UIF Community Podcast

What does it take to build lasting wealth and achieve your retirement goals—the kind that supports your family, protects your future, and leaves a meaningful legacy? In this episode, we sit down with Sr. Fahmin Fardous, a Certified Financial Planner with a refreshing perspective on money, behavior, and legacy-building. The conversation goes beyond the basics and addresses the real questions many families are asking, including:   • How much money do you need in retirement? • Are you better off saving through a 401(k), Roth IRA, or SEP IRA? • How can you plan effectively for your children’s education? • How do you balance today’s “wants” with long-term financial security? • Will your wealth transfer the way you intend it to?   Fahmin brings a unique blend of psychology and financial expertise, unpacking not just what to do with your money, but why so many people struggle to do it consistently. This episode is practical, eye-opening, and highly relevant. We had so much to cover that we’re breaking the discussion into two parts. Please enjoy Part 1 now. In Part 2, we’ll focus on wealth preservation planning. Watch or listen now!

Ramadan is entering its most important phase — the last ten nights, when believers seek the immense blessings of Laylatul Qadr and strive to maximize their worship, charity, and spiritual growth. In this episode, we’re joined by Shaykh Saad Haque (Resident Scholar at UIF) and Wesam Berjaoui (VP Sales, Eastern Region) to discuss how Muslims can make the most of these final nights of Ramadan and how to maintain spiritual momentum after the month ends. We cover practical guidance on: • How to maximize the last ten nights of Ramadan • The significance of Laylatul Qadr • Avoiding the common post-Ramadan and post-Eid spiritual slump • The purpose and importance of Zakat al-Fitr • Financial and charitable responsibilities before Eid • How to carry Ramadan habits into the rest of the year Whether you’re looking to deepen your worship in these final nights or hoping to maintain your spiritual momentum after Ramadan, this conversation offers practical reminders and guidance.

Feeling like Ramadan snuck up on you this year? You’re not alone—and this episode is for you. In this special Ramadan edition of the UIF Community Podcast, we’re joined by Shaykh Saad Haque, a Mufti, Islamic scholar, and Imam serving the Virginia community for the past seven years. With over 13 years of formal Islamic education—including advanced studies in New York and South Africa—Shaykh Saad brings both deep scholarship and real-world compassion to a conversation every Muslim needs to hear right now. This episode is a reminder that Ramadan is not about being perfect—it’s about resetting intentions, and taking meaningful steps forward, no matter where you’re starting from. Whether you feel spiritually ready or completely unprepared, Shaykh Saad offers practical guidance, encouragement, and hope to help you reconnect with the purpose of this blessed month.   Some topics we covered on this episode: How to make the most of Ramadan Navigating Ramadan with kids, teens, or as newlyweds Understanding zakat and wealth purification during Ramadan Aligning our finances with halal principles   Tune in, get inspired, and take your first step toward a more meaningful Ramadan with the UIF Community Podcast and Shaykh Saad Haque.

On this episode our hosts discuss their favorite podcasts from 2025.  While there was plenty to choose from, they discussed 6 episodes that were most impactful in their opinion.  Bottom line, we’re hitting pause to reflect, rewind, and revisit the moments that mattered most. In case you missed some of them, this is a great way to preview our favorite podcast episodes from last year.   But first, we will kick things off with a timely 2026 Housing market update from Aijaz Hussain, EVP & Director at UIF.  We break down where things stand currently in the housing market from our vantage point and share views of many industry experts we follow.  If you are in the market to buy a home (or refinance) this year, this discussion should help you in making an informed decision.   Thanks for listening and your ongoing support.  If you have guest speaker ideas for future episodes or constructive feedback, please share with us: [email protected]

In this episode of the UIF Community Podcast, we sit down with Farhan Ahmed, founder of Ihsan Coaching, an online coaching and therapy platform serving the Muslim community worldwide. https://ihsancoaching.com/   Farhan brings a unique blend of clinical training, practical tools, and faith-centered guidance to help individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s most meaningful challenges. Our conversation explores a wide range of topics — from relationship and family dynamics, to common marital struggles, early warning signs that can lead to divorce, and the value of addressing issues proactively.   Farhan also highlights the importance of pre-marriage counseling and how intentional preparation can strengthen the foundation of a future marriage. Beyond family and marital topics, we also dive into mental and emotional well-being, discussing how people today are coping with anxiety, depression, and stress, and how Ihsan Coaching provides accessible support rooted in compassion and Islamic values.   Whether you’re looking to improve your relationships, strengthen your emotional health, or better understand the tools available to our community, this episode offers valuable insights and practical guidance for anyone seeking growth and clarity.   Don’t miss this powerful conversation — it’s packed with insights that can truly elevate your relationships, your mindset, and your overall well-being.

