

Talking With Teachers With Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali
Lamppost Education Initiative
The ‘Talking With Teachers’ Podcast will provide revealing insights into the unique contributions of famous and less-known scholars and teachers. Hosted by Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, an Associate Professor at Zaytuna College and the Founding Director of the Lamppost Education Initiative (Lamppost).
Each episode will discuss key features of the academic journey of our guests as well as explore a particular thinker’s key intellectual/cultural contributions. Guests will primarily be Muslim scholars, Imams, and others of note from the community.
Each episode will discuss key features of the academic journey of our guests as well as explore a particular thinker’s key intellectual/cultural contributions. Guests will primarily be Muslim scholars, Imams, and others of note from the community.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 10, 2025 • 59min
Talking With Teachers: Season 4 Episode 7-Shaykh Zulfiqar Ali Shah
In this enlightening episode of Talking With Teachers, we sit down with Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, a distinguished scholar, educator, and leader in the Muslim community. Dr. Shah shares his personal journey, including the profound impact of being paralyzed for two years, and offers deep insights into the evolution of Islamic education in the West.This fascinating interview also explores the historical contributions of Islamic knowledge to Western civilization and the surprising influence of Christian Unitarians—such as Benjamin Franklin —in shaping early American thought, and much more. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that bridges history, faith, and education.During this blessed month of Ramadan, please support the Lamppost Education Initiative. Your donations help us to continue to sponsor programs like our Talking With Teachers Podcast, publish books, conduct seminars and workshops, and much more. For details visit us at: https://lamppostedu.org/donate#TalkingWithTeachers #IslamicEducation #History #ZulfiqarAliShah #LamppostEducation #MuslimScholars #Podcast

Mar 3, 2025 • 1h 10min
Talking With Teachers: Season 4 Episode 6: Shaykh Joe Bradford
What does Islamic law say about life insurance? How can Muslims navigate modern financial systems while staying true to their faith? And what challenges do scholars face in issuing fatwas across different legal systems? In this must-watch episode, we sit down with Shaykh Joe Bradford, a leading expert in Islamic Finance and Law, who holds a graduate degree in Islamic Law & Legal Theory from the Islamic University of Medina. He’s also the author of Simple Zakat Guide and founder of Muslim Money Guide, where he educates Muslims on financial planning within an Islamic framework.🔥 In this episode, we’ll cover:✔️ How Shaykh Joe Bradford got into the field of Islamic Finance✔️ Is life insurance halal or haram? A legal and ethical discussion✔️ The challenges of international fatwa and applying Islamic rulings globally✔️ How financial regulations impact Muslims seeking to follow Islamic law💡 Subscribe now & turn on notifications so you don’t miss it!📢 Like & share to spread this valuable knowledge! Please support the Lamppost Education Inititiave during this blessed month of Ramadan. Your donations help Lamppost provide high quality content for English speaking Muslims all over the world. Visit us at: https://lamppostedu.org/donate to contribute and aid Islamic education from qualified Muslim scholars. #TalkingWithTeachers #ShaykhJoeBradford #IslamicFinance #LifeInsurance #Fatwa #IslamicLaw #HalalInvesting

Feb 24, 2025 • 1h 25min
Talking With Teachers: Season Four-Episode Five: Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi
Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi is a community leader with 20+ years of service in the Bay Area and SoCal. From a life-changing encounter with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf in 1996 to co-launching MH4M (Mental Health for Muslims),she’s dedicated her life to empowering communities through education, spiritual guidance, and mental health advocacy. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation. Please support the Lamppost Education Initiative in providing relevant Islamic content for the English speaking Muslim community. Go to https://lamppostedu.org/donate

Feb 24, 2025 • 1h 22min
Talking With Teachers-Season 4 Episode 4-Abdur Raheem Green
Join us on this compelling episode ofTalking With Teachers withAbdur Raheem Green! In this session, Abdur Raheem Green—a passionate speaker, educator, and convert to Islam—opens up about his life, his interests, and the transformative journey that led him to embrace Islam. His personal story and insights offer inspiration for anyone interested in faith and transformation.👉Don’t forget to subscribe, hit the like button, and share this video to help spread the inspiration!#TalkingWithTeachers #AbdurRaheemGreen #IslamJourney #SpiritualTransformation #Podcast

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 1min
Talking With Teachers Season 4 Episode 3-Dr. Benjamin Benulis
Are you ready to transform your health and reduce your reliance on expensive, and sometimes dangerous, medications? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Benjamin Benulis—a pioneer in holistic health and natural healing with decades of experience helping individuals unlock their body’s innate ability to heal.Drawing from his extensive background in preventive medicine, Dr. Benulis shares practical, evidence-based strategies for embracing natural alternatives and lifestyle changes that can dramatically improve your well-being. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition or simply seeking a healthier way of living, this conversation is packed with insights that could change your life.👉 Subscribe and hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode of the 'Talking With Teachers' Podcast. #NaturalHealth #HolisticHealing #AlternativeMedicine #HealthTransformation #DrBenjaminBenulis
Please support the Lamppost Education Inititiave. Your donations help Lamppost provide high quality content for English speaking Muslims all over the world. Visit us at: https://lamppostedu.org/donate to contribute and aid Islamic education from qualified Muslim scholars.
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Jan 27, 2025 • 57min
Talking With Teachers: Season 4-Episode 2 Shaykh Hatem Al-Haj
We’re honored to host Shaykh Hatem Al-Haj, a respected Islamic scholar known for applying classical fiqh to today’s pressing questions. He’ll shed light on i’jma (consensus), discuss the importance of fatwa in guiding Muslim communities, and address the sensitive topic of gender reassignment (men or women sex-change) within Islamic law. Join us for an eye-opening discussion—like, share, and invite others to learn with us!

Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 40min
Talking With Teachers: Season 4 Episode 1-Shaykh Umar Vadillo
Get ready for an eye-opening conversation with Shaykh Umar Vadillo in our upcoming podcast! Known for his expertise in Islamic economics and finance, Shaykh Umar Vadillo will share insights on Bitcoin and explore its place in the modern financial landscape. Don’t miss his unique perspective on ethical transactions, the role of precious metals in commerce, and the broader implications for Muslim communities worldwide.
Subscribe now and set your reminders—you won’t want to miss this valuable discussion!

Dec 2, 2024 • 1h 5min
Talking With Teachers: Season 3 Episode 12-Dr. Zara Khan
Join us for the grand finale of Talking With Teachers Season 3, hosted by Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali! In this episode, we are honored to feature Dr. Zara Khan, a distinguished scholar specializing in Western episteme, political philosophy, human rights, and the intersections of religion and public life.
Dr. Zara Khan was born in Frankfurt, Germany, and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She holds a Ph.D. with Distinction in Political Theory and Comparative Politics from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Her groundbreaking doctoral dissertation, Refractions Through the Secular: Islam, Human Rights, Universality, reflects her profound engagement with critical theory and political philosophy.
Throughout her academic career, Dr. Khan has taught at Lehigh University, the City University of New York, and West Chester University, offering courses such as Introduction to Political Theory, Politics of Development, and Politics of Diversity. Her work focuses on deconstructing Modernity and secularism while striving to contribute to the Islamicization of knowledge across education, politics, culture, and economics.
In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Khan shares her insights on the challenges of a process she calls 'Islamization' and so much more. Don't miss this deep dive into critical issues shaping our world today.
Please support the Lamppost Education Inititiave. Your donations help Lamppost provide high quality content for English speaking Muslims all over the world. Visit us at: https://lamppostedu.org/donate to contribute and aid Islamic education from qualified Muslim scholars.
Connect with us on Social Media:
http://www.facebook.com/LEIscholars
http://www.twitter.com/thelight99
http://www.instagram.com/lamppost_edu

Nov 25, 2024 • 1h 9min
Talking With Teachers: Season 3 Episode 11-Imam Dawood Yasin
A Conversation with Imam Dawood Yasin
Welcome to another enriching episode of the Talking With Teachers podcast! 🎙️
This week, host Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali is joined by Imam Dawood Yasin, a seasoned educator and leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to ethical living and service.
📌 Highlights of Imam Dawood’s career:
Director of Student Life and Center for Ethical Living and Learning at Zaytuna College
Muslim Life and Service-Learning Coordinator at Dartmouth College
Director of Outreach Affairs at Zayed Center for Islamic Culture in the UAE
Arabic Language Teaching Assistant at Yale University
Currently a board member of the Lamppost Education Initiative, Imam Dawood also studied Islamic studies at Abu Nour Institute in Damascus.
✨ Don’t miss this inspiring discussion!
📅 New episodes release weekly.
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#TalkingWithTeachers #ImamDawoodYasin #Podcast #IslamicEducation #EthicalLeadership

Nov 18, 2024 • 1h 29min
Talking With Teachers Season 3 Episode 10: Dr. Youssef Ismail
Welcome to the 10th episode of Season 3 of the Talking With Teachers podcast! 🌙
In this special episode, host Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali is joined by Dr. Youssef Ismail, a scholar of mechanical engineering and expert in Astronomy, Mathematics, Physics, the History of Science, and Maliki Fiqh. Dr. Ismail, a contributor to Crescentwatch.org, offers valuable insights into fascinating topics that connect science, spirituality, and Islamic tradition.
📌 Topics discussed:🔹 How to determine Fajr in relation to eating suhoor during Ramadan🔹 The debate on the Northeast vs. Southeast Qibla direction🔹 The traditions and science behind moon sighting
This episode dives deep into the practical and theological aspects of these discussions, blending modern science with classical Islamic jurisprudence.
✨ Don’t miss this engaging conversation that bridges the gap between faith and reason!
📅 New episodes of Talking With Teachers release every week. Please subscribe to our Spotify channel or anywhere you enjoy your podcasts.
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#TalkingWithTeachers #DrYoussefIsmail #CrescentWatch #IslamicAstronomy #MoonSighting #RamadanTips #Podcast