Muslim Enneagram is a podcast that explores the enneagram and its connections to Islamic Spirituality. Co-hosts Rehenuma Asmi and Najiba Akbar discuss the history of the enneagram, how they stumbled upon it as a personal growth framework, and their eventual discovery of its roots in Tasawwuf, or the purification of the self in Islam. They explore each enneagram type's story, make connections to the stories of well-known Sahaba and their personalities, offer insights for growth and development, and share reflections on how to connect the types back to the 99 names of Allah.
This Ramadan special episode has a different format from our usual conversational approach, with each co-host presenting a brief segment related to the three mini-series topics we will explore throughout season four. Nada reflects on how we can mindfully meet our social needs this month, while balancing that need for connection with the importance of stillness and solitude. Najiba invites listeners to embark on a path toward greater presence this Ramadan, through accepting the natural gifts that come through our type and reflecting on Allah's attributes. Rehenuma reflects on our relationship to the Qur'an, our communities and our Creator, so that we can connect to them meaningfully through our head, body and heart.
In this episode we talk about the enneagram's harmonic triads, and how each type brings a different strategy to conflict situations. We also look at examples from the Quran and sunnah of conflict and connection and talk about the importance of working through challenges and seeking support from others.
In this episode we explore how we can use the wisdom of the enneagram and the spiritual teachings of Islam to successfully navigate times of change in community/team settings and also look at examples from Islamic history that offer inspiration for creating successful group dynamics.
This new season will focus on applications of the enneagram to 3 different areas - working with others in community settings, relationships with friends and family, and our own inner healing work. Join us for fresh new content and an opportunity to dive deeper into the wisdom of the Enneagram.
In this episode we explore how enneagram styles play a role in romantic relationships and talk about ways that the framework can be helpful in navigating our relationship with ourselves and others.
In this episode, Najiba, Rehenuma and Nada explore how the enneagram intersects with the workplace. We reflect on aspects of how we show up, what we have learned about our own work style, and how we can be better colleagues to one another using the enneagram lens.
In this episode, Najiba opens with reflections about how the Enneagram can support our spiritual renewal during Ramadan, then discusses with Nada and Rehenuma how they each try to manage the core vice (“passion”) of their types. Together, they discuss the Enneagram principle of levels of development and its parallel with the Islamic concept of the levels of the nafs (the soul/ego/self). The co-hosts share practical ways they try to check their intentions and strive for higher virtues, and closeness to and contentment from God.
In this episode we explore how enneagram types and leadership styles intersect. Rehenuma and Nada share some of their personal reflections on leadership and offer insights on how to use the enneagram lens to serve others and make space for a variety of styles of engagement.
In this episode, we discuss how the enneagram has shaped our lens as parents and how it helps us interact with and support our children's development. When we see the unique perspectives and needs of our kids, we can respond to them with more openness and generosity, and less from a place of fear or needing to control. We also provide some helpful tips for parenting kids of all types.
How can familiarity with the enneagram inform and improve our family relationships at home? In this episode Najiba, Rehenuma and Nada reflect on their own journey with the enneagram and how it transformed their relationships with others in their family systems including parents, children and siblings.
In this episode Najiba and guest co-host Nada Zohdy explore how personality plays a role in community and communal spaces. How can we create spaces that are welcoming for all and honor the variety of needs that we all have? How does making space for this diversity benefit us all?
Join us for this last episode in our series on the nine types in depth. We will explore the journey of type 7, including the childhood story, and share tips for growth and development. We will also connect point 7 back to the 99 Names of Allah and explore the divine qualities that 7s can benefit from connecting with.
In this episode, we explore point 6 on the enneagram. We discuss the childhood story and the characteristics of the personality at point 6. We look at how the 6 grows by stretching towards points 9 and 3, how to use the wings for growth, and discuss spiritual practices that can help 6s find their ground.
In this episode, we explore point 5 on the enneagram. We discuss the childhood story and the characteristics of the personality at point 5. We look at how the 5 grows by stretching towards points 8 and 7, how to use the wings for growth, and discuss spiritual practices that can help 5s thrive.
In this episode, we explore point 4 on the enneagram. We discuss the childhood story and the characteristics of the personality at point 4. We look at how the 4 grows by stretching towards points 1 and 2, how to use the wings for growth, and discuss spiritual practices that can help 4s thrive.
In this episode, we explore point 3 on the enneagram, and how the story of the type centers around performing to earn the love of others. We discuss the childhood story and the characteristics of the personality at point 3. We also look at how the 3 grows by stretching towards points 6 and 9, and how to use the wings for growth.
In this episode we explore point 2 on the enneagram, and how the story developed at this point is about "giving to get." We discuss the childhood story, the lost part of the self, and the characteristics of the personality at point 2. We also look at the 2's developmental path on the circle and how we can utilize Islamic spiritual practices and concepts as part of the growth journey.
In this episode we explore point 1 on the enneagram, and how the story developed at this point is about reforming the self and others as a way to avoid criticism. We discuss the childhood story, the lost part of the self, and the characteristics of the personality at point 1. We also look at the 1's developmental path on the circle and how we can utilize Islamic spiritual practices and concepts as part of the growth journey.
In this episode we explore point 9 on the enneagram, and how the story developed at this point is about accommodating others as a way to create harmony. We discuss the childhood story, the lost part of the self, and the characteristics of the personality at point 9. We also look at the 9's developmental path on the circle, the significance of points 3 and 6, and how we can utilize Islamic spiritual practices and concepts as part of the growth journey.
In this episode we explore point 8 on the enneagram, and how the story developed at this point is about prizing strength over vulnerability. We discuss the childhood story, the lost part of the self (called the Soul Child), and the characteristics of the personality at point 8. We also look at the 8's developmental path on the circle, how to make use of the lines and arrows, and how we can utilize Islamic spiritual practices and concepts as part of the growth journey.
In this episode we explore the three types in the head center, and how they each relate to the core emotion of fear and the search for security. We will look at how each type builds a strategy around this search, as a way to defend against fear. We also take a look at the stories of Imam al Ghazali, Ali ibn Abi Talib (r.a.), and Ibn Batuta and how their life stories reflect some of the characteristics of the head types.
In this episode we explore the three types in the heart center, and how they each relate to the core emotion of shame and the search for worthiness. We will look at how each type builds a strategy around this search, as a way to defend against the emotion of shame. We also take a look at the stories of Khadija, Ayesha, and Fatima - three blessed women who lived alongside the Prophet Muhammad and discuss how their stories reflect aspects of the heart center's key storylines.
In this episode we look at the Intuitive or "Body" Center of the Enneagram, which includes types 8, 9, and 1. We discuss why it is important to recognize the different centers of intelligence and how they types in this center relate to the core emotion of anger. We will also discuss examples of these types in Islamic history, and look at spiritual practices that relate to this center.
In this episode we will take a closer look at the origins of the enneagram and its relationship to Islamic concepts of the purification of the nafs (soul) and the spiritual journey towards God. The enneagram serves as a mirror for us to recognize our state, so that we can begin the work of polishing our hearts from a more honest place.
Join us for our first episode where we talk about how we became enneagram enthusiasts, and what brought us together to start this podcast. We discuss our own entry points into this topic, and how discovering our enneagram type opened up a new lens for us to understand ourselves and others.