The Social Media Spiral | Real Talk ft. Dr. Tesneem Alkiek

Some of the most important battles in life are fought in silence—against Shaytan, against envy, and within our own hearts. This lecture explores the quiet daily struggles that shape our faith, character, and resilience. Learn how to protect your heart, resist unseen opposition, and stay grounded in sincerity while striving for success—all for the sake of Allah.

Palestine has led many to Islam. Just in the last few weeks, long-term activist for Palestine, Robert Martin, embraced the faith after many years of working among Muslims. In this Gaza Diaries interview with Dr. Omar Suleiman, Martin recalls his earliest visits to the Holy Land, when he was warmly welcomed everywhere he went, to his recent experience on the Freedom Flotilla.

Social media is built to be addictive. It harms our mental health and damages our self-worth. We all know this...but it's still so hard to disconnect. Join Dr. Tesneem Alkiek and host Qaanitah Hunter to explore the dangers (and some of the benefits) that social media adds to our lives and learn practical ways to build a healthier relationship with it 

Before Jerusalem fell, something else collapsed first.The First Crusade wasn’t won because the Crusaders were stronger or more numerous. It succeeded through discipline, organization, and psychological warfare—while the Muslim world was divided by rival rulers, short-term thinking, and emotional reactions without strategy.This episode traces that collapse from Europe’s mobilization to Antioch, Ma‘arra, and the fall of Jerusalem in 1099.More importantly, it asks the uncomfortable question history leaves behind:why did sincere people keep losing?

Allah tests His servants in different ways, and what may feel like punishment can often be a path to growth, purification, and deeper faith. In this khutbah, Dr. Omar Suleiman explains how challenges can serve as a form of refinement, drawing you closer to Allah and shaping you into a better believer. 

Is hustle culture toxic? Like so much else, it’s a confusing mix of good and bad. Ambition, hard work, and high aspirations are noble, but they need to be kept in perspective. When our goals for the dunya start to outweigh our efforts for the akhirah, or when we push ourselves so hard we burn out, it’s time to stop and ask: Why? In this episode of Real Talk, reflect with Dr. Tesneem Alkiek on why culture pushes us to work so hard and whether that’s really the best way forward.

What does Islam say about karma? In what ways do our past actions affect our present and future? Listen to this khutbah by Dr. Omar Suleiman to gain deeper insight on the connections between our actions and their consequences.

Is Islam defined by men? It’s a question many Muslim women wrestle with—but maybe it’s the wrong question to begin with. Women have played an indispensable role in shaping the Islamic tradition. From hadith transmitters and legal scholars to the teachers of imams, Muslim women were never sidelined by the religion itself—even if some voices have drowned them out. In this episode, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek and host Qaanitah Hunter reframe the conversation, reminding us that while the path forward may not always be easy, it’s always there.

Before Salahuddin could unite the Muslim world, earlier leaders had to address deep internal divisions. When radical groups like the Qarmatians stole the Black Stone and extremist factions terrorized scholars, visionaries like Nizam al-Mulk responded by building institutions—the Nizamiyya schools—that would educate the generation of scholars who would guide leaders like Nur al-Din and Salahuddin.Sign up for exclusive updates on this series: https://yqn.io/231b800:00 - The worst time in Islamic history?4:19 - Emergence of the Ismaili Empire9:40 - How the Qaramita stole the Black Stone from the Ka’bah11:30 - The founding of Cairo and spread of Ismailism13:36 - The arrival of the Seljuks and Nizam al-Mulk 17:47 - Imam al-Ghazali’s response to the Ismailis and philosophers21:57 - The Order of the Assassins25:47 - The attempt to assassinate Salahuddin (rh)   This episode draws on leading historical works about Salahuddin and the revival that reshaped the Muslim world. If you’d like to explore the era more deeply, we recommend:How the Generation of Salahuddin Appeared — Dr. Majid Irsan Al-KailaniThe Rare and Excellent History of Saladin — Ibn ShaddadSalahuddin al-Ayyubi — Dr. Ali Muhammad al-SallabiSaladin: The Triumph of the Sunni Revival — A.R. AzzamFor young readers: Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam — Diane Stanley

What does it mean when Allah “hits” you with a consequence? The Prophet ﷺ taught that when Allah wants good for a servant, He hastens the purification of their sins in this life. What does that mean for us today?