The Thinking Muslim

Get a Ticket for The Thinking Muslim Conference: http://www.thinkingmuslim.com/conferenceDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimHelp us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipNorman Finkelstein returns to The Thinking Muslim to examine how Israel’s war on Gaza has reshaped American and British politics.From Tucker Carlson and the rise of “America First” opposition to Israel, to Zohran Mamdani, democratic socialism and growing anger among young Americans, Finkelstein asks whether this political realignment is driven by principle or opportunity. He explains why Gaza has resonated so deeply with a generation facing economic insecurity and argues that changing public opinion means little without an organised movement capable of challenging political power.Muhammad Jalal and Norman Finkelstein also discuss Israel’s loss of support among younger Americans, the dehumanisation of Palestinians, Britain’s changing position on Israel, the role of international law and the pressure created by the pro-Palestine movement. Finally, they consider the response of cultural figures including Ed Sheeran and Macklemore, and whether artists can claim neutrality in the face of genocide.Find Norman Finkelstein here:X: https://x.com/normfinkelstein?lang=enIG: https://www.instagram.com/norm_finkelstein/?hl=enFind his Book here - Gaza's Gravediggers, An Inquiry into Corruption in High Places, available to purchase at: https://orbooks.com/catalog/gazas-gravediggers Become a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDYCfV5PO199ImLqZ34X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Sign up to Musletter our show sponsor: https://musletter.comThe Thinking Muslim Conference: http://www.thinkingmuslim.com/conferenceDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimHelp us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipIn this wide-ranging conversation, Sami Hamdi joins Muhammad Jalal to examine the rapidly shifting politics of the Muslim world, from the emerging Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan defence pact to the war with Iran, changing US influence and the future of regional power.They ask whether the so-called “Muslim NATO” could become a serious political force, why traditional US allies are searching for new security arrangements, and what this could mean for Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Pakistan, Egypt and the wider Muslim world.The discussion also turns to American politics, the growing backlash against Israel and AIPAC within the Democratic Party, Israel’s tensions with Türkiye over Syria, and whether Muslims have more political agency than they often assume.In the final part of the episode, Sami reflects on his recent visit to Bangladesh and the Rohingya refugee camps. He discusses the failure to resolve the Rohingya crisis, the role Bangladesh, Malaysia and other Muslim countries could play, and why the plight of the Rohingya must remain a concern for the wider Ummah.An extensive conversation on Muslim geopolitics, Gaza, Iran, Syria, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, US politics and the Rohingya crisis.Find Sami Hamdi here:X: https://x.com/SALHACHIMIIG: https://www.instagram.com/salhachimi/Become a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDYCfV5PO199ImLqZ34X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimWhat does Syria look like after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, and has the country truly secured its independence?Muhammad Jalal speaks with Qutaiba Idlibi about the political realities facing the new Syria, from relations with the United States, Turkey and the Gulf to the challenge of rebuilding state institutions after years of war and dictatorship.They discuss Syria’s economic recovery, foreign influence, Israel, transitional justice, the Kurdish question, minority communities and the danger of replacing one form of authoritarianism with another.Can Syria rebuild on its own terms, or will the pressures of regional and global powers shape what comes next?Find Qutaiba Idlbi here:IG: https://www.instagram.com/lequtaiba/X: https://x.com/QidlbiBecome a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDYCfV5PO199ImLqZ34X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction

Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimWhat if our obsession with productivity, efficiency and “making the most of every minute” is actually taking us further away from a truly Islamic way of living?In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, Muhammad Jalal is joined by Mohammed Faris, author of The Barakah Effect and founder of Productive Muslim, to explore how modern hustle culture and the capitalist understanding of time have shaped the way Muslims work, worship and live.They discuss the “tyranny of the clock”, why salah should anchor our day rather than simply fit into our schedules, and how the Islamic concept of barakah offers a radically different understanding of productivity. Mohammed Faris explains why being constantly busy does not necessarily mean being productive, how modern work culture contributes to burnout and time anxiety, and what the Prophetic model can teach us about work, rest, family, worship and purpose.Can Muslims build a healthier relationship with time without becoming unambitious? What would productivity look like if our primary goal was not economic output, but worshipping Allah and serving His creation? And could recovering barakah transform not only our personal lives, but the way Muslim communities, businesses and institutions operate?You can find out more about Mohammed Faris here:IG: https://www.instagram.com/mohammed.a.farisX: https://x.com/MohammedAFarisThe Productive Muslim Company: https://productivemuslim.com/author/mohammed-faris/Find His Book Here: https://shop.productivemuslim.com/products/the-barakah-effect-book Become