ImanWire Podcast

Husain Abdullah joins the podcast to discuss his previous career in professional football and his recent unique experience of walking in the footsteps of the Prophet on the Hijrah route. He is the author of "Mecca to Medina: 100 Personal Reflections on Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ Hijrah Journey". CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 3:07 - Fasting and Football: Worship 24-7 8:18 - The Sajda Heard Around the Wor...

Dr. Celene Ibrahim, author of "Women and Gender in the Qur'an", joins the podcast to discuss her analysis of the rich and wide-ranging portrayals of female figures in the Qur'anic sacred history. Using the women around Prophet Musa to anchor the discussion, she offers insights on how their stories exemplify the spiritual truths of the Qur'anic message. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:50 - Analyzin...

Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui emphasizes the need to focus on internal transformation and seeking closeness to Allah. He highlights the stagnancy of hearts despite outward actions, urging individuals to rectify their intentions and break free from the confinement of their own existence. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction to Tazkiyah 1:17 - Tazkiyah Essentials: Himmah & Qurb 2:34 - Al-Hakim Al-Tirmidhi Biogr...

Alex Kronemer and Michael Wolfe, co-founders of Unity Productions Foundation, join the podcast to reflect on lessons learned from over 20 years at UPF, sharing the stories of Muslims in the media, and tackling Rumi and the refugee crisis onscreen in Lamya's Poem. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 4:48 - Hajj: Bringing the Recipe of Islam Together 9:35 - Working to Create Understanding of Islam and Mus...

In part 1 of this double episode, Dr. Denise Spellberg, author of "Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an: Islam and the Founders" discusses how conceptions of Muslims played a crucial role in the religious pluralism in the early republic, anxieties over a Muslim president, and the clash between principles and prejudice that continues today. In part 2, the ImanWire hosts get together for a round table discussi...

"Those whom your right hands possess", a Qur'anic descriptor for female slaves, can evoke a number of charged emotions and thoughts that can be difficult to reconcile with our modern sensibilities today. What does slave-concubinage mean? How was it understood in the formative years of Islam? In the final part of our series on slavery, Ustadha Zaynab Ansari, a resident scholar and instructor at Tay...

In part 3 of our series on slavery, Imam Dawud Walid considers the aftereffects of slavery on our current condition, its historical role in contributing to anti-blackness in the community today, and how it affects our understanding of Qur'anic language and theological concepts such as 'ubudiyyah (being a slave to God). Imam Dawud Walid is the Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic R...

Our series on slavery continues as Dr. Bilal Ware joins the podcast to explore the Islamic tradition and the abolition of slavery, debunk the myths of the "Arab-Islamic" slave trade and reflect on how these histories impact our lives today. Dr. Bilal Ware is a historian of Africa and Islam and is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at UC-Santa Barbara. He is the author of several b...

Slavery might be considered a thing of the past, but the position of slavery in Islam continues to be an issue that many Muslims grapple with today. In this special four-part series of the ImanWire podcast, we approach this complex topic from several perspectives, beginning with a discussion with Dr. Jonathan Brown on the moral question of slavery, its place in Islamic law, and the diverse practic...

Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui discusses the importance of freeing oneself from attachments and dedicating the heart to worshiping Allah. This episode delves into the art of cleansing one's soul in pursuit of divine love. CHAPTERS: 23:28 - Divine Connection: Ultimate Relationship 25:20 - Divine Edicts: Understanding The Command 29:40 - Spiritual Conditions: The Conditional Clause 32:40 - Inner Freedom:...

Shaykh Hatem El Haj and Imam Dawud Walid join the ImanWire podcast to offer words of encouragement and advice in staying true to Prophetic etiquettes for Muslims engaged in protests and activism for the Palestinian cause. Link to article discussed in the podcast: https://muslimmatters.org/2024/05/30/holding-onto-prophetic-etiquettes-when-protesting-encouragement-and-advice-for-muslim-human-rights-...

