Boys In The Cave

We sit down with Dr Yakoob Ahmed for a deep conversation on how modernity quietly reshaped the Muslim mind, and why so much of what we call "modern history" is built on myths, assumptions, and power. We explore how colonisation and the nation state rewired Muslim memory, identity, and imagination, how the idea of "objective history" can become a trap, and what it takes to recover a more honest, grounded way of understanding our past without nostalgia, propaganda, or performative outrage. We discuss: - How modernity changed the way Muslims see themselves and their history - The nation state, colonisation, and the editing of collective memory - The myth of "neutral" history, and who gets to define what is true - Why progress narratives can distort the Muslim past - How to study history with adab, humility, and intellectual honesty - Practical ways to rebuild historical consciousness today Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:10 Welcome, meeting Dr Yakoob Ahmed 01:23 Why this conversation matters, Muslim historians, background 04:15 Studying history in the West, "leaving God outside the classroom" 09:39 "History from above", centering Allah, hidden assumptions in academia 15:37 What is history, memory, identity, lived experience 23:14 Man orientated vs iman orientated history, nuance, darkness, realism 26:49 Romantic visions of the past, hero narratives, Salahuddin, Mahdi 29:32 Can we write history about recent events, Palestine and living memory 32:41 Erased local Muslim histories, Far East examples (Philippines etc) 35:12 Fiction, film, propaganda, and myth making (Padmavati example) 41:47 Moral lesson stories vs history, how we read Umar narratives 43:20 The trap of "objective" modern history 45:52 Gatekeepers, language, and how historians judge sources 51:14 How Muslims tend to read history, moral lessons vs fiqh vs patterns 54:15 Progress myths and teleology, Rasulullah as the compass 56:58 Modernity and time, clocks, industrial time vs sacred time 1:12:07 Can Muslims imagine again, beyond inferiority and apology 1:17:03 "The human" category, who counts as human in modern narratives 1:21:29 Linking stories across the Ummah, Ottoman, Mughal connections 1:29:49 Japanese "fake Muslims", spies, and forgotten interconnections 1:41:48 Colonial apologetics, language barriers, and modern history framing 1:45:05 The internet changed everything, publishing outside the academy 1:52:47 Writing the book post Gazza, emotion, hope, agency 1:57:59 Ottoman archery, craft, discipline, lived tradition 2:07:08 The cave question, 3 people you would hang out with 2:12:13 Wrap up and outro

Habeeb Akande, British-Nigerian writer, historian, and sex educator, joins us to unpack topics many Muslims argue about loudly, but rarely discuss with depth, nuance, and real principles. We talk about the modern crisis of masculinity in Muslim spaces, why "Red Pill vs feminist" has become a rigid false binary, and how figures like Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson slot into a deeper identity struggle for some Muslim men. We also explore how Islamic terms get weaponised in online discourse, including misusing concepts like fitrah to baptise personal opinions as "Islam", and flattening ghayrah into coercive control rather than principled, loving boundaries. Throughout the conversation, we return to a core theme, prophetic masculinity is not a performance, it is integrity, responsibility, and protecting the vulnerable, not exploiting religious language to justify manipulation or abuse. Topics that we cover: - The "tribal" pull of sport, and why it bonds men so intensely - Why the manosphere appeals to Muslim men, identity, insecurity, and performative masculinity  - "Red Pill vs feminist" as a trap, and how Islam pushes a more mature middle path - Ghayrah, translation, boundaries, and how language can mislead - Fitrah being used like a debate weapon, and why that's dangerous - Intimacy in the Islamic tradition, and why we turned it into a taboo topic Timestamps: 0:00 Football banter, sports as the male soap opera 11:42 Intimacy in Islam, why it became a taboo topic 15:20 Polygyny, ethics, and exploitation 36:13 Calling out hypocrisy, double standards with women vs men 37:17 Who we "expose" vs who we excuse  39:26 Platforming "reformed" gangsters, ignoring sisters 49:24 Minivan drug