IlmFeed Podcast

In this episode, Ustadh Shabbir Hassan and Ustadh Tufayl Ahmad unpack the genius behind Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ communication skills: the structure behind his teaching, the way he held attention, built trust, and made complex truths simple enough to never be forgotten.

We go through real hadith, breaking down the techniques hiding inside them - how a single question could flip an entire audience's assumptions, how a story could carry a timeless lesson, and how an entire religion could be summed up in one sentence. Along the way, we talk about what it actually means to communicate with wisdom, not just information - and why that distinction matters more today than ever.

This is a masterclass in speaking, teaching, and connecting with people - from the greatest communicator to ever live.

If this episode benefited you, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and subscribe for more conversations like this.

Support ilmfeed on Patreon: http://patreon.com/ilmfeed

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: The Prophet's ﷺ gift of Jawami' al-Kalim
01:37 - The Prophet's ﷺ multifaceted personality
03:42 - The power of "the hook" in content and teaching
04:26 - Analysing the Hadith of the two words beloved to Ar-Rahman
07:16 - Analysing the Hadith of the bankrupt person
09:14 - Mount Safa: using the hook to build credibility
11:25 - Storytelling as a communication technique
12:39 - The story of the man who killed 99 people
15:39 - Knowing your audience
18:00 - The power of humor and relatability
19:27 - Patreon exclusive article announcement
19:52 - Using Humour to communicate
21:10 - Analogies and gestures
24:41 - The river analogy: purification through salah
29:28 - Teaching children thorugh actions
34:52 - Using the repetition technique
36:00 - Hadith JIbreel: The skill of saying less

Dr Daanish Mahmood shares how prioritizing salah (prayer) transformed his life - from a chance encounter with a university dean to building a following as a Muslim content creator without ever hiding his faith. This episode covers practical advice for staying consistent with salah and Islamic productivity tips.

Support the ilmfeed podcast: http://patreon.com/ilmfeed

00:00 Intro
01:00 Prioritizing Salah Over Everything Else
04:39 Salah Should Not Be Transactional?
05:17 The Dean, The Masjid & A Life-Changing Handshake
09:29 Dua Isn't Enough - You Have To Make The Effort
12:01 Putting Yourself Out There For Marriage
17:37 The Power Of A Parent's Dua
23:41 Ibrahim's Dua & The Legacy Of Salah
27:39 How Dr Daanish's Content Journey Started
31:40 The Prayer Mat Trick That Went Viral
33:42 Staying Openly Muslim While Building A Following
37:40 Productivity Through The Lens Of Consistency
39:12 Planning Your Day (And Putting Salah First)
41:42 Cutting Distractions: Apps, Notifications & Digital Detox
47:59 Family, Screen Time & Phone-Free Walks
49:57 Dr Daanish's Daily Routine For Getting More Done
53:20 Barakah In Time - Why Some People Get More Done
54:50 Barakah In Money - Trusting Allah With Your Finances
1:03:00 Microefficiencies That Save Dr Daanish Hours
1:06:39 Dr Daanish's Final Advice On Beating Laziness

He's got 3.5 million followers, went viral more times than he can count, and coaches other creators on how to master the algorithm. But a part of him wants to leave it all behind.

In this episode, Ustadh Shabbir sits down with Shoaib Hussain - better known as the Sunnah Guy - for a raw, unfiltered conversation about what fame actually costs. From the suicidal DMs he receives daily, to why he's always believed social media is "one of the worst drugs that exists," to what led him to stop posting daily after nearly 700 consecutive days.

We break down some of his most viral videos, why attention is the real battlefield Muslims are losing online, and what actually changed after he hit millions of followers.

In this episode:

📱 Why he's always seen social media as "one of the greatest forms of control"
🎯 The exact formula behind his viral hooks - broken down video by video
💔 Why he stopped posting for 6 months - and what's changing now
🗣️ His advice to his 18-year-old self

Support the ilmfeed podcast at: http://patreon.com/ilmfeed

Ustadha Fatima was joined by Naaema Umm Eesa where they spoke about Naeema's work with new Muslims and the reasons why thousands of Western women are embracing Islam.

