The Deenspiration Podcast

This week, Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan – founder of Bayyinah and world renowned Quran teacher – joins us for a wholesome discussion on how to connect deeply with Allah and the Quran in Ramadan. We explore the importance of quality over quantity, and why learning how to “experience” the Quran is important, not just to read it. Included in this discussion is dealing with our own nafs and bad habits. If Shaytan is chained up in Ramadan, then why do we still sin? Ustadh Nouman then discusses some incredibly exciting projects happening at Bayyinah, including grand visions for Arabic and Quranic education. These begin with the launch of the new ‘Revealed’ app – a mushaf experience with Ustadh’s own commentary and Q&A featured embedded at your fingertips. Things then get emotional at the end. Usman puts Ustadh Nouman on the spot with some spontaneous Q&A using the Reflection Deck from our friends at towards.faith Cut the Small Talk & Get Deep with the Reflection Deck by Towards Faith As you’ll notice on our podcast show, we’ve recently began introducing a deep reflection round at the end of our discussions. We’re doing this using the brilliant Reflection Deck card game by our sponsors, Towards Faith. Featuring 150 questions split into three categories (fun and light, personal and deep), this is a wonderful tool for meaningful and heartfelt discussions with loved ones. As you’ll see from the examples in our podcast, some of these questions will have you opening up like you never have before, and will prompt you to deeply reflect about yourself, your faith, and Allah SWT. Get the Reflection Deck Never Miss an Episode! Did you enjoy this episode? Click below to subscribe to the show on your smartphone and join our family of 1000’s Muslims around the world who love listening and learning. To support us, please consider leaving a positive 5-star review on Apple Podcast/iTunes. Want to have your own voice featured on our show? Click below to leave a 60-second voice recording and we’ll feature you on an upcoming episode. Subscribe Record a Review Write a Review (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&autoLogAppEvents=1&version=v2.12&appId='; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The post Ep 54: Nouman Ali Khan – How To DEEPLY Connect with the Quran in Ramadan appeared first on Deenspiration.

This week, award winning Turkish actor Emre Üçtepe, most famously known for his role as young Osman Bey in the globally successful Diriliş Ertugrul, joins us to discuss his life leading up to and after the series, and much more about this personal life including hobbies, faith, and interesting facts. Donate Your Qurbani with Zaimah Fulfil this mighty Sunnah starting from only £14 per share Donate Your Qurbani Today Cut the Small Talk & Get Deep with the Reflection Deck by Towards Faith As you’ll notice on our podcast show, we’ve recently began introducing a deep reflection round at the end of our discussions. We’re doing this using the brilliant Reflection Deck card game by our sponsors, Towards Faith. Featuring 150 questions split into three categories (fun and light, personal and deep), this is a wonderful tool for meaningful and heartfelt discussions with loved ones. As you’ll see from the examples in our podcast, some of these questions will have you opening up like you never have before, and will prompt you to deeply reflect about yourself, your faith, and Allah SWT. Get the Reflection Deck Never Miss an Episode! Did you enjoy this episode? Click below to subscribe to the show on your smartphone and join our family of 1000’s Muslims around the world who love listening and learning. To support us, please consider leaving a positive 5-star review on Apple Podcast/iTunes. Want to have your own voice featured on our show? Click below to leave a 60-second voice recording and we’ll feature you on an upcoming episode. Subscribe Record a Review Write a Review (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&autoLogAppEvents=1&version=v2.12&appId='; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The post Ep 53: The Life of Emre Üçtepe (Young Osman Bey from Diriliş Ertuğrul) – Acting, Hobbies & Unknown Facts appeared first on Deenspiration.

