In this powerful closing episode of Season 5 of Talking With Teachers, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali sits down with Imam Sulaimaan Hamed of the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam. Imam Hamed reflects on his beginnings as a Muslim Imam, shares formative personal experiences, and speaks candidly about the urgent need for Muslims to reconcile and find unity on our common foundation as believers in Allah. He also addresses the dangers of heedlessness in our spiritual lives and highlights the enduring influence of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed on his path of faith and leadership.
✨ This conversation is both personal and inspiring, reminding us of the timeless importance of reflection, responsibility, and community in the journey of faith.
In this insightful episode, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali sits down with Arbazz Mohammed, Executive Director of the Sahaba Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving underprivileged families and fostering community development. With years of experience in social services and advocacy, Arbazz brings a unique perspective to the conversation on faith, leadership, and social change.
The discussion explores:
The role of Muslims in politics and how civic engagement shapes the American Muslim experience.
The impact of Islamic organizations in strengthening communities and addressing pressing social challenges.
A remarkable encounter from his past that broadened his perspective on faith communities (shared critically, without endorsement).
The lasting influence of Malcolm X, whose legacy continues to inspire Arbazz’s commitment to justice, self-determination, and Muslim identity in America.
This wide-ranging interview highlights the intersections of faith, activism, and identity, offering listeners valuable insights into the evolving role of Muslims in public life.
#TalkingWithTeachers #ArbazzMohammed #SahabaInitiative #MuslimsInPolitics #MalcolmX #AmericanMuslim
Professor Yasin Dutton is a renowned scholar of Islamic studies whose personal journey into Islam has shaped both his life and career. After embracing Islam as a young man, he went on to combine spiritual commitment with academic rigor, producing scholarship that bridges tradition and modern scholarship. He has taught at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Edinburgh and University of Cape Town, where he has inspired students in Qur’anic studies, Islamic law, and classical texts. Professor Dutton is also widely respected for his contributions to English translations of foundational Islamic works. His publications and translations include texts such as “The Origins of Islamic Law”, studies on early Qur’anic manuscripts, and his editorial and translation work that continues to make classical sources accessible to English-speaking audiences.In this episode of Talking With Teachers, Professor Dutton reflects on his background, his conversion to Islam, and the profound impact Islam has had on his personal and professional journey. His story offers listeners both insight and inspiration into the transformative power of faith and knowledge.#TalkingWithTeachers #IslamicStudies #YasinDutton #ConversionToIslam #IslamicScholar #MuslimJourney #FaithAndKnowledge #SacredKnowledge #IslamicLaw #QuranStudies #IslamicHistory #PodcastInterview
In this episode of Talking With Teachers, Shaykh Tahir Mahmood Kiani shares his remarkable journey as a student, translator, and educator. He discusses the inspiration behind his widely read translation The Easy Qur’an, the urgent challenges of injustice facing Muslims today, and the enduring influence of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, one of the most important voices in modern Islamic thought.
Listeners will gain insight into Shaykh Tahir’s personal background, his vision for accessible scholarship, and the deep relevance of classical and modern voices in shaping the future of the Muslim ummah.
Perfect for anyone interested in Islamic scholarship, Qur’an studies, Hanafi fiqh, Allama Iqbal, and contemporary issues facing Muslims worldwide.
In this episode of Talking With Teachers, we sit down with Shaykh Muhammad Shareef, the founding director of the Sankore Institute of Islamic-African Studies International (SIIASI). Born in Los Angeles and trained under some of West Africa’s most distinguished scholars, Shaykh Muhammad Shareef has spent decades preserving, translating, and teaching the intellectual and spiritual legacy of Islamic Africa.In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore his journey in Islam and his deep connection to Sufism, the African-American Muslim cultural experience and its roots in West Africa, as well as a historical discourse on slavery, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and the African jihad movements. Shaykh Shareef also addresses the false propaganda about Arabs promoted by certain strands of Pan-Africanism, while offering insights that reconnect Muslims today to Africa’s profound Islamic scholarly tradition. #TalkingWithTeachers#ShaykhMuhammadShareef#SIIASI#IslamicScholarship#AfricanIslam#LamppostEdu#IslamicEducation#MuslimPodcast#PreservingHeritage#IslamicHistory
From Lahore to global thought leadership — Dr. Ali Salman shares his journey, insights on Islamic economics, cryptocurrency, and the thinkers who shaped his worldview.
