Imad ad-Din Zengi revives hope by capturing Edessa, but is quickly assassinated, causing new despair. His son, Nur ad-Din, emerges: a king raised by scholars. He shifts the state from power (dawla) to faith (din) and abolishes all unjust taxes. But can he truly unite Damascus and Aleppo before the Second Crusade returns for revenge?

Leaders were rising—and being buried. But behind the chaos, scholars were laying foundations history rarely credits. This episode reveals the scholarly blueprint that produced Salahuddin—from Ibn Khashab’s urgent resistance to Imam al-Ghazali’s generational reform.

Some of the most important battles in life are fought in silence—against Shaytan, against envy, and within our own hearts. This lecture explores the quiet daily struggles that shape our faith, character, and resilience. Learn how to protect your heart, resist unseen opposition, and stay grounded in sincerity while striving for success—all for the sake of Allah.

Palestine has led many to Islam. Just in the last few weeks, long-term activist for Palestine, Robert Martin, embraced the faith after many years of working among Muslims. In this Gaza Diaries interview with Dr. Omar Suleiman, Martin recalls his earliest visits to the Holy Land, when he was warmly welcomed everywhere he went, to his recent experience on the Freedom Flotilla.

Social media is built to be addictive. It harms our mental health and damages our self-worth. We all know this...but it's still so hard to disconnect. Join Dr. Tesneem Alkiek and host Qaanitah Hunter to explore the dangers (and some of the benefits) that social media adds to our lives and learn practical ways to build a healthier relationship with it

Before Jerusalem fell, something else collapsed first. The First Crusade wasn’t won because the Crusaders were stronger or more numerous. It succeeded through discipline, organization, and psychological warfare—while the Muslim world was divided by rival rulers, short-term thinking, and emotional reactions without strategy. This episode traces that collapse from Europe’s mobilization to Antioch, Ma‘arra, and the fall of Jerusalem in 1099. More importantly, it asks the uncomfortable questio...

Allah tests His servants in different ways, and what may feel like punishment can often be a path to growth, purification, and deeper faith. In this khutbah, Dr. Omar Suleiman explains how challenges can serve as a form of refinement, drawing you closer to Allah and shaping you into a better believer.

Is hustle culture toxic? Like so much else, it’s a confusing mix of good and bad. Ambition, hard work, and high aspirations are noble, but they need to be kept in perspective. When our goals for the dunya start to outweigh our efforts for the akhirah, or when we push ourselves so hard we burn out, it’s time to stop and ask: Why? In this episode of Real Talk, reflect with Dr. Tesneem Alkiek on why culture pushes us to work so hard and whether that’s really the best way forward.

What does Islam say about karma? In what ways do our past actions affect our present and future? Listen to this khutbah by Dr. Omar Suleiman to gain deeper insight on the connections between our actions and their consequences.

Is Islam defined by men? It’s a question many Muslim women wrestle with—but maybe it’s the wrong question to begin with. Women have played an indispensable role in shaping the Islamic tradition. From hadith transmitters and legal scholars to the teachers of imams, Muslim women were never sidelined by the religion itself—even if some voices have drowned them out. In this episode, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek and host Qaanitah Hunter reframe the conversation, reminding us that while the path forward may ...

Before Salahuddin could unite the Muslim world, earlier leaders had to address deep internal divisions. When radical groups like the Qarmatians stole the Black Stone and extremist factions terrorized scholars, visionaries like Nizam al-Mulk responded by building institutions—the Nizamiyya schools—that would educate the generation of scholars who would guide leaders like Nur al-Din and Salahuddin. Sign up for exclusive updates on this series: https://yqn.io/231b80 0:00 - The worst ti...

What does it mean when Allah “hits” you with a consequence? The Prophet ﷺ taught that when Allah wants good for a servant, He hastens the purification of their sins in this life. What does that mean for us today?

Marriage is weighed down by so many expectations. His rights, your rights, cultural norms, social pressure, mahr debates, Islamic rulings… how do you even begin the conversation without getting overwhelmed? In this episode, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek and host Qaanitah Hunter unpack the topic of marriage through examples from the Seerah, showing how Islam gives us breathing room to approach marriage with calm and clarity.

Dr. Omar Suleiman explores the second defining quality of Ibad ur-Rahman (Servants of the Most Merciful): those who embody forbearance (hilm) and composure when confronted by ignorance or provocation. “When the ignorant address them, they only respond with peace.” — Qur’an 25:63 What does it mean to stay calm when you’re tested? How do we respond to rudeness, mockery, or anger without losing our dignity? Through stories of the Prophet ﷺ and the early believers, Dr. Omar Suleiman reveals tha...

What is the foundation of true unity? Is it shared heritage, culture, or even family ties? This lecture by Dr. Omar Suleiman highlights that genuine unity is rooted in piety and the collective striving for goodness. Learn why the most effective way to help an oppressor is to stop their oppression—and how this principle becomes the basis for working together in truth. This isn't just a discussion about community; it's a profound challenge to redefine your understanding of unity and solidarity...

Ten episodes, three days, and numb legs. In this bonus session, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek and host Qaanitah Hunter spill the secrets of filming Real Talk and discuss everything from first impressions to high school awkwardnes to maintaining trust in the timing of Allah. True to title, the two get very real. Sign up for email updates: https://yqn.io/dfebff

What does it mean to walk the earth lightly? In this opening lecture of the Ibad al-Rahman: Servants of the Most Merciful series, Dr. Omar Suleiman explores the very first quality that Allah attributes to His most beloved servants — humility. “The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly…” — Surah al-Furqan, 25:63 Dr. Omar explains how true faith begins not only in the heart, but appears in the way we move, speak, and carry ourselves. Through reflections on the...

Are you feeling bored, distracted, or emotionally flat in your worship? Explore why believers sometimes feel disconnected or weary in their salah, duʿāʾ, and dhikr, and how to revive sincerity and spiritual energy. This khutbah also offers a deep and practical explanation of the profound hadith: “Allah does not tire until you tire,” clarifying its meaning and what it teaches us about consistency, balance, and Divine mercy.

Of all the ways of Muhāsabah (holding ourselves accountable) this is the most unique. How do we work on ourselves before our own bodies speak on the Day of Judgment. Our limbs, our eyes, our hearing, our tongues, and even our desires are recording every step, every glance, and every word.

When everyone said “me, me,” the Prophet ﷺ said “my ummah, my ummah.” He cried for his followers and made du‘a for people he never met — including you. The Prophet ﷺ taught us that when you pray for others, angels reply: “Ameen, and for you the same.” So expand your du‘a. Pray for the ummah, for the oppressed, for those who’ll never know your name. When you pray beyond yourself, Allah expands your heart. Watch till the end to learn how the Prophet ﷺ’s example can transform your du’a.