In this powerful episode of the Talking With Teachers Podcast, we are honored to welcome Imam Rasul Suluki, a longtime Muslim chaplain, teacher, and community leader serving in New Jersey and across the tri-state area.

Imam Suluki has dedicated decades of service to incarcerated Muslims, providing spiritual care, Islamic education, and moral guidance within correctional institutions. His work extends beyond prison chaplaincy to include teaching, counseling, and mentoring the wider Muslim community, with a deep commitment to rehabilitation, social justice, and faith-based transformation.

This episode offers rare insight into:

• Muslim prison chaplaincy

• Serving marginalized and incarcerated communities

• Faith, reform, and spiritual resilience

• The role of Islamic leadership in public institutions

🎙️ Hosted by Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with scholars, teachers, and community leaders shaping Muslim thought today.

#TalkingWithTeachers #ImamRasulSuluki #MuslimChaplain #PrisonChaplaincy #IslamicLeadership #MuslimCommunity #FaithAndJustice

In Season 6, Episode 6 of Talking With Teachers, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali speaks with Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi about the foundations of Islamic scholarly authority.

Shaykh Nadwi explains the enduring significance of isnād and ijāzah, illuminating how knowledge was authenticated and preserved across generations. He also shares remarkable insights from his groundbreaking research on female Hadith scholars, offering a richer and more accurate understanding of Islamic intellectual history.

A must-listen episode for anyone interested in Hadith, Islamic tradition, and the transmission of knowledge.

Talking With Teachers – Season 6, Episode 5
Dr. Joseph Lumbard

In this episode of Talking With Teachers, host Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali welcomes distinguished scholar Dr. Joseph E. B. Lumbard for a wide-ranging and deeply reflective conversation on Islam, spirituality, and the challenges of the modern world.

Dr. Lumbard—editor of The Study Quran and a leading voice in contemporary Islamic thought—shares his intellectual journey into Islamic studies and explores the enduring relevance of tasawwuf (Sufism), perennial philosophy, and classical Islamic scholarship in today’s rapidly changing global landscape.

The discussion addresses major themes such as:

• The spiritual and intellectual roots of Islamic tradition

• The effects of modernity and colonialism on Muslim societies

• Faith, reason, and the challenges posed by technology and artificial intelligence

• The role of sacred knowledge in an age of political and cultural uncertainty

This episode offers profound insights for students of Islam, seekers of spiritual depth, and anyone interested in thoughtful conversations on religion, philosophy, and modern life.

🎙 Guest: Dr. Joseph E. B. Lumbard
🎧 Host: Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali
📌 Series: Talking With Teachers – Season 6

Follow Talking With Teachers on Spotify for in-depth conversations with leading scholars and thinkers exploring faith, tradition, and contemporary life.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Talking With Teachers, we sit down with Imam Qasim Khan to explore his remarkable spiritual journey and lifelong commitment to faith, justice, and community leadership.

Imam Qasim reflects on his early religious experiences, including his involvement in major Black social and religious movements such as the Nation of Islam and the Black Panther Party, and how these formative years shaped his worldview and moral compass. He also shares a lesser-known chapter of his life—his time as a gospel singer—and how music, spirituality, and devotion intersected long before his embrace of Islam.

The conversation then turns to one of the most controversial periods of his public life, when Imam Qasim faced media attacks in Houston, Texas, accusing him of attempting to impose “shari‘ah law.” He responds directly to these claims, clarifying that his efforts were rooted not in coercion, but in encouraging Muslims to respect their own religious values, particularly through peaceful protest against Muslims selling alcohol within their communities.

This episode offers rare insight into:

• The evolution of Black religious consciousness in America

• Islam, social justice, and grassroots activism

• Media misrepresentation of Muslim leadership

• Faith-based moral reform versus political fear-mongering

A candid, thought-provoking discussion that challenges stereotypes and highlights the complexities of Muslim leadership in America today.

In this powerful episode of Talking With Teachers, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali sits down with Dr. Zachary Wright, an esteemed scholar of Islam and African Muslim intellectual history, for a rich and illuminating conversation on spirituality, scholarship, and tradition.

Dr. Wright reflects on his early influences in Islam, the scholars and teachers who shaped his spiritual and intellectual journey, and his path within the Tijani Tariqah. The discussion explores the importance of maintaining the wird, its role in spiritual discipline, and how structured remembrance of Allah cultivates consistency, humility, and presence of heart.

This episode also highlights the often-overlooked legacy of African Islamic scholarship, emphasizing Africa’s central role in preserving, transmitting, and enriching Islamic knowledge across generations. Dr. Wright sheds light on the depth of West African scholarly traditions, Sufi lineages, and the enduring relevance of African Muslim contributions to global Islam.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into:

• The spiritual foundations of the Tijani Sufi path

• The significance of regular dhikr and wird

• The continuity of African Muslim scholarship

• The relationship between spiritual practice and intellectual rigor

• Lessons for contemporary Muslims seeking rooted, authentic tradition

This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in Islamic spirituality, Sufism, African Islamic history, and living scholarly traditions.

🎧 Subscribe to Talking With Teachers for more in-depth conversations with leading scholars and thinkers.
📢 Share this episode with family and friends seeking meaningful Islamic discourse.