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Dr. Ali Salman, CEO of the Islam & Liberty Network, as we explore his early education in Lahore, Pakistan, the influence of Mawlana Mawdudi, and the enduring legacy of Syed Ahmed Khan. We also dive into the world of cryptocurrency, revisit the principles of Islamic economics from the time of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and discuss how these timeless ideas apply to today’s economic challenges.
Whether you’re interested in Islamic history, modern economics, or the role of faith in shaping policy, this episode offers a rich and thought-provoking discussion.
📅 Premiere Date: August 11, 2025, 7:30 AM EST
📍 Watch on Talking With Teachers
🔔 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more in-depth conversations with scholars, thinkers, and changemakers shaping the Muslim intellectual landscape.
#AliSalman #IslamAndLibertyNetwork #IslamicEconomics #IslamicFinance #MuslimEconomics #TalkingWithTeachers #MawlanaMawdudi #SyedAhmedKhan #Cryptocurrency #CryptoAndIslam #FaithAndEconomics #HistoryOfIslam #IslamicHistory #IslamicThought #ProphetMuhammad #PakistanHistory #MuslimScholars #IslamAndEconomics #IslamicBanking #EconomicsInIslam #IslamicCivilization #ShariahEconomics #FinancialEthics #EconomicJusticeInIslam #IslamicIntellectualHistory
Don’t miss this powerful episode of Talking With Teachers with special guest Yusef Andre Wiley.
Wiley spent nearly 22 years in prison, deeply involved in gang culture. But behind bars, he experienced a life-altering transformation through Islam.
Today, he’s the founder of the Timelist Group, mentoring youth, guiding former inmates, and building stronger communities.
🛑 From prison yards to public service—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
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🎧 Hosted by Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali
🎙️ Talking With Teachers – Real Stories. Real Scholars. Real Change.
Thsi week we are please to present Shaykh Ali Laraki, a respected Islamic scholar, seasoned translator, and spiritual guide rooted in the Islamic traditions of West Africa and North Africa. A student of some of the foremost scholars of our time, Shaykh Ali brings deep insight into the practical and spiritual challenges facing the global Muslim community today.
In this episode, Shaykh Ali discusses:
Economic Independence: A Path for the Ummah
A Spiritual Awakening Amidst Modern Challenges
The Greatest Challenge Muslims Face Today
The Legacy of Sheikh Uthman Dan Fodio
📺 Subscribe now and tune in for this rich, eye-opening conversation.
#TalkingWithTeachers #ShaykhAliLaraki #LamppostEdu #IslamicScholarship #SpiritualAwakening #UthmanDanFodio #EconomicEmpowerment
Join Shaykh Kifani Ibrahim Cisse as he reflects on his path from Christianity to Islam, the spiritual legacy of Sheikh Hassan Cisse, and the role of faith in dance, hip-hop, and navigating social media. He also shares deep insight on suffering, spiritual growth, and the three essential traits Muslims must embody today.#TalkingWithTeachers #ShaykhKifani #LamppostEducation #SpiritualLegacy #IslamInAmerica
Please support the Lamppost Education Inititiave. Your donations help Lamppost provide high quality content for English speaking Muslims all over the world. Visit us at: https://lamppostedu.org/donate to contribute and aid Islamic education from qualified Muslim scholars. Connect with us on Social Media:http://www.facebook.com/LEIscholarshttp://www.twitter.com/thelight99http://www.instagram.com/lamppost_edu
In this episode, among the topics discussed by Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali and Shaykh Ahmed Al-Azhary is the recent article, “Why Hamza Yusuf’s Voice Doesn’t Speak for the Bilaliyyun."
