You see that old memory pop up on your phone… and for a second, you don't even recognize the person you used to be. If you feel a weird distance between who you were and who you're becoming, you're not alone. On this powerful episode of Beyond The Shahada, Bree Shaaban is breaking the ultimate taboo: the internal civil war that leads women to take off the hijab. We're exposing the sneaky double standards you've definitely noticed (why is his awrah a 'suggestion' and hers a 'mandatory law'?) and the crushing guilt of the "Performance Trap", where your outfit tells a story of perfection your soul can't live up to, making you feel like a "fraud." This isn't about rejecting faith. It's about the exhausting weight of everyone's expectations and the desperate search for an authentic identity. If you've ever felt the pressure of the "Modesty Police," wondered "where do I fit in?", or crumbled under the praise for a piety you don't feel, this conversation is your lifeline. You are seen, you are understood, and you are not a bad Muslim for struggling.   IN THIS EPISODE: + Shop the full range of home decor and accessories at: www.nestandnoor.com.au + Enter code: beyond for 20% off site-wide. + Please reach out to someone you trust if you're struggling with the hijab, or your journey in faith. + Contact me on all platforms @beyondtheshahada   #Hijab #Muslimah #IdentityCrisis #Modesty #Islam #FaithJourney #SpiritualBurnout #BeyondTheShahada

Think you know Islam? In this longer deep-dive, Bree Shaaban (ex-Christian, now Muslim) unpacks 15 things most people don’t know, perfect for curious Christians, new/revert Muslims, and anyone who wants clear, evidence-based explanations without the fluff. What you’ll learn (fast): It started in a cave: Why the first command was “Read” and how the Quran was revealed over 23 years and not “all at once.” Seal of Prophethood (Q 33:40): Why Muhammad ﷺ is the final messenger with no sequels, no “new revelations.” Hadith = receipts: How isnaad (chains of narration) and hadith science authenticated what the Prophet said and did. Angels & the unseen realm: Jibril (Gabriel), Mika'il (Michael), and why angels are not Cupid. Jinn explained: Who they are, what they can/can’t do, and the chapter in Quran named after them. Barzakh: The “in-between” state from death to Resurrection and why it matters for accountability and hope. Quran & science: Embryology stages, mountains as stabilizers, ocean layers, and an expanding universe, all verses that invite reflection, not blind faith. Islam = a way of life: Prayer, charity, ethics in business, family rights, community care, and stewardship of the earth. Seeking knowledge is mandatory (for men & women): From Fatima al-Fihri (founder of the world’s first university) to your daily study routine. All the Companions were reverts: A diverse first community that preserved the message. Khadijah (RA): First to accept Islam, a powerhouse businesswoman, and a 25-year monogamous marriage with the Prophet ﷺ. Aisha (RA): Scholar, leader, and yes, she loved pink/saffron. Prohibitions = protections: Why bans on alcohol, gambling, usury, and backbiting guard hearts and societies. Polygyny, clarified: Limits, justice conditions (“marry only one” if you can’t be fair), and the social-welfare context. Charity multiplies wealth: How giving brings barakah and real-world benefits. Who this is for: Christians exploring what Muslims actually believe New/revert Muslims building a solid foundation Anyone comparing faith claims with history and sources Why listen:Warm and relatable explanations you can share, and a clear path to dig deeper without feeling talked down to. New schedule: Longer episodes every other week.If this helped, please follow/subscribe, rate the show, and share it with someone who’s curious about Islam. Clips & extras on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, al @beyondtheshahada.

In this episode of Beyond the Shahada, Bree walks you through the emotional roller-coaster of sharing your new faith with family and friends. Whether you’re a fresh revert wrestling with midnight panic or riding the post-shahada honeymoon high, you’ll discover how to: Break through fear and rehearse the “headline” - not a ten-minute speech Anchor your confidence in quick, heart-centered duas Turn potential conflict into genuine connection with non-preachy conversation moves Show compassion for loved ones as they process your transformation Ground your strength Packed with real-life examples, “Curiosity First” prompts, and relatable analogies, this episode is your roadmap from anxiety to authentic, anchored faith. Tune in, share with a fellow revert, and learn how to keep your relationships strong as you live Islam, one calm conversation at a time.

In this episode, I share how my relationship with God transformed after walking away from Christianity and, later, embracing Islam. I didn’t leave Christianity for Islam. I left because something felt wrong. The worship felt like performance. The Trinity never made sense. And the emotional highs of church didn’t bring lasting connection with God. Years later, Islam gave me the clarity I had been searching for: one God, no middlemen, no confusion - just real worship. In this episode, I talk about:• Why my “faith” in Christianity felt emotionally charged but spiritually disconnected• The difference between church worship and Islamic worship• How sujood (prostration) humbled me and brought real closeness to God• Why Christians say “you were never really saved” when you question their beliefs• And what I discovered when I stopped performing and started submitting This is for anyone questioning their connection to God, stuck between confusion and clarity.   🎧 Subscribe to Beyond the Shahada and follow my journey on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @BeyondTheShahada📲 Resources, links & episode notes: link in bio.   #muslimrevert #exchristian #relationshipwithgod #trinitydebunked #worshipgodalone #spiritualawakening #beyondtheshahada #islamicpodcast