Embark on a profound journey through Ibrahim's ultimate test, a tale of unwavering faith and the epitome of a father's sacrifice. This episode delves into the heart-wrenching story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son—a narrative that continues to inspire spiritual guidance and reverence towards Allah. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Invocation 3:50 - Forbearing Son Tidings 11:00 - Ibrahim Ismael Vision 21:45 - I...

“Whoever imitates a people becomes one of them." This well-known hadith on tashabbuh (imitation), debated by scholars over centuries, continues to play a role in how Muslims see both themselves and others. Dr. Youshaa Patel, author of the book, “The Muslim Difference: Defining the Line between Believers and Unbelievers from Early Islam to the Present”, joins the podcast to explore the many differe...

Dr. Bara Zuhaili shares stories from his time in Gaza, highlighting the humanity, resilience, and heroism of its people.

Shaykh Hassan Lachheb joins Moutasem Atiya to discuss topics close to their hearts and delve into global events.

Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui talks about the internal struggles and choices faced by individuals. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's drives and inclinations with the divine, attaining serenity and freedom from worldly attachments. He draws inspiration from the story of Prophet Ibrahim and highlights the significance of steadfastness and faith in delivering the divine message. This enlighte...

In this dialogue, Moutasem Atiya and Firas Zahabi discuss the situation in Palestine and Muslims worldwide and explore a range of topics in arriving to genuine faith in God. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 1:48 - Palestine Issue Discussion 5:36 - Proof Importance Analysis 11:56 - Psychology of Oppression Insights 14:35 - Radicalization Process Explained 19:15 - Historical Irony Explored 26:44 - Rabbi Shmul...

Who is the Islamic Mary? Was she a Prophet? Dr. Younus Mirza reflects on what her Qur'anic story means for us today, and how it connects us to deeper spiritual realities in Ramadan. CHAPTERS: 0:05 - Introduction 3:04 - The Origin Story [Aal-Imran 3:35-37] 7:52 - The Male Is Not Like the Female 14:47 - Learning From Female Saints 19:15 - The Name of Maryam 20:42 - Unique Features of Surah Maryam 24...

In continuation of the Purification of the soul series, Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui discusses the importance of seeking knowledge and acting upon it, emphasizing the spiritual benefits of studying the Quran and coming together for religious gatherings. As we traverse the landscape of spiritual guidance, our guide expounds upon the tranquility that descends upon a gathering engrossed in the recitation...

What is the Shama'il and how does it cultivate love for the Prophet? Shaykh Hassan Lachheb joins the podcast to discuss how the Shama'il is essential to building community and how we can learn from the fasting of the Prophet as we approach Ramadan. 0:47 - Building a Prophetic Community 5:38 - Balancing Service and Worship 8:00 - "Don't Make Me Lose My Prophet!" 14:05 - What is the Shama'il? 24:30...

In this series, Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui teaches us the importance of spiritual development and shares the tools needed for continued growth. In the first episode, Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui guides us through the profound Hadith and the virtues of companionship—Suhba. Learn how to cultivate reverence towards Allah and embrace the subtle, often overlooked, blessings that shape our lives. This episode...

Join Ustadh Moutasem Atiya and Shaykh Yasir Fahmy, two close friends, in their weekly series, where they openly discuss topics close to their hearts and delve into global events. In this captivating episode, Ustadh Moutasem Atiya and Shaykh Yasir Fahmy navigate through a myriad of emotive and spiritually charged topics, offering insights that bridge the realms of Islamic teachings and contemporary...

There will always be challenges in our lives, but hardships are never meant to break us. Ustadha Muslema Purmul, co-founder and Religious Director of the Majlis, joins the ImanWire podcast to discuss the process of readying ourselves by refining our spiritual states and avoiding the "D's" of the devil and our lower self.

What can we learn about ourselves from the daily flood of images of horror in Gaza? In this episode, we reflect on thankfulness and the heartwork that is required for us to positively impact the current global crisis.

How can one make sense of the carnage in Gaza? In this episode, the hosts reconvene to reflect on how to process these tragedies through the lens of the Surah al-Kahf.