Episodes
Welcome to another episode of The Optimized Muslim Podcast! With the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadhan, we're all eager to make the most of this spiritually uplifting time. In this episode, I am joined by Br Mounir Lazouni, founder of The Modern Muslim Man, to discuss the importance of optimizing our nutrition and energy during the fasting period. Together, we will delve into practical tips and advice to help you maintain a healthy and balanced diet, ensuring you have the energy to...
Published 03/26/23
Daniel Haqiqatjou on Muslim Skeptic, Debating, Controlling Emotions, Tasawwuf, Hijrah & more. Ustadh Daniel joined me for the second time to discuss a variety of topics starting from the developments in his work over the last two years, debating effectively, managing emotions, the power of social stigma, apostasy laws, hijab, importance of tasawuf, hijrah and more. As many of you know I have benefitted immensely from Ustadh Daniel Haqiqatjou and have followed his work since 2014. I was...
Published 01/30/23
Sh Muaawiyah Tucker was a guest on the podcast for a second time and we discussed the developments in the crypto space since March 2021, his views on Ethereum, how to live the "Bitcoin Standard" and avoid Riba based banking, the flawed arguments behind "necessity" for mortgages and loans, Making Hijrah, Artificial Intelligence and Central Bank Digital currencies. Most Importantly duʿāʾ requested if you found this to be of benefit.💚 Sign up for the Optimized Muslim Email: Quotes, Books,...
Published 01/10/23
A wide-ranging conversation on how to get Muslims to take action through understanding their purpose, incorporating Da'wah to Non Muslims in our daily lives, carrying our Muslim Identity, helping New Muslims, focusing on innovation and "loon shots", cybersecurity, effective philanthropy and managing a diverse workload. HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Introduction 03:40 Coach Zubair's background 12:00 How to get Muslims to excel and take action 26:50 Coach Zubair's thoughts on Da'wah - Be proactive...
Published 12/28/22
Islam & Mental Health with a Consultant Psychiatrist: Depression, Trauma, combining Western & Islamic treatment modalities, Sihr and Black magic, Jinn possession Stories, working in Qatar & more!     Dr Abu Eesa is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist specialising in addiction, who is working in Qatar  He is on a mission to try to integrate therapeutic interventions from Quran and sunnah with the  Western understanding and treatment modalities to tackle Muslim Mental...
Published 12/14/22
Ustadh Gabriel Al Romani joined me on the podcast for a second time to discuss his new Muslim Masculinity Course which you can find out more about and join here: https://muslimalpha.com/ Ustadh Gabriel is one of my favourite people in the Online Muslim space. Online and offline he is legit ma sha Allah. Please follow and benefit from his work. For a more general discussion about Ustadh Gabriel's journey to Islam and his background please refer to our first podcast here:  Gabriel Al...
Published 11/26/22
Ameen Omar joined me on the podcast to discuss a wide range of topics: Masculinity for Muslim Men, Red Pill, Getting Married, personal development & more. All covered in his book titled The Shephard's Way. *apologies for the audio on my side; Ameen's audio is fine** About Ameen Omar Ameen is an entrepreneur, author and content creator. Follow his pages below for more: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ameenomar__ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@MindHeistPodcast Order his book:...
Published 11/21/22
We spoke about Tanim's business journey, the importance of prioritising spirituality or tazkiyah al nafs, the importance of mentorship and learning, productivity, delegation, leverage and more  Get in touch with Tanim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanimzaman/ Tanim's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/GoldenTouchAcademy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldentouchacademyUK/ 00:00 Intro & Tanim's Bio 11:45 A Gap Year that changed everything 19:00 Spiritual Development &...
Published 11/17/22
Paul Williams of Blogging Theology - Becoming Muslim, Podcasting, Books, Addressing Criticism & More I had the great pleasure of being joined by Br Paul Williams who you will be familiar with from the Blogging Theology YouTube Channel. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and I hope you all do too. We spoke on a number of wide-ranging topics. Chapter headings are listed below for your convenience. Br Paul is doing some great work so please subscribe to his channel if you have not...
Published 11/02/22
How much of the conventional self-help and self development content can we apply as Muslims? Which ideas are problematic and are opposed to our creedal beliefs and faith? Sh Ismail provides a helpful framework on how to filter the correct information from Ideas such as "manifesting", "being in control of your own destiny" and others which may conflict with our understanding of qadr. We also discuss how Islam is flourishing in South Africa and the reasons why. What can Muslim Communities...
Published 10/27/22
I was joined by Imam Tom Facchine for a wide-ranging interview on Self-Development, Learning Languages, Problems of Modernity, Attaining Balance, dealing with overwhelm, Ibn Al Jawzi,  the moral considerations of YouTube Creators & more.   It was one of my favourite interviews and I am thankful to Imam Tom for being so gracious with his time and honouring this project.   UTICA Masjid YouTube Channel (Imam Tom's videos): https://www.youtube.com/c/UTICAMASJIDUTICA  Instagram:...
Published 10/09/22
I was joined on the podcast by br Muhammad Deen, a performance psychologist from the UK currently working in Malaysia. We discuss Islamic psychology, charisma, growth mindset, morning routines, stoicism, Islamic resources on psychology, Hijrah to Malaysia and more. (see chapters below) Br Muhammad Deen is a sport & performance psychology consultant who consults athletes and high performers on their mental side of performance.  His website: https://www.mdperformancepsychology.com One of...