dealers debating aqeedah, the problem is control 58:00 Prophetic sexual ethics, the cave hadith, and euphemisms 1:05:51 "Protective jealousy" translation, what ghayrah actually means 1:08:14 Fitrah in manosphere debates, why it gets weaponised 1:10:10 Polygamy and fitrah claims, where the logic goes wrong 1:13:32 Haya and translation problems, how language traps people 1:14:34 "Sexual discipline" vs desire, framing that resonates today 1:19:58 Ramadan clarity, food, drink, and intercourse (not vague euphemisms) 1:24:27 What traits define healthy masculinity 1:26:15 Hijab, beard, and optics vs real akhlaq 1:40:12 Red pill thinking, religious language used as loopholes 1:44:09 Tarbiyah gap, knowledge without character formation 1:46:50 Protector and provider, stepping up not posturing 1:51:11 "Dawah bros" image, culture war performance, self branding 1:55:31 Dayuth and ghayrah, meaning vs misuse 1:56:26 "Providing" as status aesthetics, entitlement, control 2:02:56 Marriage "expertise", divorce rates, and what wisdom actually is 2:23:23 Final reflections, wrap up

In this deep-dive conversation, Professor Joel Hayward returns to unpack one of the most misunderstood periods of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ life, the politics of Medina under pressure. We explore the Ghatafān confederation and their leader ʿUyaynah ibn Ḥiṣn, how tribal power actually worked in the Ḥijāz, and why the Prophet ﷺ practiced diplomacy even with deeply unreliable figures. The discussion moves through the Battle of the Trench, coalition warfare, and how the Prophet deliberately fractured enemy alliances without unnecessary bloodshed. A major focus is the Sawiq raid, a small but decisive event after Badr that exposed internal vulnerabilities within Medina. Professor Hayward explains why Banū al-Naḍīr's role in the raid marked a permanent rupture, how insider knowledge mattered more than battlefield force, and why this episode leads directly into their later expulsion. The episode also challenges common assumptions about "polytheists," Jews, and alliances in early Islam. Drawing on sīrah criticism, archaeology, and comparative history, Professor Hayward shows why later narratives often oversimplified seventh-century belief, tribal identity, and treaty structures. This is a conversation about statecraft, realism, and moral restraint, and why the Prophet ﷺ governed with strategy rather than slogans. If you want a serious rethinking of Medina's covenants, treaties, and power dynamics, this episode is essential listening. Professor Joel Hayward is the Dean of the Sycamore Leadership Academy in Istanbul, and repeatedly listed in The Muslim 500. Al Khaleej called him a world authority on conflict and strategy, and Kirkus says he is one of academia's most visible Islamic thinkers. He has ijazat in Islamic sciences, focuses on ʿaqidah and sirah, and has led major programs at King's College London and the Royal Air Force College, as well as serving as chief executive of Cambridge Muslim College. His 18 books include The Leadership of Muhammad, which won the 2021 Sharjah award, and The Warrior Prophet. Timestamps  00:00:00 Introduction, framing the episode 00:19:46 Ghatafan at the Trench, Uyaynah, the date deal discussion 00:39:59 Ghatafan and Jews around Khaybar, identity and alliances 00:59:48 Sawiq raid setup, Abu Sufyan's motive and the raid begins 01:19:57 Sahifat al Madinah, why key tribes are not named, what that implies 01:39:57 Kaab ibn al Ashraf, poetry as propaganda, security and statecraft 01:59:59 Transition to Banu Qurayza, why this is the most controversial section 02:19:33 The sentence and execution reports, reading the sources carefully 02:38:49 Closing remarks and sign off

