The Art of Being Human“Tafṣīl al-Nashaʾatayn wa Taḥṣīl al-Saʿādatayn” by al-Raghib al-Isfahani: Videos Ep.1,2,3- Commentary by Dr.Rami Koujah

 YouTube Video Ep.1:"The Art of Being Human" by al-Raghib al-Isfahani | Episode 1: What Is a Human Being?-Great Books of Islam by Dr.Rami Koujah -June 14,2026

https://youtu.be/76PdG9hRvHw?si=BBPqQFJD5MeNsBj3

What does it mean to be human? A thousand years ago, a scholar in Baghdad asked the same question and wrote a book about it that feels startlingly relevant today. Al-Rāghib al-Iṣfahānī's answer: being human is not a given — it's an achievement. You can have the biological form of a human being and still fall short of what humanity actually demands. Religion, for al-Rāghib, is the art of that achievement — and The Art of Being Human is one of the great overlooked masterworks of the Islamic intellectual tradition, and one of the most serious Islamic responses to the crisis of meaning ever written. In this episode, we cover: –The human being as a microcosm of the universe – Why studying nature is the key to self-knowledge — and why self-knowledge is the key to everything else – The cosmic significance of human speech – How to achieve happiness in this life and the next — and why the two are not in tension – What religion is actually for — and why it's the antidote to the modern crisis of meaning This is Episode 1 of a 3-part series. 🔔 Subscribe for Episodes 2 and 3. 📖 Deep Dive companion piece with translations from the text and commentary: https://open.substack.com/pub/islamic... 📚 Chapters: 0:00 Crisis of Meaning: Why Modern Life Feels Empty 4:52 Al-Rāghib al-Iṣfahānī: Islamic Philosopher and Mystic 7:26 Islamic Philosophy of Happiness 8:27 What Is a Human Being? 9:20 Self-Knowledge in Islamic Philosophy 12:32 The Cosmos and The Islamic View of Human Nature 16:00 The Human Being as Microcosm in Islamic Thought 25:59 What Is Religion For? 29:41 Deep Dive: Translations & Commentary on Substack

YouTube Video Ep.2

https://youtu.be/NTqxYyBBk6U?si=fvpESEsvrtYLhVPw

Last time, we asked what a human being is. This time, we ask what it's for. In this episode, we cover: – Nature and scripture as two books – Nature as an externalized reflection of the self – The purpose of human existence – The original "DEI" argument – The definition of happiness – Why "just be a good person" isn't enough – A philosophy of religion – A social theory of human difference This is Episode 2 of our 3-part series on The Art of Being Human. 🔔 Subscribe for Episode 3 — where we tackle why reason alone isn't enough, and just how high al-Rāghib thinks a human being can rise. 📖 Deep Dive companion piece with translations from the text and commentary: https://islamicbooks.substack.com/p/t... 0:00 Recap: What Is a Human Being? 0:54 Nature as an Externalized Reflection of the Self 7:03 The Purpose of Human Existence 11:27 The "Problem" of Evil 13:18 Why Civilization Exists 15:46 The Original DEI Argument 16:59 A Social Theory of Human Difference 19:26 The Role of the Prophets 21:19 What Is Happiness? 27:41 A Philosophy of Religion 29:27 What Worship Really Means 31:59 Nature and Scripture as Two Books 33:04 Why "Just Be a Good Person" Isn't Enough

YouTube Video Ep.3

https://youtu.be/k6ri9rryXI8?si=JWqjal4hhK3Uubh5

Last time, we asked what being human is for. This time, we ask how far it can go. In this episode, we cover: • Reason and revelation aren't competing for the same job — they're the same faculty, just working from two different directions: one from outside us, one from within • How a single bad habit slowly shuts down the heart — step by step, until it can't be reached at all — and how good habits do the exact reverse • Why you can't purify yourself through effort alone, but you also can't expect to be purified without making any effort — two opposite mistakes, both wrong • Why death isn't an ending but a second birth, and why a fully realized human being can actually outrank the angels • What it would really take to become "superhuman" This is Episode 3, the final installment of our 3-part series on The Art of Being Human. 🔔 Subscribe and follow on Substack (islamicbooks.substack.com) for what's next on The Great Books of Islam. 📖 Deep Dive companion piece with translations from the text and commentary: https://islamicbooks.substack.com/p/b... 00:00 Recap: The Path to Becoming Human 00:45 Purpose of Religion 08:42 Reason vs Revelation 17:53 Nature vs Nurture in Islamic Ethics 27:26 God's Grace in Islamic Philosophy: Leveling the Playing Field 29:02 Becoming Superhuman 35:41 Death: The Passageway to the Hereafter 39:09 Are We Actually Human? Closing Reflection

