Chasing Noor Podcast

This conversation was a true spiritual journey exploring honoring the child within, We explored the ancient proverb that has vibrated across the globe: "the child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel it's warmth" by analyzing my question: what if the child couldn't burn down the village, but - internalized it's flames." Join this family friendly conversation as we explore healing.

This episode was recorded a few days after the death of brother George Floyd. When I first connected to Dr. Melina, I hoped to discuss the lynching of Brother Nate Woods and the letter he wrote the night before he was executed for a crime he did not commit. After recording this, the world went through a reckoning that further reminds us to continue to stand for our Ummah. Stand With Black Lives Matter to keep black members of our Ummah from becoming the next hashtag. Dr. Melina Abdullah is one of the founding members of Black Lives Matter wearing many hats even transforming and inspiring college students as a Professor at CSULB. In this powerful interview, she shares how voice, body, and resources are three major areas of support the Black community needs. I removed the former episode today and uploaded this tonight after adjusting the audio for more clarity.Every Wednesday at 4PM on the Instagram account: instagram.com/blmlosangeles they share current news and needed support.

walī (ولي): a friend, protector, guardian, supporter, helper Wali Collective has officially formed as a safe space | trauma healing | allyship | resources.Instagram: @walicollectiveJoin this NATIONAL collective on allies and survivors with Maliha (New York) and Francesca (Florida) and me Rabhi, over here in California! Together we have formed this space to be more direct resources, deconstructing terms, and equipping allies with resources and techniques to support their friends and family.Introducing these amazing Muslim women! Maliha, a Mental Health Educator at the New York City Department of Public Health transforms community healing. Francesca is a biomedical engineer building health equity from academia directly into communities that need them.Follow me on instagram for techniques & resources on my Instagram: http://instagram.com/rabhi_.fateh

The tears fell from my eyes in the middle of leading this sermon and surprised me. I looked up and saw tears filling the eyes of so many more. SubhanAllah, how Allah plans and provides. Do share your thoughts how this was for you. InshAllah you all have a blessed last ten days!My First Khutbah at the Women's Mosque of America. Follow me at: instagram.com/rabhi_bhaji

Stand With Black Lives Matter to keep black members of our Ummah from becoming the next hashtag. Dr. Melina Abdullah is one of the founding members of Black Lives Matter wearing many hats even transforming and inspiring college students as a Professor at CSULB. In this powerful interview, she shares how voice, body, and resources are three major areas of support the Black community needs. Let's go beyond re-sharing posts and double tapping pictures and join in sending emails to congressmen, signing petitions, donating even $5 to campaigns. Every Wednesday at 4PM on the Instagram account: instagram.com/blmlosangeles they share current news and needed support. Together, we can fight for the lives of other members of our Ummah. ___________ My name is Rabhi Bhaji and I am a Trauma Expert. I have teamed up with amazing religious leaders, experts in the field and experts around us to provide pockets of healing so others in our Ummah don't feel alone in their challenges. The Chasing Noor Podcast is about searching for the light of Allah (SWT) around us, within us.. and in the generations who came before us connecting our stories to provide learning and understanding. By sharing stories of forgiveness, pain, humility, and fear we can all heal together as an Ummah from within our collective noor. You are Not Alone. Follow me on instagram: instagram.com/rabhi_bhaji

Decolonizing Narcissism.. oof. How can we identify them when they may look like an empath with sheep's clothing? I have shared this powerful book written by an amazing member of our Ummah, Shaykh Mikaeel Smith entitled, "With The Heart In Mind," The Moral and Emotional Intelligence of the Prophet (PBUH). where he deconstructs the layers to being aware of what comes up for us. Since, I live in a lens of trauma and healing, I will be deconstructing sections of this book in a really easy flow for those still learning about the Quran and Prophet (PBUH) related to different healing themes. Part 2 of 5 is about emotional expression: empaths, emotionally "woke," emotionally "ignorant," emotionally "arrogant," and my own term that gives narcissist a run for their money: Emotional Monarchs. Watch the video on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfYFlRhvt6f4DTbKw8qWuLw and follow me on instagram for daily techniques and resources: instagram.com/rabhi_bhaji.

