MuslimMatters

Shifa Saltagi Safadi is back with her latest book, and more writing advice for Muslim authors! How much Islamic rep is too much Islamic rep for kidlit? Do you really need to develop craft? Isn't enough to tell Muslim kids just to be good Muslims? And can Muslim authors survive the advent of AI... or should they tap into it? Tune in for writerly advice and a peek at the latest Amina Banana chapter book for the kiddos.

Ustadh Justin Parrott explores how the Hajj ritual of stoning the Jamaraat has a deeper spiritual meaning for all of us to internalize and take forward into our lives.

Sh Abdullah Mullanee and Zainab bint Younus talk about the necessity of moving on from the nostalgia of the Golden Age of Islam, drawing from its lessons by being creative and building up our Ummah in new and exciting ways today.

Where does your dollar go? Mufti Abdullah Nana and Dr Shafi Lodhi talk about the concerning phenomenon of commission-based charity fundraisers in the Muslim community, which involve unethical and unIslamic practices that have been normalized by Muslim organizations.

Is Ramadan really a time to simply withdraw from the world? When we are fasting while witnessing genocides in across the Muslim world, are we really meant to turn to private worship and ignore what's happening? Zainab bint Younus speaks to Dr. Farah El-Sharif about what grappling with the concept of resistance in light of Islamic ethics, navigating scholarly advice to avoid politics, and the fears that many have about the consequences of engaging in resistance. This episode highlights the importance of Islam as more than just a private religious practice, and the revolutionary potential of Islamic theology in changing the world.

Dr. Saadia Mian covers the medical dos and don'ts of fasting, tips on staying healthy while fasting, and how fasting impacts insulin resistance, fertility, testosterone, weight gain, and more!

Ustadh Justin Parrott identifies the rarely-discussed spiritual disease of malice, and shares tips and tricks on letting go of the emotional and spiritual baggage of malice before Ramadan begins.

Anse Tamara Gray shares her story of accepting Islam and growing into a female scholar, establishing Rabata and launching the new Ribaat University, and the future of women's Islamic scholarship.

What does every new Imam need to know about being an imam? What do you do if you're in a small community with minimal resources? How do you manage joining a new community, learning the ropes, and not biting off more than you can chew? In this episode, Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy shares his advice for new imams, community building, and reflections on his own imam experience.

In this episode of the MuslimMatters Podcast, Zainab bint Younus speaks to Imam Dawud Walid about the political and cultural pendulum swinging to the right after the leftist allyship of the 2010s. She asks him about his book "Towards Sacred Activism" and what priorities Muslims need to keep in mind before choosing to engage with or seek allyship with political and cultural groups in the West. Are Muslims meant to be right-wing or left-wing? Tune into this episode for a deep dive into this contentious discussion.

Celsabil Hadj-Cherif examines Muslims and Muslimness in politics, failed models of political (dis)engagement, and what it means to bring Islamic ethics into our political vision.

Amire Hoxha, author of "Amar's Fajr Reward," talks to Zainab bint Younus about writing as a minority within a Muslim minority, trends in Muslim bookselling, and what Muslim kidlit keeps missing out on.

Zainab bint Younus, Siraaj Muhammad, and Irtiza Hasan talk all things Mamdani: what his electoral success means for the Muslim community, what Muslims can learn from his strategies, and what we need to watch out for in the future.

Omar Usman tackles the topic of sports gambling amongst Muslim men and how it has quietly become a common vice in our community.

Faizan Syed of A Continuous Charity talks to Zainab bint Younus about what ACC can do for Muslims seeking riba-free higher education in the West, and what that means for our communities at large. If you're a university student, parent of a university student, or just want to help your community, this episode is for you!

Aliyah Umm Raiyaan and Zainab bint Younus talk about Aliyah's book "The Power of Du'a," developing a personal relationship with Allah, and how du'a can literally change your life.

Irtiza Hasan and Zainab bint Younus share a (belated) Ramadan Mubarak with the MuslimMatters family, sharing their own traditions and reflections on how to spend this Ramadan.

Muhammad Saad Yacoob dismantles the concept of decoloniality, recenters Islamic revolutionary thought, & advises the everyday Muslim.