In this episode, we have the distinct privilege of chatting with Dr. Yaqub Mirza, a physicist, entrepreneur, author, and an insightful leader whose impactful work deserves broader recognition. Dr. Mirza’s co-founded the private equity firm Sterling Management Group, investing millions in business ventures globally, and making a significant mark on Islamic institutions through his generous support and philanthropic efforts. Besides serving on the Boards of AMANA Funds and UIF, Dr. Mirza has been a lifelong supporter of ISNA and many Muslim charities. It is an honor to learn from Dr. Mirza, whose book "5 Pillars of Prosperity" and life experiences offer valuable insights for all. During our conversation, we explored Dr. Mirza’s journey, his approach to entrepreneurship, and the wisdom he shares in his writings. Listeners will gain practical knowledge that they can apply in their own lives. Thanks for listening and your ongoing support. If you have guest speaker ideas for future episodes or constructive feedback, please share with us: [email protected]

In this episode of the UIF Community Podcast, we chat with Dr. Saamer Siddiqi — a physician, entrepreneur, and founder of LIVEMED Telehealth, a fast-growing virtual healthcare company transforming how patients access care across the country.   Dr. Siddiqi shares his journey from long hospital shifts in Chicagoland to launching a tech-driven healthcare startup — and the mindset shifts, lessons, and risks that made it possible. He opens up about balancing a demanding medical career with entrepreneurship, building a team from scratch, and using innovation to solve real-world problems.   But this conversation isn’t just for doctors — it’s for anyone looking to turn a passion or professional skill into a meaningful business. You’ll hear practical takeaways on leadership, perseverance, and thinking like an entrepreneur, no matter what field you’re in.   As always, we value your opinion.  If you have guest speaker ideas for future episodes or constructive feedback, please do share with us:  [email protected]   If you enjoyed this episode, please share with your family and friends. We are extremely proud that over 199,000 people have listened to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube in the last few months. Thanks for your support... it means the world to us!

In this episode of the UIF Community Podcast, our hosts discuss some lessons we can all learn from Chick-fil-A’s uber successful business model. Using insights from the book "Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A" and other resources, your hosts explore practical ideas on building a customer-first culture and creating long-term loyalty in a competitive market.   The conversation starts with Chick fil-A's early beginnings to its "Eat Mor Chikin" ad campaign and ends discussing how just $10,000 (initial fee) can make you a Chick fil-A franchisee someday.     But first, the hosts dive into a quick housing market update and Aijaz's recent trip to Scotland & Ireland and why both these countries must be on your travel bucket list.   If you enjoyed this episode, please share with your family and friends. We are extremely proud that over 197,000 people have listened to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube in the last few months. Thanks for your support... it means the world to us!

In this episode of the UIF Community Podcast, we’re joined by two special guests; IL State Representative, Nabeela Syed & Community Activist Attorney, Faiyaz Hussain. If you want to learn how to impact our communities (politically speaking), this is must listen! At the tender age of 22, Nabeela flipped one of the Republican districts in the IL State Senate race.  She comfortably beat a Republican incumbent in her first win, and then doubled the margin of victory in her reelection bid in 2024.  As one of the youngest Muslim women ever elected to public office, Nabeela is redefining what leadership looks like bringing her faith, passion, and fresh perspective to the political arena. Nabeela starts out discussing what first motivated her to join politics and what compels her now to advocate for her community. From campaign challenges to working in a bi-partisan fashion, this is an inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss. Also joining us is Faiyaz Hussain, a civil rights attorney and policy expert who offers insight into legal advocacy, religious freedom, and national efforts to combat Islamophobia. We are super excited to bring you two incredible visionaries in one powerful podcast!  Please enjoy and share this episode with your loved ones if you find it valuable! ------ Disclaimer: Welcome to the UIF community podcast, before we get started, please keep in mind that this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect UIF Corporation or its affiliates.

How do you go from zero properties owned to managing over 320 units and $95 million in real estate assets—all while staying true to your values? In Episode 16 of the UIF Community Podcast, we sit down with Sirai Farah, a rising real estate investor who shares her journey into the world of wholesaling, multifamily acquisitions, and building strong relationships with investors. Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale your portfolio, this episode offers practical insights and a real-world look at what it takes to build generational wealth in real estate. Please enjoy and share this episode with your loved ones if you find it valuable! 

