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Religion & Spirituality

In Good Faith

Iqbal Nasim

A space to cultivate wisdom and enable transformation

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr 12 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • #59
    July 1 · 1 hr 38 min

    #59 - Reflecting On Life & Death After My Mother’s Passing

    My mother, Azeeza Shah, passed away on Tuesday 9th June and was buried on Friday 12th June. I sat down with my best friend Azim Kidwai, whose own mother was buried on exactly the same day ten years prior, to share reflections and stories with each other. To all those who have reached out to me or my siblings with prayers for my mother as well as words of support and encouragement for us, my heartfelt gratitude to you all. May she rest in peace, enveloped in divine love and light.

  • #58
    June 7 · 1 hr 7 min

    #58 - Unify on the Basis of Virtue & Action… NOT Belief & Doctrine!

    This conversation focuses on who constitutes your “community” - is it as simple as people who claim the same beliefs and are adherents of the same “religion”? Or is it something a lot more substantial? I also share some views on contextualising certain prescriptions in revelation, such as those to do with prayer, marriage and meat consumption! (0:00) Hairstyles (0:32) Verse analysis 49-10 (12:25) Clarifying the “label” problem (15:59) Stop wanting to define everyone (22:50) Characterising true faith (33:22) What forms are existentially vital? (45:00) Moving between different states (49:25) Isn’t all selflessness also godliness? (59:19) The value of natural goodness (1:02:55) The power of prophetic example

  • #57
    May 31 · 1 hr 45 min

    #57 - HOW Dropping Religious Labels Will Help Us Solve Everyone's Problems

    Is this whole discussion about religious labels a low priority or just a waste of time? In the context of all the issues people face, how can this even be relevant? Well that's what this episode is about, because in fact there is very deep connection between the way we see and possibly constrain ourselves and others on the one hand, and our collective ability to understand reality and collaboratively develop constructive solutions on the other. I go as far as to say that the rigid, contemporary label and identity based obsession is a type of idolatry that has led us to desecrate the prophetic legacy rather than honour, renew and uphold it. (0:00) Banter (1:32) The identity discussion is critical (12:24) Labels hinder universal concern (23:12) No need for addition after subtraction (28:33) Practical benefits of zero identity (39:33) Realising universal principles in context (49:49) Local vs absolute ideals & "Who decides?" (1:01:26) Course correction is ultimately inevitable (1:09:12) Labels cause bigotry & division (1:16:27) Do I have inferiority complex? (1:19:20) Did everyone miss this for 1400 years? (1:22:16) Is another label or category unavoidable? (1:27:03) Revisiting beliefs, salvation & idolatry (1:42:40) Outstanding matters

  • #56
    May 24 · 1 hr 32 min

    #56 - Clear PROOF from Revelation that “Islam” is NOT a “Religion”

    There are two key verses (3:19 and 3:85) which seem to suggest that “Islam” is indeed supposed to be understood as a “religion” and in fact the only valid path to God… but on closer analysis this extremely popular way of reading the verses becomes completely untenable. In this conversation these two verses are reviewed in their surrounding context - to show that the word إسلام is best understood as an existential orientation rather than a “religion” - with additional conversation on the topics of whether false doctrine can render good deeds worthless, the nature of idolatry and hypocrisy, having a founder’s mentality with regards to an effort to renew society which is rooted in faith, and the severe dangers of division that is caused by unnecessary and misleading labelling. If we stop being obsessed with doctrine, dogma and identity, and start being obsessed with meaning, practice and adding value, only then will we even begin to realise the vision for human beings presented in revelation. It’s time to unblock ourselves and let the divine light shine. (0:00) Din (دين) is orientation not religion (11:20) Verse analysis 3:19 (18:11) Contextual nuances of groups in revelation (25:34) Can doctrine make goodness worthless? (38:36) The value of humility & non-judgement (47:00) Everyone’s exposure to idolatry & hypocrisy (55:45) Faith (إيمان) & good deeds are inseparable (1:00:54) Simply subtract & let the light shine (1:07:56) Having a founder’s mentality (1:10:42) The severe dangers of division (1:15:19) Verse analysis 3:85 (1:25:08) The road ahead (1:28:38) Verse analysis 10:104

