Sultans and Sneakers

"History Repeats Itself" is a common trope we all hear but seem to restrict to events. When we study history, we should also look at the people who made it and take lessons where appropriate.  For Muslims in general and Muslim men in particular, there are great lessons to be learned from many of the Ottoman Sultans. On this episode of the podcast, I welcome back Ottoman historian Dr. Yakoob Ahmed to discuss many of those lessons. You can learn more about Dr. Yakoob at https://alqasas.org/ Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Mawlana Kamil Uddin is an instructor at Darul Qasim College with a focus on the sciences of the Qu'ran. He obtained his Alimiyyah degree from the Institute of Islamic Education in Elgin, Illinois. In this episode, we discuss the importance the importance that Darul Qasim College has in the Islamic intellectual landscape and one of Darul Qasim's latest initiatives, the MARS Program.  The MARS (Muslim Academic Revival Series) Program is an online initiative designed to facilitate adult learning across the entire world. The first cohort will launch this Fall 2024. The curricula covers such topics as: Quranic Themes, Islamic Creed, and Hadith Sciences. You can learn more and register at: https://darulqasim.org/mars/ Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by Shaykh Mohammad ElShinawy to discuss the various scenarios Muslim men encounter when talking about religion with non-Muslims. We talk about what it means to be an atheist, what Christians really believe, and the internal struggles people go through that may hinder their acceptance of Islam. Shaykh Mohammad Elshinawy is a Graduate of English Literature at Brooklyn College, NYC. He studied at College of Hadith at the Islamic University of Madinah and is a graduate and instructor of Islamic Studies at Mishkah University. He has translated major works for the International Islamic Publishing House, the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America, and Mishkah University. Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

In this short episode, Shaykh Saad Tasleem and I banter about our sneaker collecting hobby. We share fun stories about how we acquire our shoes and how we deal with wives who may not understand why we buy so many sneakers. Sneaker photo in thumbnail credited to: Joel Muniz from Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@jmuniz?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash) To support the channel, please consider becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers

Shaykh Saad Tasleem is a graduate of the Islamic University of Madinah Faculty of Shariah and is an instructor with AlMaghrib Institute. He also is the founder of a clothing brand, the Saad Tasleem Collection which can be found online at https://www.saadtasleem.com/ Losing parents is something we all have to come to grips with and its inevitability doesn't make it any easier to process. In this episode, Shaykh Saad tells us what he went through when he lost both his mother and father within a 33 day span. We also discuss issues affecting married couples as there is a rise in divorce amongst long-term married couples. Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Shaykh Abdullah Oduro is a Ghanian-American convert to Islam who graduated from the Faculty of Shariah at the Islamic University of Madinah. He is also a Senior Fellow at Yaqeen Institute and hosts the Iman Cave YouTube series for Yaqeen. In this episode of the podcast, we talked about how men should utilize fitness to overcome the distress of divorce, how embracing discomfort is critical to masculine development, and much more.  To learn more about Shaykh Abdullah and engage his work, you can go to https://www.abdullahoduro.com/ Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Imam Tom Facchine of Yaqeen Institute returns to the podcast to break down the concept of innovation in Islam. Tom talks about his studies at the Islamic University of Madinah and how his understanding evolved over the years. We specifically cover the issue of the Mawlid (the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)'s birth) and discuss it from various angles. Tom Facchine accepted Islam in his early twenties. He holds a BA in Political Science from Vassar College (2011) and a BA in Islamic Law from the Islamic University of Madinah (2020). He also holds a chaplaincy certificate from The Chaplaincy Program conducted by the Prophet's Mosque (2019). You can find Tom on his various social media channels (Instagram, Twitter) at ImamTomFacchine and for serious inquiries, you can email him at imamtomfacchine@gmail.com Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

For the second time on the podcast, I was joined by Dr. Yasir Qadhi. Shaykh Yasir is someone who needs little introduction as he is one of the leading Muslim public intellectuals in the world. We discussed topics such as: -His motivations in studying Islam -His mindset when juggling secular studies with his aspirations for higher Islamic studies -His favorite hobbies -What he would study today if he had more bandwidth -How he's managing social media and his approach to armchair critics Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

