Quran Conversations

“How to Respond to Fear with Authenticity and Action" Fear can be weaponized to control and oppress and it can also be a doorway to receiving Allah’s reassurance and security.  How do we soothe our fear? Do we look for security in the proximity to power? Or do we look for security in the proximity to The Most Powerful? In this episode of Quran Conversations, Dalia Mogahed and Samia Mubarak @Q...

“Fear Kills Freedom” TaHa 63-65 In this episode of Quran Conversations, Dalia Mogahed and Ustadhah Samia Mubarak @Quranic_ocean delve into the timeless tactics of fear and manipulation used by tyrants throughout history. Drawing parallels between the story of Pharaoh and Musa (s) and modern-day scenarios, they explore how fear is instilled to maintain control and suppress truth. #FearAndManipulati...

“Illusionists and Injustice: Why Every Tyrant NeedsMagicians”   TaHa: 57-62   The Pharoah of Musa (s) is not just one man, but anarchetype of an oppressive regime or system.  The Quran teaches us how to understand the world, how to recognize the elements of tyranny so we don’t fall for them, or worse, perpetuate them ourselves.    In this episode of Quran Conversations, Dalia Mogahed and Imam Moha...

Where do racist ideas come from? In this episode, Dalia Mogahed and Imam Mohamed Magid delve into the profound teachings of Islam that champion anti-racism and human equality. Discover how the principles of justice, compassion, and unity are woven into the fabric of the Quran, offering timeless guidance for fostering a more inclusive and equitable world.  You will learn:  📖 Hidden scientific mira...

“When Lions Write History" TaHa 51-54  "Until the lion learns how to write - every story will glorify the hunter,” goes a well known African proverb. History is written by the victor.  But The Victor has the true record, and His account omits nothing and never errs.  In this episode, Dalia Mogahed and Imam Mohamed Magid discuss Musa’s (s) dialogue with Pharoah and the power of who create...

Speaking Truth to Tyranny TaHa 47-50   Speaking truth to power is often fruitless on the surface: your message falls on deaf ears, the oppression continues or even intensifies, you face negative consequences. So what’s the point? In this episode Dalia Mogahed and Samia Mubarak discuss the importance of speaking  truth to power with confidence and clarity, regardless of the apparent receptiveness o...

Mission Possible: How to March Forward Even in Fear TaHa 42-46 What are the elements needed to march forth and do something you’re afraid of? Better resources? More training? Perhaps, but also the elements no one can buy; clarity of purpose, the right team and the remembrance of Allah.  In this episode, Dalia Mogahed and Samia Mubarak reflect on fear, friendship and the power of finding God in our...

Making Meaning TaHa 40-41 David Eagleman, in his book “Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain,” wrote, “Instead of reality being passively  recorded  by the brain, it is actively constructed by it.” This construction is our meaning-making ability.  The meaning we give events change the way we respond to them, how we feel about our lives and those around us.  In this episode we discuss how Allah...

Season 3, Episode 11 The Gifts God Gives TaHa 38-40 Our lives often take unexpected turns; joy and loss, pain and pleasure.  We witness the birth of a child, a difficult diagnosis, the loss of a loved one.  For some the hardships are losing family in a genocide.  How do we make sense of these triumphs and tragedies? In this episode we discuss the way Allah recounts to Musa (s) the events of his ow...

Season 3, Episode 10 “Finding the Right Partner to Pursue Your Purpose” TaHa 29-37 Asking for help is not easy.  You need to trust the other person enough to rely on them and be confident enough in yourself to admit you can’t do it alone.  In this episode Dalia Mogahed and Imam Magid explore the importance of community, companionship and commitment to the greater good over one’s own credit as they...

S3:E9 “How to do Hard Things” TaHa 25-28 Have you ever been afraid to speak even when you know you must? Have you ever been weighed down by self-doubt and constriction or overwhelmed by the task at hand? In this episode, Dalia Mogahed and Samia Mubarak @quranic_ocean do a deep dive into the famous “dua of Musa” where he (s) asks Allah for His aid when commanded to go confront Pharaoh. We explore w...

Season 3, Episode 8 “How to Fortify Your Heart” TaHa 21-24 How do we fortify our hearts when we have fear, self-doubt and a loss of direction? In this episode, Dalia Mogahed is in conversation with Ustatha Samia Mubarak*, founder of @QuranicOcean, where they delve into the meanings of the signs Allah shows Musa (s). This very special discussion about hope, hardship and the power of surrender is no...