Life as an Actor in the Diriliş Ertugrul Drama Series Whilst Being a Strictly Practising Muslim Today we’re joined by Celal Al – husband, father, and Turkish actor most widely known for his role as the legendary warrior Abdurrahman Alp/Gazi in the globally successful Diriliş Ertugrul and Kuruluş Osman drama series. We discuss his role as an actor whilst also being a strictly practising Muslim, and his love for his fans in Pakistan. Chapters: 0:00 Intro – Who is Celal Al? 3:07 – Salams and welcome to the show 4:02 – Remembering Ayberk Pekcan (Artuk Bey) 4:55 – Usman showing off! 5:40 – Choosing reflection cards 6:40 – What drew you to the role? 7:50 – Muslims increasing faith because of Islamic dramas 9:51 – The role of dramas for Islamic education 11:23 – Dramas teaching better Islamic etiquette 12:16 – Acting whilst practising Islam 13:00 – Kayi merchandise 13:12 – Praying Salah on a film set 15:42 – What does Celal have in common with Abdurrahman? 16:21 – Celal “SLAPS” Usman, Abdurrahman style! 17:16 – Favourite scene to film 18:15 – Celal loves Pakistan! 19:03 – Zaimah Qurbani Campaign 20:27 – Reflection Card Game 21:41 – Outro Donate Your Qurbani with Zaimah Fulfil this mighty Sunnah starting from only £14 per share Donate Your Qurbani Today Cut the Small Talk & Get Deep with the Reflection Deck by Towards Faith As you’ll notice on our podcast show, we’ve recently began introducing a deep reflection round at the end of our discussions. We’re doing this using the brilliant Reflection Deck card game by our sponsors, Towards Faith. Featuring 150 questions split into three categories (fun and light, personal and deep), this is a wonderful tool for meaningful and heartfelt discussions with loved ones. As you’ll see from the examples in our podcast, some of these questions will have you opening up like you never have before, and will prompt you to deeply reflect about yourself, your faith, and Allah SWT. Get the Reflection Deck About Celal Al Celal Al is a Turkish actor, husband and father, and most widely known for his portrayal of the legendary Kayi Tribe warrior, Abdurrahman Gazi in the Dirilis Ertugrul and Kurulus Osman drama series. Celal has acted in many Turkish television series and is known for his notable work and tremendous performances. The actor has been in touch with many most celebrated Pakistani actors including Imran Abbas, Humayun Saeed, and others. They met in Pakistan and were noted for chanting the Pakistani song ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’. Celal is also public about his strict practise of Islam, often seen reciting Qur’an and even delivering Islamic sermons. Never Miss an Episode! Did you enjoy this episode? Click below to subscribe to the show on your smartphone and join our family of 1000’s Muslims around the world who love listening and learning. To support us, please consider leaving a positive 5-star review on Apple Podcast/iTunes. Want to have your own voice featured on our show? Click below to leave a 60-second voice recording and we’ll feature you on an upcoming episode. Subscribe Record a Review Write a Review (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&autoLogAppEvents=1&version=v2.12&appId='; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The post Ep 52: Celal Al (Abdurrahman Alp from Diriliş Ertugrul / Kuruluş Osman) Discusses Life, Faith & Acting appeared first on Deenspiration.

Complete Change the Way You Think About Salah & Develop a More Meaningful Relationship with Allah This week we’re joined by Iqbal Nasim. He’s an educator, writer, speaker, former investment banker and non-profit leader, and a Hafidh of Qur’an. In our opinion, he is one of the most forward-thinking visionaries in the UK Muslim community today, and in this episode you’ll get a flavour for why that is! Iqbal has a long-standing passion for aiding Muslims lead a more meaningful, purposeful, God-centred life. After a decade as CEO of the National Zakat Foundation, Iqbal’s focus has turned to creating and delivering transformational educational experiences through his courses on salat, the Qur’an, and leadership. In this episode we discuss his journey briefly, and then dive into the mindset shift we must make if we want to improve the quality of our daily salat, and deepen our relationship with Allah. Get ready to hear some seriously thought-provoking thoughts about salah that you might not have considered before. We’ll also hear about the ‘Transform My Prayer’ course which Iqbal is teaching LIVE this Ramadan. Stay tuned until the last portion of the episode to watch Iqbal and Usman play the Reflection Deck card game together. Things get very deep! WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Iqbal’s journey towards building the National Zakat Foundation. The true purpose of Zakat vs how Muslims