In this episode of Boys in the Cave, we sit down with Haroon Raza, a Dutch criminal defence lawyer and human rights advocate based in Rotterdam. We unpack the legal strategy behind pursuing accountability for Gaza, the rise of state overreach across Europe, and how activism shifts when the "rules" stop protecting people. Haroon shares how investigators gathered open source evidence and compiled an indictment covering 1,000 IDF soldiers across multiple nationalities, based largely on what was posted publicly online, and how that work fed into efforts taken toward international accountability. We also discuss a major "first" moment, the arrest and interrogation of two IDF soldiers in Belgium and what it reveals about the shifting legal landscape in Europe. Plus, we get into the darker side of modern "rule of law", secret evidence, surveillance, infiltration, profiling Muslims in local municipalities, and why Haroon warns that if law fails to protect legitimate advocacy, societies head into dangerous territory. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Human Appeal Australia, supporting Palestinians with hot meals and vegetable baskets: https://my.humanappeal.org.au/donate Timestamps 0:00 Sponsor, Human Appeal Australia 1:04 Who is Haroon Raza, and what this episode is about 3:55 Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, activism roots (and the first wake up calls) 9:49 Netherlands Islamophobia, politics, and early racism 16:06 Protest crackdowns in Europe, policing, intimidation 20:31 Protest bans, "terror" labels, civil disobedience 30:34 Secret evidence, surveillance, and the limits of "rule of law" 38:24 Profiling Muslims, infiltration, municipality databases, legal pushback 43:20 Adversity, faith, and staying firm under pressure 47:48 Tomorrowland (Belgium), the detention story, what happened 54:26 Investigative unit, turning open source content into case files 55:30 The "1,000 soldiers" indictment, Instagram as evidence 56:17 ICC and embassies, long game, ripple effects beyond Europe 1:06:43 Why "Hind Rajab", impunity, impact, backlash 1:29:44 Closing reflections and duas

What does it mean to travel for Allah and not just for content or vibes In this episode of Boys In The Cave, Tanzim sits down with filmmaker and Revival Retreats founder Zoheb to unpack how spiritual travel reshapes the heart. From his first work trip to Morocco, to documenting floods in Pakistan, to walking in the streets of Istanbul and the zawiyas of West Africa, Zoheb shares how travel became a mirror that showed him who he really was before Allah. They discuss the ethics of charity media, not romanticising poverty, how to hold Palestinian and global suffering in your heart, and why sohbah and righteous companions may be the most important part of any journey. Along the way, you will hear stories of hidden Moroccan homes, bustling Senegalese streets, and the teachers and scholars who quietly keep the light of the ummah alive. If you have ever felt the urge to pack a suitcase for Umrah, retreats, or a trip that is more than tourism, this conversation will help you make your journeys intentional and rooted in love of Allah, His Messenger and His awliya. What we talk about in this episode • Why "your suitcase is a mirror" is the perfect metaphor for spiritual travel • How filmmaking and faith came together in Zoheb's life • Pakistan, Lebanon, Palestine and the ethics of charity campaigns • How Revival Retreats began and what makes a retreat truly transformative • Istanbul, Morocco and Senegal as lived expressions of Islamic civilisation • Colonisation, travel etiquette and leaving your privilege at the door • Sohbah, righteous companions and making every journey a journey to Allah https://www.humanappeal.org.au/ Zoheb is a UK born filmmaker now based between Cairo and the UK, with a an Hons in Digital Media and Film Production. He has filmed faith centred travel and cultural projects and humanitarian relief projects across the Muslim world, as well as events and music videos. He now leads Revival Retreats, a platform hosting Islamic heritage travel and spiritual retreats. Timestamps 00:11 Salaam intro, Gaza and global suffering 00:49 Who is Zoheb, filmmaker and Revival Retreats founder 01:39 "Your suitcase is a mirror" travel quote 03:52 Zoheb's background and discovering filmmaking 04:54 Why filmmaking became a path of service for the ummah 06:09 First work trip to Morocco and first time in a Muslim country 07:12 Humanitarian travel in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey 08:25 The birth of Revival Retreats and reconnecting Muslims to heritage 09:52 Pakistan trip in depth and what impacted him most 12:12 Listening to Syrian and Palestinian struggles on the ground 18:14 Not romanticising poverty and witnessing tragedy up close 20:29 The ummah as one body and what that really means 27:38 Living in Istanbul and walking in the footsteps of the sahaba 30:25 Zawiyas, scholars and why you must see Islamic civilisation