Shaykh Ahmed addresses the following points: The misreading of hadith about Sayyiduna Bilāl (RA)The limits of racial essentialism in IslamThe universal message of the Prophet ﷺHow ideology can distort sacred tradition.
Don't miss this critical conversation on faith, race, theology, and more from this episode of Talking With Teachers. Please support the Lamppost Education Inititiave. Your donations help Lamppost provide high quality content for English speaking Muslims all over the world. Visit us at: https://lamppostedu.org/donate to contribute and aid Islamic education from qualified Muslim scholars.
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📢 Is Riba Ever Permissible in America? | Shaykh Amin Kholwadia on Islamic Education, Darul Qasim, and Controversial Hanafi Opinions
In this powerful episode of Talking With Teachers, host Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali speaks with Shaykh Amin Kholwadia—one of the foremost Islamic scholars in the West and founder of Darul Qasim—about the urgent need for serious Islamic education in America and the controversial Hanafi view on Riba (interest) in the U.S. context.
🔥 Highlights include:
Why Darul Qasim is different from most Islamic institutions
How American Muslims are misunderstanding Islamic scholarship
The real story behind the Hanafi position on Riba in non-Muslim lands
What it means to preserve Islamic intellectual tradition in the modern world
Shaykh Amin draws from decades of classical training and deep spiritual insight to challenge assumptions and inspire a return to grounded, principled learning.
🔔 Don’t miss this rare and candid conversation with a true teacher of teachers. Whether you’re a student of knowledge, a concerned parent, or just trying to understand how to live Islam authentically in the West—this episode is for you.
👉 Watch now and subscribe to stay connected with Muslim scholars who shape the future.
#ShaykhAminKholwadia #IslamicEducation #Riba #DarulQasim #TalkingWithTeachers #HanafiFiqh #MuslimPodcast #IslamInAmerica #HalalFinance
🎙 Talking With Teachers | Season 5, Episode 1
Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali in conversation with Shaykh Hamzah Maqbul
In this inspiring first episode of Season 5, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali sits down with Shaykh Hamzah Maqbul to explore his unique journey as a scholar and teacher of Islam in America. Shaykh Hamzah reflects on his upbringing, his formative years of study in Mauritania, and his rare position as a Pakistani scholar who follows and teaches the Maliki madhhab.
The conversation offers rich insights into his life’s work, including his role as Director of Religious Affairs at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) in Washington, where he provided leadership in religious guidance, interfaith dialogue, and educational programming. Shaykh Hamzah shares his experiences lecturing across North America on Islamic theology, law, spirituality, and contemporary ethical challenges.
Today, Shaykh Hamzah continues to teach, mentor, and support Muslim communities through online platforms, speaking engagements, and collaborations. He works closely with the Imam Ghazali Institute and serves as the resident scholar at Ribāt, a center for learning and remembrance in the Midwest U.S.
🎧 Don’t miss this thoughtful discussion on scholarship, identity, and the calling of teaching Islam in the West.
#TalkingWithTeachers #ShaykhHamzahMaqbul #LamppostEducation #IslamicScholarship #MalikiMadhhab #IslamInAmerica #MuslimVoices
Shaykh Ahmed Bangura joins Talking With Teachers to reflect on his educational journey, the founding of the Ihsan Foundation, and his key writings on Islam and West African literature. A deep, thought-provoking episode exploring faith, language, and identity.
#ShaykhAhmedBangura #IslamAndTheWestAfricanNovel #TranslatingIslam #LamppostPodcast #IslamicEducation
In this episode of Talking With Teachers, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Adam Al-Kawthari—renowned jurist and founder of Darul Ifta Leicester—shares his path to Islamic learning, reflections on his written works, and the teachers who deeply influenced him. Tune in for an enlightening and inspiring conversation.Please support the Lamppost Education Inititiave. Your donations help Lamppost provide high quality content for English speaking Muslims all over the world. Visit us at: https://lamppostedu.org/donate to contribute and aid Islamic education from qualified Muslim scholars. Please subscribe to the channel and leave a comment below!
