#20 - Hamza Tzortzis - Part 1: The QURAN Remains As RELEVANT As EVER
In this first episode of a two-part conversation with the prolific and well-renowned Hamza Tzortzis, I got to pick his brains about the Quran. How should people approach and understand it today? How can and should it be contextualised? How do we separate between the universal and the particular?Part 2 will focus entirely on his recently submitted PhD, entitled "A Theo-Philosophical Assessment of al-Iʿjāz al-ʿIlmī and the Multiplicity of Readings Approach."--Hamza is the founder and CEO of Sapience Institute. He is the author of the best-selling book: “The Divine Reality: God, Islam and The Mirage of Atheism”, which has been translated into over 10 languages. He has an MRes, MA and a PgCert in Philosophy from the University of London. He has studied Islamic Thought and Theology with a wide range of scholars.--Follow Sapience Institute: @SapienceInstitute Follow Hamza: @HamzaTzortzisOfficial Hamza's website: https://www.hamzatzortzis.com--(0:00) Trailer(1:12) About Hamza's PhD(2:41) How to introduce someone to the Quran(15:52) Should we read in order or at random?(26:41) The importance of living the Quran(32:31) How to frame guidance for people today(46:42) Paying attention to our worldview(54:28) How to contextualise the Quran(1:11:45) Case study: inheritance (1:21:11) Case study: zakat threshold (nisab)(1:35:56) Balancing realities and ideals
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1:47:51
#19 - What Are You Selling Your SOUL For?
In this episode, Taimur Abdaal is back to quiz me about what it means to lead a truly authentic, God-centred life, especially in the context of work. For most of us, work occupies the bulk of our time, attention and energy. Unfortunately, for many of us, it also often ends up being unfulfilling and misaligned with our deepest values and our overall worldview. Can this tension be resolved in a way that is sustainable? I believe so... and this conversation will help show you how. (0:00) Do we each have an authentic self?(3:41) Seeing money and time in perspective(10:04) Deciding what you don't want (18:03) Assessing your real intentions(23:27) Start adding value (26:39) How do we know what God wants?(32:27) Various possible outcomes (38:11) My priorities vs the world's needs(44:23) Using the Ikigai framework(51:12) Case studies(55:28) Tuning your own antenna (59:17) Macro priorities today
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#18 - Surkheel Sharif: We Must Become Healers
Surkheel Sharif, aka Abu Aaliyah, founded and has been the director of the Jawziyyah Institute since 1999: a non-profit organisation dedicated to cultivating an Islam true to its time-honoured tradition, relevant to its current context, and of benefit to wider society.He has authored the following works: More Fish Please & the Earth’s Complaint (2011), Fussing Over the 15th of Sha’ban & the Golden Rule of Differing (2011) and, most recently, A Muslim’s Guide to Modernity (2025). He has also translated a few texts from Arabic to English, notably The Exquisite Pearl (2000). He gained an MA in Islamic Studies from Birkbeck College, University of London, in 2009.Find our more: https://thehumblei.comBuy A Muslim's Guide to Modernity: https://turath.co.uk/products/a-muslims-guide-to-modernityArticle referenced at 1:04:35: https://thehumblei.com/2019/10/27/women-mosques-misogyny-to-misrepresentation/(0:00) Trailer(1:12) The meaning of Surkheel(4:47) Early life and education(16:27) Evolving community concerns(29:53) How our attitude needs to change(36:34) An assessment of the status quo(48:44) The failures and future of scholarship(59:55) Integrating macro and micro factors(1:11:52) The need for imagination and conversation(1:22:01) A vision for faith in Britain(1:27:11) Future publications and final thoughts
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1:34:54
#17 - Peter Gould: How To Design From Your Heart With Excellence
I've long been a fan of the work of Peter Gould. Wise, humble and immensely talented, Peter shared many lessons and insights from his 20+ years of experience as a creator, entrepreneur and pioneer of heart-centred design. He also spoke about his long and wonderful journey in producing his beautiful new book - The Heart of Design - as well as the result of his latest collaboration - Tales of Khayaal.Visit Peter's website: https://www.peter-gould.comRead Peter's book: https://www.theheartofdesign.com/bookFollow Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petergouldart/(0:00) Trailer(0:53) Peter's weekend(2:40) Nature vs nurture(4:51) The growth of intentional design(9:31) Peter's favourite projects(12:41) Dealing with creative block (19:40) Peter's projects and planning process(28:36) Peter's creative process(36:29) The book publication journey(42:53) Who is the book for?(45:15) The burden of responsibility (55:53) Universal relevance and concern(1:05:51) Future plans and conclusion
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1:12:47
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1:12:47
#16 - Chris Blauvelt: Creating a Digital Nation & Running LaunchGood
Chris Blauvelt is one of the most dynamic and creative faith-based social entrepreneurs around. Based in Detroit, Michigan, he is co-founder and CEO of LaunchGood, the world's largest faith-inspired crowdfunding platform. Since 2013 it has facilitated ~$1bn of giving across the world. We spent time discussing the past, present and future of LaunchGood... but first we talked in some detail about the potential of GUMmies and Chris's nascent idea of creating a digital nation.Follow Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjblauvelt/Check out LaunchGood: https://www.launchgood.com(0:00) Trailer(0:42) Chris's names(3:34) Who are GUMmies?(9:03) Our untapped potential(13:40) The idea of a digital nation(19:10) Is a tipping point coming?(21:03) Power as a false god(28:28) A vision for society or community?(35:15) Different engagement mindsets(40:43) Next steps for the digital nation(44:19) The LaunchGood journey so far(53:13) How to use discretionary funds(1:04:14) Limits of LaunchGood's responsibility(1:13:50) Mindset, patience and blessings
This show is where we explore the God-centred life. We assess how faith can be the basis for human flourishing at the individual and societal level. In particular, we consider the principles and practicalities of meaningful prayer, effective giving and purposeful leadership. For more information, freely available courses and email newsletter, visit https://www.iqbalnasim.com
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