00:00 - Opening & Introduction
03:06 - Remembering Da'wah Giants: Uzma Jung & Omar Tate
13:49 - How Things Were Different for Converts Back in the Day
15:23 - Families Threatening New Muslims
18:36 - Supporting New Muslims: The Islam Awareness Project
24:45 - Marriage Challenges for Converts
33:45 - Why Western Women Convert to Islam
42:18 - Top Reasons Women Accept Islam
47:15 - Impact of Hijab on Non-Muslims
51:40 - The Power of Muslim Sisterhood & Community
1:06:30 - Islamic Marriage & Gender Roles
1:11:08 - The Power of Salam
1:11:50 - What Attracts Women to Muslim Men
1:13:31 - The 50-50 Concept in Marriage
1:17:19 - Final Advice: Take Benefit of Five Before Five

Ustadh Shabbir and Ustadh Hammad look back at 2025, and some of the highs and lows of the past year.

00:00 - Introduction
4:07 - Mamdani Wins New York Mayor
12:09 - Lesson: Focus Your Influence Where It Matters
14:44 - The Charlie Kirk Incident
18:43 - Gaza: Two Years of Genocide
28:45 - Podcast Reflections & Favourite Episodes
31:35 - Fatherhood: Welcoming Baby Jibreel
36:00 - Journey to Masjid Al-Aqsa
43:01 - Sudan Crisis: 18 Million Displaced
52:09 - UK Far-Right Rise & Anti-Muslim Hate
58:02 - Muslim Heroes & Contributions in UK
02:10 - Awards: Best & Worst of 2025
1:05:15 - Closing Thoughts & Dua

Ustadh Shabbir was joined by Ustadh Briggs where they discussed if Muslims have a place in Western countries and how Muslims shaped the West.

00:00 - Introduction
02:25 - Mustaf'as New Book: Islam and the Making of the Modern World
06:30 - Traditional Dress vs Western Clothing
12:17 - Was Western Fashion Influenced by Islam?
14:05 - Why Muslims Immigrated to the West
18:00 - Post-World War Immigration & Windrush
22:26 - Britain was Built on Colonization
26:15 - Eurocentric Narratives in History
28:06 - The Roman Empire Became a Caliphate
37:15 - Muslim Contributions to Science
38:21 - Bayt Al Hikma - The House of Wisdom
44:50 - Fibonacci & Arabic Numerals
45:03 - Zero: The Number That Changed Everything
46:47 - What's Missing in Islamic Education
48:15 - The Griots - Oral Historians of West Africa
52:00 - Muslims Influencing Modern Culture Today
56:27 - Muslim Rappers & Urban Culture
59:56 - The Qatar World Cup Impact
1:00:20 - Ramadan Lights in London
1:02:37 - Australia's Favorite Food is Halal
1:03:44 - Muhammad - Most Popular Name in the UK
1:04:48 - Muslims Are Still Contributing
1:07:10 - What Can You Contribute as an Individual?
1:12:00 - Knowledge is Power - Final Message
1:13:00 - The 85-10-5 Philosophy
1:15:04 - Don't Be Like Cattle

Shaykha Fatima Barkatulla was joined by Aysha Mercedes who speaks about how she went from a life of partying and not beleiving in God to embraching Islam and how her experiences with trauma encouraged her to help others.

00:00 - Intro
00:58 - How Mufti Menk Changed Inspired my non-Muslim Mother
12:36 - Healing Childhood Wounds and Finding Myself
19:58 - Living With Trauma
28:09 - From Atheism & Partying to Embracing Islam
44:01 - The Father Wound: How Absent Fathers Shape Daughters
51:49 - Breaking Generational Trauma in Muslim Families
1:06:06 - Growing Spiritually and Staying Connected to Faith
1:18:11 - Supporting Reverts, Single Moms, and the Isolated
1:27:06 - Final Reflections and Message to the Listeners

Shaykha Fatima Barkatulla was joined by her father Mufti Abdul Qadir Barkatulla where they discussed the place of Muslims in the West and how Muslims can be a force for good at a time when the West is collapsing spirtually and morally.

