Boys In The Cave

Ep 133 - Shaykh Asim Yusuf on Ghazali's Ihya: Timeless Wisdom for Modern Seekers

Shaykh Dr Asim Yusuf joins Boys in the Cave for a deep dive into Imam al Ghazali’s Ihya Ulum al Din, how to read it in our time, and how its spiritual psychology maps onto modern clinical insights. We cover decontextualizing and recontextualizing sacred texts, the metaphysics of eating, marriage and companionship, contentment in a consumer world, and why spirituality is the ruh of the religion. What you will learn • Why an Ihya commentary speaks to today’s seekers, and how to apply it, context first, then decontextualize, then recontextualize • Metaphysics of eating, turning sunlight into worship, tasbih into ibadah • Reading Book of Marriage through Book of Companionship for modern couples • A common good economy, contentment as a cure for hyper capitalism • Where Islamic and secular psychologies meet, origin, nature, purpose of the human • Why spirituality is not a niche, it is the breath of the deen If this episode benefits you, like, comment, and share. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of scholarship, spirituality, and performance psychology.  https://www.humanappeal.org.au/ https://education.nuralhabib.org/ Timestamps 00:00:00 Sponsor message, Human Appeal Australia, Gaza relief projects 00:01:12 Welcome back, Shaykh Asim Yusuf returns to BITC  00:01:40 Why write an Ihya commentary, teaching since 2014, page by page method 00:02:18 How to make the Ihya speak now, lessons gathered from 400 to 500 hours of classes 00:09:47 Metaphysics of eating, upgrading tasbih to ibadah, light into light 00:11:17 Book 12, marriage, reading Ghazali’s context, sociology of relationships 00:12:14 Why some passages sound paternal, audience, education, and age gaps in the 5th century 00:16:29 From eternal principles to our moment, the Ihya’s usul for reapplication, heart focused frame 00:31:03 Translating terms, jihad as striving, how a word can flip a verse’s meaning 00:36:13 Hunger, restraint, eating with others, a common good economy, contentment versus consumerism 00:52:13 Theistic and secular psychologies, the X model, where experiences overlap 01:50:46 Closing reflections, every moment reveals a new facet, keep the tradition alive 01:53:02 Spirituality is the ruh of the religion, do not let your deen be a ghost, let it live in you 01:54:15 Final counsel, bring ruh and jasad together, closing duas and sign off

Episode 132 - Dr. Yasir Qadhi on Rethinking Western Islam: Institutions, Salafism & The Tradition

Dr Yasir Qadhi joins us to unpack Salafism, sectarianism, and how Muslims in the West can move from labels to leadership. We talk about what healthy disagreement looks like, why unity does not mean uniformity, and how communities can build real capacity, from mosques and schools to media, philanthropy, and liberal arts education. We get specific about funding ethics, local service to the poor, and civilizational projects that shape hearts and minds. The goal is practical, principled institution building that serves faith and society together. What you will hear: • Salafism in context, strengths, blind spots, and the illusion of correctness • Agreeing to disagree, red lines, and ending the habit of turning rivals into enemies • From masjid to media, why we need journalists, artists, scholars, and leaders • Philanthropy with purpose, feeding the hungry locally, museums and public education, funding without strings • Liberal arts and classical sciences, why breadth of knowledge matters for the next generation • Living in the West with confidence, learning from Abyssinia If this conversation benefits you, share it with a friend, subscribe, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway. Thanks to our sponsor Human Appeal Australia for supporting community focused conversations. https://www.humanappeal.org.au/appeal/gaza-emergency-appeal-2023-2/ 🕳️ Boys In The Cave is an independent platform exploring faith, politics, culture, and the pressing issues confronting the modern Muslim mind. Subscribe to join the conversation!  🔔 Like, Share, Comment & Subscribe to stay connected. Subscribe to Boys in the Cave Podcast for more insightful discussions on politics, culture, and community. Don’t forget to like, share, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest episodes! Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes! Timestamps 00:00 Intro and book context 06:58 Criticism and following trusted scholars 17:47 Unity, red lines, civility 21:05 Mawlid and taraweeh, nuance 33:12 Diverse strengths in the seerah 40:33 Seminary reform and the modern imam 49:40 Training leaders, contextualizing in the West 56:38 Knowledge exchange, Israiliyyat and kalam 01:12:07 Read real history, what to build next 01:26:44 Philanthropy, public projects, local politics, funding ethics 01:39:21 Identity pressure, Abyssinia question 01:42:35 Politics is a dirty game, ethics of engagement

Episode 131 - The Future of Western Muslims: Resistance, Sufism & Activism | Dr. Shadee Elmasry

