In Good Faith

My mother, Azeeza Shah, passed away on Tuesday 9th June and was buried on Friday 12th June. I sat down with my best friend Azim Kidwai, whose own mother was buried on exactly the same day ten years prior, to share reflections and stories with each other. To all those who have reached out to me or my siblings with prayers for my mother as well as words of support and encouragement for us, my heartf...

This conversation focuses on who constitutes your “community” - is it as simple as people who claim the same beliefs and are adherents of the same “religion”? Or is it something a lot more substantial? I also share some views on contextualising certain prescriptions in revelation, such as those to do with prayer, marriage and meat consumption! (0:00) Hairstyles (0:32) Verse analysis 49-10 (12:25)...

Is this whole discussion about religious labels a low priority or just a waste of time? In the context of all the issues people face, how can this even be relevant? Well that's what this episode is about, because in fact there is very deep connection between the way we see and possibly constrain ourselves and others on the one hand, and our collective ability to understand reality and collabor...

There are two key verses (3:19 and 3:85) which seem to suggest that “Islam” is indeed supposed to be understood as a “religion” and in fact the only valid path to God… but on closer analysis this extremely popular way of reading the verses becomes completely untenable. In this conversation these two verses are reviewed in their surrounding context - to show that the word إسلام is best understood a...

Every single day I come across uses of the words "Islam", "Muslim" and their various derivatives that I think are scripturally, philosophically and pragmatically bankrupt. All this reveals a fundamental and widespread misunderstanding, one which obscures truth and wisdom, as well as preventing deeper relationships and genuine cooperation amongst human beings. If we are to make any serious progress...

What are Muslims to make of their place in a country where a Reform government is looking more and more likely? Is the hysteria justified or paranoid? Are public concerns about integration, rapid social change and parallel identities reasonable or symptoms of bigotry? Is Muslim leadership and are Muslim institutions fit for purpose? Are they doing their part or are they actually part of the proble...

To kick off the second year of In Good Faith, this is the first of a series of conversations in which I will be laying out my latest thinking in detail on issues of theology, religious identity, how to understand and interpret revelation and prophetic example in our time, and a whole lot more... facilitated by my friend Farzan Parupia. (0:00) Farzan's intro (1:27) Lessons from the last year (1...

To bring In Good Faith’s first year to a close, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mustafa Warsi. We discussed his spiritual and intellectual journey, his critique of modernity, and proposals for how human beings can recover their connection with the divine. Having only got to know Mustafa relatively recently, I found this conversation very refreshing and insightful. Mustafa studied Mathemati...

The lack of mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of human beings everywhere is in urgent need of grounded and effective solutions. To help make sense of the concepts and practicalities involved, I sat down with the wonderful Dr Rania Awaad. Dr Rania is a prominent psychiatrist, professor, and scholar known for her work in faith-based mental health and psychology. Based on her background as a...

I’ve known Rehan Khan for over 30 years and he was one of my very earliest teachers and mentors. He is now a thought-leader, professor, novelist and an advocate for virtue-based storytelling and leadership. His work has spanned consulting for major global corporations, teaching post-graduate courses at one of the world’s leading business schools about AI, the future of work and leadership, as well...

I sat down with Naz Shah, Member of Parliament for Bradford West, on 5th March 2026 - the day her shocking and powerful autobiography was released. Entitled “Honoured: Survival, Strength and My Path to Politics”, it’s a truly remarkable story that focuses on Naz’s immensely difficult childhood - one marred by poverty, violence, forced marriage and a lack of formal education - and her subsequent jo...

The Public Forum was launched on 12th February 2026. It’s the in-person strand of the In Good Faith podcast. This episode contains the panel’s responses to the final audience questions.

The Public Forum was launched on 12th February 2026. It’s the in-person strand of the In Good Faith podcast. This episode contains the panel’s responses to the second audience question.

I launched The Public Forum on 12th February 2026. It’s the in-person strand of the In Good Faith podcast. This episode contains the panel’s responses to the first audience question. (00:00) Introductions (04:02) The question (05:04) Zara Mohammed (08:28) Omar Salha (12:46) Saleha Bukhari (18:03) Audience contributions (23:14) Zia Salik (28:53) My thoughts (30:38) Sohail Hanif

I came across a couple of Saad Yacoob's Substack articles in 2025, and knew straight away that I had to get him onto the show. When I then learned that his PhD was centred on the famous Muhammad Iqbal - after whom I was named - I was even more keen to do so. Our paths crossed unexpectedly in Doha and we sat down for an impromptu chat. Saad didn't disappoint. This was easily one of my favou...

Dr Sohaib Saeed gives his view on the implications of the revelation being in Arabic. Watch the full episode here .

The idea of a “Muslim community” will remain a myth for as long as its zakat remains disorganised, scattered and imbalanced… which is exactly the situation today. Drawing on my decade of experience in running a zakat institution, and my reflections on revelation and prophetic example, I propose ways forward that help make sense of what zakat is and what we need to do to unlock its immense power. (...

On the day that Ramadan Tent Project (RTP) hosted its first event for the breaking of the fast ( iftar ) at Silverstone - home of the British Grand Prix - here's a flashback to my conversation with Omar Salha in May 2025 to understand more about RTP's Open Iftar initiative. Watch the full episode here .

Dr Sohaib Saeed lays out a useful approach to help make sense of revelation. Watch the full episode here .

It was an honour to host Dr Yasir Qadhi, a prolific public intellectual and someone I respect deeply for his courage to speak his mind, often in the face of much hostility. I picked his brain on several issues: sectarianism and division, whether religious labels are helpful or harmful, patriotism and emigration, theophany and salvation, as well as exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism. Check out...

Women and young people are still often excluded or underestimated in community leadership, forcing many women to create their own institutions rather than wait for permission or support. While progress and visibility have improved, deep structural and cultural barriers remain especially around leadership design, funding, and real accountability making change slower than rhetoric suggests. Watch or...

Tech developments are happening at breakneck speed... but the evolution of schooling systems seems to be moving at a snail's pace. What's happening and what can / should parents do? Watch or listen to the full episode here .

Why are Bible sales and Church attendance on the rise? Why are far-right nationalists invoking Christian beliefs and symbols? Is there a way forward for Britain that unifies its citizens and respects difference? To learn more about these questions, I spoke to James Walters, both a priest and a professor. James is founding director of the LSE Faith Centre and LSE Religion and Global Society. He is...

In this clip, I contrast different approaches to being faithful in the work environment. Watch my full conversation with Ali and Fiyal here .

Hear from Arfah Farooq, Founder of Muslim Tech Fest, about a small change that can make a big difference when it comes to one issue that concerns all parents nowadays: screen time! Watch or listen to my full conversation with Arfah here .