Nihal Khan

Nihal Khan is an American imam, chaplain, Islamic educator, and doctoral student whose work focuses on pastoral care, community development, and classical scholarship. He serves as the founder and lead instructor at Maktab Academy, a platform offering courses, podcasts, and programs tailored for professionals seeking a deeper understanding of their faith. He grew up in New Jersey and completed a BA in Psychology at Montclair State University. After university, he memorised the Qur’an in Teaneck, New Jersey, and served as Tarāwīḥ imam across the United States from 2005 to 2019. His academic journey then led him to Nadwatul ‘Ulamā in Lucknow, where he obtained an ‘ālimiyya degree in Islamic sciences. Concurrently, he served as Resident Imam in Georgia and as Director of Religious Affairs at the Islamic Center of Connecticut. Nihal later moved to Hartford Seminary for an MA in Religious Studies, including work at Harvard Divinity School, and earned Clinical Pastoral Education at Yale’s Center for Religious Life. He continues advanced studies in Istanbul and earned a Turkish diploma from Ibn Haldun University. Currently, he is completing a PhD in Islamic Studies at UCLA’s Near Eastern Languages and Cultures department. Nihal also hosts the “Faith in Fine Print” podcast and teaches through Maktab Academy, delivering engaging courses like Cover‑to‑Cover Qur’ān and Hadith studies. As a chaplain, imam, and speaker, Nihal draws on his experiences in mosques, hospitals, universities, and correctional facilities. He travels internationally, teaching, consulting, and delivering khutbahs. Nihal Khan’s work combines heartfelt pastoral care, rigorous scholarship, and community engagement. He guides individuals and institutions toward spiritual awareness, confident faith, and holistic well‑being.