
ImanWire Podcast
ImanWire is an online publication and multimedia platform focusing on articulating spirituality in a modern context, highlighting a diverse group of American Muslim voices. Visit https://www.almadina.org/studio/podcasts for the latest articles and podcast episodes.
Latest episodes

Jul 14, 2024 • 34min
Purification Of The Soul Ep. 5: Principles Of The Path To The Divine - Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui
Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui discusses the importance of freeing oneself from attachments and dedicating the heart to worshiping Allah. This episode delves into the art of cleansing one's soul in pursuit of divine love.
CHAPTERS:
23:28 - Divine Connection: Ultimate Relationship
25:20 - Divine Edicts: Understanding The Command
29:40 - Spiritual Conditions: The Conditional Clause
32:40 - Inner Freedom: Liberated Heart vs Life's Challenges

Jul 2, 2024 • 1h 9min
Ep. 77: Advice For Pro-Palestine Activists - Hatem El-Haj & Dawud Walid
Shaykh Hatem El Haj and Imam Dawud Walid join the ImanWire podcast to offer words of encouragement and advice in staying true to Prophetic etiquettes for Muslims engaged in protests and activism for the Palestinian cause.
Link to article discussed in the podcast:
https://muslimmatters.org/2024/05/30/holding-onto-prophetic-etiquettes-when-protesting-encouragement-and-advice-for-muslim-human-rights-advocates/

Jun 5, 2024 • 47min
Purification Of The Soul Ep. 4: The Father-Son Bond: Ibrahim's Sacrifice - Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui
Embark on a profound journey through Ibrahim's ultimate test, a tale of unwavering faith and the epitome of a father's sacrifice. This episode delves into the heart-wrenching story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son—a narrative that continues to inspire spiritual guidance and reverence towards Allah.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Invocation
3:50 - Forbearing Son Tidings
11:00 - Ibrahim Ismael Vision
21:45 - Ibrahim Ultimate Test
25:50 - Shaytan Temptations
29:50 - Sacrifice Act
36:15 - Dua Prophet Ibrahim
40:05 - Ibrahim Divine Ransom
45:38 - Qurbani Significance

May 21, 2024 • 1h 55min
Ep. 76: Beards, European Hats & Coffee: Being Muslim or Imitating Others? - Youshaa Patel
“Whoever imitates a people becomes one of them." This well-known hadith on tashabbuh (imitation), debated by scholars over centuries, continues to play a role in how Muslims see both themselves and others. Dr. Youshaa Patel, author of the book, “The Muslim Difference: Defining the Line between Believers and Unbelievers from Early Islam to the Present”, joins the podcast to explore the many different layers of tashabbuh, weaving through scholarly commentaries, psychology, history, style and culture.
CHAPTERS:
1:18 - What is Tashabbuh?
11:08 - Tashabbuh in Early Islam
14:50 - Parting the Hair
17:12 - Changing the Qibla: A Distinctive Community
18:58 - Projecting Identity in the Public Space
20:59 - The Scale of Style: Small or Stark Differences?
27:55 - Imitation and Hierarchy in the Age of Empire
33:88 - More Than Just Imitating Non-Muslims
36:12 - Reinforcing Hierarchies in Empire
39:57 - Prioritizing Order in Society
41:36 - Ibn Taymiyyah Weighs In
44:08 - Bad Imitators: Festivals and Muslims Blurring Into Non-Muslims
49:32 - Can the Hadith of Imitation Go Both Ways?
50:53 - Tracing Anxieties Over the Ummah Through Tashabbuh
54:22 - Ibn Taymiyyah and Tashabbuh in Non-Muslim Lands
55:46 - Coffee, Controversy & Najm-ud-Din al-Ghazi
1:01:23 - Aligning Fiqh With Beauty
1:04:19 - The Coffeehouse: The Devil's Lair
1:06:09 - Good Imitation and the Path to Piety
1:09:43 - A Transformative Technology of the Self
1:10:33 - Animals as Role Models?
1:11:57 - Wearing European Hats
1:13:00 - The Most Controversial Fatwa in the History of Islam
1:19:46 - Power of Symbols in Shaping Communal Identity
1:22:57 - Tashabbuh Today: How Do Muslims Be Different Now?
1:33:21 - Internal Imitation: The Intellectual Onslaught on the Muslim Psyche
1:41:36 - Muslim Pride: Me Against Them?
1:44:56 - Figuring Out How to Be Muslim
1:47:01 - Elevating Ourselves and the Other

May 8, 2024 • 1h 30min
Conversations: Stories From Gaza - Dr. Bara Zuhaili
Dr. Bara Zuhaili shares stories from his time in Gaza, highlighting the humanity, resilience, and heroism of its people.

May 3, 2024 • 1h 18min
Conversations: College Encampment, TikTok Ban & Saints Of Allah - Hassan Lachheb
Shaykh Hassan Lachheb joins Moutasem Atiya to discuss topics close to their hearts and delve into global events.