Season 3: Episode 7 “Letting Go: The Path to Miracles” TaHa: 17-20 What do you rely on to get through the day? Your car, phone or even your morning cup of coffee are things you may lean on to manage your life. What if you were told to cast all that aside? In this episode, Dalia Mogahed and Hajj Hisham Mahmoud explore the spiritual meaning of the staff of Moses (s) and how we all have the tendency...

Season 3: Episode 6 “How to hear the voice of God in your life” TaHa: 15-16 The world is not fair.  If this wasn’t obvious before, the past two years have laid bare the injustice of the current world order.  How do we cope with seeing so much cruelty without accountability?  How can we keep working for a just and compassionate world when it feels so futile to try.  In this episode, Imam Magid and...

Season 3: Episode 5 “The Purpose of Life” TaHa: 14 What is our purpose for existence? How has our Creator facilitated realizing this purpose? In this conversation, Dalia Mogahed and Imam Magid explore the profound concept of worship in Islam, emphasizing that worship (Ubudiyyah) transcends mere rituals and is central to the purpose of human existence.  You will learn:  📖The essence of ubudiyya h...

Season 3: Episode 4 “When We Hear the Voice of God” TaHa: 9-14 Sometimes we can only see the light of God when things seem dark.  Sometimes we only hear His guidance when we feel lost.  Sometimes the warmth of His nearness is only sought when life feels cold.  In this episode’s rich discussion, Imam Magid and Dalia Mogahed delve into the story of Musa (s) journey to speaking to God at the burning...

Inshirah is an Arabic word meaning “expansion.” In this spiritually invigorating episode,  Imam Magid and Dalia Mogahed discuss the ways Surat Taha expands the believing heart when read because it shines light on both Divine power and might as well as Divine proximity and mercy.   Season 3: Episode 3 “On God’s Power and Proximity” TaHa: 5-8 You will learn: 📖 The relationship between mercy and rev...

Have you ever felt like being a Muslim is to swim againstthe norm? Like you're the odd person out at work, school and in how you see the world?  In this episode Imam Magid and Dalia Mogahed discuss how the Quranis a source of healing not hardship.    Season 3: Episode 2 “The Quran as a Source of Healing not Hardship”  TaHa:2-4   You will learn:   📖What makes the Quran’s method of revelation u...

Has reading an ayah in the Quran ever stopped you dead in your tracks as if it were talking directly to you? In the first episode of season 3, Imam Magid and Dalia Mogahed are joined by Hajj Hisham Mahmoud* to discuss the opening of Surat Taha and the heart it transformed from enemy to intimate companion and eventually Commander of the Faithful in eight short verses.  S3:E1: The Surah that Melted...

In this bonus episode, Dalia Mogahed shares her inspiration for creating this podcast, as well as her journey of healing through the study of Surah Yusuf.  She discusses the main lessons from the Surah as a bookend and prequel all in one.   You will learn:  📖 How our family of origin shapes our self-worth 📖 The power of drawing parallels between the stories in the Quran and our own lives. 📖 The...

In this culminating episode on Surat Yusuf, Imam Magid and Dalia Mogahed discuss the final ayas of the surah and draw out the overarching themes and lessons of this epic story.   You will learn:  📖 The power of clarity in dawa 📖 How dawa is a means to deepen one’s own faith 📖 How to never give up on our children 📖 Reconciling Divine help and human effort  --- If you’re enjoying this podcast, p...

When was the last time you stopped to admire a tree or flower in awe, or watched the sun rise and reflected on Allah’s mercy?  In this episode, Dalia Mogahed and Imam Mohamed Magid explore the themes of vulnerability before God, making God the center of  life’s orbit and balancing Trust in Him and awareness of one’s fragility. They discuss the importance of noticing the miracles all around us, as...

Educating others about Islam can be one of the mostrewarding acts of worship we can engage in.  But how do we approach itwith courage and confidence rather than compromise and people-pleasing?   In this episode, Dalia Mogahed and ImamMagid delve explore how Surat Yusuf teaches us about dawah (inviting) people toGod, as well as how this very Surah is proof of Muhammed’s (s)prophethood.    You will...

How do you tell the story of your life? Are you the victim of circumstances, the self reliant survivor, or the receiver of God’s infinite bounty in different forms?  In this emotional episode we discuss the culmination of the story of Yusuf (s) when he reunites with his father and embraces him, when his brothers prostrate to him and his dream as a child is realized. You will learn:  📖 The biggest...

When’s the last time you heard some good news? How did it feel to receive it?  And were you ever in a situation where everyone around you doubted you, but you stayed certain of your viewpoint? Were you proved right in the end? In this episode, we open a conversation about the moment when the shirt of Yusuf (s) is brought to his father, Yaqub (s), the truth is brought to light, and Yacub (s) regain...