For the second time on the podcast, I was joined by Dr. Yasir Qadhi. Shaykh Yasir is someone who needs little introduction as he is one of the leading Muslim public intellectuals in the world. We discussed topics such as: -His motivations in studying Islam -His mindset when juggling secular studies with his aspirations for higher Islamic studies -His favorite hobbies -What he would study today if he had more bandwidth -How he's managing social media and his approach to armchair critics Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Shaykh Hasib Noor is the Founder and Director of The Legacy Institute. He is also among the founders of Faith. Global, which is a global platform for creating faith-based community spaces. He studied Islam formally at the Islamic University of Madinah College of Islamic Law. He has a special interest in the archaelogical sites and historical landmarks related to the life events of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). As a resident of the holy city of Madinah, he is well known for his walking tours that he provides to those performing Hajj and Umrah in the sacred precincts of Makkah and Madinah. In this episode of the podcast, we discussed priorities and approaches to learning Islam in the West, specifically from the viewpoint of a Muslim man who is juggling multiple priorities. You can learn more about Shaykh Hasib's work at https://legacy.institute/ Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Shaykh Mustafa Umar is a returning guest to the podcast; he is an Islamic scholar from Southern California who is the youngest executive member of the Fiqh Council of North America. He studied Islam in India, Egypt, France, and the UK. In this episode, we talk about the first annual Men's Conference he is helping to organize in Southern California. We discuss the importance of such an event due to the challenges Muslim men are facing.  The Men's Conference will be held on January 13, 2024 at the Islamic Center of Irvine.  You can register for onsite or online at:  https://www.facebook.com/786ICOI/ This podcast also covers topics like: -Why is masculinity always framed as toxic? -What are the marital challenges men are facing? -Why are men (and people in general) overwhelmed and what can we do to break out of this cycle? Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Dr. Haroon Sidat is a student of knowledge in the Islamic sciences. After completing the memorization of the Qu'ran, he completed the traditional Darsi-i Nizami curriculum and then pursued his secular education in Economics and Finance along with an MA in Education. He also has a PhD in Religion and Theology. He is a Research Associate at Cardiff University in the UK. In this episode of the podcast, we talked about the mindset required to construct a Jannah-focused life. We also discussed what it means to build confidence, requirements for the laity in studying Islam, how Muslims can contribute to Western society and much more. Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Shaykh Hamzah Maqbul is the resident scholar for Ribat, a center of Islamic education and dhikr based out of the greater Chicagoland area. He did his formal education at the University of Washington and pursued traditional Islamic studies across the Muslim world; in Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, U.A.E., and Pakistan. He is also currently collaborating with the Imam Ghazali Institute. In this timely episode of the podcast, we discuss various points regarding his recent treatise "Mawlawi's Guide to Ghazzah". Shaykh Hamzah discusses the history of the turmoil in the Holy Land and offers pragmatic advice for Western Muslims on how to benefit their brethren in Palestine. This episode was recorded on Sunday October 22, 2023 and is releasing on Sunday October 29, 2023. To learn more about Shaykh Hamzah and his work, you can go to: https://ribat.org/ The currently 3 part treatise on Gaza can be accessed at: https://ribat.org/blog Shaykh Hamzah's audio lectures and khutbahs can be found at: https://soundcloud.com/hmaqbul Please leave a 5 star review and consider becoming a Patron at: https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers

Shaykh Ismail Kamdar is the founder of Islamic Self Help and Izzah Academy.  He completed the Alimiyyah Program in 2006, and a BA in Islamic Studies in 2014, specializing in Fiqh, Tafsir, and History.  Currently his full time day job is as Research Operations Manager at Yaqeen Institute.  He is the author of over a dozen books in the fields of Islamic Studies and personal development. Due to his work in the personal development and self-help space, I walked him through a typical week for me and asked him to audit it.  The results and discussion were very eye opening for me and I hope it's beneficial for all who listen. You can learn more about Shaykh Ismail at his website, https://www.islamicselfhelp.com/ To support the channel, please consider becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts with a 5 star review or a 5 star review on Spotify or anywhere else you listen to podcasts.  