00:00 - Introduction
01:42 - Early Muslim Communities in the UK
04:32 - Journey from India to the UK
10:18 - Developing an Islamic Database
15:08 - Meeting with General Zia-ul-Haq
16:29 - Muslims in India: Past & Present Challenges
21:43 - Political and Social Strategies for Muslims
25:10 - Muslim Identity and Future Challenges
29:33 - Should Muslims Migrate from the West?
35:25 - Lessons from Muslim History in Europe
41:28 - Muslim Society and Future Unity
43:53 - Can Muslim Nations Unite Like the EU?
46:46 - Reflections on Personal Growth and Journey
48:42 - Spiritual Growth & The Importance of I'tikaf
54:05 - Challenges of I'tikaf in Modern Times
58:26 - Balancing Worship and Knowledge
59:37 - Parenting Philosophy & Raising Children
1:01:36 - Advice for the Next Generation of Muslims
1:03:11 - Conclusion & Final Reflections

Ustadh Shabbir was joined by Ustadh Mohamad Baajour who shared 3 practical tips in how to raise righteous children.

00:00 - Introduction

01:26 - What is your favourite Du'a from the Qur'an?

04:46 - What is your favourite Du'a from the Sunnah?

07:00 - The power of Istighfar

11:49 - Do this Sunnah to have an angel make Du'a for you

13:46 - Tarbiyyah Role as an imam at the EPIC mosque

24:45 - Encouraging the youth to attend Fajr

24:58 - New challenges and dangers faced by today's youth

27:04 - Facilitating halal activities for the youth

28:11 - Parents need to live Islam

30:37 - Be gentle and encouraging towards your children

31:52 - Teach your children about Allah's attributes

33:22 - The power of making du'a for your children

37:02 - Leading by example

38:44 - What is Tarbiyyah & the Prophetic example

35:51 - Building Trust and Leading by Example

48:29 - Intentions for making your children Hafidh

56:03 - Balancing Travel and Community Involvement

59:11 - From a businessman to an Imam

A thank you to Al Khaleel Institute for facilitating this podcast. You can learn more about them at: https://alkhaleeltours.com/alkhaleelinstitute

Ustadh Shabbir was joined by Moahmmad Shoaib who shared their experiences as young dads and Shoaib discussed how not having a father figure as a child inspired him to strive harder to be a great dad to his own children.

00:00 - Introduction
02:30 - Hadith about fatherhood
04:54 - Feeling 'ready' to be a father
09:27 - Being an active dad
15:31 - Balancing fatherhood and other responsibilities
20:29 - Reconciliation with absent father through Islam
29:03 - Navigating fatherhood through faith
36:57 - Homeschooling
45:40 - Parenting discipline and boundaries
56:53 - The importance of fatherly affection
1:04:53 - Being present as a father

Shaykha Fatima Barkatullah is joined by Hafsah Adham, who speaks about how her faith in Allah helped her deal with her husband's death and why Muslims should engage in ethical business and marketing.

00:00 - Introduction

04:25 - Coping With Husband's Death and Finding Purpose

08:04 - Grieving and Finding Strength

17:16 - Navigating Grief and Support Systems

24:22 - Faith, Grief, and Acceptance

28:27 - Living with Intention and Purpose

35:14 - Forgiveness and Faith

41:30 - Navigating Online Business and Ethical Marketing

50:57 - Authenticity in Business and Marketing

58:49 - Ethical Business Practices

01:08:34 - Understanding Self, Relationships, and Purpose

01:14:55 - Realizing the Fragility of Life

Links: https://www.awakenedheartsacademy.com/about

Ustadh Shabbir is joined by Shaykh Mujahid Ali who speaks about seeking knowledge in Syria before the revolution, why the Ummah should celebrate the downfall of the Assad regime and why Muslims should be optimistic about the future.

