In Good Faith

#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 - 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 - 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 [https://youtu.be/2-eWAyCMfXw].

#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 - 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 [https://www.mustafawarsi.com/]. Kasurian [https://kasurian.com/]. Pickthall House [https://pickthallhouse.org/]. (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…