Back on the episode for a second time is Dr. Mohamed Ghilan. He is someone who has managed to excel in both the Islamic sciences and his professional career and exemplifies a model of the "Deep Life". Mohamed has had a unique spiritual journey and is familiar with various methodologies of spirituality within Islam. For this reason, I wanted to have an open conversation about how one finds a spiritual path that works for them. You can learn more about his work at https://alandalusacademy.com/ Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.   To support the channel financially, consider becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers

My family and I attended the Al-Maqasid Summer Retreat from August 7, 2023 to August 13, 2023. It was one of the best experiences we have ever done together as a family. In this rare solo episode of the podcast, I share my full review. *One slight edit: In the episode I refer to Imam Ahmad Mashur Al-Haddad. The proper title he is referred to is: Habib Ahmad Mashur Al-Haddad. My apologies. You can learn more about Al-Maqasid at: https://www.almaqasid.org/ Please leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts! To support the channel financially, consider becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers

Habeeb Quadri is the superintendent of MCCA (Muslim Community Center Academy) schools, one of the largest and long-standing Islamic schools in the country. He also serves as part-time staff at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In this episode, we discuss how he got into his field, issues surrounding modern-day education, how Islamic schools can keep leveling up, a father's role in their children's education, the legacy his father has built in Chicago, and how Habeeb came to terms with his own mortality as a result of his cancer diagnosis a few years ago.

In this episode of the podcast, I had the privilege of chatting with Dr. Salah Sharief, who is an entrepreneur, academic, and student of the Islamic sciences. He is the Founder and CEO of Kalaam Halal Audio and the Founder of Wordsmiths Editing. Currently, he is residing in Cairo, Egypt where he is continuing his pursuit of Islamic studies. We discussed several topics including productivity, time management, his relationship with Shaykh Akram Nadwi, the challenges of pursuing sacred knowledge in a social media age, and where the best place to live for a Muslim right now is. The timing of this release is coinciding with one of his most anticipated projects; his written adaptation of Shaykh Yasir Qadhi's Seerah series. Currently the book is available in the UK at https://www.kubepublishing.com/collections/2023/products/the-sirah-of-the-prophet Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Shaykh Ismail Alqadi is a Qari (professional reciter of the Qu'ran) from Amman, Jordan. He learned the various sciences related to the recitation of the Qu'ran from several teachers and has an ijazah and sanad in the ten different narrations of the Qu'ran. He also has a degree in Islamic studies majoring in Fiqh and Usul. In this podcast, Shaykh Ismail introduces the topic of maqamat, which refers to a system of melodic modes used to recite the Qu'ran. He walks us through examples of maqamat and the context that best suits their usage. We also discuss how he developed his own style and his foray into the singing of nasheeds (Islamic songs). For more information on maqamat, Shaykh Ibrahim Bakeer is a great resource.  He gives a great overview in this interview with Nouman Ali Khan which can be found at: https://youtu.be/IhKCWeHpwlk Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Mawlana Saaleh Baseer is a brilliant young scholar of Hanafi law and Mughal history from the Bay Area. After completing his memorization of the Qu'ran, he received his Alim degree from Darul Uloom Azaadville in South Africa. Afterwards he went on to pursue a Bachelor's degree from Columbia University where he majored in History. Most recently he has completed a Master's from the University of Chicago and is wrapping up his studies at Darul Qasim College where he has trained to be a mufti(scholar qualified to give legal rulings). Mawlana Saaleh has been able to disperse his passion of Mughal history to others in America, particularly those of South-Asian descent. In this episode, he walks us through his life story, his pursuit of Islamic knowledge and how he came across the Mughal Empire. We also cover other topics such as the importance of mentorship and having the right teachers to progress one's education. Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

On this episode of the podcast, I bring back Shaykh Umair Haseeb to talk all things Ramadan.  What do we do if we don't prep at all? How do we navigate Ramadan when we're struggling with sins? How do sages of today approach Ramadan? Shaykh Umair is a graduate of Al-Qayrawayin University in Fes, Morocco and is currently serving as Director of Religious Affairs for Ta'leef Collective.   (Re-released with improved audio on 3/26/2023, Original Release: 3/20/2023) Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