00:00 - Introduction
02:06 - The fall of the Assad regime
04:27 - Choosing Syria to seek Islamic knowledge.
06:32 - Arrival and settling in Syria for studies.
07:53 - Initial observations about Bashar al-Assad's regime.
15:34 - Spiritual environment in Damascus and study routine.
17:22 - Historical significance of the Sham region.
21:05 - Contributions of the Umayyad Caliphate.
22:40 - Trials and tribulations in the region.
31:20 - Coexistence of different communities in Syria.
31:49 - Unique experiences and stories in Syria.
32:31 - Bilal's (RA) grave and historical sites.
37:15 - Renowned Islamic scholars and their final resting places.
38:15 - Historical significance of various sites in Syria.
38:30 - Good news about Syria and hopes for Palestine.
39:14 - Discussion about skepticism over celebrating Assad's downfall.
40:22 - Reflection on the oppression under Bashar al-Assad.
44:27 - Encouragement for Syrians to enjoy their regained freedom.
46:30 - Influence of Turkey and hopes for Syria's stability.
47:55 - Observations from visits to Syria before the Arab Spring.
52:18 - Discussion on the resilience and spirit of the Syrian people.
56:55 - Analyzing some causes behind the revolution.
1:00:50 - The importance of global Muslim solidarity with Syria.
1:04:05 - Concluding thoughts on Syria's path forward.
1:04:55 - Final messages of optimism and unity for Syria's future.

Ustadh Shabbir is joined by Sami Hamdi who speaks about the need for supportive families, his journey into Tunisian politics, lessons from Bosnia and why Muslims should not stop struggling for Gaza.

00:01 - Balancing Family and Activism
06:19 - Marriage and Building a Fortress
15:33 - Purpose and Expectations in Marriage
25:58 - Shaping Influences and Political Realities
37:24 - Power Dynamics in Tunisian Politics
41:45 - Lessons in Leadership and Influence
45:56 - Staying True to Islamic Principles in Politics
49:24 - Lessons in Practice and Faith
55:47 - Impact of Gaza on US Politics
59:13 - Impact of Gaza on Global Politics
1:08:01 - Power of Perseverance and Compassion
1:14:16 - Disconnect in the Ummah
1:19:21 - Stories of Resilience in Bosnia
1:28:16 - Stories of Perseverance and Faith
1:39:22 - Being Optimistic

Shaykha Fatima Barkatullah is joined by Dr Rania Awaad who discusses the Islamic perspective on mental health.

00:00 - Intro

02:38 - First impressions of Britain's Muslim commnunity

03:37 - Dr Rania's Role Models

04:55 - Combining Deen & Dunya

06:16 - Entering the mental health profession

07:18 - The difference between psychiatry and psychology

08:17 - Muslim attitude towards mental health

09:20 - The resilience of the Palestinians

10:05 - Has mental health issues increased?

11:15 - How to build resilience in our children

15:18 - What are the biggest mental health challenges faced by Muslims in the West?

16:38 - The Seerah and the year of sorrow

19:44 - Can sinning affect mental health?

21:33 - What is Islamic Psychology?

24:02 - OCD and waswasa

27:45 - What is depression?

32:56 - Everyday things which could affect our mental health

35:00 - Things you can do to help your mental health

37:42 - The Qur'an is a healer

41:32 - Practising seclusion & disconnecting

43:46 - Maristan & Dr Rania's vision for Mental Health

48:47 - Mental health resources

50:36 - Conclusion

Links:

https://alkhaleeltours.com/alkhaleelinstitute

https://maristan.org/

Ustadh Shabbir is joined by Safe Adam who explains why he quit being a singer-songwriter in the mainstream music industry and how Allah helped him become a successful nasheed artist.

Ustadh Shabbir is joined by Qari Ishaaq Jasat, where they identify some of the reasons why marriages are failing and discuss ways people can make their marriages stronger.

00:00 - Intro

02:38 - Receiving 13 divorce cases in one month

06:22 - Is marriage difficult?

10:21 - Why marriages are breaking down - some examples

17:49 - Be clear about expectations BEFORE marriage

20:21 - Marriage requires constant learning

25:01 - Why some marriages don't last for more than 2 years

34:42 - Why you should never compare your spouse to someone else!