Please join us for a special conversation with Dr. Furhan Zubairi. Dr. Zubairi completed a formal ‘Alamiyyah degree (Masters in Arabic and Islamic Studies) at the famous Jami’ah Dar Al-’Ulum in Karachi. He has obtained numerous ijazat (traditional licenses) in the six canonical books of hadith, as well as the Muwata of Imam Malik and Imam Muhammad, and has also received certification in the field of Islamic Finance.
In this episode, we are please to present Ustadh Abu Sakina Giovanni Herran. He has a diverse background in the Humanities and Social Sciences. He received his bachelors from City University of New York (Queens College) with a double major in Political Science and Hispanic Languages and Literatures. He holds a Masters in History from City University of New York (Staten Island College). His research in his Masters dissertation was on the intersection between Scientism, Empire, literary cultural production and Evolutionary theory, in 19th century Western Europe. He is currently a PhD Candidate at Temple University in the Religion Department. His Area of concentration is Islamic intellectual history, primarily late Islamic philosophy and philosophical Sufism.
In this enlightening episode of Talking With Teachers, we sit down with Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, a distinguished scholar, educator, and leader in the Muslim community. Dr. Shah shares his personal journey, including the profound impact of being paralyzed for two years, and offers deep insights into the evolution of Islamic education in the West.
This fascinating interview also explores the historical contributions of Islamic knowledge to Western civilization and the surprising influence of Christian Unitarians—such as Benjamin Franklin —in shaping early American thought, and much more.
Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that bridges history, faith, and education.
During this blessed month of Ramadan, please support the Lamppost Education Initiative. Your donations help us to continue to sponsor programs like our Talking With Teachers Podcast, publish books, conduct seminars and workshops, and much more. For details visit us at: https://lamppostedu.org/donate
#TalkingWithTeachers #IslamicEducation #History #ZulfiqarAliShah #LamppostEducation #MuslimScholars #Podcast
What does Islamic law say about life insurance? How can Muslims navigate modern financial systems while staying true to their faith? And what challenges do scholars face in issuing fatwas across different legal systems? In this must-watch episode, we sit down with Shaykh Joe Bradford, a leading expert in Islamic Finance and Law, who holds a graduate degree in Islamic Law & Legal Theory from the Islamic University of Medina. He’s also the author of Simple Zakat Guide and founder of Muslim Money Guide, where he educates Muslims on financial planning within an Islamic framework.🔥 In this episode, we’ll cover:✔️ How Shaykh Joe Bradford got into the field of Islamic Finance✔️ Is life insurance halal or haram? A legal and ethical discussion✔️ The challenges of international fatwa and applying Islamic rulings globally✔️ How financial regulations impact Muslims seeking to follow Islamic law💡 Subscribe now & turn on notifications so you don’t miss it!📢 Like & share to spread this valuable knowledge! Please support the Lamppost Education Inititiave during this blessed month of Ramadan. Your donations help Lamppost provide high quality content for English speaking Muslims all over the world. Visit us at: https://lamppostedu.org/donate to contribute and aid Islamic education from qualified Muslim scholars. #TalkingWithTeachers #ShaykhJoeBradford #IslamicFinance #LifeInsurance #Fatwa #IslamicLaw #HalalInvesting
Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi is a community leader with 20+ years of service in the Bay Area and SoCal. From a life-changing encounter with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf in 1996 to co-launching MH4M (Mental Health for Muslims),she’s dedicated her life to empowering communities through education, spiritual guidance, and mental health advocacy. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation.
Please support the Lamppost Education Initiative in providing relevant Islamic content for the English speaking Muslim community. Go to https://lamppostedu.org/donate
Join us on this compelling episode ofTalking With Teachers withAbdur Raheem Green! In this session, Abdur Raheem Green—a passionate speaker, educator, and convert to Islam—opens up about his life, his interests, and the transformative journey that led him to embrace Islam. His personal story and insights offer inspiration for anyone interested in faith and transformation.
👉Don’t forget to subscribe, hit the like button, and share this video to help spread the inspiration!
#TalkingWithTeachers #AbdurRaheemGreen #IslamJourney #SpiritualTransformation #Podcast