"Maybe this helps us see that your Ramadan.. was not the same for many people and even if they came to the masjid and the iftars dressed nice, there was a sadness and an abuse happening at home."How can you help? Use your privilege to invite them into our Ramadan journey.. we need to be there for our Ummah.This is not just an awareness video but a CALL to action for those who have social groups to include others: ZOOM or Ramadan Event Links. Perhaps we can support or leada local fundraiser to help the other members of our Ummah who do not have that privilege.. who don't have safe people to turn to and further learn about Islam. CALL TO ACTION.____________Share this healing emergency episode that I was humbled to have Ustadha Lobna join me. Ustadha Lobna is a Community Educator at Yaqeen Institute and UCLA Chaplain at Institute of Knowledge.. among so many other hats she wears as a healer, mentor, teacher, mother, wife, friend. May Allah (SWT) bless her and her family for all they do for our Ummah.In this conversation, we discuss the layers to Iman Privilege. It is a term I have been sitting on for a while and this past month, elements of it keep showing up in my sessions. Concerned for gaps and lack of normalization re: feelings of shame for having despair, I messaged Ustadha Lobna about it and within days, we brainstormed this powerful episode over her fancy coffee and my fancy chaa.Our goal was to make sure those who don't have the privilege of a strong Muslim social group, safe people or struggling with challenges being at home perhaps in a toxic emotional or abusive situation will feel seen and heard in this. We are all in this together, let's use any privilege we have to please Allah (SWT) in any way possible.

"By ignoring our emotions, we slowly develop a lack of familiarity with ourselves and that lack of familiarity leads to avoiding moments of inner reflection and contemplation. We feel awkward when we are alone, just as one feels awkward in the presence of a stranger, we have effectively become strangers to ourselves." - Ghazali, I have shared this powerful book written by an amazing member of our Ummah, Shaykh Mikaeel Smith entitled, "With The Heart In Mind," The Moral and Emotional Intelligence of the Prophet (PBUH). where he deconstructs the layers to being aware of what comes up for us. Since, I live in a lens of trauma and healing, I will be deconstructing sections of this book in a really easy flow for those still learning about the Quran and Prophet (PBUH) related to different healing themes. The first of which is intergenerational messaging on expression of emotions with the first part describing the book, and the second a guided workshop to experience at any pace comfortable for you with whatever materials you choose best. To join the sister's ZOOM halaqah to debrief this, register at ummahtherapy.com. I will be having a brother's one also, but need to work with my team how to best support the unique layers there. Here is Part 1 of 5..

"The arabic term for heart, "Qalb" has a root in oscillation, movement, motion. Faith fluctuates for me everyday because the heart fluctuates all the time." Listen to this powerful podcast episode with Brother Micah Anderson of Ta'leef Collective of how to support our spiritual health amidst adversity either internal struggles, relational or systemic. "Mindfulness is the ability to be present with yourself, others and God." With over 25 years of experience in the mindfulness movement working with so many different types of populations, he comes from such a kind and compassionate place. He leads Mindfulness Monday Nights at Ta'leef Collective with people from all different walks of life, backgrounds, and lived experiences joining in. He also works in county jails and juvenile centers as the Program Director of the Mind Body Awareness Project shifting the conversation on healing. Such an inspirational healer in our community. May Allah (SWT) bless him and his family. Learn more about him at taleefcollective.org

Forgiveness has so many layers. With how messy and hard it can feel, Ustadha Hosai simplifies it all from a place of love.. from a place of connection to the highest power. From parental forgiveness, self forgiveness, relational forgiveness...and asking it from our Creator, she breaks it down in such a compassionate way honoring that forgiveness may not happen overnight, it is a journey. For over 20 years, Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi has served the Muslim communities in the greater Bay Area and Orange County/LA areas as an organizer, teacher, spiritual counselor, mentor, and mental health advocate. She leads powerful monthly healing sessions at Muslim Community Center of East Bay for sisters in search of sacred knowledge. Follow me on instagram @rabhi_bhaji

Where does your body hold sadness.. anxiety.. fear..insecurity? Discover where your body holds different feelings in this 8 minute release and recharge video to relieve tension from your body. Perfect meditation for beginners with a clear step by step guide. A great tool to use with clients, family members and your children. This healing recharge can be used to start your day laying in your bed or at the end of the day to detox from the stress that work, family, school..or even finances may rest within us. My clients have experienced sadness in their shoulders and others have experienced anxiety in their legs. When we notice where our body responds to stress, we can find ways to release it so the stress does not build up over time causing physiological pain. Follow me on instagram for more healing techniques @rabhi_bhaji

The Prophet (SAW) described "masculinity" for our brothers, fathers, sons, and husbands so differently than how social media is re-defining masculinity today. MUST WATCH Powerful conversation on how young men are expected to navigate the world differently than women.. with a leader I highly respect and humbled to learn from. May Allah (SWT) bless him for his kindness. Shaykh Suhail Mulla is a Resident Scholar of Islamic Society of West Valley, Institute of Knowledge Chaplain to UCLA and CSUN. His graduate degree in Social Work from UCLA over 20 years ago provides crucial insight into navigating masculinity, shame, and cultural realities within our Ummah.