In this pre-Ramadan episode, I bring back Shaykh Umair Haseeb to talk all things Ramadan. What do we do if we don't prep at all? How do we navigate Ramadan when we're struggling with sins? How do sages of today approach Ramadan? Shaykh Umair is a graduate of Al-Qayrawayin University in Fes, Morocco and is currently serving as Director of Religious Affairs for Ta'leef Collective. Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Dr. Yakoob Ahmed is an Ottoman historian with a specialization in late Ottomon history. He received his Ph.D. from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London and he currently teaches at Istanbul University in Turkiye. I had a chance to sit down with Dr. Yakoob after I attended a weekend seminar he did in Chicago on Ottoman history. We discussed his origin story, his identity as a "Londoner", how he developed empathy for others, and biases that Western academics operate from..amongst other things. Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

In this episode, I bring back my good friend Nabeel Azeez who's a Dubai based copywriter to talk about his latest project, "40 Hadith on Masculinity: How to be a Good Man". We discuss how he went about commissioning the project and tackled a few examples of things related to masculinity that content creators struggle with. We also discussed his foray into boxing and the "MuslimMan" brand he is cultivating. To purchase the book you can go to https://muslimman.com/book Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Jumha Aburezeq is an active entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of StoopidFit. To date, he's helped over 1000 people across the world gain freedom with their body, mind and food with his trademark 3 Phase Fat Loss System. To connect with Jumha and learn more about his programming, go to: https://stoopidfit.com/ Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

John Kiser is a former international technology broker and author. He wrote "Commander of the Faithful: The Life and Times of Emir Abd el-Kader, A Story of True Jihad". I had the chance to discuss the character of Emir Abd el-Kader with John and we talked about the lessons that people today can take away from his life. Currently, John enjoys raising pigs on his farm in Virginia (hence the title of the show). To learn more about John and his works, please go to www.johnwkiser.com His previous books include "Communist Entreprenuers: Unknown Innovators in the Global Economy", "Stefan Zweig: Death of a Modern Man" and "Monks of Tibhirine: Faith, Love and Terror in Algeria". Link to "Commander of the Faithful" on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Commander-Faithful-Life-Times-el-Kader/dp/0982324669/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3N9YPQLVEI4JR&keywords=john+w+kiser&qid=1675649707&sprefix=john+w+kiser%2Caps%2C286&sr=8-1 Resources for "Sultans and Sneakers" Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Shaykh Umer Khan is a rare individual who has excelled in both corporate America as well as Islamic studies. Up until recently, he was the VP of Information Technology and Security at SpaceX, where he reported directly to Elon Musk. He recently left to become Chief Information and Security Officer at another firm. While progressing through his corporate career, Shaykh Umer decided to pursue his Islamic studies passion and has completed study of the Arabic language, memorization of the Qu'ran, two Alim programs and received his Ifta license from Darul Ilm Birmingham, granting him the traditional title of 'Mufti'. In this episode, I pick his brain about how he approached his career and how he was able to manage his time to effectively add the second full-time job of Islamic scholar to his already full plate. For more details on his Islamic studies bio, please check out https://www.shaykhx.com/  Resources for 'Sultans and Sneakers' Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Andrew Tate's conversion to Islam has sparked a discourse in the Muslim community regarding the conversion of individuals who are coming to Islam from a past life that seems antithetical to Islamic teachings. In this panel, we discuss Tate's conversion from various angles with Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, Shaykh Mustafa Umar and Nabeel Azeez. All three of my panelists have been guests on the podcast so they need no introduction. Nabeel Azeez provides the unique perspective of having known Andrew Tate and his brother for several years. In the episode we allude to an article written by Dr. Abdullah. You can read that article here:  https://www.almadina.org/studio/articles/prophetic-pugilism-the-freedom-principle Resources for 'Sultans and Sneakers' Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Subhi Saadeh is a quality engineer, triathlete/marathoner, podcaster and coffee aficionado. He works in the pharmaceutical industry and is the host of the Combinate Podcast, a show that's focused on Quality in BioTech and MedTech. In this episode, we discuss Subhi's approach to work and learning. He shares how his discipline spreads out to other aspects of his life such as training for marathons and triathlons. Resources for 'Sultans and Sneakers' Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Paul Williams is a blogger and bibliophile based out of London and the South of France. He hosts the popular YouTube channel Blogging Theology,  which has reached over 170,000 subscribers at the time of this recording. In this episode we talk about why Blogging Theology has been so popular in the day and age of clickbait videos. We also explore how to understand Christians and Christianity through a Muslim lens and Paul provides valuable insight as a former Christian. To support this channel, please consider becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers  

