OnGuard - For the Ummah, For the Truth

How to Deal With That Voice in Your Head (ft. Imran Hussein)

What happens when you know Islam is true… but still feel empty inside? In this powerful episode of OnGuard, Hamza Tzortzis speaks to Imran Hussein about anxiety, intrusive thoughts, depression, nihilism, and the search for meaning in a world full of distractions. Imran shares his deeply personal journey through an existential crisis, describing the moment life seemed to lose its meaning — and how turning back to Allah transformed darkness into clarity. But this is not just a story about “mental health”. It is a conversation about iman, purpose, knowledge, the heart, and why intellectual certainty alone is not always enough to keep a person grounded. Why do so many Muslims feel spiritually disconnected despite believing in Islam? How should we understand anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts and depression through an Islamic lens? What does it mean to seek help without shame? And how can we hold on to hope when everything feels dark? This episode is for anyone who has ever felt lost, numb, anxious, overwhelmed, or distant from Allah — and for anyone trying to support someone who is. This podcast is part of our broader anti-suicide campaign, Hold On. Hold on to life. Hold on to hope. Hold on to the mercy of Allāh. Subscribe to Islam21c for more conversations on Islam, society, belief, family, mental health, and the challenges facing Muslims today. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:08 Introducing Imran Hussein and the Hold On campaign 02:36 Losing meaning: the questions that would not go away 06:37 Anxiety, derealisation, and the search for answers 11:53 The desperate du’a and the Qur’an moment 16:07 From relief to da’wah 18:15 When anxiety returned: why knowledge alone is not enough 25:47 Understanding anxiety, doubts, and obsessive cycles 30:23 Practical and spiritual tools for anxiety 37:42 Getting help, letting thoughts pass, and prophetic guidance 48:17 Reframing anxiety as a test from Allāh 52:12 Grief, hope, and never despairing of Allah’s mercy 55:49 How family, friends, and brotherhood can help 01:03:27 Hold on to hope and Allah’s mercy 01:05:16 Final reflections 🌟 Support Our Mission 🌟   To extend the reach of our impactful content, kindly consider making a contribution (https://islam21c.com/guardians). Your support helps us make a difference.   👇 Stay Connected & Never Miss an Update 👇   1️⃣ Subscribe: Hit the 'Subscribe' button and don't forget to ring the 🔔 bell, ensuring you'll be the first to know when we upload fresh content.   2️⃣ Social Media: Stay up-to-date and join the conversation on our social media platforms:   📸 Instagram https://instagram.com/islam21c 👍 Facebook https://facebook.com/islam21c 𝕏  X https://twitter.com/islam21c 🗨️ Telegram https://t.me/islam21c   Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2503427/support] 🌟 Support Our Mission 🌟   To extend the reach of our impactful content, kindly consider making a contribution (www.islam21c.com/guardians). Your support helps us make a difference.   👇 Stay Connected & Never Miss an Update 👇   1️⃣ Subscribe: Hit the 'Subscribe' button and don't forget to ring the 🔔 bell, ensuring you'll be the first to know when we upload fresh content.   2️⃣ Social Media: Stay up-to-date and join the conversation on our social media platforms:   📸 Instagram www.instagram.com/islam21c 👍 Facebook www.facebook.com/islam21c 🐦 Twitter www.twitter.com/islam21c 🗨️ Telegram t.me/islam21c   Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

DON'T Misunderstand What’s Happening Right Now (Shaykh Haitham & Hamza Tzortzis)