Published 09/12/22
Brother Muttaqi Ismail who is the founder and host of The Islamic History Podcast joined me for an interview. We talked about Br Muttaqi's background, how he became interested in Islamic History. why he decided to start a podcast, his process for creating episodes, productivity tips and much more. The Islamic History Podcast is an amazing resource for Muslims and non-Muslims alike and I recommend that you subscribe to the podcast on whichever platform you use. Podcast Link:...
Published 08/28/22
We discuss Qur'an memorisation and tajweed tips, the common mistakes people from the Indian Subcontinent make in Tajweed and fascinating insights into Ustadh Farhan's own journey during which he won an Indian National Qur'an memorisation contest and spent time in Dr Zakir Naik's International Islamic school. Farhan Somani is an international Qur'an & Arabic teacher and Tajweed Tutor. He is the founder of Tajweed Essentials Learning Community. He has obtained Ijazah  Mِistake: At 46:00...
Published 08/09/22
Interview with Jan The Slovak Muslim on his journey to Islam, different methods used in Da'wah, how Islam impacted his Business life, happiness and finding balance. Link to the video o Optimized Muslim YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/gDTaOD5hGvo HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Introduction 02:25 Jan's Bio & Path To Islam 10:20 Discussion on Dawah 17:30 Self Development Seekers Becoming Muslim 22:00 Importance of a Strong Muslim Identity & Frame 32:00 Different Types of Dawah  43:00...
Published 07/18/22
Want to be an activist? Purify yourself before attempting to lead and serve others.  Please follow UTICA Masjid's channel. I was hooked after first hearing Imam Tom on Blogging Theology. Imam Tom creates short, poignant and powerful clips eloquently addressing contemporary issues as well as traditional self-purification.   https://www.youtube.com/c/UTICAMASJID Source Video: https://youtu.be/8MYD0B0zibQ (re-purposed with permission) Most Importantly duʿāʾ requested if you found this to be...
Published 07/14/22
Interview with the Make Hijrah team (Br Omar and Br Hamzah) - Why, how and where?  A wide range of topics were discussed from their personal stories of why they made hijrah, positives and negatives from their experiences, their views on Malaysia as a destination and much more. I think this podcast offers a good mix of information, depth, personality and some humour  thanks to the guests. Thank you to the Make Hijrah team for honouring this podcast with their time and advice. The Make...
Published 06/29/22
DESTROYING The Free Speech Argument used to Insult our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  - Hamza Tzortzis  Please watch the full source video on Sapience Institute for more. They have a few videos on this topic which go into much more detail. The purpose behind this was to direct you towards them. Link to full video: Hating Civility: France, Freedom of Speech & the Defamatory Cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:  Sapience Institute Channel  A topic very close to our hearts. I love Br...
Published 06/24/22
Ustadh Gabriel Al Romani shares 3 Practical Tips to Boost Iman and Fight Depression. This audio has been used to create a white board animations style video which is viewable on the Optimized Muslim Youtube Channel  Source video (audio repurposed): https://youtu.be/pi4FDCnI-gI Gabriel Al Romani's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GabrielAlRo... My interview with Ustadh Gabriel Al Romani: https://youtu.be/9q3yVNeAk_w Most Importantly duʿāʾ requested if you found this to be of...
Published 06/20/22
Dr. Ali Ataie powerfully offers that Islam is the last stand against woke liberalism. "Ustadh Dr. Ali Ataie gives spiritual insights about Muslims becoming the last line of defence for traditional religion and being necessary vanguards for values and faith in a postmodern world. " Audio from the link below has been repurposed for educational purposes Link to other similar animations: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... Source video: https://youtu.be/84cHNipqd8c Most Importantly...
Published 06/10/22
Business, Side Hustles, Self-employment. Making Hijrah, Muslim Money Advice & more - Interview with Br Abu Musa   Grateful to be joined by Br Abu Musa who kindly agreed to feature on the podcast. A real nice brother. Navigate by using the chapters below. A broad range of topics were discussed.   Watch the Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/D1BlsJuV_MU CONNECT WITH BR ABU MUSA IG: abumusa_ch  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjJAM4ZA2CykLaWs9TKoiQabumusa_ch   Link to...
Published 06/05/22
How to give advice to someone who has asked you or you want to encourage to start praying Salah.  You want to enjoin Good and forbid evil الأمر بالمَعْرُوف والنَهي عن المُنْكَر - how to go about it?   I was happy to hear this advice from a classically trained scholar (Hanafi) as I've previously thought about and heard the same from other sources.  Obviously, if the amount of action deemed necessary to "pray Salah" is a lot, the level of adherence from those trying to build the habit will...
Published 05/31/22
Daniel Haqiqatjou debunks the myth of "If We Don't Water Down Islam, No One Will Accept It!".   Wait, isn't Optimized Muslim about Self Development? Yes, and having a correct understanding of Islam as well as being equipped to intellectually defend traditional Islam is of paramount importance if you are to be a proud and practising Muslim. If you are not confident in your Islam and being able to unapologetically preach and practise it, how are you to excel? You have to have a strong identity...
Published 05/31/22
Why do you Work Out? Get "Jacked" and get Good Deeds by mastering your Niyyah (Intention) Alif goes to the gym for most of his 20s but he never takes the time to think about and correct his intention for it to be Islamically aligned. His intention may be to simply get "hench" and impress people. Will he be rewarded for all of his time and effort at the gym over the years? Ba, on the other hand, took the time to deeply think about his intention before embarking on his fitness journey and...
Published 04/26/22