After listening to Cal Newport's "Digital Minimalism" on Audible, I went on a 30 day plan to reduce my social media intake. In this short episode, I talk about what I did and what the results were. You can learn more about the book here: https://www.calnewport.com/books/digital-minimalism/

Shaykh Mustafa Umar is the founder and president of California Islamic University, the Director of Education and Outreach at the Islamic Institute of Orange County, an executive member of the Fiqh council of North America, and most recently a Research Fellow at Yaqeen Institute. He began his Islamic studies overseas in India and Egypt before obtaining a B.A. in Theology and Islamic Law from the European Institute of Islamic Sciences in France and an M.A. in Islamic Studies from the University of Gloucestershire in the UK. He also has a B.S. in Information and Computer Science from the University of California-Irvine. In this episode we cover a number of topics: -How he focused on completing his Computer Science degree when he wanted to study Islam -Benefitting from exposure to 20th century thinkers like Abul A'la Mawdudi and Sayyid Qutb - The trap of escapism that people fall into with regards to social media and entertainment -Breaking down both old and new topics in Islamic law such as: Zabiha Meat, Mortgages, Lab-made Meat and Service Animals in Mosques - -His life journey exploring various martial arts You can connect with him at https://askthescholars.com/about/ Resources related to Sultans and Sneakers: Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers    

This episode discusses the overall shift of the Sultans and Sneakers podcast platform as I attempt to have more conversations around what author and professor Cal Newport refers to as the "Deep Life". In summary, it's defined as "living a life that has radical alignment with your core values". Getting into that, it's also a life that is very intentional and avoids distractions. Naveed Husain is my guest for this podcast; he is a managing partner at Farooqi and Husain LLC, where he specializes in family law, estate planning and business litigation.  He has a YouTube channel that covers marriage and divorce issues for Muslims.  My conversation with Naveed enters around different angles where Muslim guys can think about implementing the "Deep Life" for themselves. We discuss Qu'ran memorization, becoming a better reader, social media use, study of the Islamic sciences, tasawwuf (Islamic spirituality) and several other topics. To support the channel please consider becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers

In this shorter segment recorded after a main podcast, Hassan Shibly talks about his experience of praying at the janazah of Shaykh Muhammad AlShareef (rahimahullah) and how his last minute trip to Hajj materialized this year.

Ahmed Khan is the host of "The Creative Minority" podcast, which seeks to engage with contemporary intellectual issues ranging from but not included to politics, philosophy, theology, sociology, metaphysics, ethics, history, medicine and others. I recently learned about Ahmed's channel after speaking to Dr. Mohamed Ghilan and he recommended I check it out. What appealed to me is that Ahmed is getting beyond surface level conversations and getting deep with his guests, most of who not all have Ph.D's in their specialty. He does a great job of bringing in subject matter experts. This podcast was recorded primarily for his channel and we agreed to post to both of our platforms as a collaboration. Resources related to Sultans and Sneakers: Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Today's atmosphere amongst Muslims who consider themselves practicing has become a divided landscape. One of the main factors in that is how American Muslim leaders have engaged with media, Muslim politicians and other entities in an increasingly left-leaning climate. I am joined on this episode with three noteworthy leaders in the American Muslim community: Dr. Yasir Qadhi, Dr. Shadee Elmasry, and Hassan Shibly to hash through these issues. Resources related to Sultans and Sneakers: Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

On this livestream episode (originally done on YouTube), I talk about my personal story with AlMaghrib Institute and my interactions with Shaykh Muhammad AlShareef (May God have mercy upon him) who recently passed away suddenly at the age of 47.   I am joined as well by Mort from "MuzzyBuzz" and "The Mad Mamluks".   To support this channel you can become a Patron at www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers I would also appreciate a 5 star review on ITunes or Spotify.  