On this podcast episode we are super excited to bring you a conversation with Br. Habeeb Quadri.    Habeeb is an acclaimed educator and community leader recognized for his outstanding contributions both locally and internationally.  He was honored with the prestigious National Principal Award in 2019.  Habeeb has conducted over 1,000 seminars on topics such as ethical leadership, social-emotional intelligence, school culture and empowerment of educators and administrators.    Habeeb is also an acclaimed author with multiple books to his credit and a member of Harvard University's School of Education Advisory Board. We are grateful that Habeeb took some time out of his busy work and travel schedule to share some of his wisdom with us.  This conversation covered many topics including how parents can raise confident, faith-driven and respectful children in today’s world? He then shared some thoughts on how Islamic schools are playing a pivotal role in shaping our next generation.   The conversation ends with Habeeb discussing some topics from his recent book "Prophetic Leadership".   However, we begin this episode by discussing the current state of the real estate industry and our thoughts on the upcoming home buying season.  Please enjoy and share this episode with your loved ones if you find it valuable!

What does it mean to be truly productive while staying grounded in faith? In this episode of the UIF Community Podcast, we sit down with Mohammed Faris, the founder of The Productive Muslim Company and one of the Top 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World. As an internationally recognized coach, speaker, and author, Mohammed has helped thousands of professionals, entrepreneurs, and students integrate Islamic principles with high performance to lead more meaningful and impactful lives.  With Ramadan being a time of reflection, discipline, and personal growth, this episode comes at the perfect moment to help you stay productive while staying true to your values. Join us as we explore Mohammed’s journey from an online blog to a global movement, his practical strategies for achieving balance in a fast-paced world, and the mindset shifts necessary to align your faith with your daily habits.  Don’t miss this powerful conversation on faith-driven success, personal growth, and making the most of your time—especially in a month where productivity can be truly transformative. Tune in now!

We are excited to drop our newest podcast with a celebrity guest. In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome an extraordinary human being whose story exemplifies resilience, courage, and the power of conviction - former NBA star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Mahmoud’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. From growing up in a rough neighborhood in Mississippi, to becoming a standout college basketball player and achieving stardom in the NBA, he’s overcome countless obstacles, including Tourette Syndrome & societal challenges. Through it all, Mahmoud has remained steadfast in his principles, demonstrating what it truly means to lead with faith and integrity. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, guidance, or just an incredible story, this episode promises to deliver. Have your kids listen to this podcast as well if they want to know what it takes to play professional ball.  It may strengthen their resolve, or they will pivot to another career. Sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired by one of the most thoughtful voices in our community today... Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. As always, we begin the episode with some thoughts on the Housing Markets from our EVP Sales, Aijaz Hussain.  Please share this episode with your contacts... it will mean the world to us! If you enjoyed this episode, please share with your family and friends. We are extremely proud that over 140,000 people have listened to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube in the last few months. Thanks for your support... it means the world to us! Connect with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf here: https://www.instagram.com/mahmoudar123/

As-Salaam Alaikum & Happy New Year Friends! We are excited to launch the 11th episode of our UIF Community Podcast. In this episode we chat with a very successful attorney & community activist, Furqan Mohammed.  Our goal is to interview and learn from interesting community members who can add value to our lives.  Furqan definitely checks these boxes for us!  After covering Furqan's journey from a school teacher to a prominent attorney, we discuss how to protect assets & families with proper estate planning techniques. We then talk about some high-profile cases Furqan is working on, including the case of Sania Khan, a social media personality who was murdered in Chicago few years ago.    However, we begin this episode sharing our thoughts on the 2025 Housing Market outlook and the challenges we see ahead.   Enjoy the episode and thank you for listening! 

Have you ever wondered what separates great leaders from the rest? Why do some people naturally inspire trust, influence others effortlessly, and lead teams to extraordinary achievements? Well wonder no more... on this episode of our podcast, we review the book "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" a NY time bestseller from the famed author John Maxwell.   You too can become a very effective leader by applying some of the principles discussed in this book. However, before we dive into the book our hosts discuss their favorite travel destinations in light of Br. Aijaz's recent trip to the Far East. The discussion is quite humorous, engaging and interesting. Hopefully it inspires your own travel plans. Please enjoy the podcast and tell your friends about us.   With over 100,000 people having listened to our past podcasts we are excited about what we hope to deliver in the future.