treat it today. How Iqbal combines Zakat, salah, and leadership as part of a logical journey towards building strong foundations. Why the Muslim community will never become great again unless they establish strong foundations. Why weak salah = weak foundations. The current state of most of our prayers and why this is a major problem (are our prayers just a performance?) How people treat their daily salah vs the reality of what it actually is. The problem with mindless salah . How Allah describes the Believers’ motivations in the Qur’an vs what we think they are. Start practising or stop pretending! A scary but eye-opening question you need to ask yourself. The number one priority you must address before trying to fix the components inside of your prayer Do we believe in Allah because we’re Muslim, or are we Muslim because we believe in Allah? What’s comes first, the mindset surrounding prayer or establishing prayer first? More info about the Transform My Prayer, Club Revelation and Last Day Leader courses that Iqbal teaches. The Prophet’s (s) Companions’ (ra) journey with the salah and how this relates to our own journeys. The number one factor that improved Iqbal’s focus and tranquillity in Salah. Why having thoughts in your salah is actually a good thing. Are we really connecting with the phrases we utter during salah on an emotional level? If not, how do we solve this? The beautiful wisdom behind the repetition that occurs during our daily prayers. How to test if you’re making progress in your salah. Join ‘Transform My Prayer’ Ramadan Edition 2022 A step-by-step journey to make your Salat a truly fulfilling experience. Join at a Discounted Rate and Receive our eBook on How to Focus During Salah As a Free Bonus As a Deenspiration Podcast viewer, when you join Transform My Prayer using the button below, you’ll receive an exclusive deal: The early-bird discounted price, which is no longer available, will still be applicable to you. Woohoo – Alhamdulillah! You’ll receive a digital copy of our ’30 Top Tips for Attaining Khushoo’ in Prayer’ eBook completely free as a bonus gift when you sign up Register for Transform My Prayer Now Cut the Small Talk & Get Deep with the Reflection Deck by Towards Faith As you’ll notice on our podcast show, we’ve recently began introducing a deep reflection round at the end of our discussions. We’re doing this using the brilliant Reflection Deck card game by our sponsors, Towards Faith. Featuring 150 questions split into three categories (fun and light, personal and deep), this is a wonderful tool for meaningful and heartfelt discussions with loved ones. As you’ll see from the examples in our podcast, some of these questions will have you opening up like you never have before, and will prompt you to deeply reflect about yourself, your faith, and Allah SWT. Get the Reflection Deck About Iqbal Nasim Iqbal Nasim is an educator, speaker and writer… former investment banker and non-profit leader. He delivers transformational educational experiences to help people lead truly God-centred lives, by achieving connection through prayer, clarity through revelation, and the courage to fulfil one’s leadership potential. In 2019, he developed and started teaching a course, Transform My Prayer, to help people achieve more consistency, focus and tranquillity in their five daily prayers. It’s been taken by nearly 2,000 people from around the world. Iqbal is the former Chief Executive of the National Zakat Foundation. In 2019, he was awarded an MBE for services to Tackling Poverty and Community Development. He has an MA in Economics and Management from Cambridge University and an MSc in Voluntary Sector Management from Cass Business School. Iqbal has given hundreds of talks and Friday sermons on a variety of subjects relating to Islam. He has memorised the Qur’an and has an official license for the accurate recitation of the Qur’an with an unbroken chain of teachers back to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Connect with Iqbal YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Website Never Miss an Episode! Did you enjoy this episode? Click below to subscribe to the show on your smartphone and join our family of 1000’s Muslims around the world who love listening and learning. To support us, please consider leaving a positive 5-star review on Apple Podcast/iTunes. Want to have your own voice featured on our show? Click below to leave a 60-second voice recording and we’ll feature you on an upcoming episode. Subscribe Record a Review Write a Review (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&autoLogAppEvents=1&version=v2.12&appId='; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The post Ep 51: How to Transform Your Prayer & Connect with Allah Like Never Before | Iqbal Nasim appeared first on Deenspiration.