38:35 - Arguments sometimes happen

42:21 - Marriage is a lifelong responsibility

43:59 - Belittling your spouse is really bad

44:40 - Men want respect, and women want love

48:18 - You are a team after getting married

56:54 - My Qur'an Journal

You can purchase My Qur'an Journal at: https://www.getmyquranjournal.com

Ustadh Shabbir is joined by Rahim Jung who discusses powerful lessons from his life and shares the greatest miracle of his life.

00:00 - Intro

02:58 - Growing up without a Muslim identity

09:18 - What sparked me to come back to Islam

11:45 - Getting the Dunya and feeling an emptiness

14:49 - Happiness vs Contentment

18:33 - Accepting our Qadr

20:19 - Don’t chase fame!

21:44 - Beware of the hidden shirk

23:23 - The powerful example of Umar (ra)

25:18 - How to remain sincere whilst being in the public eye

33:31 - How did you become a TV presenter?

38:00 - Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone

42:41 - Miraculous Sadaqah stories

48:17 - Charity is a means getting all types of du’as accepted

51:04 - How my mother miraculously embraced Islam

1:04:57 - Never give up making du’a

Ustadh Shabbir is joined by Ustadh Asim Khan where they share practical tips on how to develop khushu (focus & devotion) in salah.

00:00 - Intro

02:24 - What's the strangest place you've played Salah in?

07:01 - Leading Salah at Masjid Al Aqsa

08:04 - One tip which has transformed Ustadh Asim's Salah

09:24 - The power of Wudhu

12:29 - Should we focus on Fiqh or Khushu more?

13:38 - What is Khushu?

15:22 - Being 'present' with the mind and body in Salah

16:54 - Having reverence and awe of Allah during Salah

20:20 - Avoid praying too fast!

25:46 - How a non-Muslim's Sajdah taught Ustadh Asim a big lesson

29:05 - What does Mihrab mean?

30:00 - Repelling Shaytan's whispers in Salah

31:53 - More top Khushu tips

39:31 - The 5 levels of Salah

47:12 - Does having Khushu mean you don't know what's going on around you?

52:32 - Praying Salah at work

57:04 - Planning your day around Salah

01:03:15 - Tips for waking up for Fajr

Get Ustadh Asim's Elevate Your Salah book here: https://www.elevateyoursalah.com/

Ustadh Shabbir and Ustadh Yahya Raaby share their hifdh journeys and discuss ways in how we can develop a relationship with the Qur'an. Ustadh Yayha also shares tips on how to have a productive Ramadan.

00:00 - Intro

01:59 - Memorable Ramadan moments

05:00 - Leading Tarawih for the first time

08:03 - Ustadh Yahya’s Qur’an Journey

15:19 - The Somali way of revising the Qur’an

16:17 - Ustadh Shabbir’s best days of his life

18:59 - Learning life lessons from teachers

21:59 - Learning Arabic in the UK

27:08 - Don’t think you’re too sinful to open the Qur’an

31:11 - What does it mean to have a relationship with the Qur’an?

32:22 - Who are ‘the People of the Qur’an’?

34:40 - How to reflect over the Qur’an if you don’t know Arabic

40:15 - The power of morning and evening Adhkar

50:00 - Reflecting on the Stories from the Qur’an

51:58 - Qur’an Memorisation tips

56:34 - How to have a productive Ramadan

1:01:32 - Qur’an recitation

Ustadh Shabbir is joined by Shaykh Ibraheem Menk where they speak about how to find a spouse and what struggles people go through when looking for someone suitable.

00:00 - Intro

03:45 - Does marriage fix everything?

11:47 - When will we know when we are ready to get married?

19:10 - Negotiables & non-negotiables, making compromises

23:53 - Mature love

25:35 - Don't pin your happiness on others

28:01 - If men get Hoors, what will women get in Jannah?

31:24 - How do I find someone?

32:30 - Asking elders/imams to find someone for you

33:01 - Telling elders you found someone you want to get married to

35:24 - Using marriage apps

38:12 - Directly approaching a sister

42:41 - Asking a sister for her mahram's number

46:27 - Hurdles in finding someone

47:20 - Don't be too picky

48:14 - Don't be shy in telling people that you are looking to get married

49:35 - The importance of having Taqwa