He received the King Farouk First Prize for the best undergraduate student, and obtained subsequently a master's degree in Arabic Language and Literature in 1947 at the same university.
He established a Muslim College in Malaysia, and taught Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Malaya in Singapore and in Kuala Lumpur.
In 1978, Badawi was appointed director of the Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC) and Chief Imam of the London Central Mosque in Regent's Park.
In this period, He participated in establishing the Shariah Council as a facility to reconcile conflicts between Islamic law and the British civil code.
Badawi managed the IFH for three years, and published and lectured on Muslim law in relation to banking, finance and business ethics.
Badawi was a well-known voice for religious moderation and tolerance, and was the first prominent Muslim to criticize imams in the UK who did not teach in English.
He also was appointed by The Duke of Castro as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I (GCFO) in recognition of his interfaith work.