Studies, Travels, Poetry, Writing, Entrepreneurship & A New BookThis is Shabbir Hassan’s Story Shabbir Hassan – a multi-talented scholar, hafiz of Qur’an, author, podcast host and teacher – joins us today for Episode 50 (wohoo, 50 episodes Alhamdulillah) to discuss his journey so far, from his time away from home studying Islamic sciences all the way to the inspirations behind his recent book. Embarking on a journey of Islamic studies at a young age can be difficult, especially to stick through with it and graduate with a qualification Stay tuned until the last portion of the episode to watch Shabbir and Usman  play the Reflection Deck game together. Things get very deep! WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Shabbir’s story: how he first started his journey of seeking Islamic knowledge and sacrifices involved The significance of being the first person from his small town to embark on such a journey and what it meant to him What sparked Shabbir to learn Arabic and memorise the Qur’an Lessons Shabbir learned along the way and how these have shaped who he is today The importance of having teachers and mentors who will keep you on the right track The time Shabbir’s teacher had to serve him some humble pie! Advice to young students of knowledge wishing to embark on a similar journey The story behind his book ‘A Beautiful Patience: 40 Life Lessons from Surah Yusuf’ Why Surah Yusuf has so many timeless valuable life lessons What makes Yusuf (as) the most relatable prophet, according to Shabbir? A fun reflection round featuring the Reflection Deck by Towards Faith. Never Miss an Episode! Did you enjoy this episode? Click below to subscribe to the show on your smartphone and join our family of 1000’s Muslims around the world who love listening and learning. To support us, please consider leaving a positive 5-star review on Apple Podcast/iTunes. Want to have your own voice featured on our show? Click below to leave a 60-second voice recording and we’ll feature you on an upcoming episode. Subscribe Record a Review Write a Review (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&autoLogAppEvents=1&version=v2.12&appId='; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The post Ep 50: Islamic Studies, Quran, Poetry, and Life Lessons from Surah Yusuf | Shabbir Hassan appeared first on Deenspiration.

Discover How the New Faith & Focus Morning and Evening Journal Can Supercharge Your Spiritual Productivity Shahbaz Mirza, founder of Towards Faith (formerly Ramadan Legacy), joins us for a third time on the show to share details of the new Faith & Focus Morning and Evening Journal – a daily system for being and doing. In this episode, Shahbaz and Usman catch up on the latest developments within the Towards Faith brand, and dive deep into the world or productivity, daily routines, and how strugglers and seekers can best utilise their time for maximum spiritual self-development. With an overwhelming amount of self-help content on the internet and every guru pointing you towards their latest productivity hack, one glaring issue is that most of these are not centred around God and a faith-based mindset. Sure, they may be useful for planning your day and motivating you to check off the tasks on your to-do list, but where does your daily worship fit into this? What about your five prayers, your Qur’an recitation, your dhikr (remembrance), your personal character building, your intentions, and other spiritual activities? Between the morning yoga and the mid-day greens smoothie, do these mainstream methods provide any real systems for incorporating Islam into your day and improving your relationship with Allah? That’s exactly what we discuss in this episode, and explore how this new product has been designed to be a simple, yet powerful tool for busy Muslims who want to be more, whilst doing more at the same time. Stay tuned until the last portion of the episode to watch Shahbaz and Usman spontaneously play the Reflection Deck game together. Things get very deep! WHAT YOU’LL LEARN A brief overview of Shahbaz’s journey from creating Ramadan Legacy, to rebranding into Towards Faith. Why does Towards Faith exist, and who does it serve? Did Shahbaz feel a spiritual void whilst working in the corporate world, and did this inspire the creation of the Faith & Focus journal? The difference between learning Islamic educations vs implementing the knowledge into your own life. What’s the deal with morning and evening routines, and why are they important? The problem with mainstream ‘hustle’ culture and its lack of a faith-based mindset. What does Allah SWT say about the morning and the evening in the Qur’an, and why is this significant for our own lives? What triggered the creation of the Faith & Focus journal, and how does its system work? How the Prophet (s), the Companions (r) and the greatest Muslim inventors used Islam to enhance and speed up their work, not slow it down. A step-by-step journey through the Faith & Focus journal (goal setting, planning, gratitude journaling, and more). How the journal and its various daily prompts are designed to set you up for success and make you a better Muslim, practically and spiritually. And a fun round of playing the Reflection Deck game. The Faith & Focus Daily Morning & Evening Journal Live Each Day With Spirituality, Success & Structure Live Each Day With Spirituality, Success & Structure Faith & Focus is a 90-day Journal, that helps you to consciously connect to Allah and your goals. Use it everyday to overcome overwhelm and distractions and feel spiritually complete at the end of each day. Inspired by the morning & evening principle in the Qur’an and modern psychology. ​End The Cycle Of Feeling Spiritually Incomplete & Consistently Improve Your Faith & Daily Success The Faith & Focus Journal is a daily system that helps you gradually improve your spirituality and daily success, so you can live each moment with peace, purpose and productivity. Improve Spirituality & Success: The Faith & Focus Daily Journal is so simple to use. It brings clarity, structure and composure to your day.Built For Busy People: Because you are busy you need a tool to centre your life. Use it for 5 minute a day, twice a day, and witness the miracles.Gradual Guaranteed Progress: You can be at the start of your faith journey or further along. Your daily pages are tailored to you. Get Yours Today About Shahbaz Mirza For the past 10-years Shahbaz has risen to the top of his career in the field of strategy consulting, business change and transformation, whilst also studying Islam intensely and gaining multiple diplomas from Cambridge Islamic College and iSyllabus UK. His expertise is studying and synthesising authentic and deep traditional knowledge into simple tools and frameworks for Muslims to easily implement into their day to day lives. Follow Shahbaz on Instagram Connect with Shahbaz on LinkedIn Never Miss an Episode! Did you enjoy this episode? Click below to subscribe to the show on your smartphone and join our family of 1000’s Muslims around the world who love listening and learning. To support us, please consider leaving a positive 5-star review on Apple Podcast/iTunes. Want to have your own voice featured on our show? Click below to leave a 60-second voice recording and we’ll feature you on an upcoming episode. Subscribe Record a Review Write a Review (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&autoLogAppEvents=1&version=v2.12&appId='; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The post Ep 49: Supercharge Your Spirituality with a Morning & Evening Routine – Shahbaz Mirza (Towards Faith) appeared first on Deenspiration.

Can Online Islamic Courses Ever Replace Traditional Studying? This week we’re joined by Shaykh Ruzwan Mohammed – co-founder, author and educational director of the iSyllabus Islamic studies course. In this episode, Shaykh Ruzwan and Usman have an interesting discussion on the digital era and the shift from traditional face-to-face Islamic learning into an online environment. Social media and the internet in general can have it pros and cons, however in times like today when we’re forced to adopt online learning during a global pandemic, the shift from the traditional classroom to a digital one has quickly become a necessity and educational institutions have been forced to adapt. For those previously unable to access their favourite teachers in person, this has only brought about a positive shift in the way they learn their Deen. However, some argue that online courses can never replace the benefits that face-to-face experiences provide. Having authored and taught the widely popular iSyllabus Islamic Studies programme in the UK over the last decade, Shaykh Ruzwan and his team have recently made the shift to online learning and reimagined the process to ensure their students study the most holistic, in-depth and logically progressive curriculum possible, whilst doing their best to mitigate any missing aspects of the in-class experience. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN A brief overview of Shaykh Ruzwan’s journey of studying Islam and what inspired him to begin. What are the pros and cons of online learning? Can online learning be considered to be ‘traditional’ as well, given that a change of times necessitates a change in teaching methods? Online learning can never be the same as face-to-face classes… can it? What about people who don’t have access to their local Imams and scholars. Isn’t online learning the only way for them? Can a proper teacher-student relationship be formed through the screen? Why modern students don’t have the desire to undergo proper tarbiyah. The mindset students should adopt towards online Islamic education. Do you even need a teacher? Why can’t you just learn on your own? The differences between preservation and presentation, and which one you should be focusing on. The issue of ‘celebrity Shaykhs’ and engaging in online controversy. Red flags to look out for in online personalities and institutions. How do you know that your favourite speakers are actually qualified and share authentic knowledge? The problem with social media and the fear of missing out. The story of Imam Abu Hanifa and the lost treasure. What makes a good online Islamic studies programme? The biggest mistake Islamic institutions make when creating courses. The story behind the iSyllabus course. How the reimagined online iSyllabus Islamic studies course was formed and what it contains. Why Shaykh Ruzwan believes Islamic studies should be taught in English. And more! The iSyllabus One Year Diploma in Islamic StudiesEnrol Now and Get 10% off The iSyllabus Online Diploma Step by Step Course is designed to give Muslims of all backgrounds confidence in themselves by empowering them with Islamic knowledge they can trust. The course aims to equip you to be confident in what you know, while respecting legitimate differences of opinion. We will explain not only what scholars disagree upon, but also why. The modules will provide an indispensable base from which to increase your faith. The Diploma course serves as an excellent entry to a nuanced yet fulfilling experience of the Islamic sciences as they relate to both the individual and society in the 21st Century. Click below to register now and use the code DEEN10 at checkout for 10% off. Learn More About Shaykh Ruzwan Shaykh Ruzwan Mohammed is a Sunni theologian and scholar. A graduate in Geopolitics and Arabic