Tom Facchine accepted Islam in his early twenties. He holds a BA in Political Science from Vassar College (2011) and a BA in Islamic Law from the Islamic University of Madinah (2020). He also holds a chaplaincy certificate from The Chaplaincy Program conducted by the Prophet's Mosque (2019). Tom is currently the Imam and Program Director of Utica Masjid in NY, and the Imam of Hamilton College. He also teaches Tafseer to middle-schoolers online through Legacy International Online High School. In this episode, I talk to Imam Tom about the details of his knowledge journey after he accepted Islam. Check out the YouTube channel of his masjid at: www.youtube.com/uticamasjid Resources related to Sultans and Sneakers: Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers  

Imam Dawood Yasin is the Director of Student Life and Center for Ethical Living and Learning at Zaytuna College.  He studied the Islamic sciences at the Abu Nour Institute in Damascus, Syria while also holding a BA in Community Studies from UMass-Boston and an MA in Liberal Studies and Globalization Studies from Dartmouth College.  He's well known for leading a sustainable lifestyle and his never ending pursuit of various hobbies which includes hunting and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.    In this episode, we discuss the crisis that many married men fall into after starting a family.  We talk about why men stop working on themselves and the importance of finding productive hobbies and continuing personal development well after marriage.   You can follow Dawood on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dawood_yasin/ Resources related to Sultans and Sneakers: Patreon:  https://patreon.com/sultansandsneakers YouTube:  www.youtube.com/sultansandsneakers Instagram:  https://instagram.com/sultansandsneakers Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

In light of the recent overturning of Roe vs. Wade, many Muslims have found themselves thrown into the middle of the abortion debate. For this episode, I brought in two individuals who are respected in the North American community for their knowledge and leadership to help navigate the issue. Shaykh Joe Bradford is an entrepreneur and American scholar of Islam. He has a Master of Islamic Law from the Islamic University of Madinah. Shaykh Joe's specialty is in Islamic finance and he focuses his efforts on creating companies that allow people of faith to align their values with their finances. He is also the co-founder of MyWassiyah.com, which helps Muslims with estate planning and wills. He is based out of Houston, Texas. You can learn more about him at https://www.joebradford.net/ Shaykh Hamzah Maqbul is a native of the West Coast where he obtained his bachelor's degree in biochemistry and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Washington in Seattle. After graduation, Shaykh Hamzah traveled throughout the Muslim world studying Arabic, Islamic law, grammar, sciences of hadith, and recitations of the Qu'ran. His studies took him to Mauritania, Syria, Egypt, U.A.E., Morocco and Pakistan. His studies culminated in him receiving an ijazat al-tadris, meaning "license to teach" which is the equivalent in Pakistani Islamic seminaries to a MA in Arabic and Islamic studies. He is based out of Chicago and teaches out of the non-profit organization, Ribat. You can learn more about Ribat at https://ribat.org/ If you'd like to support the podcast you can become a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers For any questions or comments you can e-mail me at info@sultansandsneakers.com Follow on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sultansandsneakers/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sultansnsnkrs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sultansandsneakers

Hassan Shibly is a Civil Rights Attorney based out of Tampa, Florida.  He is best known in his role as the former Executive Director for CAIR-Florida.  As a victim of defamation himself, he provides a unique perspective on the recent Johnny Depp - Amber Heard trial.  He specifically highlights what Muslims in this day and age need to learn from such events.   If you'd like to support the podcast you can become a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers For any questions or comments you can e-mail me at info@sultansandsneakers.com Follow on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sultansandsneakers/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sultansnsnkrs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sultansandsneakers    

Tricia Pethic is a chaplain based out of upstate New York.  Raised in a blue-collar Democratic family and having campaigned for Senator Bernie Sanders, Tricia finds herself leaning more right on several critical issues of our day namely with regards to sexual ethics and abortion.  She also has a unique 'pro-life' stance on the gun issue.  We discuss these issues on this episode. You can find her writings at:  https://beyondthesurface.substack.com/ She is also on Twitter at the handle @TheCivilMuslim and Facebook/Instagram @ChapTricia If you'd like to support the podcast you can become a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers You can also follow the channel on IG and Facebook @sultansandsneakers and Twitter:  @SultansNSnkrs

Arthur Richards is a Jamaican-American convert to Islam who resides in Abu Dhabi, UAE.  He currently is the Chief Marketing Officer for Mecca Books and is also a teacher for Markaz Imam Malik.   In this episode, we talk about Arthur's upbringing, conversion to Islam, the importance of Hijrah, and the methodology of studying Islam. 

