In Good Faith

Every single day I come across uses of the words "Islam", "Muslim" and their various derivatives that I think are scripturally, philosophically and pragmatically bankrupt. All this reveals a fundamental and widespread misunderstanding, one which obscures truth and wisdom, as well as preventing deeper relationships and genuine cooperation amongst human beings.
If we are to make any serious progress and align ourselves to Reality, we must differentiate between what is existential and conventional, what is universal and particular, what is clariying and what is misleading. But have a watch / listen, and let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree.

(0:00) Why this conversation is critical
(5:25) If I'm not a "Muslim", what am I?
(9:40) Oversimplification & pervasive idolatry
(13:42) What the "labels" in revelation tell us
(24:49) Uppercase identites vs lowercase states
(30:57) Stated beliefs are completely irrelevant
(37:54) What matters far more than stated beliefs
(45:55) More analysis of key verses
(57:00) Proper language & substance are vital
(1:06:35) "Islam" & "Muslim": examples of confusion
(1:15:20) The martial arts analogy
(1:21:35) A universal, existential, practical framework
(1:33:20) More contemporary problematic examples

What are Muslims to make of their place in a country where a Reform government is looking more and more likely? Is the hysteria justified or paranoid?

Are public concerns about integration, rapid social change and parallel identities reasonable or symptoms of bigotry?

Is Muslim leadership and are Muslim institutions fit for purpose? Are they doing their part or are they actually part of the problem?

To discuss these questions and more, I hosted Edition 2 of The Public Forum online with two special guests from think tank Pickthall House:

Jacob Williams is a final-year Oxford DPhil candidate in political theory, where he also convenes the Oxford Islam and Justice Programme (OIJP). His commentary has been published in Renovatio, First Things, Law & Liberty and elsewhere. He wrote a recent and relevant piece he wrote here, entitled, 'Towards a Western Muslim Political Philosophy’ here.

Mustafa Warsi is a budding philosopher, regular writer and media spokesperson on political issues affecting Muslims, especially on GB News. He was my most recent guest for Episode 52 of In Good Faith. You can watch that conversation here.

To kick off the second year of In Good Faith, this is the first of a series of conversations in which I will be laying out my latest thinking in detail on issues of theology, religious identity, how to understand and interpret revelation and prophetic example in our time, and a whole lot more... facilitated by my friend Farzan Parupia.

(0:00) Farzan's intro
(1:27) Lessons from the last year
(10:02) What is my objective?
(12:06) The WOW factor
(17:30) False binaries
(26:48) Does God exist & is God one?
(32:52) What I think of Jordan Peterson
(36:34) Apophaticism & no god but God
(41:25) How I define God
(52:50) Context must inform God talk
(59:15) The agenda for next time
(1:03:30) Only God is real

To bring In Good Faith’s first year to a close, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mustafa Warsi. We discussed his spiritual and intellectual journey, his critique of modernity, and proposals for how human beings can recover their connection with the divine. Having only got to know Mustafa relatively recently, I found this conversation very refreshing and insightful.
Mustafa studied Mathematics at Cambridge University and has worked in the financial services industry for almost a decade. He is a budding philosopher, regular writer, media spokesperson and he has been the inspiration for a number of early stage projects in line with his aim of saving the world!

Mustafa’s website.
Kasurian.
Pickthall House.

(00:00) Mustafa’s core message
(09:10) Intellectual & spiritual backstory
(17:27) Reading “Sufism and Taoism”
(26:08) Truth as paramount
(36:55) Identities & labels as barriers
(49:43) The nature of revelation
(1:01:30) How to reenchant the world
(1:16:52) Intellectual & institutional failures
(1:24:27) Mustafa’s projects & plans
(1:36:34) It only takes a few people…

The lack of mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of human beings everywhere is in urgent need of grounded and effective solutions. To help make sense of the concepts and practicalities involved, I sat down with the wonderful Dr Rania Awaad.
Dr Rania is a prominent psychiatrist, professor, and scholar known for her work in faith-based mental health and psychology. Based on her background as a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she directs the Stanford Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab, she focuses on cultural and spiritual approaches to care. Dr. Awaad is also the co-founder and president of Maristan, a nonprofit dedicated to holistic mental health, and serves as director of The Rahmah Foundation

Maristan YouTube channel.
Follow Dr Rania.

(0:00) Framing the discussion
(1:46) What is the human being?
(9:15) The nature of consciousness
(16:35) Pausing to account for yourself
(22:43) The power of prayer (salat)
(30:16) Popularising spiritual practice
(35:12) The importance of nature
(37:38) Critiquing modern psychiatry
(47:41) Improving modern psychiatry
(54:11) Dr Rania’s Maristan project
(1:06:51) Returning to our original nature
(1:08:31) Advice to those entering the field