from the University of Glasgow, in 1993 he left to travel and study with a wide array of leading scholars and theologians in various countries in the Muslim world. In the process, he studied the Turkish language at the University of Ankara and as part of his formal Islamic training, he graduated from the Fat’h Islamic Law College in Damascus, graduating from the prestigious 6-year program with a distinction of merit, achieving overall first position in his year of graduation from the college. In the summer of 2009, he co-founded the Solas Foundation, which focuses on offering quality and transparent religious consultancy in the areas of Islamic ethics and education. He is the author and educational director the iSyllabus Islamic studies program. Learn more about Shaykh Ruzwan. Never Miss an Episode! Did you enjoy this episode? Click below to subscribe to the show on your smartphone and join our family of 1000’s Muslims around the world who love listening and learning. To support us, please consider leaving a positive 5-star review on Apple Podcast/iTunes. Want to have your own voice featured on our show? Click below to leave a 60-second voice recording and we’ll feature you on an upcoming episode. Subscribe Record a Review Write a Review (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&autoLogAppEvents=1&version=v2.12&appId='; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The post EP 48: How to Access Authentic Islamic Knowledge in a Digital Age – Shaykh Ruzwan Mohammed appeared first on Deenspiration.

Is Your Attitude Towards Allah and Your Du’as Holding You Back? This week we’re joined by spiritual mindset coach and founder of Practical Muslim – Zahra Aljabri – to bring a fresh perspective to the topic of du’a (supplication) and our mindset towards Allah, our life goals, and how all of these intertwine to fulfil an important part of a Muslim’s life. Growing up, perhaps your experiences with du’a so far have been of a transactional nature, i.e. “I will only get X from Allah if I first do Y”, or “I don’t deserve X from Allah because I did Y, and therefore there’s no point in asking from Him”. This approach to our relationship with Allah is deeply flawed, as in reality, we are comparing the Mercy and Bounty of Allah to that of human beings, which of course isn’t true. Unlike our relationship with family, friends and colleagues, Allah does not operate on the “I will only give you something if you give Me something first” condition. Similarly, many of us have grown up adopting the mindset that as Muslims, we are “not allowed” to ask for too much when making du’a to Allah, or that we should not strive for “too much” in this dunya, and therefore we should only ask for the absolute bare minimum. This is in stark contrast to the behaviour and mindset of the greatest people to walk on earth – i.e. the Prophets themselves (may peace be upon them all) – the stories and du’as of whom Allah describes in the Qur’an. In this episode, Zahra helps us break down the myth that we are not worthy of more, and shares practical tips on how to shift our mindsets so that we are in a better position to ask Allah, and as a result, develop a much deeper, closer relationship with our Lord. What You’ll Learn An introduction to Zahra Aljabri, her story, and what she does as a coach at Practical Muslim. The typical mindset most Muslims adopt with du’a and why this is limiting them Why our relationship with Allah is not transactional The connection between forgiving yourself and being able to ask Allah for more Examples of Prophets who asked Allah for great materialistic wealth, and the difference between this and normal worldly greed The line between arrogance and humility when asking Allah in our du’as A fun rapid fire round with Zahra – facts you didn’t know about her! Connect with Zahra & See Her Work Practical Muslim Instagram: https://instagram.com/practicalmuslim Zahra’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zforzahra/ Coaching site: https://www.practicalmuslim.com/ Islamic Devotionals: https://www.practicalmuslim.com/devotionaldeck/60-devotionals-deck SPONSORED BY SALAM MEDIA Launch a Successful Online Course Having worked with over 100 clients and students and generated over £10 million in the Muslim space alone, Salam Media are a passionate group of experts who are powered by the vision to help Muslim educators effectively create, package and sell successful online courses to a wide audience. The team will support you gain clarity on your voice and message, design a unique strategy for your programme, and fully automate the process so that you can generate an income for years to come. Click below to join their free training on how to create, market and sell your course online in 3 simple steps. Learn How to Launch Your Course About Zahra Aljabri Zahra is a spiritual mindset and relationship coach who aims to empower bold Muslims to connect with their Divine essence so they can transform their lives & bring in abundant love, peace and wealth. Never Miss an Episode! Did you enjoy this episode? Click below to subscribe to the show on your smartphone and join our family of 1000’s Muslims around the world who love listening and learning. To support us, please consider leaving a positive 5-star review on Apple Podcast/iTunes. Want to have your own voice featured on our show? Click below to leave a 60-second voice recording and we’ll feature you on an upcoming episode. Subscribe Record a Review Write a Review (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&autoLogAppEvents=1&version=v2.12&appId='; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The post EP 47: Unlock the Power of Du’a with Your Mindset – feat. Zahra Aljabri appeared first on Deenspiration.

