Boys In The Cave

In this unreal episode, we were joined by Kaleem Bullivant, who spoke to us while literally being on the flotilla boat. This was not a normal studio conversation. Kaleem joined us from the sea, in the middle of a real journey, giving us a raw and personal insight into what it is like to be part of the flotilla, why he chose to be there, and what the experience meant to him on a human, spiritual an...

We sit down with Dr Yakoob Ahmed for a deep conversation on how modernity quietly reshaped the Muslim mind, and why so much of what we call "modern history" is built on myths, assumptions, and power. We explore how colonisation and the nation state rewired Muslim memory, identity, and imagination, how the idea of "objective history" can become a trap, and what it takes to recover a more honest, gr...

Habeeb Akande, British-Nigerian writer, historian, and sex educator, joins us to unpack topics many Muslims argue about loudly, but rarely discuss with depth, nuance, and real principles. We talk about the modern crisis of masculinity in Muslim spaces, why "Red Pill vs feminist" has become a rigid false binary, and how figures like Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson slot into a deeper identity strugg...

In this deep-dive conversation, Professor Joel Hayward returns to unpack one of the most misunderstood periods of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ life, the politics of Medina under pressure. We explore the Ghatafān confederation and their leader ʿUyaynah ibn Ḥiṣn, how tribal power actually worked in the Ḥijāz, and why the Prophet ﷺ practiced diplomacy even with deeply unreliable figures. The discussion m...

In this episode of Boys in the Cave, we sit down with Haroon Raza, a Dutch criminal defence lawyer and human rights advocate based in Rotterdam. We unpack the legal strategy behind pursuing accountability for Gaza, the rise of state overreach across Europe, and how activism shifts when the "rules" stop protecting people. Haroon shares how investigators gathered open source evidence and compiled an...

What does it mean to travel for Allah and not just for content or vibes In this episode of Boys In The Cave, Tanzim sits down with filmmaker and Revival Retreats founder Zoheb to unpack how spiritual travel reshapes the heart. From his first work trip to Morocco, to documenting floods in Pakistan, to walking in the streets of Istanbul and the zawiyas of West Africa, Zoheb shares how travel became...

Habeeb Akande joins BITC to talk misyar, secret wives, polygamy, passport wives, sex negative culture, and the nafs. We unpack how some men cherry pick fiqh to justify secrecy, how praiseworthy aims differ from loophole hunting, and what real justice and consent look like in practice. We also ask the question, have Muslims adopted a Christian style suspicion of pleasure and projected it onto Islam...

Professor Joel Hayward unpacks how Medina actually worked, the Sahifat al Madinah, parallel pacts by clan, covenant enforcement, and the Prophet's statecraft in moments like the Sawiq raid, the Qaynuqa crisis, the Nadir siege, and the Trench. We dig into source criticism, what the early texts really say, and why the dominant narrative needs a rethink. What we cover: • Sahifat al Madinah, what the...

Shaykh Dr Asim Yusuf joins Boys in the Cave for a deep dive into Imam al Ghazali's Ihya Ulum al Din, how to read it in our time, and how its spiritual psychology maps onto modern clinical insights. We cover decontextualizing and recontextualizing sacred texts, the metaphysics of eating, marriage and companionship, contentment in a consumer world, and why spirituality is the ruh of the religion. Wh...

Dr Yasir Qadhi joins us to unpack Salafism, sectarianism, and how Muslims in the West can move from labels to leadership. We talk about what healthy disagreement looks like, why unity does not mean uniformity, and how communities can build real capacity, from mosques and schools to media, philanthropy, and liberal arts education. We get specific about funding ethics, local service to the poor, and...

In this episode, Dr. Shadee Elmasry joins us for a powerful conversation about the challenges and responsibilities facing Muslims in the West today. We reflect on whether Muslims are in an "Abyssinia phase" or if the time has come to invest fully in building lasting institutions that can preserve faith and serve future generations. The discussion explores how to nurture resilient belief in young M...

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Samir Mahmoud joins us for a deep dive into the intersections of Islamic spirituality and Jungian psychology. We explore how classical Islamic thinkers like Ibn Arabi, Al-Ghazali, and Ibn Sina understood the soul, and how their insights resonate - and diverge - from the work of Carl Jung.  We discuss the concepts of individuation, shadow work, and archetypes...

We're joined by political analyst Ibrahim Moiz to dissect the unfolding chaos in the Middle East. From Israel's escalating war rhetoric against Iran to Pakistan's cynical geopolitical manoeuvres — we explore how narratives are weaponised, enemies are manufactured, and resistance is co-opted.  We unpack: Whether Israel's war with Iran is about survival or hegemony The truth behind "Sunni vs Shia" f...