For this show, I sat down with Darrick, a brother I met on Twitter who goes by the handle @redpillmuslim We talk about his upbringing in foster homes, the search for his biological parents, joining the military, conversion to Islam and how he formulates his political positions.   He walks us through his thought process in explaining the current Russia-Ukraine conflict and finally we discuss some of our common influences in the manosphere. You can support the channel at www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers  

Taken from an IG Live done in February 2022 where I chopped it with my good friend, Umair Haseeb on the relationship between sartorialism and spirituality, specifically from the Islamic context. Umair is a young student of knowledge who graduated from the Qayrawayin University in Fes, Morocco and is continuing studies at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.  He's also well known for his fine taste in men's clothing.  

Gareth Bryant is a writer, poet, chaplain, and part-time model based out of New York City.  For this live stream, we discussed the passing of Kevin Samuels and waht the appropriate response should be for his passing.   We also discussed the recent leak of Roe v. Wade and the Islamic position on abortion.  

This episode is from a YouTube live stream I hosted right after hitting 1,000 subscribers!  Did a quick Ramadan recap, discussed the direction of the podcast amongst other things.   To support the channel as a Patreon go to: https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers

Back from a holiday and COVID hiatus...I had the opportunity to facilitate a conversation between Umar Lee and Ubaydullah Evans on the state of American Muslims. Ubaydullah Evans is the Scholar-in-Residence at ALIM (American Learning Initiative for Muslims). He converted to Islam in high school and went on to obtain his degree in Shariah from Al-Azhar University in Egypt. He is also active with the Inner City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) and Ta'leef Collective in Chicago. Umar Lee is a writer, media personality and political activist from St. Louis, Missouri. He converted to Islam 30 years ago in 1992. He is a previous guest on the podcast. The topics we discussed are: -The ethics of accepting converts into a dysfunctional community -Are most white converts identity seekers? -The decline of Black American Islam -Racism and Classism amongst South Asians and Arabs -When piety becomes extremism -When pushing a fake image of religiosity leads to mental health problems -Muslims proclivity to conspiracy theories You can support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers

Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali is a scholar of Islamic law with field specialties in Islamic Theology as well as Race and Blackness Studies in Muslim History. His research interests include the interconnection between law and identity formation, comparative Islamic law, and Islam's role in the modern world.  He is an associate professor at Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California.   Dr. Abdullah is well known for his inclination towards conservative views especially over the last few years.  In this podcast, I wanted to explore the rationale behind his political philosophy.  We also get into the current issue of the COVID-19 vaccine and the concept of vaccine mandates.   You can follow Dr. Abdullah's work at https://lamppostedu.org/ and his Twitter and IG are both under @BinHamidAli If you're enjoying the podcast, please consider becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/SultansandSneakers and leave a 5 star review on iTunes.  The video version of this podcast is available on the Sultans and Sneakers YouTube Channel which can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8nN9RSnLs08M87yEZppwaA

Omar Durrani is a chess coach based out of South Florida. He cut his teeth in the chess world growing up in Columbus, Ohio before picking up on teaching chess during his undergraduate years as a way to pay the bills. He found himself teaching chess to kids in a small town in Ohio where he came across the children of comedian Dave Chappelle, who in turn became some of his top students. He coached these kids to back to back Ohio high school state championships at the Queen City Classic in both 2018 and 2019. In this episode, we discuss Omar's foray into public speaking via TED Talks, his background in chess and he also shares many interesting insights on the history of chess. Omar was featured in "The Columbus Dispatch" at https://www.dispatch.com/entertainmen... He also has two popular TED Talks available on YouTube: "Finding Love in Arranged Marriages" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNyi6... "All Roads to Success begins with Chess" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu2iJ... If you are enjoying the content please consider becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers

Estela Rodriguez-Jebril is a sex coach and licensed therapist. In this episode, we discussed how various religious traditions and cultures approach sex, the issues men and women have with regards to intimacy and why polygamy is a solution that should be normalized and utilized in our society. You can check out her YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/user/Estela39/featured Her show, "Let's Talk about Sex" on British Muslim TV can be found at:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPW6DPCy_o_nDBliKEiTcc7sRSMu2FJsL If you are enjoying the channel, please consider becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/sultansandsneakers Links for Sultans and Sneakers: YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8nN9RSnLs08M87yEZppwaA IG:  https://www.instagram.com/sultansandsneakers/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SultansNSnkrs Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sultansandsneakers