Anse Hazem Gomez and Anse Eman Manigat share their own experiences as converts, discussing some of the most common and most difficult challenges that new Muslims face, as well as providing support to those experiencing backlash from family and friends. They offer advice, compassion, and a holistic understanding of maintaining Islamic values while strengthening family ties, too. 

"Does reading about jinn make Muslim kids want to do black magic or communicate with jinn?"  "How can Muslim writers include Islamic teachings and beliefs in fiction?" Ustadha Raidah Shah Idil is back to talk about her newly published Middle Grade fiction book, "How To Free A Jinn"! Zainab bint Younus asks Ustadha Raidah about Muslim kids reading jinn stories, maintaining Islamic principles when writing fiction, and how to cover big topics like mental health and intergenerational trauma for young readers.

In this podcast, Ustadh Mobeen Vaid and MuslimMatters Executive Director Siraaj Muhammad discuss the shifting political landscape for Muslim-American voters as frustrations with the Democratic Party’s stance on Gaza lead to increased support for third-party candidates and even Donald Trump. They examine recent polling data, endorsements from Somali community leaders, and challenges facing Kamala Harris’s campaign among Muslims. Ustadh Mobeen offers insights into the moral and strategic considerations for Muslim voters navigating difficult choices this election season.

Zainab bint Younus speaks to Sa'diyyah Nesar about her experiences as a Muslim living with disability, and what the Muslim Ummah needs to know to serve Muslims with disability better.

Zainab bint Younus speaks to Chaplain Sondos Kholaki about what Islamic chaplaincy is, how chaplains fit within the da'wah world, and her experiences as a hospital chaplain.

"When Only God Can See: The Faith of Muslim Political Prisoners" by Dr. Walaa Quisay and Dr. Asim Qureshi is a powerful book that functions as both bearing witness to the oft-untold stories of Muslim political prisoners held in the horrors of Guantanamo Bay, Egypt, and other “black sites” of illegal imprisonment and torture, and as an exploration of Islamic spirituality in the “University of Yusuf” (‘alayhissalaam). In this episode, Zainab bint Younus invites both authors of the book to share what it was like researching and writing the book, the spiritual challenges and empowerment of Muslim prisoners, and the vast systems of incarceration and torture between "Muslim" and Western countries. Spanning everything from powerful experiences of faith to critical examination of geopolitics, this episode will break your heart, intensify your faith, and strengthen your resolve to stand up for justice.

Shaykha Aisha Hussain Rasheed shares her journey of studying Islam from her homeland of Maldives, to graduating from the International Islamic University of Malaysia, to becoming an alum and a teacher at Al-Salam Institute. She also talks about navigating da'wah as a career, and the struggles that women face in balancing family obligations and Islamic studies as a form of work.

Ustadha Safiyah Ravat shares her experiences in studying Islam in Malaysia, alongside her husband Imam Mahad; what it was like growing up with no role models of female scholarship to being part of a new era of traditionally trained da'iyas; and the importance of Muslim women teaching about more than just hijab.

Why aren't there many Muslim books for boys? And why do stories matter for Muslim kids, anyway? Shifa Saltagi Safadi, author of multiple Muslim childrens' books, shares her journey in writing "Kareem Between," a middle-grade novel about a Muslim Syrian American struggling with faith, fitting in, and the fear of failure.

Ustadha Marjaan Ali, Ustadha Tuscany Bernier, and Zainab bint Younus talk (almost) all things niqab! From dealing with family pressures, finicky fabrics, & people who demand to know WHY you're wearing niqab, these three niqabis have got you covered.

Imam Mahad Qamar and Ustadha Safiyah Ravat are the ultimate Muslim power couple, mashaAllah - a married couple who formally studied Arabic & Islamic studies, graduating from the International Islamic University of Malaysia, and going on to establish Suhbah Institute in Houston, Texas. Join us on this episode to learn all about how they embarked on this epic journey of marriage and da'wah together!

Dr. Jawad Khan and Omar Sabha, two medical professionals who volunteered to do humanitarian work in Gaza, share their harrowing experiences & powerful observations with Irtiza Hasan and the MuslimMatters podcast.