Dr.Rami Koujah's Biography: https://pil.law.harvard.edu/fellow/rami-koujah-2/

Great Books of Islam:Becoming Superhuman || “The Art of Being Human” by al-Raghib al-Isfahani  
A Deep Dive on “Tafṣīl al-Nashaʾatayn wa Taḥṣīl al-Saʿādatayn”- Dr.Rami Koujah - June 29,2026
https://islamicbooks.substack.com/p/becoming-superhuman-the-art-of-being

Salutations of the Prophetic Portrait Ep.1 (30 Episodes) By Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq al-Alawi: Shaykh Abdul Aziz Suraqah-Muslim Community Ctr of Greater Pittsburg- May 20, 2023 h-

 YouTube Video Episode1:

https://youtu.be/Jxn1wvOCXGg?si=W_-nA_lRma1PAapR

MCCGP Muslim Community Ctr of Greater Pittsburgh: PLAYLIST:(30 Videos):

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuWczz79ppw1BPH5zscLX8zOiifP9OPH1&si=lCoW342GovXCH8G7

A comprehensive work on the person of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) and his qualities, virtues and realities.

Mecca Books:Daily Salutations upon the Best of Creation ﷺ (Arabic-English Bilingual) By Muhammad Sadiq al-Alawi - Sakina Publishing  meccabooks.com

The salutations in this book vary in form, meaning, and spiritual significance, originating from different aspects of the Prophet’s essence, attributes, names, or acts.Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq Alawi, an expert in the science of the Muhammadan Reality, in his deep commitment to his students and the ummah, composed Daily Salutations upon the Best of Creation.
The salutations in this book vary in form, meaning, and spiritual significance, originating from different aspects of the Prophet’s essence, attributes, names, or acts. These invocations, rich in esoteric and exoteric understanding, were compiled for daily recitation for his students and the wider Muslim community to share the spiritual blessings contained within.
Drawing from the wellspring of the Muhammadan Reality, these salutations serve as a means of protection, reward and salvation in the world and the Hereafter and for seekers of the spiritual path, it is a means to achieve spiritual ascension and attain the vision of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

Article PDF: My Shaykh Al-Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad RA: Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq al-Alawi

Iqra Islamic Publications, Canada

https://www.iqra.net/shaykh/MyShaykhPartD.pdf

Video:The Mawlid of Sayyidul Khalq ﷺ with Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq Alawi (ق) this Saturday 22nd October 2022 at 7pm inshaAllah Ta’ala -Dar Al Zahra Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Bk3vB49yL/

Book:The Key to Arriving at the Door of the Messenger Vol 1: Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq al-Alawi - Sakina Publishing 

https://www.sakinapublishing.com/product-page/the-key-to-arriving-at-the-door-of-the-messenger-vol-1

Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq Alawi inspires his readers to turn their hearts towards the noblest in mankind, God’s beloved Messenger ﷺ, in his long-awaited English rendering of The Key to Arriving at the Door of the Messenger ﷺ. We are pleased to present the English translation of volume 1, originally written in Urdu and first published in 2006.
The Key to Arriving at the Door of the Messenger ﷺ is a comprehensive treatise intended to enhance the reader’s appreciation of the necessity of loving the Prophet ﷺ, detailing why this love is fundamental for every believer with practical steps to nurture it.
This book combines poetry and prose authored by the writer alongside discourses and poetry of revered saints. Additionally, it features well-established invocations and salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ that have been effective in alleviating problems and ailments and facilitating the vision of the Prophet ﷺ, making it a valuable resource.

Book:Divine Success Through the Prayer of Radiant Light: Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq al-Alawi -Skina Publishing

https://www.sakinapublishing.com/product-page/divine-success-through-the-prayer-of-radiant-light

Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq’s book Divine Success Through the Prayer of Radiant Light (Fatḥ ul-Aẓīm alā Ṣalāt in-Nūr il-Mubīn), comprehensively addresses the essential aspects of faith in the Prophet ﷺ. The book’s objective is to deepen the reader’s reverence, love, and certitude towards the Messenger of Allah ﷺ through a detailed exploration of his attributes coupled with invocations of salutations upon him ﷺ.
Spanning twenty-two chapters the book is divided into seven parts. Each part is designated to be recited on a specific day of the week, from Monday to Sunday.
Additionally, some sections feature footnotes highlighting the virtues of the salutations, providing insights into the benefits of each salutation. These salutations can be recited individually to gain the additional benefits outlined.