Dr. Zachary Wright, Talking With Teachers Podcast, Tijani Tariqah, Wird in Islam, African Islamic Scholarship, Sufism, Islamic Spirituality, West African Islam, Dhikr, Sufi Orders, Lamppost Education Initiative

In this episode of the Talking With Teachers Podcast, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali sits down with Mobeen Vaid—writer, public intellectual, and prominent commentator on modern challenges facing Muslims in the West. Raised in Northern Virginia, Mobeen reflects on his early life, community influences, and the experiences that shaped his intellectual journey.This conversation dives deeply into Muslims and politics in America, exploring how American Muslims navigate public life, partisan tensions, moral frameworks, and the evolving landscape of Muslim political engagement. Together, we unpack the opportunities and pitfalls of political participation, cultural pressures, and the importance of principled Islamic thought in contemporary debates.About the Guest:Mobeen Vaid is a researcher and essayist whose widely read works address Islamic ethics, modernity, gender, philosophy, and Muslim public discourse. His commentary has appeared across major Muslim platforms, and he is recognized for his thoughtful engagement with today’s most pressing social issues.👉 Topics Discussed:Mobeen’s upbringing and formative years in Northern VirginiaHow American culture shaped early Muslim identityThe shifting political landscape for Muslims in the United StatesEthical frameworks for political participationChallenges of polarization, representation, and public pressureWhat principled engagement looks like for Muslims todayYour support helps the Lamppost Education Initiative continue producing meaningful Islamic scholarship, thoughtful conversations, and resources for the Muslim community.👉 Support our work: https://lamppostedu.org/donate🔔 Subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us reach more listeners.

We open Season 6 of the Talking With Teachers Podcast with a profound and enlightening conversation with Dr. Hadia Mubarak, scholar and author of the acclaimed new book Rebellious Wives, Neglectful Husbands. In this episode, Dr. Mubarak explores the complexities of marriage, gender ethics, and the rich legacy of women’s voices in Islamic scholarship—offering insights rooted in tradition, compassion, and deep academic expertise.

As we begin a new season dedicated to meaningful conversations and transformative ideas, we invite you to support the Lamppost Education Initiative during our Super Tuesday fundraising campaign. Your contribution allows us to continue producing high-quality Islamic content, publishing impactful scholarly works, and making authentic knowledge accessible to English-speaking Muslims around the world.

👉 Support our Super Tuesday effort today: https://lamppostedu.org/donate
Every gift—large or small—helps sustain Islamic learning and community education.

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📚 Explore our online courses: https://lamppostedu.org/courses

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In this powerful closing episode of Season 5 of Talking With Teachers, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali sits down with Imam Sulaimaan Hamed of the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam. Imam Hamed reflects on his beginnings as a Muslim Imam, shares formative personal experiences, and speaks candidly about the urgent need for Muslims to reconcile and find unity on our common foundation as believers in Allah. He also addresses the dangers of heedlessness in our spiritual lives and highlights the enduring influence of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed on his path of faith and leadership.

✨ This conversation is both personal and inspiring, reminding us of the timeless importance of reflection, responsibility, and community in the journey of faith.

In this insightful episode, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali sits down with Arbazz Mohammed, Executive Director of the Sahaba Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving underprivileged families and fostering community development. With years of experience in social services and advocacy, Arbazz brings a unique perspective to the conversation on faith, leadership, and social change.

The discussion explores:

• The role of Muslims in politics and how civic engagement shapes the American Muslim experience.

• The impact of Islamic organizations in strengthening communities and addressing pressing social challenges.

• A remarkable encounter from his past that broadened his perspective on faith communities (shared critically, without endorsement).

• The lasting influence of Malcolm X, whose legacy continues to inspire Arbazz’s commitment to justice, self-determination, and Muslim identity in America.

This wide-ranging interview highlights the intersections of faith, activism, and identity, offering listeners valuable insights into the evolving role of Muslims in public life.

#TalkingWithTeachers #ArbazzMohammed #SahabaInitiative #MuslimsInPolitics #MalcolmX #AmericanMuslim

Professor Yasin Dutton is a renowned scholar of Islamic studies whose personal journey into Islam has shaped both his life and career. After embracing Islam as a young man, he went on to combine spiritual commitment with academic rigor, producing scholarship that bridges tradition and modern scholarship. He has taught at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Edinburgh and University of Cape Town, where he has inspired students in Qur’anic studies, Islamic law, and classical texts. Professor Dutton is also widely respected for his contributions to English translations of foundational Islamic works. His publications and translations include texts such as “The Origins of Islamic Law”, studies on early Qur’anic manuscripts, and his editorial and translation work that continues to make classical sources accessible to English-speaking audiences.In this episode of Talking With Teachers, Professor Dutton reflects on his background, his conversion to Islam, and the profound impact Islam has had on his personal and professional journey. His story offers listeners both insight and inspiration into the transformative power of faith and knowledge.#TalkingWithTeachers #IslamicStudies #YasinDutton #ConversionToIslam #IslamicScholar #MuslimJourney #FaithAndKnowledge #SacredKnowledge #IslamicLaw #QuranStudies #IslamicHistory #PodcastInterview