In this episode of Beyond The Shahada, I sit down with Crystal, a Muslim content creator and UK healthcare professional who’s made a name for herself on TikTok by turning hate comments into dawah, clapbacks into clarity, and stereotypes into strength. We talk about: How she handles online hate with grace and sarcasm What it's really like being a visibly Muslim woman on the internet The pressure of being seen as the “perfect Muslim” Why she started creating content and how her job in intensive care shaped her voice The serious threats she’s faced and why she refuses to be silenced How content creation has deepened her connection with Islam This conversation is raw, witty, empowering and a must-listen for anyone navigating faith, identity, and visibility in today’s world. ✨ Don’t forget to follow the podcast and connect with us on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram @beyondtheshahada. ✨ Find Crystal on TikTok: @sister..crystal 🎙 New episodes weekly.📲 Listen anywhere you get your podcasts.

This week, I had to take a breath. As a mum, a revert, a creator, sometimes it all becomes a little too connecting and draining. So I’m taking my own advice, and hitting pause. In this special re-upload, I’m sharing one of my earliest episodes that feels even more relevant today: the difference between feeling connected to Allah and actually being connected. It’s a reminder that stillness isn’t distance. And that taking time for your mental health, your deen, and your family is part of the connection. If you’re new to the podcast, welcome, this episode will give you a strong foundation. If you’ve heard it before, may it reach you with new clarity. Next week, I’ll be back with a brand new episode featuring a special guest!   Until then, you can find me on:🔹 TikTok: @beyondtheshahada🔹 YouTube: @beyondtheshahada🔹 UpScrolled: @beyondtheshahada

What if the hardest part of converting to Islam wasn’t letting go of your old beliefs - but the way people treated you after? In this deeply personal episode, I open up about what it really felt like to leave behind my life as a Christian and embrace Islam. I talk about the backlash, the accusations, the grief and the surprising peace I found through it all. ➡️ Why some Christians turn hateful after you leave their religion➡️ What Islam taught me about real peace, healing, and self-worth➡️ How I navigated losing friends, family, and my old identity➡️ Why the approval of others isn’t worth your soul➡️ And how Allah replaced what I lost with something so much greater Whether you’re a revert trying to heal, a Muslim struggling to move forward, or someone on the edge of faith - this episode is for you. 🎧 LISTEN NOW if you've ever felt alone on your path to truth. 🔗 Full short-form content on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels - link in bio. #IslamicPodcast #RevertToIslam #HealingInIslam #LeavingChristianity #MuslimConvert #SpiritualHealing #FaithJourney #IslamicReminder #AllahKnows #ChristianToMuslim #MuslimPodcast

If you’re a Christian who’s ever wondered what Islam actually teaches without the media filters, without the politics, and without the cultural confusion - this episode is for you. I’m not here to debate. I’m not here to convert you. I’m just here to share the truths I never heard as a Christian. Truths about the Quran, Jesus, Mary, women’s rights, and the very God you already believe in. Because Islam isn’t a new religion.It’s the final message in the same chain that includes Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, peace be upon them all.It’s not a rejection. It’s a continuation. In this episode, we talk about: The real meaning of “Allah” Whether Islam has been changed or preserved The difference between the Quran, Hadith, and the Bible Women’s rights in Islam vs cultural misconceptions How Muslims view Jesus and Mary Why we don’t worship the Kaaba And why there’s no pastor or racial hierarchy in Islam This is the episode I wish someone had made for me when I was still searching. 📌 Share this with someone curious.🎧 Follow the podcast for more real, honest conversations about Islam.   💬 Let’s connect:TikTok | YouTube | Instagram: @BeyondTheShahadaWebsite: beyondtheshahada.com

What happens when you grow up deeply rooted in Christianity, but your questions go unanswered? In this episode of Beyond the Shahada, I take you through my personal journey, from Lutheran beginnings, Catholic school, and Pentecostal revivals… to reading the Bible cover to cover, discovering shocking truths about Paul, and ultimately, finding Islam. This wasn’t an emotional decision. It wasn’t a rebellion. It was years of research, reflection, and sincere prayer and what I found in Islam filled in the blanks that had never made sense to me in the church. Whether you're a new revert, a curious Christian, or a born Muslim wondering how people come to Islam, this episode is for you. 🕊️ Truth doesn't fear your questions. Keep seeking.   🔗 Mentioned in This Episode: 📘 A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam: https://www.islam-guide.com 📺 Eslimah on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Eslimah   ✨ Follow & connect with me on social media for more: TikTok: @beyondtheshahada Instagram: @beyondtheshahada YouTube: Beyond the Shahada 🎧 Full archive + more content at: https://beyondtheshahada.com   #ChristianToMuslim #ConvertToIslam #RevertStory #IslamicPodcast #BeyondTheShahada #QuranAndBible #JesusInIslam #SpiritualJourney #ExChristian #IslamForChristians #IslamIsTheTruth #SeekingTruth #AskQuestions #FaithJourney