Book:Love of the Righteous is the Key to Sainthood:Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq al-Alawi -Skina Publishing

https://www.sakinapublishing.com/product-page/love-of-the-righteous-is-the-key-to-sainthood

Uncover the mystical teachings of Sufism with "Love of the Righteous is the Key to Sainthood."
This extraordinary book offers a comprehensive exploration of the spiritual path, providing readers with practical methods and theoretical knowledge that cater to all levels of understanding.
From novices to experienced seekers, everyone will find invaluable wisdom within these pages.
Gain inspiration from the author's own transformative journey through his exclusive biography, which adds an extra layer of inspiration and insight.

YouTube Video:The Place of Literature in Sufism - Zain Ul Abidin (Son of Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq al-Alawi)- Muslim Litfest - July 13, 2023

https://youtu.be/YlWTQCzZ110?si=r3c1XucHeuASoBwX

Sufism is the science whereby purification of the soul, refinement of character and developing the inner and outer states can be recognised, so that a person can attain eternal bliss, rectitude of the ego, pleasure of the Lord of the worlds and attain His gnosis. Traditionally this training was achieved by a unifying bond between the Sufi Master and disciple. Sufi Masters of the classical period believe that the true spiritual path cannot be traversed through books alone. Rather, the disciple must travel the path under the guidance of a true spiritual guide, using practical methods to achieve spiritual enlightenment. So what is the role of literature in Sufism? As a student of his father, Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq Alawi, Zain ul-Abidin takes us through some of the traditional practices of Sufism and explains the ways in which literature can be used to support and complement this tradition, helping aspirants of the modern age. Zain ul-Abidin is the son of the learned scholar and the distinguished Sufi sage, Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq Alawi. Shaykh Muhammad is known by many in the UK as one of the leading propagators and teachers of Sufism and the spiritual path, having spent his whole life calling people to Allah and His Messenger. Zain ul-Abidin continues his father’s teachings and has expanded the reach through new channels, holding regular gatherings online, and is an integral part of expanding Sakina Publishing to new audiences.

Introduction to the Ba Alawi Sufi Lineage-Biographies (9Videos): Connecting with Our Beloved ﷺ- Nov 14, 2023

 YouTube Video Part1:

https://youtu.be/yQoyuS7r4rs?si=D1iFOkX78v4Jj5RA

In this very first episode of the Ba Alawi Biographies series, we touched on two topics: 1. Introducing the Ba Alawi lineage and its authenticity. 2. Imam Al Muhajir’s ancestry.

YouTube Video Part 2:

https://youtu.be/y4z1l6C-U9Y?si=x_oI-Uv28cX-ZdQz

Playlist 9 Videos:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxJk8NKtg081psY9jy_lzbCciQSTcuLSd&si=eJwf9v2kRbLTi21j

Connecting with Our Beloved ﷺ
Description:إن أريد إلا الإصلاح ما استطعت وما توفيقي إلا بالله عليه توكلت و إليه أنيب ﴾ السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته Welcome to the channel!! My name is Abdullah, a student of Habib Umar, and I will be giving you inshAllah beneficial classes and videos on unique and interesting topics that ultimately aim to connect the you to our Beloved RasulAllah ﷺ. I hope this channel is a means of light that will spread around the world inshAllah, Ameen. Alhamdulilah, I am also the founder of the SAHWA Salawat Community and Groups, if you would like to join the count DM me on the email or follow on Instagram: @sahwa.official Alhamdulilah, I have also initiated an archive to preserve authentic and beneficial Islamic content from the great scholars and leaders of our time, it’s called the treasure chest archive. For any questions regarding the topics discussed in our videos please ask in the comment section or email: myrihlah123@gmail.com Duas requested

