In this episode of The Breakdown, Zayn sits down with world-renowned Qur’an reciter, Qari Mikhaael Mala. We discussed his personal journey with the Holy Qur’an, from the UK to Egypt, as well as questions regarding recitation and maqamaat, and how listeners can get started on their own Qur’anic journeys. In a specially-released short snippet, we are honoured to hear his beautiful recitation of Surah an-Nasr (110). LISTEN NOW! Apple: http://bit.ly/HujjatPodcast-Apple Android:...

How do the leaders of our community ensure that we continue to increase in our Islamic knowledge and how can we ensure the longevity of Islamic learning within our community? Join Abbas as he sits down with Sheikh Abbas Ismail to discuss his role as head of Islamic Education at Hujjat Stanmore from 2020-2022. We discussed some of Sheikh's reflections over the two years that he was in office, key aspects of his role and how the Islamic knowledge of the community was improved in the two years...

In this special episode of The Breakdown, Zayn sits down with recently elected Conservative councillor for Moor Park & Eastbury, Abbas Merali. As a member of our community elected as a councillor in May, we discussed what his first few weeks in the role have been like, as well as his political and community background. We discussed the structure of local councils, and what the roles of councillors are, as well as the importance of the youth getting involved in politics.  The second half...

In this local elections special, Zayn sits down with Green Party candidate for Stanmore, Linda Robinson, ahead of the Harrow council elections on Thursday 5th May. We discussed the current Harrow council, and what the elections mean, as well as the importance of the youth getting involved in politics, and issues and concerns raised by community members, including the climate crisis, Extinction Rebellion, and more. Tune in for an insight ahead of the elections!

In this local elections special, Zayn sits down with Labour candidate for Stanmore, Navin Shah, ahead of the Harrow council elections on Thursday 5th May. We discussed the structure of Harrow council, and what the elections mean, as well as the importance of voting, and issues and concerns raised by community members, including Islamophobia in the Labour Party, the cost of living crisis, and more. Tune in for an insight ahead of the elections!

Join Fatima and Abbas in part two of their discussion with Sajeda Sajan and Ammar Farishta to discuss Veganism in Islam and within our community. We discussed the impact of meat consumption on the planet, the different types and definitions of veganism, Islamic and community aspects as well as both Sajeda and Ammar’s personal journey.  *LISTEN NOW!*  *Apple*: http://bit.ly/HujjatPodcast-Apple  *Android*: http://bit.ly/HujjatPodcast-Google  *Spotify*:...

Join Fatima and Abbas as they sit down with Sajeda Sajan and Ammar Farishta to discuss Veganism in Islam and within our community. We discussed the impact of meat consumption on the planet, the different types and definitions of veganism, Islamic and community aspects as well as both Sajeda and Ammar’s personal journey. This is part 1 of our discussion with Sajeda and Ammar so keep an eye out for part 2 to be released shortly. *LISTEN NOW!* *Apple*:...

How can we find ourselves? How can we start this journey of self discovery towards Allah (swt)? Are the solutions to the problems we're all facing actually within us? Join us as we discuss the intricacies and beauty of self knowledge with Shaykh Javad Shomali on our latest episode of the breakdown! LISTEN NOW! Apple: http://bit.ly/HujjatPodcast-Apple Android: http://bit.ly/HujjatPodcast-Google Spotify: http://bit.ly/HujjatPodcast-Spotify Online: http://bit.ly/HujjatPodcast-Web

What are the best ways to learn Arabic? Will it really help me to connect with the Qur'an and Islamic texts? Why does classical Arabic have a reputation for being so difficult to study? How can we learn the language in a sustainable way without wanting to give up? Join Fatima as she discusses these questions and more with Nazmina Dhanji, founder of Arabiq Online @arabiq.online

What is the importance of the Prophetic Seerah? How can we derive lessons from the Prophet’s life when he lived in a different time with different societal customs? What we’re the overarching principles that the prophet was trying to implement in pre-Islamic Arabian society. Join us as we discuss this and a lot more with Sayyid Ali Imran on our latest episode of the breakdown! LISTEN NOW! Apple: http://bit.ly/HujjatPodcast-Apple Android: http://bit.ly/HujjatPodcast-Google Spotify:...

Can we end the climate crisis? How effective are international conventions like COP26 in solving global problems? What is environmental justice? And do we have an Islamic responsibility to become more sustainable? In the midst of international momentum on tackling the climate and environmental crisis, we had a conversation with Professor Mohamed Iqbal Asaria on this highly relevant and critical issue. Through his experiences in international development, Prof Iqbal explains the main issues...

Was Prophet Adam (as) the first man on Earth? What does the Quran say about evolution? Can we reconcile evolution with the creation story? In this podcast we unpack what the Quran actually says on evolution and how we as Muslims can reconcile it with our creation story. We discuss how evolution has become an ideology in itself and what happens when we don’t know all the answers… Join Aliya and Sabiha as they host Sister Fatema Meghji to discuss these questions and more. All of our...

