Leading Islamic Studies Scholar & Author; King Faisal Chair of Islamic Thought & Culture at USC; Expert on Islam in America
Sherman Jackson Biography
Dr. Sherman A. Jackson, also known as Abdul Hakim Jackson, is a leading Islamic studies scholar in the United States. He holds the King Faisal Chair in Islamic Thought and Culture and serves as Distinguished Professor of Religion and Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. Jackson also directs the university's Center for Islamic Thought, Culture and Practice. He earned his doctorate in Oriental Studies with a focus on the Islamic Near East from the University of Pennsylvania and has held academic appointments at institutions including the University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University, Wayne State University, and the University of Michigan, where he served as the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Near Eastern Studies and Visiting Professor of Law. Early in his career, Jackson was executive director of the Center of Arabic Study Abroad in Cairo, Egypt, which contributed to his grounding in the classical Islamic tradition.
Jackson's scholarship covers classical Islamic law, theology, and intellectual history, with a focus on the intersections of Islam and contemporary issues in the West. His research addresses topics such as race, immigration, liberalism, democracy, pluralism, constitutionalism, and Muslim radicalism, all examined through the lens of Islam's classical and post-classical heritage. Jackson is the author of several books, including "Islamic Law and the State: The Constitutional Jurisprudence of Shihāb al-Dīn al-Qarāfī," "On the Boundaries of Theological Tolerance in Islam," "Islam and the Blackamerican: Looking Towards the Third Resurrection," "Islam and the Problem of Black Suffering," "Sufism for Non-Sufis?," "Initiative to Stop the Violence: Sadat's Assassins and the Renunciation of Political Violence," and "The Islamic Secular." In "The Islamic Secular," Jackson examines the concept of the secular in Islam, arguing that it differentiates certain pursuits from sharī'ah without placing them outside the domain of religion.
Jackson has contributed commentary on Islam in America to major outlets including the Washington Post-Newsweek blog On Faith and Huffington Post, and has lectured at institutions such as Stanford University and the Chautauqua Institution. He has been recognized by the Religion Newswriters Foundation's ReligionLink as a top expert on Islam in the United States and has been named among the world's 500 most influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Amman, Jordan.
Jackson is a co-founder and core scholar of the American Learning Institute for Muslims, a former member of the Fiqh Council of North America, a former president of the Shari'ah Scholars' Association of North America, and a past trustee of the North American Islamic Trust. He delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Muhammad Ali. Through his teaching, writing, and public engagement, Jackson serves as a bridge between the classical Islamic intellectual tradition and the lived realities of Muslims in contemporary America.
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Sherman Jackson Videos
2025 Conference | The Islamic Secular - Dr. Sherman Jackson
Dr. Sherman Jackson presents his argument from his new book "The Islamic Secular."
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What topics does Sherman Jackson speak about?
Sherman Jackson is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Anti-Racism, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Civil Rights, DEI, Disruptive Thinking, Diversity & Inclusion, Faith & Religion, Faith & Religion, History, Muslim, Muslim, Professors, Religious Leadership, Social Activism, Social Justice, Spirituality, Thought Leadership -
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Sherman Jackson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Sherman Jackson for your event is available upon request. Sherman Jackson generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Linda Sarsour, Khaled A. Beydoun, Ruby Sales, Suhaib Webb and Dr. Cornel West. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Sherman Jackson for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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