Harsh Realities of Social Media and its Effect on Our Spirituality In this episode we’re joined by Omar Usman, author of the new book Fiqh of Social Media: Timeless Islamic Principles for Navigating the Digital Age and current Executive Director of Muslim Matters. Having observed the evolution of social media as a tool for socialising, learning and entertainment, among other things, Omar has also identified key issues that specifically affect Muslims with respect to their Islamic education, their character and conduct, and how their use of social media can impact their overall spiritual development. Without a doubt social media has its benefits, but if misused, can have seriously negative impacts upon a person both spiritually and mentally. Omar helps us uncover these online traps and provides practical ways to avoid them, as well as sharing important advice to those using social media for Islamic purposes. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN An introduction into Omar’s work and what he does The dramatic changes in how Muslims consume Islamic knowledge online and how this affects us The dilemma of not having access to Islamic knowledge other than online sources What to look out for when deciding who to take knowledge from online Red flags to pay attention to when observing those who ‘give Dawah’ online Sincere advice to online dawah personalities regarding their content and behaviour The sacrifices that need to be made to go ‘viral’ and the spiritual implications of this The dangers of speaking about issues that you’re not qualified to do so The delusion of vanity metrics and how they create a false sense of justification for one’s actions How social media’s follower culture has been designed to inflate one’s ego and the implications of this on how we learn about Islam Basic principles to follow when conducting one’s self on the internet The harsh reality of Islamic online personalities whose brand is based off putting others down Why not everyone’s opinions matter online How to overcome comparison syndrome online (e.g. from watching influencers) A fun rapid fire round with Shaykh Abdullah – facts you didn’t know about him! Fiqh of Social Media Timeless Islamic Principles for Navigating the Digital Age We are at an unprecedented time in human history. We are connected to more people than ever, we have access to more information than ever, and we can communicate around the globe faster than ever. As Muslims, we believe that Islam contains the most perfect guidance for all of mankind to follow. How do we implement that timeless advice in times that no human has ever experienced? That is the focus of the Fiqh of Social Media. It goes into the effects of social media and digital technologies (such as smartphones) on our daily lives, our families, our communities, and our spirituality.  Amazon (UK) Amazon (US) About Omar Usman Omar Usman works professionally as a technology consultant and is a certified project manager and leadership trainer. He is a founding member of Qalam Institute and has served in different leadership capacities with numerous local and national Islamic organizations. He is a khateeb in his local community and teaches regularly around the country on the topics of leadership, social media, and conducts public speaking training. He is also the author of the book Fiqh of Social Media. Follow Omar on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more content.  Visit the ibnabeeomar.com blog to join Omar’s exclusive newsletter and for a wide range of insightful articles and resources. Never Miss an Episode! Did you enjoy this episode? Click below to subscribe to the show on your smartphone and join our family of 1000’s Muslims around the world who love listening and learning. To support us, please consider leaving a positive 5-star review on Apple Podcast/iTunes. Want to have your own voice featured on our show? Click below to leave a 60-second voice recording and we’ll feature you on an upcoming episode. Subscribe Record a Review Write a Review (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&autoLogAppEvents=1&version=v2.12&appId='; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The post EP 46: The Fiqh of Social Media – How to Avoid Traps of the Online World feat. Omar Usman appeared first on Deenspiration.