The world is changing — fast. From escalating global conflicts to shifting political powers, it feels like history is unfolding in front of us. But here’s the real question: Are we actually understanding what’s happening? In this episode of OnGuard, Hamza Tzortzis sits down with Shaykh Dr Haitham al-Haddad to unpack a perspective many Muslims are missing. Because if we misunderstand the nature of this world — its purpose, its struggles, its conflicts — then everything else starts to feel confusing. This isn’t just about geopolitics. It’s about how a Muslim should see the world. And if we get that wrong… the consequences are bigger than we think. 🧠 What you’ll learn in this episode: Why confusion about world events is increasing The Islamic framework for understanding conflict and change What most people misunderstand about the nature of this life Why clarity starts with the right foundations How Muslims should respond in times of global uncertainty 📌 Watch till the end: Because the final insight reframes everything — and gives you a completely different way of looking at what’s happening right now. Chapters: 0:00 The World Is Changing 0:25 Why Most People Misunderstand What’s Happening 2:10 A Rapidly Changing World & Competing Powers 5:05 Why Muslims Feel Confused Today 8:30 Different Reactions: Agreement, Doubt & Conflict 12:15 The Missing Foundation in Understanding Reality 16:40 This Life Is a Test — Not What You Think 21:10 Why Conflict Is Part of the Design of Life 26:05 The Danger of Expecting Comfort & Stability 31:20 Islamic Framework vs Modern Worldview 36:45 How Muslims Should Interpret Global Events 42:10 Where the Ummah Is Getting It Wrong 47:30 Reframing Success, Struggle & Change 53:15 Intellectual & Spiritual Confusion Explained 58:40 The Consequences of Getting This Wrong 1:04:10 What Needs to Change in the Muslim Mindset 1:09:30 Real Change Starts With This 1:14:50 Practical Takeaways for Muslims Today 1:19:30 Final Reflections — Understanding the World Properly 🌟 Support Our Mission 🌟   To extend the reach of our impactful content, kindly consider making a contribution (https://islam21c.com/guardians). Your support helps us make a difference.   👇 Stay Connected & Never Miss an Update 👇   1️⃣ Subscribe: Hit the 'Subscribe' button and don't forget to ring the 🔔 bell, ensuring you'll be the first to know when we upload fresh content.   2️⃣ Social Media: Stay up-to-date and join the conversation on our social media platforms:   📸 Instagram https://instagram.com/islam21c 👍 Facebook https://facebook.com/islam21c 𝕏  X https://twitter.com/islam21c 🗨️ Telegram https://t.me/islam21c   Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2503427/support] 🌟 Support Our Mission 🌟   To extend the reach of our impactful content, kindly consider making a contribution (www.islam21c.com/guardians). Your support helps us make a difference.   👇 Stay Connected & Never Miss an Update 👇   1️⃣ Subscribe: Hit the 'Subscribe' button and don't forget to ring the 🔔 bell, ensuring you'll be the first to know when we upload fresh content.   2️⃣ Social Media: Stay up-to-date and join the conversation on our social media platforms:   📸 Instagram www.instagram.com/islam21c 👍 Facebook www.facebook.com/islam21c 🐦 Twitter www.twitter.com/islam21c 🗨️ Telegram t.me/islam21c   Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

The War on Muslim Womanhood (ft. Imam Tom Facchine)

What does it really mean to speak about the power of a Muslim woman in a world already saturated with assumptions about gender, autonomy, success, and value? In this thought-provoking OnGuard conversation, Hamza Tzortzis is joined by Imam Tom Facchine (Yaqeen Institute) for a wide-ranging discussion sparked by Islam21c’s Power of a Muslim Woman campaign. But this is not the conversation many might expect. Together, they explore: • Why modern society subtly reshaped how we think about women and “empowerment” • The quiet pressure many women feel to justify or even apologise for following their fitrah and divine guidance • How homemaking, motherhood, and femininity became culturally devalued • The liberal assumptions that influence how all of us — men and women — see the world • Why debates around feminism often miss the deeper questions entirely • The "crisis of Islamic scholarship" that leads to many sisters not getting the support they deserve • And more This episode isn’t about slogans or culture-war soundbites. It’s about stepping back and asking: ❓ Who defines value? ❓ What counts as power? ❓ And why do so many feel conflicted about answers Islam has long provided? Whether you’re navigating these questions personally, as a parent, or simply trying to understand the world we inhabit, this discussion offers clarity, nuance, and reflection. For more information about the Power of a Muslim Woman campaign and to sign up for updates, visit https://pomw.org Chapters: 00:00 — Intro 03:57 — Why this conversation can’t be avoided 07:04 — How “empowerment” gets defined 10:45 — You’re swimming in liberal waters 14:21 — Why feminism feels persuasive 18:08 — Feminism vs Islam: different starting points 22:17 — Who actually defines value? 26:31 — Homemaking and cultural status 30:43 — “Pretend I’m a sister…” 34:55 — The pressure to justify choices 39:14 — When Islam is reframed in liberal terms 43:36 — Masculinity, femininity, and discomfort 48:00 — Strength vs stereotype 51:51 — The quiet belittling of homemaking 56:09 — The apology trap 1:00:13 — The crisis of Islamic scholarship 1:04:38 — Authority, trust, and confusion 1:09:01 — Internal tensions within Muslim spaces 1:13:43 — Disagreement without defensiveness 1:18:35 — Confidence without apology 1:23:47 — Noticing the water we’re swimming in 1:29:13 — Imagine I’m a sister… Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2503427/support] 🌟 Support Our Mission 🌟   To extend the reach of our impactful content, kindly consider making a contribution (www.islam21c.com/guardians). Your support helps us make a difference.   👇 Stay Connected & Never Miss an Update 👇   1️⃣ Subscribe: Hit the 'Subscribe' button and don't forget to ring the 🔔 bell, ensuring you'll be the first to know when we upload fresh content.   2️⃣ Social Media: Stay up-to-date and join the conversation on our social media platforms:   📸 Instagram www.instagram.com/islam21c 👍 Facebook www.facebook.com/islam21c 🐦 Twitter www.twitter.com/islam21c 🗨️ Telegram t.me/islam21c   Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

“Hopelessness is Always a LIE” (ft. Psychiatrist Dr Zeyn Green-Thompson)