"Tremendous growth can come from tremendous pain and sometimes that can feel hard to keep sight of when you are in the middle of the pain" -Shaykh Jamaal DiwanFor over 10 years, I have had the honor of knowing Shaykh Jamaal Diwan. I first heard him speak at UCLA during a Muslim Student Association event and was amazed at just how calm and kind he was. He is always available to answer any question helping others reconnect with their faith especially as a Chaplain at many different universities. He converted to Islam in college where he also met his wife. Shaykha Muslema Purmul is an inspirational leader in our Ummah and together they run The Majlis. It is a beautiful space in Orange County grounded in the love of Allah (SWT) with many programs to connect different members of our Ummah. Learn more about this Majlis at: www.themajlis.us

Listen to their story and hear how her and Imran Bhai didn't want their baby to ever experience a single moment of pain. May Allah grant these young babies the highest place in Jannah inshaAllah! May their parents have ease in these hard moments without them. May they be looking down with love and duaa at their courageous parents to keep going day after day without them. May Allah SWT guide me in intentionally sharing their stories.

This was a very hard episode for me to film as I sat with Brother Syed and Brother Haidar to talk about the loss of our parents. My Papa passed away when I was 8 years old and I have devoted my life to sadaqah honoring his legacy as a Sufi scholar. Brother Syed lost his father to a heart attack in 2016, and Brother Haidar lost his mother just recently to cancer. We are joined by a young woman, Myra, who heard the first podcast and reached out to me disclosing how she lost her mother at a young age. I invited her to join this episode so she can offer her unique perspective for other women out there that lost their mothers.  May Allah (SWT) grant our parents the highest place in Jannah. inshaAllah inshaAllah.

In this episode, I interviewed my dear brother Muhammad Dominguez of Al Firdaus Ensemble from Spain.My name is Rabhi Bhaji and I am a Trauma Expert and Therapist. I have teamed up with amazing religious leaders, experts in the field and experts around us to provide pockets of healing so others in our Ummah don't feel alone in their challenges.The Chasing Noor Podcast is about searching for the light of Allah (SWT) around us, within us.. and in the generations who came before us connecting our stories to provide learning and understanding. By sharing stories of forgiveness, pain, humility, and fear we can all heal together as an Ummah from within our collective noor.In this powerful interview, Brother Muhammad shares how every intention and action he makes is to please Allah (SWT) - from his beautiful partnership with Lely joon to his dhikr, at home and on the stage. Through his music, you can connect to Allah (SWT) in such a deep way that words cannot explain.Learn more about Al Firdaus Ensemble at http://alfirdaus-ensemble.es/en/al-firdaus-ensemble/You are Not Alone. Subscribe to join this safe, anonymous platform.____________________________Ummah Therapy Facebook Page:http://facebook.com/UmmahTherapyTechniques Posted on the Instagram Page:http://instagram.com/rabhi_bhajiNational Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233https://www.thehotline.org FREE & CONFIDENTIALNational Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org FREE & CONFIDENTIALNational Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673https://www.rainn.org FREE & CONFIDENTIALAUDIO LINKSiTunes ------ http://bit.ly/chasingnoorpodcastSpotify ------ http://bit.ly/chasingnoorSoundcloud ------ http://bit.ly/chasingnoorsoundcloud

Welcome to the First Part of this Ummah Therapy Initiative! My name is Rabhi Bhaji and I am a Trauma Expert and Therapist. I have teamed up with amazing religious leaders, experts in the field and experts around us to provide pockets of healing so others in our Ummah don't feel alone in their challenges. In this powerful interview, Dr. Mohamed Abdul-Azeez, Senior Imam of Tarbiya Institute, analyzes this powerful duaa, discussing how Allah (SWT) does not want us to hold onto any shame or fear for our struggles, but wants us to look internally at the causes of our stress and find the courage to ask for help. Clinical matters and extreme trauma require different layers of care, but knowing there is SAFE & CONFIDENTIAL help out there for domestic violence situations is crucial for the healing of not only you, but your children. (IMMEDIATE SUPPORT RESOURCES DOWN BELOW) You are Not Alone. Subscribe to join this safe, anonymous platform. ______________________________ Background about Imam Azeez: Dr. Mohamed Abdul-Azeez is a very humble religious leader, writer, activist, advocate for youth, and founder of Tarbiya Institute in Sacramento, CA with his door always open to help our Ummah.____________________________ Ummah Therapy Facebook Page: facebook.com/UmmahTherapy Techniques Posted on the Instagram Page: http://instagram.com/rabhi_bhaji Learn more about Tarbiya Institute at: tarbiya.org Follow More Khutbahs by Imam Azeez by clicking hereNational Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 https://www.thehotline.org FREE & CONFIDENTIAL National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org FREE & CONFIDENTIALNational Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 https://www.rainn.org FREE & CONFIDENTIAL AUDIO LINKS Sound Cloud LinkSpotify Link