Yaqeen Podcast

Sha‘ban is a time to prepare the heart. Tame the ego now, before Ramadan begins, because the ego is what clouds judgment and pulls us toward what harms us instead of what heals us. 

Listen to the full khutbah by Dr. Omar Suleiman to learn how to check your ego.

The Prophet ﷺ communicated with compassion, and that alone should be enough to know that his words  were never meant to belittle or degrade others. So how do we react to statements attributed to the Prophet ﷺ that appear to do just that—especially when they seem to target women? In this episode of Real Talk, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek unpacks that tension, offering case studies from the Qur’an and Sunnah that have been misunderstood or misused, and shares how we can all feel more confident and empowered in understanding our tradition with greater clarity and depth.

Salahuddin lures the massive Frankish army out of their forts using Raymond’s wife as bait. The Crusaders march into a strategic trap — a desert without water, poisoned wells, and burning shrubs.

By the time they realize what they’ve walked into… there is no way back.

Are you among Allah’s friends, or those who stand against Him? And how would you even know? There are major sins for which Allah has promised to wage war against those who commit them. At the same time, there are deeds that earn His pleasure and draw a person closer to Him as one of His allies. Listen to the full khutbah to learn which actions bring you nearer to Allah—and which invite His anger.

It’s normal to struggle. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Faith wears out in your hearts just like clothes wear out.” So the question isn’t whether you’ll experience ups and downs—we all will.

The real question is: What will you do to renew your faith?
In this episode, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek shares how she navigated her own periods of spiritual burnout, and offers practical reflections on how to engage with the parts of Islam that might feel harder for you than for others.

Not every invitation to a seat at the table is one worth taking. Sometimes, showing up is actually selling out, and if we don’t define our limits, others will define them for us. 

Imam Tom breaks down what Muslims need today: knowing when to engage, when to walk away, and how power can use our presence to legitimize injustice. 

A word of affirmation that anchors you in truth. Not the kind that comforts you when you are doing wrong, but the kind that corrects you, strengthens you, and helps you remain on the right path. These are the friendships that truly matter.

Watch this lecture by Dr. Omar Suleiman on the power of authentic friendship and surrounding yourself with people who genuinely care about your faith and your future.

When a pillar of leadership disappeared, the ummah didn’t just face uncertainty—
it began to fracture.

Division spread quickly: fear, suspicion, propaganda, and leaders willing to bargain away dignity just to survive. Loyalties splintered. Cities hesitated. Unity became fragile.

And in the midst of that chaos, a name returned from the shadows—
bringing with it a plot so unthinkable it forced the entire Muslim world to respond.

Sha’ban is the month of preparation for Ramadan. Every act of worship and every good habit you build in Sha’ban sets the foundation for your best Ramadan yet.

Sha’ban is the month of training the nafs, your lower self. It’s a time to strengthen discipline, resist temptations, and silence the whisperings of Shaytan. By struggling against your desires now, you enter Ramadan spiritually ready and focused.

Listen to the full khutbah by Dr. Omar Suleiman as he explains why Sha’ban is the perfect month to prepare your heart, mind, and soul for Ramadan.

"Live your truth.” “You do you.”

Culture relentlessly pushes us to put ourselves and our happiness above all else. But if that’s the key to fulfillment, why are we more miserable than ever? 

In this episode, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek unpacks the rise of individualism and moral relativism, the impact of anger on mental health, and how forgiveness and re-centering God can help us move from bitter to better.