Mufti Muntasir Zaman joins us to discuss his experiences during his journey in pursuing sacred knowledge and talks about some of his works, experiences and what fuels his passion for the field of Hadith.

Irtiza Hasan and Zainab bint Younus talk to Abdullah Syed, the Executive Director of A Continuous Charity - an organization dedicated to providing interest-free student loans to aspiring Muslim students. Find out how you can avoid declaring war on Allah and His Messenger by connecting with A Continuous Charity!

Irtiza Hasan and Zainab bint Younus consider how to celebrate Eid while the Ummah's hearts grieve with Gaza; being mindful in light of Eid consumer culture; and how we can talk to our children about the heavy realities of our Ummah.

Ustadh Abu Amina Elias (Justin Parrott) provides a Ramadan reorientation reminder on how we can maximize our Ramadan by holding onto a few basic, important principles.

MM Podcast hosts Irtiza Hasan and Zainab bint Younus welcome Ramadan with a short but sweet episode!

Aliyah Umm Raiyaan shares her book, "Ramadan Reflections: 30 Days of Healing" with Zainab bint Younus, her own journey of spiritual growth and healing, and how we can all transform ourselves this upcoming Ramadan.

Hena Zuberi, human rights activist, talks to Zainab bint Younus about the Islamic importance of fighting for human rights, and the price Muslims in the West must pay for their privileges.

Shaykha Zaynab Ansari provides insight and guidance on how Muslims can spiritually and emotionally process the genocide in Gaza, understanding Qadaa' and Qadr, and explaining what it means to be patient but not passive in the face of injustice.

Sahar Khader, the author of "Sitti's Key," speaks on the importance of publishing Palestinian stories, the challenges of getting published as a Palestinian author, and the mainstream publishing industry's censorship of Palestinian voices.

Irtiza Hasan, podcast host of MuslimMatters' Man 2 Man show, chats with Shaykh Fahad Tasleem about all things da'wah: role models of da'wah in the West, strategies for sharing Islam, and navigating the tricky dynamics of engaging in da'wah with the opposite gender. 

Sh Muhammad El-Shinawy speaks to the Islamic tradition of fatherhood, lessons on fatherhood from the men of Gaza, and what true Muslim masculinity looks like - outside of the sordid circles of the Manosphere and Red Pill podcasts.

Muhammad Abu Zaghrouta speaks to Zainab bint Younus about the most important things to know about what's happening in Gaza and Palestine today, and what action items we can undertake to help.

Can Muslim parents make du'a against their children? Shaykh Isa Parada talks about Islam's perspective on the rights of parents, what constitutes oppression over their children, and the limits to parental rights.

The Man 2 Man Podcast has Faizan Majid join us to discuss his work as a Licensed Professional Counselor and the challenges and opportunities he faced. This episode gives important focus to mental/ emotional health challenges that Muslim parents and families need to be aware of.

Sh Saaima Yacoob, a renowned scholar of tajweed and qira'aat, demystifies Qur'anic mysteries of qira'aat, and shares her deeply personal journey of how studying tajweed healed her heart.

Marriage coach Megan Wyatt tackles the big question: is there really a Muslim marriage crisis? Or do Muslim couples go through the same challenges as everyone else? And even more importantly... what are Muslim husbands and wives doing RIGHT in their marriages?

Zainab bint Younus speaks to Shifaa Syed, the entrepreneur behind the first hijabi thrift shop, on launching the first hijabi thrift store in Canada, making modesty accessible to all Muslim women, and considering Islamic ethics vis a vis sustainable fashion.

Omar Abdul Fatah, a BC certified teacher, sits down with Zainab bint Younus and Irtiza Hasan to discuss the different options Muslim families have for their children's education. Comparing and contrasting public school, Islamic school, and homeschooling, brother Omar offers a new alternative to traditional homeschooling for Muslim families.

Irtiza Hasan talks to Hafiz Hamzah Ghiah, Director of Hamd Institute in Houston, on effective Qur'an memorization strategies, helpful tips for parents, and his recent partnership with Mifta Institute.