We are excited to launch our newest podcast episode based on one of our favorite books of all time, Delivering Happiness.  The book discusses how to build a successful business, provide world class service, and create a culture that is admired by customers and competitors alike.  The speakers share their personal experiences as they go through the book's main points and how UIF has incorporated many of the book's lessons to deliver happiness to our customers and gain success over time.   This book is also a personal life story of Tony Hsieh (founder of Zappos).  Tony combined his love for people and his passion for excellence by delivering this masterpiece to the world.  Delivering Happiness is a must read for everyone but please start by listening to our podcast.

We are excited to announce the launch of our newest podcast episode, The Future of Money.  In this episode we discussed the main ideas from the highly acclaimed, best-selling book, The Future of Money by Cornell University Professor and finance Guru, Eswar Prasad.  We also invited Ali Hassan, a crypto-currency Hedge Fund Manager to share his thoughts on this topic.  We covered a wide range of issues from the US dollar losing its world #1 reserve currency status to Government efforts to compete in the new fintech arena and how to best prepare for the monetary changes ahead.  The speakers then dive into Bitcoin basics and why Ali Hassan feels that Bitcoin and blockchain technology is a game changer when it comes to modern finance.  Listen, learn and share this excellent podcast on the future of money... we promise that your money will thank you later. 🙂 

We are excited to launch our newest podcast episode based on one of the BEST books on Leadership and Business strategies. The book is Good to Great. This book hopes to answer one question... Why some companies make a leap from Good to Great while many others in the same industry don't? The principles and best ideas from this book are examined in this episode using practical examples and case studies. Whether you are an entrepreneur, manager or hope to be a future business leader, this book discussion will impact your life greatly.

On this episode we speak to Farrah Ali, an author, business coach and highly successful Real Estate investor.  Her story will be an inspiration to all as she shares her life journey from a divorced mother of two kids (with $80,000 in debt), to now a successful investor owning over 50 properties in less than 10 years. Farrah shares some of her success tactics and wisdom on how she has built a mini real estate empire against all odds.   Whether you are considering buying your first property or a starting a career in real estate investing, this podcast is a "must-listen" for you! Please enjoy and share… we will appreciate your support greatly.

On this episode we review the New York Times best-selling book "Richer, Wiser, Happier. How the world's greatest investors win in markets and in life."  Join our hosts as they discuss not only investing and success strategies from this book, but also life experiences that can bring you joy and fulfillment. At the end of the day, we all want to be Richer, Wiser and Happier... why not start today by listening and implementing some of the ideas discussed. 

In episode 4 of the UIF Community Podcast, we discuss the NY Times Best Selling Book Atomic Habits.  Please listen and share as this podcast could impact your life in a very meaningful way if some of its ideas & wisdom can be implemented soon.  The hosts discuss why good or harmful habits play a significant role in shaping the trajectory of our lives.    Practical tips are shared that can make you a high performer both in your personal and business life. Whether it is for self-improvement, improving relationships or making a positive impact on our community, the insights from "Atomic Habits" are invaluable.

In Episode 3 of the UIF Community Podcast, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of Lululemon Athletica.  We discuss the humble beginnings of Lululemon as a women's yoga pants retailer to a global lifestyle brand today! Studying successful businesses helps us become better entrepreneurs ourselves. By analyzing Lululemon’s business strategy, we gain valuable insight into what it takes to launch, grow and lead a business to success in a competitive retail market.    Additionally, we also discuss the recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) class action lawsuit.  This groundbreaking settlement (soon to be finalized), will change the real estate industry landscape going forward.  The discussion will educate you on the key points of the settlement, upcoming changes in Realtor commissions and why you should expect to pay less to buy or sell a home in the future.    Join us for a thought-provoking episode filled with expert analysis, industry insights, and actionable takeaways.

In this insightful episode of the UIF Community Podcast, we first discuss the impact of the recent FTC ruling banning Employee Non-Compete agreements.  We then dive into Morgan Housel's acclaimed book, The Psychology of Money. Join us as we unravel the nuances of financial success, exploring the critical differences between the skillset required to make money versus the discipline needed to keep it. We also discuss the delicate balance between luck and risk, and how understanding both can profoundly impact your financial decisions. Tune in for a deep dive into the psychology of investing and practical tips to grow your wealth over time.

We are excited to share with you the launch of our new podcast that we believe will benefit you greatly! We are calling it the UIF Community Podcast. Our goal is to educate you on topics related to Islamic finance, Economic conditions, Real Estate markets, self-development, and beyond.   Meet Your Hosts: Aijaz Hussain - Executive VP Sales & Director  Omer Subhani - Regional Manager Farah Zeaitir - Relationship Manager    What to Expect in Future Episodes: 1. In-Depth Conversations 2. Current Market Trends 3. Community Spotlight 4. Book Reviews