for yourself 35:29 Senegal, West Africa and a lived experience of Islam 43:31 Countries that deepened his faith and the highlights of his travels 44:26 Why Morocco feels like home and a spiritual sanctuary 48:21 Hidden Moroccan homes and the lesson of inner beauty 52:34 Outward aesthetics, barakah and how we have been shaped by modernity 53:06 Teachers and scholars who shaped him on the road 59:57 Why traveling with like hearted people matters 1:02:30 Sohbah and the friendships that form on retreat 1:06:38 Quranic reminders about righteous companions 1:12:19 Fun Boys In The Cave question, three people to share a cave with 1:15:44 Where to find Revival Retreats and how to join 1:16:03 Where to follow Zoheb and his work online 1:16:48 Final reminder about Revival Retreats and Gaza projects 1:17:09 Outro, how to support Boys In The Cave

Habeeb Akande joins BITC to talk misyar, secret wives, polygamy, passport wives, sex negative culture, and the nafs. We unpack how some men cherry pick fiqh to justify secrecy, how praiseworthy aims differ from loophole hunting, and what real justice and consent look like in practice. We also ask the question, have Muslims adopted a Christian style suspicion of pleasure and projected it onto Islam. Habeeb speaks from classical learning and lived research, Maliki fiqh, usul, erotology, African and Muslim cultures. We cover consent, maintenance, time rotation, publicity, and the harm rule, then end with a practical justice audit couples can use today. Key topics • Misyar, valid form versus wise practice, rights that are commonly waived, housing, maintenance, scheduled nights, publicity • Secret nikah and ghosted maintenance, predictable harm patterns, how to prevent them • Polygamy, justice in time and spending, financial readiness, disclosure, consent, children and custody • Sex negative culture, what Islam actually says about pleasure, reciprocity, privacy • The harm rule and maqasid, when legal form must give way to justice • Online masculinity scripts, cherry picked texts, how to read responsibly https://www.humanappeal.org.au/ Timestamps 0:00 Intro and sponsor, Human Appeal Australia 6:20 Sham marriages and travel examples, Morocco and Indonesia 22:12 Secrecy and first wife, why that is wild 33:30 Utopia myth, gender tension is not new 47:40 Legal versus ethical, muhallil and misuse 1:07:26 Misyar defined, two types in practice 1:08:39 Rights waived, Sauda example and scholar logic 1:26:25 Legalism versus spirituality, closing reflections 1:28:39 Polygamy basics and justice 1:36:39 Misyar and secret marriage 1:46:39 Rights versus responsibilities 1:56:39 Secrecy and predictable harm 2:06:39 Ethics over loopholes 2:16:39 Practical safeguards and consent 2:24:39 Closing counsel and outro

Professor Joel Hayward unpacks how Medina actually worked, the Sahifat al Madinah, parallel pacts by clan, covenant enforcement, and the Prophet's statecraft in moments like the Sawiq raid, the Qaynuqa crisis, the Nadir siege, and the Trench. We dig into source criticism, what the early texts really say, and why the dominant narrative needs a rethink. What we cover: • Sahifat al Madinah, what the charter says and how it functioned inside a web of bilateral pacts • The Prophet's statecraft, treaties, arbitration, measured enforcement, generosity in terms • Banu Qaynuqa, cause of the confrontation, order to depart, who stayed under protection and why • Banu al Nadir, the meeting about blood money, the alleged assassination plot, the short siege, relocation to Khaybar • Banu Qurayza, covenant breach during the Trench, arbitration by Sad ibn Muadh • Sawiq raid at al Uraiyd, why it mattered, possible local complicity, stress test for the covenant • Kaab ibn al Ashraf, incitement, poetry as power, targeted security response • Al Mukhayriq at Uhud, a reminder that alliances cut in unexpected ways • Abdullah ibn Ubayy, promises to the Nadir, hypocrisy in belief versus action • How historians weigh isnad, matn, and hindsight bias when reading seerah reports Professor Joel Hayward, dean at Sycamore Leadership Academy in Istanbul, award winning author of The Leadership of Muhammad and The Warrior Prophet, listed in The Muslim 500, scholar of sirah, strategy, and leadership. https://www.humanappeal.org.au/ Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:06:16 Sahifat al Madinah focus 00:15:17 