In this powerful episode of OnGuard by Islam21c, Hamza Andreas Tzortzis sits down with Dr Zeyn Green-Thompson, a medical doctor and psychiatrist, for an honest and profoundly moving conversation on mental health, hope, and the Muslim experience. Together, they explore some of the most difficult and often unspoken topics in our communities, including depression, hopelessness, and s**cidal ideation. Dr Zeyn brings rare clarity by combining clinical psychiatry with an Islamic worldview, showing how īmān, meaning, and responsibility can reshape the way we understand suffering and recovery. This discussion goes beyond labels and quick fixes. We talk about: * What hopelessness really means from a clinical perspective * Why despair is central to s**cidal intent * The biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of mental health * How Islamic concepts such as duty, patience, humility, and hope offer practical protection * How Muslims should approach others who are struggling, with empathy rather than harshness * Why listening matters more than giving blanket advice Dr Zeyn also shares real clinical insights from his work in psychiatry, reflecting on how timeless Islamic principles can be communicated in ways that help both Muslims and non-Muslims. This is not just an intellectual discussion. It is personal, reflective, and deeply human. Whether you are struggling yourself, supporting someone else, or simply want a more grounded way to think about mental wellbeing, this conversation is essential viewing. Chapters: 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w] – Why This Episode Is Different 02:59 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=179s] – S**cide & Mental Health in the Muslim Community 06:29 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=389s] – What Is Hopelessness, Clinically Speaking? 10:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=604s] – The Critical Shift: From Ideation to Intent 13:09 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=789s] – “Hopelessness Is Always a Lie” 16:34 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=994s] – When Depression Overwhelms Rational Thought 19:39 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=1179s] – Biology, Psychology & Social Triggers Explained 22:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=1374s] – Why Muslims Must Add the Spiritual Dimension 25:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=1554s] – Duty, Not Outcomes: A Powerful Mental Framework 29:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=1744s] – Why This Approach Works for Non-Muslims Too 31:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=1914s] – A Personal Childhood Story of Shame & Isolation 35:14 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=2114s] – How to Speak to Someone Who Is Struggling 38:24 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=2304s] – The Prophetic Method of Compassionate Guidance (ﷺ) 41:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=2514s] – When Religion Becomes Harsh or Hollow 45:24 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=2724s] – What the Muslim Community Needs to Relearn 48:34 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=2914s] – Final Reflections: Hope as an Act of Truth 50:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=3054s] – Faith, Capacity & Moral Responsibility 54:14 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=3254s] – When Someone Is Not Sinning, But Suffering 57:34 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxswhmir09w&t=3454s] – Why Shaming Worsens Mental Health Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2503427/support] 🌟 Support Our Mission 🌟   To extend the reach of our impactful content, kindly consider making a contribution (www.islam21c.com/guardians). Your support helps us make a difference.   👇 Stay Connected & Never Miss an Update 👇   1️⃣ Subscribe: Hit the 'Subscribe' button and don't forget to ring the 🔔 bell, ensuring you'll be the first to know when we upload fresh content.   2️⃣ Social Media: Stay up-to-date and join the conversation on our social media platforms:   📸 Instagram www.instagram.com/islam21c 👍 Facebook www.facebook.com/islam21c 🐦 Twitter www.twitter.com/islam21c 🗨️ Telegram t.me/islam21c   Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

“Most Jews are anti-Israel” - Meet the Jews SILENCED by western media (ft. Rabbi Elhanan Beck)

“They stole land from the Palestinians and they stole identity from Jews.” In this remarkable conversation, Rabbi Elhanan Beck — a Palestinian-born rabbi from Stamford Hill — shares his powerful story and deep insights into the clear distinction between Judaism and Zionism. He explains why true Judaism is rooted in faith, humility, and obedience to God, while Zionism, as he argues, transformed a spiritual religion into a political and national project divorced from its sacred origins. Together, we explore: 🔹 What it truly means to be Jewish according to the Torah 🔹 The 13 principles of faith outlined by Maimonides 🔹 How Zionism emerged as a secular movement 🔹 The Jewish understanding of exile and the promised land 🔹 The peaceful vision of the Messiah in Jewish scripture 🔹 Centuries of coexistence between Muslims and Jews This is a heartfelt and eye-opening discussion that challenges common narratives and offers a glimpse into an authentic Jewish perspective on faith, identity, and justice. Also watch: Jewish Rabbi gives an Islamic History lesson https://youtu.be/xbI2S9wG--o Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2503427/support] 🌟 Support Our Mission 🌟   To extend the reach of our impactful content, kindly consider making a contribution (www.islam21c.com/guardians). Your support helps us make a difference.   👇 Stay Connected & Never Miss an Update 👇   1️⃣ Subscribe: Hit the 'Subscribe' button and don't forget to ring the 🔔 bell, ensuring you'll be the first to know when we upload fresh content.   2️⃣ Social Media: Stay up-to-date and join the conversation on our social media platforms:   📸 Instagram www.instagram.com/islam21c 👍 Facebook www.facebook.com/islam21c 🐦 Twitter www.twitter.com/islam21c 🗨️ Telegram t.me/islam21c   Thank you for your continued support and engagement.