In this episode, Dr. Shadee Elmasry joins us for a powerful conversation about the challenges and responsibilities facing Muslims in the West today. We reflect on whether Muslims are in an “Abyssinia phase” or if the time has come to invest fully in building lasting institutions that can preserve faith and serve future generations. The discussion explores how to nurture resilient belief in young Muslims while navigating secular societies, and why institutions rooted in the deen are essential for long-term survival. Dr. Shadee reflects on the role of Sufism, noting that historically many of the fiercest resistors to colonial powers were Sufi leaders who combined spirituality with action. He cautions, however, that in more recent times some who call themselves Sufis have become tied to political power, leading to compromise and inaction. Dr. Shadee highlights what resistance means, both politically in the face of oppression and spiritually in holding firmly to faith under pressure.  Together, we examine what it takes to raise a generation that is grounded in Islam, ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities, and prepared to carry the message of the deen with strength and clarity. Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes! Check out our book club! - https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave/membership Follow us on: Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/boysinthecave/ Instagram – @boysinthecave Twitter – @boysinthecave Become a Patreon today! https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave Timestamps 0:00 Introduction and guest welcome 1:16 Trip to Australia, Sydney and Brisbane 3:12 Pressing challenges for Muslims in the West, Gaza and moral weight 19:22 Tasawwuf within Islam, tea analogy, integrating aqidah, sharia, tazkiyah 20:45 Do not fixate on a Sufi identity, sincerity and community duty 21:11 Sufi resistance to colonizers, Omar Mukhtar, Amir Abdul Qadir, al-Sanusi, Imam Shamil 22:02 Recent co-optation, the real issue is closeness to power and fitna 23:23 Building your own Medina, zawiyas, Tijani examples, Uthman dan Fodio 26:01 Sharia as the standard, avoid defending tariqas, maintain husn al-dhann 27:02 Community builders move cautiously, usually not revolutionaries 33:13 Aligning with other Muslim groups on action, question setup 34:00 Measure alliances by birr and taqwa, not labels 34:38 Principle over person, support good deeds, correct wrong with husn al-dhann 49:58 Fatima Payman, political literacy, Palestine recognition debate in Australia 50:36 Recognition announcement context, why it is symbolic, not a victory 1:10:04 Abyssinia phase versus building here, raising youth and curriculum prompt 1:11:42 Curriculum for present needs, identity first, balancing ummah and locality 1:18:04 Action dispels fear, hope for Palestine and political trends 1:20:45 Zakah to locality and a note on nationalism 1:22:00 Outro and closing thanks

Episode 130 - Jungian Psychology & Ibn Arabi Metaphysics: The Secrets of the Soul | Dr. Samir Mahmoud

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Samir Mahmoud joins us for a deep dive into the intersections of Islamic spirituality and Jungian psychology. We explore how classical Islamic thinkers like Ibn Arabi, Al-Ghazali, and Ibn Sina understood the soul, and how their insights resonate - and diverge - from the work of Carl Jung.  We discuss the concepts of individuation, shadow work, and archetypes alongside Islamic notions of tazkiyat al-nafs, fana’, and qalb. Dr. Samir sheds light on the imaginal realm (ʿalam al-mithāl) as articulated by Ibn Arabi, and how it challenges modern materialist worldviews. Drawing on Jung’s Red Book, Ibn Arabi’s Wahdat al-Wujud, and Henry Corbin’s comparisons, this conversation uncovers the symbolic dimension of dreams, the structure of the soul, and the journey to wholeness from both Islamic and psychological perspectives.  Whether you’re a seeker, student, or simply curious about the inner life, this episode opens a rare portal into the metaphysical heart of being. Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes! Check out our book club! - https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave/membership Check out our website – boysinthecave.com Follow us on: Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/boysinthecave/ Instagram – @boysinthecave Twitter – @boysinthecave Become a Patreon today! https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave

Episode 129 - False Flags & Manufactured Enemies: Unmasking Iran, Israel & Pakistan’s Shadow Wars | Ibrahim Moiz

We’re joined by political analyst Ibrahim Moiz to dissect the unfolding chaos in the Middle East. From Israel’s escalating war rhetoric against Iran to Pakistan’s cynical geopolitical manoeuvres — we explore how narratives are weaponised, enemies are manufactured, and resistance is co-opted.  We unpack: Whether Israel's war with Iran is about survival or hegemony The truth behind “Sunni vs Shia” framing in modern geopolitics Leftist solidarity with Palestine: genuine resistance or ideological trap? What this all means for the future of Muslim unity and resistance Is this the beginning of World War III, or just another empire-fuelled illusion?  🎧 Subscribe and listen to the full episode to hear a raw, unfiltered breakdown that challenges mainstream narratives.