Who are the sources of authority in Shia Islam after the imams, and who decided this? Have scholars always had the same authority since the imam’s occultation or has this changed over time? What are the main sources the scholars use to establish their authority? And who were the key individuals that helped form the Shia Islam that we follow today. Join Abbas as he hosts Dr Zack Heern of Idaho State University to discuss these questions and more. All of our podcasts are available on YouTube,...

Who are the sources of authority in Shia Islam after the imams, and who decided this? Have scholars always had the same authority since the imam’s occultation or has this changed over time? What are the main sources the scholars use to establish their authority? And who were the key individuals that helped form the Shia Islam that we follow today. Join Abbas as he hosts Dr Zack Heern of Idaho State University to discuss these questions and more. All of our podcasts are available on...

The Breakdown Ep.28 - Moonsighting in Islam ft. Miqdaad Versi Join Abbas and Miqdaad as they discuss why Eid is on different days for Shia Muslims, and how different Shia Scholars determine the start of a new month.  We discuss the opinions of a number of mainstream Shia scholars including Sayed Sistani, Sayed Khoei and Sayed Khamenai.  During the podcast, we viewed images of the birth of the crescent for Shawwal 1442 on screen, to aid the discussion. If you are not watching the podcast on...

What is the nature of our soul? How does our souls transition across different realms? How do our souls experience heaven and hell? In this episode, Sheikh Mohammad Sadeq delves into these questions and explains how we can uplift and elevate ourselves during these holy months. Please join us as we discuss this and more with @mskhosh. Ramadhan Mubarak to all!

In the current economy we are discouraged to save and encouraged to spend, this makes it difficult to save for the future. In this podcast, Abbas is joined by Financial Advisor, Shabbar Kassam where we discuss some the method of compounding, or as Einstein called it “the eighth wonder of the world”. We also discussed how to invest in the stock market for the long term and the behavioural aspects of investing, including the rationale behind Cryptocurrency investing. Please join us as we...

In the current economy we are discouraged to save and encouraged to spend, this makes it difficult to save for the future. In this podcast, Abbas is joined by Financial Advisor, Shabbar Kassam where we discuss some key hints and tips on saving for the future, the difference between saving and investing and also pensions as a way to get ‘free money’. Please join us as we discuss this and a lot more in this episode of the breakdown! All our episodes are available on Apple, Google, Spotify and...

Climbing to the Stars ft. Anoushé Husain Anoushé is a champion for all those experiencing barriers and self-limiting beliefs. Born missing her right arm below the elbow, living with multiple health conditions, a cancer survivor, a Muslim and coming from an ethnic minority, Anoushé has never let what society or culture thinks she should do limit her or dictate the direction of her life.  Anoushé is a multi-award winning Paraclimber, charity ambassador and motivational speaker who is...

In this episode, we are blessed to be joined by Sheikh Mohamad Javad Shomali where he goes in depth into the true nature of the dark side of our psyche and how it can alter our world view. We also go into the origin of intrusive thoughts, why we experience them and how our mindset should be when approaching them. Please join us as we discuss this and a lot more in this thought provoking episode of the breakdown! All our episodes are available on Apple, Google, Spotify and YouTube.

In this episode, Ahmed and Noora are joined by Qari Zuhair Hussaini from New York - an internationally renowned reciter and architect. We discuss celebrating Milad an-Nabi in our homes, the true contemporary moral value of the Holy Prophet (saw), and the looming debate surrounding Islam, free speech and Western democracy. Tune in to this enlightening discussion to stimulate your mind and your opinions!

Hadith are fundamental to our understanding of Islam and gaining wisdom from the words of our Aimmah. But what actually is hadith? How did we end up with these huge volumes of Hadith, and can we trust these to be what our imams said? How do we deal with Hadith that we read and do not make sense to us? Join Abbas and Sayyid Ali Imran to discuss these key topics and more.  If you are interested in learning about the history of Hadith, and how we have what we have today - this is an unmissable...

EP. 3 - TALES OF THE TENTH: WHAT WE DON'T KNOW POST-KARBALA How many captives were taken after the battle of Karbala? Were there other men accompanying Imam al-Sajjad (as)? Are the fine details of Karbala fully accurate and so important to know? In part three of the series, Ahmed and Husein are joined by the respected Sheikh Abbas Jaffer, where we tackle FAQ’s surrounding arguably the most monumental event in Islamic history, and pose challenges to the scholar for his feedback and...

EP. 2 - TALES OF THE TENTH: QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THE BATTLE Is the narrated history of the battle dramatised for emotive purposes? What truly happened at the battle of Karbala? How much detail can we be sure of? In part two of the series, Ahmed and Husein are joined by the respected Sheikh Abbas Jaffer, where we tackle FAQ’s surrounding arguably the most monumental event in Islamic history, and pose challenges to the scholar for his feedback and consideration. Be sure to subscribe on...