Rediscover the Foundational Principles of Your Deen In this episode we’re joined by Shaykh Abdullah Oduro from Yaqeen Institute to go ‘back to basics’ and discuss the 5 pillars of Islam; what they they, why they’re important, the wisdom behind them, and the significant role they play in giving our lives structure and balance as Muslims and believers of Allah. Rather than simply explaining the 5 pillars again, which Shaykh Abdullah did excellently in his Yaqeen series ‘5 Pillars Made Plain (which we HIGHLY recommend!), we discuss how both new Musims and RE-new Muslims (i.e. those born into Islam who are rediscovering their foundational beliefs) should interact with these pillars to ensure their faith in Allah is strong, and they have a complete understanding of their purpose in this life. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN An introduction into Shaykh Abdullah’s life and what he does. A brief overview of Shaykh Abdullah’s journey to Islam. A summary of the 5 pillars of Islam. The wisdom between the 5 pillars, how they are connected, and their importance to our life as Muslims. Why the 5 pillars are crucial for the stability of the application of our Islamic faith, and maintaining a structure to our lives as Muslim. The difference between theory and application. Real talk: the difficulty of keeping up with salah and other physical aspects of worship. Advice on how the 5 pillars should be introduced and/or re-introduced to Muslims who have slowly forgotten their true purpose, who they are, and the core principles of their faith. Does it really matter if you say “convert” vs “revert”? Usman’s experience of his high school friend converting to Islam and the impact it had on him. A story of how important it is to have wisdom when speaking to others about Islam. How du’a can develop sincerity and pull one out from the depths of doubt regarding their faith. A fun rapid fire round with Shaykh Abdullah – facts you didn’t know about him! The best advice Shaykh Abdullah has ever received, and the best advice he has for others. In Collaboration with Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research Introducing the ‘5 Pillars Made Plain’ Series  What are the 5 Pillars of Islam? 1. Shahada (the testimony of faith) 2. Salat (prayer) 3. Zakat (alms giving) 4. Sawm (fasting) 5. Hajj (pilgrimage) Whether you were born to a Muslim family and are rediscovering faith, or you are a new Muslim who has recently accepted Islam, how can you build a strong connection with your new way of life? First step: begin with the basics. In this series, Sh. Abdullah Oduro walks us through the “who”, “what”, “when”, “where”, and “why” of the 5 foundational pillars of Islam. This series is not just for new and renewed Muslims—it is also a vital resource for convert coaches and Imams to use in their work. Watch the Full 5 Pillars Series Watch Shaykh Abdullah's Convert Story About Shaykh Abdullah Oduro Fellow (Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research), Head of Convert Resources Abdullah Oduro is a first generation Ghanian native that converted to Islam in 1997.  He graduated from the College of Islamic Law from the University of AlMadinah in 2007.  He conducts public speeches, sermons, lectures, and workshops around the US on Islamic Law, self-improvement, and convert life.  He is currently the Imam at the Islamic Center of Coppell and Lewisville in Dallas, TX.  He resides in Dallas, TX with his wife and four children. Having recently joined Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research as a Scholar, Shaykh Abdullah leads a team providing unique and comprehensive resources for new Muslim converts and institutional convert care.  Follow Shaykh Abdullah on Instagram and Facebook for more content. Never Miss an Episode! Did you enjoy this episode? Click below to subscribe to the show on your smartphone and join our family of 1000’s Muslims around the world who love listening and learning. To support us, please consider leaving a positive 5-star review on Apple Podcast/iTunes. Want to have your own voice featured on our show? Click below to leave a 60-second voice recording and we’ll feature you on an upcoming episode. Subscribe Record a Review Write a Review (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&autoLogAppEvents=1&version=v2.12&appId='; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The post EP 45: Back to Basics – The 5 Pillars of Islam for RE-New Muslims feat. Shaykh Abdullah Oduro appeared first on Deenspiration.