Episode 19 - A Light In The Heart | Dr. Shadee Elmasry

In this bumper episode, Dr Shadee joins the team to discuss some essential issues. This includes the real role of tasawwuf and purification of the heart, the importance of a 'street' education, the state of academia, how to understand the world from an Islamic lens, and how to practically do dhikr.

Dr. Shadee Elmasry was born and raised in New Jersey and studied in the Muslim world in Fez, Hadramawt, Cairo, Makka, and Madina. He completed a Masters from The George Washington University in comparative religion, then a PhD from the University of London, SOAS on "Da'wa in the Works of Imam al-Haddad."

Hosts : Tanzim & Josh

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Dr Shadee's online presence

https://twitter.com/DrShadeeElmasry

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0:00 - Intro

1:00 - Upbringing and the importance of having passion and putting effort into the din

9:30 - The importance of knowledge; the superiority of the scholar over the worshipper. Discussion of how Muslims cannot just be ideologues; there has to be practical application so we are the complete package. Importance of ibadah, Quran, Tajweed etc.

22:00 - The sanad tradition allows Islam to be preserved and gives us something firm to act upon.

28:00 - Introduction. Dr Shadee talks about his journey coming out of academia and his 'second education' on the streets. The importance of knowing what's affecting the people so you can be effective. The problems with a lot of modern academia; often it is disconnected and has no effect on the world. True knowledge is that which benefits the listener.

44:00 - Career discussions and Dr Shadee's advice on STEM and the liberal arts.

46:30 - The framework we use to understand the world; materialist vs an Islamic framework. The Muslim considers both the asbaab (means) and their status with Allah. The way to think about and act in the face of oppression.

1:02:30 - Islamic conception of spirituality; not usually an escape from reality, but a preparation for it. The importance of remembrance of Allah and ways of doing it. Discussion on doubts, darkness and purification of the heart.

1:11:45: More on the heart and tasawwuf. Discussion on how to come to certainty and rational proofs. Importance of dhikr (remembrance) of Allah again. Practical ways to do dhikr. Importance how you deal with others and the link to your state in the grave.

1:24:15 - Brief discussion on Karamaat. Book reference: Sufis of Andalusia.

1:28:40 - If you were to sit in a cave with 3 people, who would you pick?