Bilateral pacts and who was named 00:24:30 Ibn Ubayy politics and leadership 00:33:03 Separate pacts versus one charter 00:38:06 Renew your pact, Banu Nadir example 00:48:52 Numbers on arrival, wealth balance, Ibn Ubayy still the premier leader 00:52:02 Minority status and oasis power map 00:56:24 Upper and lower Medina, early pact geography 01:03:03 Kinship politics, Khazraj links and acceptance 01:07:51 Qaynuqa reappraised, cause and corporate penalty 01:13:47 Expulsion accounts versus later returns and traces 01:25:46 How the sources work, scarcity and overlap 01:33:37 Method and edits, reading Ibn Hisham critically 01:43:51 Nadir stone plot, revelation or prudence 01:48:15 Weighing possibilities, cautionary analogies 01:52:58 Kaab and Abu Sufyan, hospitality and timeline 01:57:09 Response as realpolitik, proportion and restraint 02:04:26 Historiography wrap, assembling the mosaic

Shaykh Dr Asim Yusuf joins Boys in the Cave for a deep dive into Imam al Ghazali's Ihya Ulum al Din, how to read it in our time, and how its spiritual psychology maps onto modern clinical insights. We cover decontextualizing and recontextualizing sacred texts, the metaphysics of eating, marriage and companionship, contentment in a consumer world, and why spirituality is the ruh of the religion. What you will learn • Why an Ihya commentary speaks to today's seekers, and how to apply it, context first, then decontextualize, then recontextualize • Metaphysics of eating, turning sunlight into worship, tasbih into ibadah • Reading Book of Marriage through Book of Companionship for modern couples • A common good economy, contentment as a cure for hyper capitalism • Where Islamic and secular psychologies meet, origin, nature, purpose of the human • Why spirituality is not a niche, it is the breath of the deen If this episode benefits you, like, comment, and share. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of scholarship, spirituality, and performance psychology.  https://www.humanappeal.org.au/ https://education.nuralhabib.org/ Timestamps 00:00:00 Sponsor message, Human Appeal Australia, Gaza relief projects 00:01:12 Welcome back, Shaykh Asim Yusuf returns to BITC  00:01:40 Why write an Ihya commentary, teaching since 2014, page by page method 00:02:18 How to make the Ihya speak now, lessons gathered from 400 to 500 hours of classes 00:09:47 Metaphysics of eating, upgrading tasbih to ibadah, light into light 00:11:17 Book 12, marriage, reading Ghazali's context, sociology of relationships 00:12:14 Why some passages sound paternal, audience, education, and age gaps in the 5th century 00:16:29 From eternal principles to our moment, the Ihya's usul for reapplication, heart focused frame 00:31:03 Translating terms, jihad as striving, how a word can flip a verse's meaning 00:36:13 Hunger, restraint, eating with others, a common good economy, contentment versus consumerism 00:52:13 Theistic and secular psychologies, the X model, where experiences overlap 01:50:46 Closing reflections, every moment reveals a new facet, keep the tradition alive 01:53:02 Spirituality is the ruh of the religion, do not let your deen be a ghost, let it live in you 01:54:15 Final counsel, bring ruh and jasad together, closing duas and sign off

Dr Yasir Qadhi joins us to unpack Salafism, sectarianism, and how Muslims in the West can move from labels to leadership. We talk about what healthy disagreement looks like, why unity does not mean uniformity, and how communities can build real capacity, from mosques and schools to media, philanthropy, and liberal arts education. We get specific about funding ethics, local service to the poor, and civilizational projects that shape hearts and minds. The goal is practical, principled institution building that serves faith and society together. What you will hear: • Salafism in context, strengths, blind spots, and the illusion of correctness • Agreeing to disagree, red lines, and ending the habit of turning rivals into enemies • From masjid to media, why we need journalists, artists, scholars, and leaders • Philanthropy with purpose, feeding the hungry locally, museums and public education, funding without strings • Liberal arts and classical sciences, why breadth of knowledge matters for the next generation • Living in the West with confidence, learning from Abyssinia If this conversation benefits you, share it with a friend, subscribe, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway. Thanks to our sponsor Human Appeal Australia for supporting community focused conversations. https://www.humanappeal.org.au/appeal/gaza-emergency-appeal-2023-2/ 🕳️ Boys In The Cave is an independent platform exploring faith, politics, culture, and the pressing issues confronting the modern Muslim mind. Subscribe to join the conversation!  