Mecca Books:The Bani Alawi Path:Abdullah ibn Alawi al-Attas, Rizwana Sayed (Translator)

https://www.meccabooks.com/products/the-bani-alawi-path

The Bani 'Alawi Path : Principles, Method & Practice: From the 4th Islamic Century, the Husayni ancestral line, the Bani 'Alawi have preserved the spiritual legacy of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him & grant him peace, till this day. Their intimate knowledge of the Prophet's words and deeds passed down successively through the golden chain; the chain of knowledge transmitted internally through the family, from father to son without external mediation.
Over the years, this exclusive method of transmission brought forth generations of spiritual masters, scholars, Imams, mujtahids and saints of every degree, who inherited the Prophetic light and secret of Imam Ali and Sayyida Fatima, may Allah be pleased with them both. This heritage safeguards the religion from annihilation and it is the means of protection for the Muslim community after the passing away of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him & grant him peace.
Habib 'Abdallah bin Alawi al-Attas, may Allah have mercy upon his soul, provides a succinct guide to the way of the Bani Alawi masters in his book, which he originally titled: 'Al-Imam al-Nibras fi'l-Tanbih 'ala Manhaj il Sada al-Akyas,' - translated as The Bani Alawi Path; Principles, Method and Practice, - so that it is comprehensible to the English speaking audience. It is a book that illustrates the ethics and conduct of the true form of the Bani Alawi way, which we hope will be a means of preservation.

Table of Contents :
Translator's Introduction,
About The Author,
Introduction.The Bani 'Alawi Path is the Qur'an & the Sunna,
Their Attention to Calling People to Allah,
Their Disapproval of Fame & Prominence,
Their Secrecy & Endeavour In Worship,
Abstinence from Worldly Things,
Modesty & the Embodiment of Excellent Character,
Following the Sunna,
Purified from Innovations,
The Bani 'Alawi Path is the Straightest Path,
The Distinction of the People of this Tariqa,
The Merits of Imam al-Ghazali's Books,
Following the Bani Alawi is Prophetic Guidance,
Books that are only Beneficial for the Elite,
The 'Alawi Path,
The Secret of Not Recording Spiritual States & Experiences,
Their is No Difference in the Principles of The Sufi Path,
On Encouraging Children to Follow the Path of the People of Certainty,
On the Merit of the Ihya of Imam al-Ghazali,
On the Miracles of the Saints,
Supernatural Acts are not Miracles,
Conclusion,
Types of Innovation,
To Refute the People of Innovation is a Communal Obligation.

Amazon:The Guide to the Path of Righteousness: 1 & 2: Path of the Bani Alawi: Rizwana Sayed (Author)

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Guide-Path-Righteousness-Bani-Alawi/dp/0956614620

This book is beneficial for seekers on the spiritual path. It begins with an introduction to the Bani Alawi Tariqa, outlining the history, the development, principles and key figures. It gives the reader an insight into the ethics and the doctrine of the path, with pearls of wisdom from the classical masters from the Sada Ba Alawi, such as Imam Al-Haddad who says: The Bani Alawi Tariqa is the most upright and balanced Tariqa. Their conduct is the best and most exemplary, they are upon the most admirable way, broad and vast, with clear legislation. There is nothing better for a person in this era, who desires the path, to correct his understanding of the principles of tawhid, perform the obligations, refrain from the forbidden, perform the sunna in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah without disregarding them. And if these things flourish within him he has received a lot of good. If a seeker masters the path of the People of the Right, he ascends at the hands of his masha ikh to the path of the foremost.

Discovering Tarim Website:

https://discoveringtarim.com/about/

Muwasala Website:

https://muwasala.org/about/

The Alawiyya Tariqa in Toronta Website:

https://www.iqra.net/articles/BaniAlawi/intoronto.html

The MOST Misunderstood Topic in Islam: Sufism & the Forgotten Spiritual Science: Imam Adnan Wood-Smith- May 13, 2026

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/54qvd79H-7w?si=QbvLblmvgnnNIqXq

Become a member of Imam Adnan’s YT channel: / @adnanwoodsmith Sign up for our email list here: https://www.fightforyourwhy.com/newsl... Imam Adnan Adrian Wood-Smith uncovers the true essence of Sufism, revealing how it’s the science of cultivating a heart-connection with Allah that transcends language and external practice.

