Mufti Ebrahim Desai completed his Qurān Memorization (Hifz) at Watervaal Islamic Institute (Miā’s Farm), South Africa. Thereafter he pursued his ῾Ālim Course in Jamia Islamia, Dhabel for 7 years, and passed with distinction in every year. Mufti Ebrahim Desai completed his Mufti Course (Iftā) atJamia Islāmia, Dhabel, India under Hazrat Mufti Ahmad Khanpuri Saheb of Dabhel for two years. After completing of this course, he completed another year of studies in Iftaa under the late mufti of India, Hazrat Mufti Mahmud al-Hasan Gangohi rahmatullah alayh, the author of the multivolume Fatawa Mahmudiyya.
Mufti Saheb taught Fiqh, Principles of Fiqh, Tafsīr, Hadīth at Madrasah Ta῾līmuddīn, Isipingo Beach, South Africa for 10 years. He also headed the Fatwa Department at Jamiatul Ulama, KZN. He was a senior Sheikhul Hadith at Madrasah In’aamiyyah, Camperdown for another 10 years. In 2011, Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb moved to Durban permanently and laid the foundation for Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah, Sherwood, Durban.
Currently, Mufti Saheb runs The Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah where he teaches students to become Muftis. The Darul Iftaa caters for many facilities under the supervision of Mufti Saheb. More information can be viewed at: http://daruliftaa.net/Activities/introducing-diftaa.html
Mufti Saheb also teaches Sahih Bukhari Shareef, Mishkat al Masabīh and Al Hidayah at Madrasah Nu῾māniyyah, Chatsworth, Durban.
Mufti Ebrahim Desai has authored two books, “Introduction to Hadīth: A general introduction to Hadīth and its sciences” and “Introductions to Islamic Commerce”. His fatawa have been compiled in a book titled “Al-Mahmood”. Another compilation of his talks at the Shariah Compliant Business Campaign is also available titled “Shariah Compliant Business Campaign”. The latest compilation of contemporary verdicts is also available titled “Contemporary Fatawa”.
Mufti Saheb has been issuing Fatwās in various fields for more than 17 years. Sharī῾ah Compliant Business Campaign which also initiated by Mufti Saheb in 2002 providing a conference to tackle contemporary business matters in Islamic Commerce and Finance. Mufti Saheb also designed theWesbank Islamic Finance Ijārah Programme as an alternative to Interest deals. He continues to be theSharī῾ah Advisor to Wesbank and other various private commercial institutions.
Mufti Saheb has visited Unites States, Canada, UK, China and other countries for almost 15 Years and delivered talks and lectures on various topics in Masājids, Universities and various institutes. He also serves as a religious advisor to the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA)