in Comparative Fiqh, Al-Azhar University (2024), Very Good

  13. Stage 13

    Career and service

    Assistant Lecturer in Comparative Fiqh, Al-Azhar University, Dec 2024 to date

  14. Stage 14

    Qualifications

    LLB in Law, Faculty of Law, Mansoura University (2025)

  15. Stage 15

    Publications and research

    Raf‘ al-‘Itab wa al-Malam (critical edition), Alam al-Adab, Cairo, 2025

View full profile: Sheikh Dr Mohamed Mahmoud Abdelhadi

Special Advisors

Dr Alyas Karmani

Dr Alyas Karmani

Special Consultant

Advises the Council on mental health, relationships and community wellbeing.

Show moreShow less about Dr Alyas Karmani
Relevant Experience
Counsellor, consultant and community specialist with experience in psychology, family support and public policy.
View full profile: Dr Alyas Karmani

Profiles describe each person’s Council role and relevant experience. Case assignments remain confidential and are determined according to the nature of each matter; not every matter is considered by every person shown.

× The Islamic Sharia Council