What makes someone a Muslim? Is it personal faith, government ID cards, or the community's judgment? In this profound discussion, Dr. Jonathan A.C. Brown explores the tensions between Islamic identity, state power, and social expectations—from Malaysia's laws defining "who counts" as Muslim, to the Tablighi Jama'at's role in enforcing prayer, to Gaza's impact on global Muslim solidarity.  Key Topi...

In this deep and enlightening conversation, Mustafa Briggs joins us to discuss the rich and often overlooked history of Islam and its profound impact on the modern world. From the contributions of Muslim civilizations to the legacy of figures like Muhammad Iqbal and the Ottomans, we explore how reclaiming these narratives can empower Muslims today. Mustafa also shares insights from his upcoming bo...

Is Muslim political mobilisation in Australia empowering the community — or playing into a system that was never built for us? In this powerful and timely episode of Boys in the Cave, we host a critical dialogue with Ghaith Krayem (national spokesperson of Muslim Votes Matter) and Dr. Yassir Morsi (lecturer, political theorist, and author of Radical Skin, Moderate Masks). Together, we unpack the t...

In this episode of Boys in the Cave, Tanzim is joined by Faraz, Abdulah Hamimi, and Dr. Yassir Morsi for a candid and thought-provoking discussion about Fatima Payman, Muslim political visibility, and what it really means to "represent" the ummah in the Australian political system. We unpack the symbolism surrounding Senator Fatima Payman—Australia's first hijab-wearing MP—and whether her floor-cr...

We're joined by Dr. Yassir Morsi and Faraz to unpack the controversial role of Aftab Malik, Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. What does this position truly represent? Is it a genuine step toward justice, or is it entangled in state-driven narratives of governance and social cohesion? We explore the political architecture behind CVE (Countering Violent Extremism), the historical con...

We dive deep into the "Muslim Vote Matters" (MVM) movement in Australia. Joined by special guest Dr. Yassir Morsi , a renowned political scholar and critic, we unpack the complexities of Muslim political engagement, the challenges of representation, and the broader implications of voting in a settler-colonial state. From the aftermath of Gaza to the role of democracy in shaping Muslim identity, th...

In this powerful episode, Kaleem Bullivant joins the show to share his firsthand experiences from the heart of Syria's revolution.  From the emotional journey of boarding the "Party Plane" to Damascus - the first flight into a liberated Syria - to the miraculous stories of resilience and divine intervention on the frontlines, Kaleem paints a vivid picture of a nation rising from decades of oppress...

Fitrah, Unani Tibb, Chinese Medicine, Hydrotherapy, Homeopathy, Somatic Trauma Therapy, Naturopathy, Acupuncture, Spirituality, Vitality, Skepticism, Fear, Vital Force, Qi We discuss all these topics with Dr. Mazen Atassi Dr. Mazen Atassi is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and the founder of Forward To Health, a holistic wellness clinic and educational initiative. Dr. Mazen practices vitalistic...

Hinduism, Psychedelics, False Spirituality, Secular Counselling, Ibadah, Muslim Mental Health, Theology, Waswasa We discuss all the topics with Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra completed a Bachelors in Business Administration. He then traveled overseas in 2005 to study the Arabic language and Islamic sciences in Tarim, Yemen for some time, as well as Darul Uloom in Trinidad, W...

Islamophobia, Aborigines, Structural Racism, Liberals, Colonial History, Capitalism, Honest Tea Talk, SNEAKO, Jordan Peterson, Right-Wing, Woke Ideology, Feminism, Post Modernism, Revolution We discuss all the topics with Kaleem Bullivant https://www.cage.ngo/ Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes! Check o...

Black Communities, Islamisation, Malcolm X, Colonisation, Spirituality, Capitalism, Culture, Theology, Modern Islam, Tasawwuf, Shariah,  We discuss all the topics with Brother Ali Ali Douglas Newman, better known by his stage name Brother Ali, is an American rapper, community activist, and member of the Rhymesayers Entertainment hip hop collective. He has released seven albums, four EPs, and a num...

The Hasina Regime are murdering, abducting, arresting, torturing innocent Bangladeshi students. We as a collective Ummah need to stand up for justice.  Tanzim comprehensively breaks down the current situation in Bangladesh, the socio-political affairs of Bangladesh and also explains the crimes that the Hasina government have committed throughout its history. Please email us your comments, feedback...