a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDYCfV5PO199ImLqZ34X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimDr Nazir Khan joins The Thinking Muslim to discuss **Islamic worldview, secularism, liberalism, colonialism and the modern Muslim mind**. In this episode, we explore how modern ideologies can shape the way Muslims understand Islam, freedom, morality and society, and why political colonialism may have ended while intellectual colonialism remains.Dr Nazir explains what it means for Muslims to “self-secularise”, how liberal ideas of freedom differ from an Islamic understanding of freedom, and why desire, consumerism and individualism can become powerful forces shaping our worldview. We also discuss how the Qur’an, particularly **Surah Al-Fatiha**, can provide Muslims with a framework for understanding truth, ethics and the world around them.This is a wide-ranging conversation on **Islam and secularism, Islam and liberalism, decolonising the Muslim mind, Islamic philosophy, Muslim identity, Qur’anic worldview and modern ideology**.You can find out more about Dr Nazir Khan here:Centre of Islamic Knowledge: https://www.cikedu.org/nazirkhan.htmlYaqeen Institute: https://yaqeeninstitute.org/team/nazir-khanFind His Book Here: https://www.kubepublishing.com/blogs/news/the-straight-path-nazir-khanBecome a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDYCfV5PO199ImLqZ34X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimMurtaza Hussain joins The Thinking Muslim to examine the deepening relationship between the UAE and Israel and what it means for the wider Muslim world.From leaked documents revealing military cooperation and the role of Jeffrey Epstein in cultivating ties between Emirati and Israeli elites, to the UAE’s influence in Sudan, Yemen, Syria and Somaliland, we explore how this alliance is reshaping power across the Middle East and beyond.You can find Murtaza Hussain here:X: https://x.com/MazMHussain?s=20IG: https://www.instagram.com/mazmhussain/Substack: https://substack.com/@mazmhussain Become a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDYCfV5PO199ImLqZ34X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimWorld-renowned architect Abdel Wahed El-Wakil joins The Thinking Muslim to discuss Islamic architecture, modern architecture and what traditional Muslim cities understood about the way we live.We explore sacred spaces, mosque design, urban planning, the loss of traditional Islamic architecture and whether modern cities have made us more anxious, isolated and disconnected from beauty and spirituality.What can Islamic architecture teach us about building better cities today?Become a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDYCfV5PO199ImLqZ34X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimInvestigative journalist Matt Kennard joins us to discuss Irregular Army, his investigation into how white supremacists, neo-Nazis and other extremists found their way into the US military during the War on Terror. From Iraq and Afghanistan to Donald Trump, MAGA and Pete Hegseth, Kennard argues that the consequences of those years are now playing out at the highest levels of American politics. We explore the rise of the far right, Islamophobia, US military power and foreign policy, and ask whether the War on Terror helped create the political forces reshaping America today.Get Matt Kennard’s book Irregular Army here: https://amzn.eu/d/09zq5TXFYou can find Matt Kennard here:IG: https://www.instagram.com/kennardukX: https://x.com/kennardmattBecome a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDYCfV5PO199ImLqZ34X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Follow the The Thinking Muslim channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDYCfV5PO199ImLqZ34Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimCan the Muslim world recover from political decline? What resources does the Islamic tradition offer in times of crisis, and what does genuine regeneration look like?In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, we are joined by Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui to explore how Muslims have historically responded to periods of political collapse, colonialism, and institutional decline. Drawing on the thought of Imam Juḥany and the broader Islamic intellectual tradition, the conversation examines how the Ummah can rebuild from the ground up through scholarship, institutions, and community.The discussion explores the relationship between political authority and religious authority, the enduring independence of Islamic scholarship, the legacy of colonialism, and why the mosque remains central to Muslim life. We also discuss the role of women in institution-building, the emergence of Al Mujadilah Mosque in Qatar, and whether the post-Gaza moment represents the beginning of a new phase of regeneration for the Muslim Ummah.Rather than asking whether decline is inevitable, this conversation asks a more important question: what does Islam teach us about renewal?If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with others. Your support helps us continue producing conversations that matter.About Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui: Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui is a Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology at Georgetown University in Qatar and Executive Director of Al-Mujadilah Center & Mosque for Women. Her research focuses on classical Islamic legal theory and political thought, Islamic law under colonialism, contemporary Islamic family law, and questions of gender, authority, and participation in Muslim societies.You can find Dr. Sohaira here:IG: https://www.instagram.com/sohairasiddiqui/?hl=en‎Follow the The Thinking Muslim channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDYCfV5PO199ImLqZ34Become a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.