  • #55
    May 17 · 1 hr 42 min

    #55 - Why I'm Not A "Muslim" & Why "Islam" Isn't My "Religion"

    Every single day I come across uses of the words "Islam", "Muslim" and their various derivatives that I think are scripturally, philosophically and pragmatically bankrupt. All this reveals a fundamental and widespread misunderstanding, one which obscures truth and wisdom, as well as preventing deeper relationships and genuine cooperation amongst human beings. If we are to make any serious progress and align ourselves to Reality, we must differentiate between what is existential and conventional, what is universal and particular, what is clariying and what is misleading. But have a watch / listen, and let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree. (0:00) Why this conversation is critical (5:25) If I'm not a "Muslim", what am I? (9:40) Oversimplification & pervasive idolatry (13:42) What the "labels" in revelation tell us (24:49) Uppercase identites vs lowercase states (30:57) Stated beliefs are completely irrelevant (37:54) What matters far more than stated beliefs (45:55) More analysis of key verses (57:00) Proper language & substance are vital (1:06:35) "Islam" & "Muslim": examples of confusion (1:15:20) The martial arts analogy (1:21:35) A universal, existential, practical framework (1:33:20) More contemporary problematic examples

  • #54
    May 13 · 1 hr 31 min

    #54 - Do Muslims Have a Future in Britain? Jacob Williams & Mustafa Warsi

    What are Muslims to make of their place in a country where a Reform government is looking more and more likely? Is the hysteria justified or paranoid? Are public concerns about integration, rapid social change and parallel identities reasonable or symptoms of bigotry? Is Muslim leadership and are Muslim institutions fit for purpose? Are they doing their part or are they actually part of the problem? To discuss these questions and more, I hosted Edition 2 of The Public Forum online with two special guests from think tank Pickthall House: Jacob Williams is a final-year Oxford DPhil candidate in political theory, where he also convenes the Oxford Islam and Justice Programme (OIJP). His commentary has been published in Renovatio, First Things, Law & Liberty and elsewhere. He wrote a recent and relevant piece he wrote here, entitled, 'Towards a Western Muslim Political Philosophy’ here. Mustafa Warsi is a budding philosopher, regular writer and media spokesperson on political issues affecting Muslims, especially on GB News. He was my most recent guest for Episode 52 of In Good Faith. You can watch that conversation here.

  • #53
    May 10 · 1 hr 5 min

    #53 - Podcasting Lessons, the WOW Factor & How I Define God

    To kick off the second year of In Good Faith, this is the first of a series of conversations in which I will be laying out my latest thinking in detail on issues of theology, religious identity, how to understand and interpret revelation and prophetic example in our time, and a whole lot more... facilitated by my friend Farzan Parupia. (0:00) Farzan's intro (1:27) Lessons from the last year (10:02) What is my objective? (12:06) The WOW factor (17:30) False binaries (26:48) Does God exist & is God one? (32:52) What I think of Jordan Peterson (36:34) Apophaticism & no god but God (41:25) How I define God (52:50) Context must inform God talk (59:15) The agenda for next time (1:03:30) Only God is real

  • #52
    May 3 · 1 hr 40 min

    #52 - Mustafa Warsi: Reenchanting Reality, Interpreting Symbols & Finding God

    To bring In Good Faith’s first year to a close, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mustafa Warsi. We discussed his spiritual and intellectual journey, his critique of modernity, and proposals for how human beings can recover their connection with the divine. Having only got to know Mustafa relatively recently, I found this conversation very refreshing and insightful. Mustafa studied Mathematics at Cambridge University and has worked in the financial services industry for almost a decade. He is a budding philosopher, regular writer, media spokesperson and he has been the inspiration for a number of early stage projects in line with his aim of saving the world! Mustafa’s website. Kasurian. Pickthall House. (00:00) Mustafa’s core message (09:10) Intellectual & spiritual backstory (17:27) Reading “Sufism and Taoism” (26:08) Truth as paramount (36:55) Identities & labels as barriers (49:43) The nature of revelation (1:01:30) How to reenchant the world (1:16:52) Intellectual & institutional failures (1:24:27) Mustafa’s projects & plans (1:36:34) It only takes a few people…