Apr 20, 2024 • 46min
Purification Of The Soul Ep. 3: Freedom & Happiness - Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui
Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui talks about the internal struggles and choices faced by individuals. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's drives and inclinations with the divine, attaining serenity and freedom from worldly attachments. He draws inspiration from the story of Prophet Ibrahim and highlights the significance of steadfastness and faith in delivering the divine message. This enlightening discourse encourages Muslims to strive for spiritual growth and live a life dedicated to pleasing the Divine.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Opening Prayer Invocation
6:37 - Struggle for Freedom: Understanding Nafs
18:50 - Followers of Prophet Ibrahim
21:00 - Spiritual Connection with Allah
23:00 - Attaining Inner Peace: Becoming Salim
40:55 - Prophet Ibrahim's Deliverance
41:05 - Journeying to Allah: Ibrahim's Quest

Apr 9, 2024 • 1h 37min
Conversations - Coach Firas Zahabi
In this dialogue, Moutasem Atiya and Firas Zahabi discuss the situation in Palestine and Muslims worldwide and explore a range of topics in arriving to genuine faith in God.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
1:48 - Palestine Issue Discussion
5:36 - Proof Importance Analysis
11:56 - Psychology of Oppression Insights
14:35 - Radicalization Process Explained
19:15 - Historical Irony Explored
26:44 - Rabbi Shmuley
27:50 - Humanity
28:44 - Black Slave Rebellion Justification
30:00 - Gaza Cultural Impact
34:44 - Wikipedia Page Controversies
35:30 - Faith Journey Reflections
39:40 - Islamic Golden Age Highlights
43:30 - Born Muslim Concept
48:41 - Ma’rifah Concept Importance
52:08 - Divine Concept Projection Refutation
56:00 - Key Historical Events
59:10 - Historical Facts Overview
1:02:00 - Quran Interpretation Discussion
1:03:00 - Quran and Divine Existence
1:04:30 - Royce Gracie: My Hero
1:08:02 - Journey into MMA
1:13:17 - Secrets to Greatness
1:15:49 - Excellence Importance
1:20:10 - Peace Treaties and Coexistence
1:21:51 - International Law and War Crimes
1:26:32 - Israel Democracy Debate
1:31:04 - Future Predictions
1:35:25 - Conflict Duration Speculation
Video version of this episode is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLwc52V2tuE

Mar 24, 2024 • 1h 7min
Ep. 75: The Islamic Mary - Younus Mirza
Who is the Islamic Mary? Was she a Prophet? Dr. Younus Mirza reflects on what her Qur'anic story means for us today, and how it connects us to deeper spiritual realities in Ramadan.
CHAPTERS:
0:05 - Introduction
3:04 - The Origin Story [Aal-Imran 3:35-37]
7:52 - The Male Is Not Like the Female
14:47 - Learning From Female Saints
19:15 - The Name of Maryam
20:42 - Unique Features of Surah Maryam
24:17 - The Womb and Ar-Rahmaan
25:24 - Prophet Zakariya, Najashi and Interfaith Dialogue
30:57 - Seclusion and the News of Prophet Isa
33:35 - Labor and Complaining to God
37:25 - Spiritual Tests
39:11 - Divine Reassurance and the Fasting of Maryam
43:16 - Speech and Silence
44:26 - Connecting to the Deeper Realties of Fasting
47:01 - The Gifts of Silence and Ramadan
51:55 - Prophet Isa Speaking From Cradle
54:29 - Was Maryam a Prophet?
1:02:56 - Getting Lost in Qur'anic Commentary
Please subscribe to the podcast and visit almadina.org for the latest episodes.

Mar 13, 2024 • 51min
Purification Of The Soul Ep. 2: Seeking Knowledge & Spiritual Rewards - Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui
In continuation of the Purification of the soul series, Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui discusses the importance of seeking knowledge and acting upon it, emphasizing the spiritual benefits of studying the Quran and coming together for religious gatherings.
As we traverse the landscape of spiritual guidance, our guide expounds upon the tranquility that descends upon a gathering engrossed in the recitation and study of Allah's Book. This session illuminates the path to inner peace and the embracing of divine merciful love or rahma, enveloping the heart of the seeker in a celestial bubble of protection. The discussion further highlights the significance of sincere action, revealing how every step taken in the pursuit of beneficial knowledge is a step programmed towards Jannah, Paradise.
Prepare to be inspired by practical advice on purifying the nafs (self) to align one's desires and will with the Divine. The narrative provides insights into the importance of acting upon knowledge, emphasizing that one's deeds are the true measure of spiritual progress, rather than mere lineage or status.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Seeking Knowledge Importance
3:17 - Divine Sakina Concept
16:40 - Angels & Knowledge Seekers
21:34 - Knowledge-Action Relationship
24:45 - Motivations Behind Actions
37:34 - Achieving Spiritual Solace
39:44 - Allah's Gentleness & Kindness
41:14 - Year's First Module Insight
42:05 - Al-Salik Essence Explained
42:40 - Decision-Making Wisdom
44:00 - Divine Communication Continuity
45:03 - Class Responsibility Emphasis
48:12 - End-of-Module Paper Writing