🔔 Like, Share, Comment & Subscribe to stay connected. Subscribe to Boys in the Cave Podcast for more insightful discussions on politics, culture, and community. Don't forget to like, share, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest episodes! Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: [email protected], and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes! Timestamps 00:00 Intro and book context 06:58 Criticism and following trusted scholars 17:47 Unity, red lines, civility 21:05 Mawlid and taraweeh, nuance 33:12 Diverse strengths in the seerah 40:33 Seminary reform and the modern imam 49:40 Training leaders, contextualizing in the West 56:38 Knowledge exchange, Israiliyyat and kalam 01:12:07 Read real history, what to build next 01:26:44 Philanthropy, public projects, local politics, funding ethics 01:39:21 Identity pressure, Abyssinia question 01:42:35 Politics is a dirty game, ethics of engagement

In this episode, Dr. Shadee Elmasry joins us for a powerful conversation about the challenges and responsibilities facing Muslims in the West today. We reflect on whether Muslims are in an "Abyssinia phase" or if the time has come to invest fully in building lasting institutions that can preserve faith and serve future generations. The discussion explores how to nurture resilient belief in young Muslims while navigating secular societies, and why institutions rooted in the deen are essential for long-term survival. Dr. Shadee reflects on the role of Sufism, noting that historically many of the fiercest resistors to colonial powers were Sufi leaders who combined spirituality with action. He cautions, however, that in more recent times some who call themselves Sufis have become tied to political power, leading to compromise and inaction. Dr. Shadee highlights what resistance means, both politically in the face of oppression and spiritually in holding firmly to faith under pressure.  Together, we examine what it takes to raise a generation that is grounded in Islam, ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities, and prepared to carry the message of the deen with strength and clarity. Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: [email protected], and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes! Check out our book club! - https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave/membership Follow us on: Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/boysinthecave/ Instagram – @boysinthecave Twitter – @boysinthecave Become a Patreon today! https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and guest welcome 1:16 Trip to Australia, Sydney and Brisbane 3:12 Pressing challenges for Muslims in the West, Gaza and moral weight 19:22 Tasawwuf within Islam, tea analogy, integrating aqidah, sharia, tazkiyah 20:45 Do not fixate on a Sufi identity, sincerity and community duty 21:11 Sufi resistance to colonizers, Omar Mukhtar, Amir Abdul Qadir, al-Sanusi, Imam Shamil 22:02 Recent co-optation, the real issue is closeness to power and fitna 23:23 Building your own Medina, zawiyas, Tijani examples, Uthman dan Fodio 26:01 Sharia as the standard, avoid defending tariqas, maintain husn al-dhann 27:02 Community builders move cautiously, usually not revolutionaries 33:13 Aligning with other Muslim groups on action, question setup 34:00 Measure alliances by birr and taqwa, not labels 34:38 Principle over person, support good deeds, correct wrong with husn al-dhann 49:58 Fatima Payman, political literacy, Palestine recognition debate in Australia 50:36 Recognition announcement context, why it is symbolic, not a victory 1:10:04 Abyssinia phase versus building here, raising youth and curriculum prompt 1:11:42 Curriculum for present needs, identity first, balancing ummah and locality 1:18:04 Action dispels fear, hope for Palestine and political trends 1:20:45 Zakah to locality and a note on nationalism 1:22:00 Outro and closing thanks