Early Life and Influences
Shaykh Muhammad Dawood Milanzi was born on 21 August 1979 in Tembisa Township, South Africa, into a devout Muslim family. His parents, Imam Hussein Dawood and Sayyidah Fatima Milanzi, were instrumental in his early Islamic education. His mother was his first Qur’an teacher, introducing him to the Arabic alphabet and fostering a deep passion for Islam.
His grandfather, Abdullah Ali Milanzi, played a significant role in his upbringing, keeping him engaged in Islamic learning and teaching him the value of hard work by involving him in his fruit and vegetable business during his spare time. His grandmother, Sakinah Mgege Felicia Milanzi, also contributed significantly, encouraging Muhammad, his siblings, and cousins to excel in their studies.
Education and Early Islamic Studies
Starting at the age of five, Shaykh Muhammad Dawood Milanzi attended the Maktabah madrasah system prevalent in South Africa, spending 14 years in this educational framework. He began memorizing the Qur’an at the age of 14. After completing high school, he dedicated a year to finishing his Qur’an Hifzh (Memorization, which literally means “Protection”) under the guidance of Moulana Abdul-Khaliq Moola in Bethal, South Africa.
He then enrolled at the University of Cape Town (UCT), where he earned a BSc degree in Computer Science. While in Cape Town, he remained committed to furthering his Islamic education, seeking out local Shuyukh and Ulamaa’. He also became active in Islamic community affairs, serving as the Library Manager of the Islamic Society student organisation and as Imam for daily prayers, occasionally leading Jum’ah at the campus Musalla (Place of Prayer).
Professional Career and Continuing Islamic Education
After graduating from UCT, Shaykh Muhammad married Ruqayyah Muhammad in 2004, and they have since been blessed with three children: Amatur-Rahman, Muhammad Al-Hasan, and Faatimah Zahra. He then embarked on a professional career as a Software Solution Engineer, a field in which he has excelled for nearly two decades. His work includes developing software solutions for leading companies and institutions such as Microsoft, Standard Bank, the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), the University of South Africa (UNISA), TransUnion, and Teraflow.ai. He also operates a private consulting firm, PRISM IT Solutions.
Despite his demanding career, Shaykh Muhammad never lost his passion for Islamic education. He continued his studies in various Islamic disciplines whenever possible, covering a wide range of subjects including Aqa’eed and Tawheed, Ilmul Tajweed, Ulumul Quran, Tafseer, Mustalahul Hadith, Sihah Sittah with Muwatta, Hanafih Fiqh, Usulul Fiqh, Qawa’id Fiqhiyyah, Tasawwuf and Adab, Lughah (Nahw, Sarf, Insha’ and Balaghah), and Seerah (Qisasun Nabiyeen, Seeratun Nabawiyah, and Khulafa’i Rashideen). Through Allah’s Grace, Shaykh Muhammad has earned numerous Ijazaat (authorizations to transmit knowledge) in Ulumul Shariah and Tasawwuf from various respected Masha’ikh, both locally and internationally.
Contributions to Islamic Scholarship and Community
Shaykh Muhammad is not only a scholar but also an active contributor to the Islamic community. He has delivered lectures on various topics to diverse audiences, including discussions on Tazkiyyyah An Nafs, the Prophetic Model, and Seerah. He has spoken at Mawlid an Nabi commemorations, inter-Tariqah unity programs, and the United Muslim Anti-Xenophobia March held in the Atteridgeville township.
Shaykh Muhammad Dawood Milanzi scholarly contributions were recognized internationally when he presented a paper at the Harvard University Divinity School’s Islam in Africa Initiative Conference in 2021. Additionally, he lectures at the Kawthar Centre, an institute offering post-graduate Islamic Studies courses for graduates of Islamic institutions.
Involvement with the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema
Shaykh Muhammad Dawood Milanzi is a member of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema, an organization dedicated to reviving traditional Islamic interpretations and promoting peace through the collaboration of Islamic scholars across Africa. Under the leadership of His Majesty Amir-ul Mumineen Mohammed VI of Morocco, the Foundation has made significant strides, and Shaykh Muhammad has served as both Secretary General and, currently, Deputy President of the South Africa branch. In this capacity, he has participated in several international Islamic conferences and organized programs in South Africa to support the Foundation’s objectives.
Community Leadership and Outreach
Shaykh Muhammad’s dedication to Islamic community development remains unwavering. He currently serves as the Imam of the Falaq Islamic Community in Dawn Park, South Africa. Here, he leads daily prayers and Dhikr, teaches Arabic, Tafseer, and Hadith, runs a Hifzh program and madrasah, and organizes various community initiatives, including outreach to the broader Dawn Park community.
Shaykh Muhammad Dawood Milanzi is also a Muqaddam of the Tariqah Tijaniyyah and serves as the President of the Gauteng Fayda Tijani organization, leading weekly Dhikr and delivering lectures in Pretoria under the guidance of Fadhilatul Shaykh Ibrahim Ehaibah from Mauritania. Furthermore, Shaykh Muhammad is an authorized Marriage Officer for the South African Department of Home Affairs.
Personal Interests and Aspirations
Outside of his religious and professional duties, Shaykh Muhammad Dawood Milanzi is an avid reader, a passionate traveller, and occasionally enjoys playing pick-up basketball with the youth in his neighborhood. His ultimate aspiration is to foster the development of a healthy, sustainable, and exemplary Islamic way of life at the individual, family, and community levels.
