In Good Faith

Following on from the ten propositions shared in the last episode, this conversation takes a closer look at how people should understand the Quran and make use of it as guidance today.Through a range of challenging and controversial passages, I explore the importance of recognising who is being addressed and the circumstances in which the words were first communicated.Together, these examples present almost insoluble conundrums to those who want to hold onto the commonplace assumption that the Quran was meant as a direct address to all people for all times and places. Rather, in my view, they strongly support the alternative notion that the Quran can only be understood with complete coherence when we consider that its direct addressees were exclusively the Prophet Muhammad and the people of his society in his time. Beyond the critical importance of reading the Quran in its original context, I consider other implications for us today: being far more attentive and responsive to our present circumstances, having the courage to exercise our own discernment, and deciding creatively how best to give expression to enduring, universal principles in a rapidly changing world.(0:00) Why this topic matters(10:49) Verses addressing the Prophet(14:00) Who is the “you”?(19:35) Language matters(23:49) Etiquette with the Prophet(27:07) Charity before consultation(39:17) The woman who complained(47:25) Intimacy, moons, doors & wars(56:01) (Some) people or (some) men?(58:59) Three times for privacy (1:01:29) The morality of slavery(1:05:45) Horses for war(1:06:57) Resolving marital conflict (1:13:00) Implications & next stepsTo find out more about my current and previous work, to pledge your support, or to get in touch, check out my website.

It's been a few months since the last episode, so I've taken the opportunity to summarise all the key points I've been making throughout the podcast so far.The ten propositions shared in this conversation represent shifts in perspective that I have undergone over the last decade or so. Together, they constitute the latest outcome of my attempt to arrive at a more coherent understanding of reality and to align as fully as possible with the divine.The ideas presented are also changes which, if adopted more widely, would result in significant benefits at the societal level. Let me know what you think... in good faith, of course!(0:00) Context(3:22) 1. Engaging in ongoing truth-seeking(4:53) 2. Taking responsibility for discerning truth(7:14) 3. Seeing faith as character not doctrine(9:10) 4. Understanding rituals as means not ends(11:15) 5. Ceasing to identify with religious labels(12:57) 6. Joining communities of shared purpose(15:08) 7. Acting universally not insularly (16:53) 8. Appreciating God as Being not a being(20:27) 9. Putting the Quran fully in its context(24:08) 10. Doing what the Prophet would do today(28:12) Recap, further exploration & clarificationTo find out more about my current and previous work, to pledge your support, or to get in touch, check out ⁠my website⁠.

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 heartfelt gratitude to you all. May she rest in peace, enveloped in divine love and light.

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) Clarifying the “label” problem(15:59) Stop wanting to define everyone (22:50) Characterising true faith(33:22) What forms are existentially vital?(45:00) Moving between different states(49:25) Isn’t all selflessness also godliness?(59:19) The value of natural goodness (1:02:55) The power of prophetic example

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 collaboratively develop constructive solutions on the other. I go as far as to say that the rigid, contemporary label and identity based obsession is a type of idolatry that has led us to desecrate the prophetic legacy rather than honour, renew and uphold it. (0:00) Banter(1:32) The identity discussion is critical(12:24) Labels hinder universal concern(23:12) No need for addition after subtraction(28:33) Practical benefits of zero identity(39:33) Realising universal principles in context(49:49) Local vs absolute ideals & "Who decides?"(1:01:26) Course correction is ultimately inevitable(1:09:12) Labels cause bigotry & division(1:16:27) Do I have inferiority complex?(1:19:20) Did everyone miss this for 1400 years?(1:22:16) Is another label or category unavoidable?(1:27:03) Revisiting beliefs, salvation & idolatry (1:42:40) Outstanding matters

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 as an existential orientation rather than a “religion” - with additional conversation on the topics of whether false doctrine can render good deeds worthless, the nature of idolatry and hypocrisy, having a founder’s mentality with regards to an effort to renew society which is rooted in faith, and the severe dangers of division that is caused by unnecessary and misleading labelling. If we stop being obsessed with doctrine, dogma and identity, and start being obsessed with meaning, practice and adding value, only then will we even begin to realise the vision for human beings presented in revelation. It’s time to unblock ourselves and let the divine light shine. (0:00) Din (دين) is orientation not religion(11:20) Verse analysis 3:19 (18:11) Contextual nuances of groups in revelation(25:34) Can doctrine make goodness worthless?(38:36) The value of humility & non-judgement(47:00) Everyone’s exposure to idolatry & hypocrisy(55:45) Faith (إيمان) & good deeds are inseparable (1:00:54) Simply subtract & let the light shine(1:07:56) Having a founder’s mentality (1:10:42) The severe dangers of division(1:15:19) Verse analysis 3:85(1:25:08) The road ahead(1:28:38) Verse analysis 10:104

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 and align ourselves to Reality, we must differentiate between what is existential and conventional, what is universal and particular, what is clariying and what is misleading. But have a watch / listen, and let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree. (0:00) Why this conversation is critical(5:25) If I'm not a "Muslim", what am I?(9:40) Oversimplification & pervasive idolatry(13:42) What the "labels" in revelation tell us(24:49) Uppercase identites vs lowercase states (30:57) Stated beliefs are completely irrelevant(37:54) What matters far more than stated beliefs(45:55) More analysis of key verses (57:00) Proper language & substance are vital(1:06:35) "Islam" & "Muslim": examples of confusion(1:15:20) The martial arts analogy(1:21:35) A universal, existential, practical framework(1:33:20) More contemporary problematic examples

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 problem?To discuss these questions and more, I hosted Edition 2 of The Public Forum online with two special guests from think tank Pickthall House:Jacob Williams is a final-year Oxford DPhil candidate in political theory, where he also convenes the Oxford Islam and Justice Programme (OIJP). His commentary has been published in Renovatio, First Things, Law & Liberty and elsewhere. He wrote a recent and relevant piece he wrote here, entitled, 'Towards a Western Muslim Political Philosophy’ here. Mustafa Warsi is a budding philosopher, regular writer and media spokesperson on political issues affecting Muslims, especially on GB News. He was my most recent guest for Episode 52 of In Good Faith. You can watch that conversation here.

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(10:02) What is my objective?(12:06) The WOW factor(17:30) False binaries(26:48) Does God exist & is God one?(32:52) What I think of Jordan Peterson(36:34) Apophaticism & no god but God(41:25) How I define God(52:50) Context must inform God talk (59:15) The agenda for next time(1:03:30) Only God is real

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 Mathematics at Cambridge University and has worked in the financial services industry for almost a decade. He is a budding philosopher, regular writer, media spokesperson and he has been the inspiration for a number of early stage projects in line with his aim of saving the world! Mustafa’s website.Kasurian.Pickthall House.(00:00) Mustafa’s core message(09:10) Intellectual & spiritual backstory(17:27) Reading “Sufism and Taoism”(26:08) Truth as paramount(36:55) Identities & labels as barriers(49:43) The nature of revelation(1:01:30) How to reenchant the world(1:16:52) Intellectual & institutional failures(1:24:27) Mustafa’s projects & plans (1:36:34) It only takes a few people…