  • #51
    April 29 · 1 hr 13 min

    #51 - Dr Rania Awaad: Modern Mental Health Needs a Psychospiritual Revolution

    The lack of mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of human beings everywhere is in urgent need of grounded and effective solutions. To help make sense of the concepts and practicalities involved, I sat down with the wonderful Dr Rania Awaad. Dr Rania is a prominent psychiatrist, professor, and scholar known for her work in faith-based mental health and psychology. Based on her background as a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she directs the Stanford Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab, she focuses on cultural and spiritual approaches to care. Dr. Awaad is also the co-founder and president of Maristan, a nonprofit dedicated to holistic mental health, and serves as director of The Rahmah Foundation Maristan YouTube channel. Follow Dr Rania. (0:00) Framing the discussion (1:46) What is the human being? (9:15) The nature of consciousness (16:35) Pausing to account for yourself (22:43) The power of prayer (salat) (30:16) Popularising spiritual practice (35:12) The importance of nature (37:38) Critiquing modern psychiatry (47:41) Improving modern psychiatry (54:11) Dr Rania’s Maristan project (1:06:51) Returning to our original nature (1:08:31) Advice to those entering the field

  • #50
    April 18 · 1 hr 1 min

    #50 - Rehan Khan: How to Defeat Distraction, Enter Flow & Write Great Stories

    I’ve known Rehan Khan for over 30 years and he was one of my very earliest teachers and mentors. He is now a thought-leader, professor, novelist and an advocate for virtue-based storytelling and leadership. His work has spanned consulting for major global corporations, teaching post-graduate courses at one of the world’s leading business schools about AI, the future of work and leadership, as well as delivering training courses on focus and productivity, drawing on his business book, Distracting Ourselves to Death. Uniquely, Rehan is also a multi-series novelist. His books include the Carnegie nominated A Tudor Turk series set in the 16th century, as well as the standalone A Tomb of Empires set in 90BC, and more recently the fantasy sci-fi epic series Tales of Khayaal. Follow Rehan. Rehan’s website. Buy Tales of Khayaal. (0:00) Trailer (1:17) Introduction (4:16) Our attention problem (6:47) Remove noise, find pearls (10:18) Creativity & discipline (13:10) How to enter flow states (17:45) Your phone is your enemy (23:18) Is the AI threat overblown? (34:00) Rehan’s faith journey (41:18) Virtue-based storytelling (1:00:29) Conclusion

  • #49
    April 11 · 1 hr 40 min

    #49 - Naz Shah MP: My Journey from Tragedy & Horror to Faith, Power & Honour

    I sat down with Naz Shah, Member of Parliament for Bradford West, on 5th March 2026 - the day her shocking and powerful autobiography was released. Entitled “Honoured: Survival, Strength and My Path to Politics”, it’s a truly remarkable story that focuses on Naz’s immensely difficult childhood - one marred by poverty, violence, forced marriage and a lack of formal education - and her subsequent journey as a campaigner and politician, which all began with an arduous journey to pursue justice for her imprisoned mother who had experienced extreme levels of abuse over many years. We can all learn lessons from Naz’s resilience, her inspiring faith and love for God, as well as her unflinching commitment to public service. Follow Naz Buy the book (0:00) Trailer (1:38) The book’s origin story (12:20) Cover and title (19:01) How Naz’s faith has evolved (33:59) The night before Naz’s first election (39:01) An excerpt on trusting God (42:04) Honouring Naz’s mum (53:47) How to be faithful as a politician (59:38) Refraining from being judgemental (1:07:55) Healing, compassion & forgiveness (1:21:11) Politics & life in Bradford (1:35:13) National politics and future ambitions

  • #46
    March 13 · 39 min

    #46 - How Can We Help Britain Take Faith More Seriously?

