Sabahat Ashraf

Sabahat Ashraf is blessed to have been part of ecumenical and diverse communities on both coasts of the United States and on three continents. He grew up in some of the most traditional Muslim communities in the world and thus his progressive understanding and practice of Islam is sufi-leaning and informed by his family's traditional Hanafi maddhab, as well as the Maliki practices and ideas of the community in West Africa where he was born. He aspires to also draw from the wealth of wisdom in the writings and example of the one Muslim leader on whose authority almost no sects or individuals disagree; Maulana Ali Ibn Abi Talib. He loves to quote MPV’s president, Ani Zonneveld when she says “I am progressive because I am Muslim.”

All this shapes Sabahat’s efforts as an Imam and an officiant. To put it simply, he says, Allah (SWT) is Al Wadud, the everloving. If our Beloved loves all, then we, who are beloveds of the Lover, and who serve the Beloved, must equally strive to love all. My personal commitment to the Beloved is the reason I perform marriages; for spreading love spreads the knowledge of Love, and the knowledge of Love leads to the love of the Beloved and for each other.

Sabahat believes that the bringing together of a family is a personal union, as well as a social one. He strives to find the right note and tone for a marriage, including tradition and faith while respecting both the individuals and the new world they are aspiring to build. Sabahat will work with you to craft the right ceremony. His Arabic recitation is fluent, he speaks English and Urdu, and is comfortable in Punjabi and Hindi. His Hausa is a little rusty and he also speaks a smattering of German. 

Sabahat says it would be an honor to be a part of bringing together a loving union. May Al Wadud, the Beloved All-Loving Allah, bless your efforts, your marriage, your families, and the family you will create as you come together.

Download the Marriage Services Package to learn about our services and for contact information of our officiants/imams.