Today’s episode is a little different, because I’m not alone. I sat down with the legendary Aussie Niqabi - Alexis: Campbelltown-born, single mum of three, founder of eco-business The Bin Chicken, and the woman who’s been making waves (and causing trolls to melt down) on TikTok with her niqab and razor-sharp Aussie humour. But behind the viral videos? There’s a deeper story: a promise to Allah SWT after a brutal custody battle, a life of balancing faith and family, and the reality of facing Islamophobia in Australia - sometimes funny, sometimes scary. 👉 Important note: This conversation originally ran almost 2 hours, and has been edited to the best bits. You may also hear her adorable 10-month-old baby in the background, because #MumLife never stops, and there are a few moments where the audio isn’t perfect. But this conversation was too important not to share. We talk about:✅ Choosing to wear the niqab in Australia✅ Facing Islamophobia in everyday life (and Kmart!)✅ Navigating co-parenting with a non-Muslim✅ Building community on TikTok✅ Balancing faith and culture✅ Dismantling stereotypes about Muslim women 🎧 Whether you’re a revert, a Muslim mum, or just curious about life behind the niqab, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 📌 Links:🔗 Project Quran: projectquran.com.au🔗 The Aussie Niqabi TikTok: tiktok.com/@theaussieniqabi🔗 The Bin Chicken: thebinchicken.au🔗 My links: lnk.bio ✨ Like the show? Follow @beyondtheshahada on Instagram and TikTok. DM me your thoughts, I’d love to hear your stories. #BeyondTheShahada #TheAussieNiqabi #MuslimWomen #IslamInAustralia #Islamophobia #MuslimMums #RevertMuslim #ProjectQuran #NiqabInAustralia #MuslimBusiness #MuslimPodcast

In this raw and personal episode, Bree Shaaban shares what made her walk away from church culture - not God and how Islam offered what she was missing: understanding, accountability, and truth. She unpacks the differences between blind obedience and informed faith, and why choosing Islam wasn’t rebellion - it was clarity.

In this raw and personal episode, Bree Shaaban shares how studying the Bible led her to question her faith—and how discovering the Quran changed her life. Bree recounts her journey from Christianity to Islam, the fears she faced, and the peace she found in embracing the truth of Islam. A powerful story of spiritual awakening and seeking truth.

Why does trauma make us feel Allah hates us? Bree Shaaban explores how pain warps our faith—and how to heal. For anyone who’s ever cried during Tahajjud.

What do you do when your own family treats your Islam like a phase - or worse, a betrayal? This week, Bree Shaaban gets real about the messy, painful, and sometimes darkly hilarious struggles of being the only Muslim in a non-Muslim family. From bacon-laced pasta (‘Just pick it out!’) to ‘non-alcoholic’ beer traps, she shares her most cringe-worthy stories, plus hard-won advice on: Setting boundaries without burning bridges Responding to relatives who call the Prophet ﷺ ‘false’ Finding your real tribe when blood isn’t enough If your family gatherings feel like spiritual warfare, this episode is your battle plan. Because at the end of the day? Allah’s love is the only approval that matters. Follow Bree: @BreeShaaban | Podcast IG: @BeyondTheShahadaTag a revert who needs this! #BeyondTheShahada

When a cat took a fish to feed her kitten, I saw the perfect metaphor for Allah’s rizq! Welcome to the new bonus episode ‘Beyond the Script’. Think of it as a halal coffee chat for Muslim women navigating faith, TikTok trends, and life in the West. In the Beyond the Script bonus episodes, we explore relatable Islamic reminders, halal parenting wins (and fails), and Muslim life in the West—from viral TikTok moments to everyday lessons about rizq, sabr, and tawakkul. Perfect for Muslim women seeking short, authentic chats about faith, culture, and the unscripted side of dawah. 💬 Tag me on Instagram @beyondtheshahada with your wildest ‘halal side-eye’ moments! Hit follow so you never miss a scripted or unscripted truth.   For the ultimate in hijabs, shop online at https://www.pearlsofislam.com.au/ or check out their Insta page @pearls_of_islam_official.   #MuslimPodcast #HalalHumor #RizqStories #BeyondTheShahada

Muslims revere Jesus (Isa) as a top prophet - born miraculously, performing miracles, and returning before Judgment Day. So why does this shock people? #BeyondTheShahada

Muslim women ≠ stereotypes. Host Bree Shaaban smashes hijab myths, proves Islam pioneered women’s rights, and asks: Why do you think all Muslims are Arab? #BeyondTheShahada

Get real with me, Bree Shaaban about the struggles of the last 10 nights of Ramadan as a burnt-out mum. Learn how to focus on sincerity, clear out bad habits, and connect with Allah, even when life feels overwhelming.

Not fasting during Ramadan? You’re not alone. In this bonus episode, we talk about the challenges, the guilt, and how to stay connected to the spirit of the month.

Parenting during Ramadan is tough, but you’re not alone. In this episode, we talk about the struggles, the wins, and how to navigate this beautiful but challenging time as mothers.