    I launched The Public Forum on 12th February 2026. It’s the in-person strand of the In Good Faith podcast. This episode contains the panel’s responses to the first audience question. (00:00) Introductions (04:02) The question (05:04) Zara Mohammed (08:28) Omar Salha (12:46) Saleha Bukhari (18:03) Audience contributions (23:14) Zia Salik (28:53) My thoughts (30:38) Sohail Hanif

  • #45
    March 2 · 1 hr 28 min

    #45 - Saad Yacoob: Moving Insights on Creativity & Revival from the Legendary Iqbal

    I came across a couple of Saad Yacoob's Substack articles in 2025, and knew straight away that I had to get him onto the show. When I then learned that his PhD was centred on the famous Muhammad Iqbal - after whom I was named - I was even more keen to do so. Our paths crossed unexpectedly in Doha and we sat down for an impromptu chat. Saad didn't disappoint. This was easily one of my favourite conversations of In Good Faith so far. In it, Saad puts forward a powerful and beautifully articulated rallying call for us all. Saad's academic bio. Saad's Instagram. Saad's Substack. (00:00) Confrontation & confidence (06:29) Critique of legal tradition (15:18) Internal vs universal relevance (21:52) Critique of mysticism & modernity (36:15) Reviving the spirit of faith (39:17) Salvific anxiety & material flourishing (46:20) How to overcome collective depression (56:10) Colonial mentality of the colonised (1:06:11) Identity, individualism & community (1:14:08) Becoming standard bearers (1:24:42) Closing couplet & reflections

  • #44
    February 23 · 1 hr 50 min

    #44 - Key Zakat Controversies & Confusions… Contextualised & Clarified

    The idea of a “Muslim community” will remain a myth for as long as its zakat remains disorganised, scattered and imbalanced… which is exactly the situation today. Drawing on my decade of experience in running a zakat institution, and my reflections on revelation and prophetic example, I propose ways forward that help make sense of what zakat is and what we need to do to unlock its immense power. (00:00) What does zakat mean? (05:58) The salat-zakat combo (18:40) Purpose of zakat (27:45) Centralisation & representation (52:10) Why zakat should be local (56:22) Welfare & admin categories (1:14:31) Soft & hard power categories (1:35:35) Revising rates & thresholds (1:47:25) Voluntary giving

  • February 21 · 14 min

    What's the Point of Ramadan Tent Project [#12 Highlight]

    On the day that Ramadan Tent Project (RTP) hosted its first event for the breaking of the fast (iftar) at Silverstone - home of the British Grand Prix - here's a flashback to my conversation with Omar Salha in May 2025 to understand more about RTP's Open Iftar initiative. Watch the full episode here.

  • #43
    February 16 · 1 hr 23 min

    #43 - Dr Yasir Qadhi: Sectarianism, Pluralism, Salvation & Universality

    It was an honour to host Dr Yasir Qadhi, a prolific public intellectual and someone I respect deeply for his courage to speak his mind, often in the face of much hostility. I picked his brain on several issues: sectarianism and division, whether religious labels are helpful or harmful, patriotism and emigration, theophany and salvation, as well as exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism. Check out Dr Yasir’s Lighthouse series here. (00:00) Maturation & changing one’s mind (07:15) Sectarianism, division & hate (17:14) Relevance & diversity (24:52) Labels: harmful or helpful? (30:53) Culture, loyalty & patriotism (40:50) Ironies of emigration (hijrah) (46:33) Theophany & salvation (58:33) Non-dogmatic faith & sincere rejection (1:12:07) Insularity vs universality (1:20:33) Modern theology project

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