YouTube Video:From FBI Career to Muslim Imam with Adnan Adrian Wood-Smith-Blogging Theology-Jan.21,2025

https://youtu.be/a5Z95FLypl0?si=5XB-sMFh9Qwzp73Z

Deeper Muslim: Founder Imam Adnan Wood-Smith

https://deepermuslim.com/

YouTube Video:Member Spotlight w/ Imam Adnan Wood-Smith, Founder @ Deeper Muslim: AMCOB - Allied Muslim Chamber of Business- June 9,2026

https://www.youtube.com/live/4WqJvTk5O58?si=AegZ8FTzNGezdlZr

Imam Adnan Adrian Wood-Smith is an award-winning educator, coach, and founder of Deeper Muslim, an initiative dedicated to helping individuals deepen their connection to faith, purpose, and personal growth. Through his work, he combines academic scholarship, teaching excellence, and mentorship to support Muslims in navigating both spiritual and professional development. A valedictorian graduate of Dartmouth College, Adnan holds a Master’s degree and is currently completing his PhD in Islamic Studies at Harvard University. He is also a certified language teacher through Harvard’s Bok Center, a certified Enneagram Coach, and a recipient of Harvard’s Certificate of Distinction in Teaching, reflecting his commitment to educational excellence and impactful learning experiences. Throughout his career, Adnan has mentored and coached hundreds of students and professionals through roles at Harvard Divinity School, Brown University, and Zaytuna College. He has also served as President of RICMA, the umbrella organization representing Rhode Island’s Muslim community, helping strengthen engagement, leadership, and collaboration across the community. His insights on faith, identity, and personal development have reached global audiences through platforms such as the Blogging Theology podcast and Towards Eternity, as well as through academic publications and media appearances. Through Deeper Muslim, Adnan continues to empower individuals to cultivate a more meaningful and intentional relationship with their faith and life’s purpose.

Deeper Muslim Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582964024636

YouTube Video:The Proper Pursuit of Life | Imam Adnan Adrian Wood-Smith-MCC East Bay (Muslim Community Center)- Dec28,2016

https://youtu.be/KEEZ5ICVc8Q?si=G6MeX2tFJlVT9cSF

Ustadh Adrian Woods delivers a Friday Khutbah about properly setting ourselves via faith on the pursuit of life. More Imam Adrian: http://mcceastbay.org/adrian This sermon was delivered at the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on Friday, June 6, 2014. Adnan Adrian Wood-Smith is an award-winning educator, speaker, and author on Qur’anic spirituality. After graduating from his Ivy League college as valedictorian, he learnt the hard way that his desire for academic and career success must not override his true sense of mission in life. Since then, he has been committed to helping others define and defend their purpose so that they can find true community with others who share their deep intentionality in the world. He has mentored hundreds as a denominational counselor at Harvard Divinity School, Muslim Chaplain at Brown University, and Student life Coordinator at Zaytuna College, as well as through various volunteer positions, including his tenure as President of RICMA, the umbrella organization for the Muslim community in Rhode Island. Adnan is nearing completion of his PhD in Religion at Harvard University, and has received numerous traditional licenses (ijazat) to teach Islamic spiritual mentorship, jurisprudence, Qur’anic Arabic, and other subjects from master teachers in West Africa, Syria, and California. Learn more about Imam Adnan at: https://www.fightforyourwhy.com For more from Imam Adnan Adrian Wood-Smith: http://mcceastbay.org/adnan

Greater Why:12 Quranic Lessons to align with your Sacred Mission: Imam Adnan Wood-Smith

https://www.fightforyourwhy.com/home

Amazon:Greater Why Workbook: 12 Quranic Lessons to Align With Your Sacred Mission
by Adnan Adrian Wood-Smith (Author) amazon.com

This is a workbook companion to the Greater Why program, available on YouTube and as part of the Greater Why coaching program (www.greaterwhy.com). The workbook allows you to make the content of the program personalized and effective to enable deep transformation in your life. Learn how to define your sacred mission in life and align your life around it, through the guidance of the Qur'an and traditional Islamic spirituality. The workbook includes 12 lessons:Define Your Why
Defend Your Well-Being
Defy Your FOES
Fearless Failure
Doubt-Proof Decision Making
Selfless Success
Motivating Mindsets
Bold Behavior
Inspirational Relationships
Coffin-Induced Clarity
Timeless Teachings
Masterful Mentorship

"Abu Zayd al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul: The Cognitive Behavior Therapy of A Ninth Century Physician" by Malek Badri:afikra- Nov 11, 2021

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/kzcHEvz-a4Y?si=2Foz-wIP_EG4A65i

In this afikra FWD, Mudassir Azam talked about "Abu Zayd al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul: The Cognitive Behavior Therapy of A Ninth Century Physician" by Malek Badri. Mudassir discusses the relationship between the mind and the body, phobias, and notions of depression, anger, and stress.

Mecca Books:Abu Zayd al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul: The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Of A Ninth Century Physician: Abu Zayd al-Balkhi, Malik Badri (Translator) meccabooks.com

From Masalih al-Abdan wa al-Anfus (Sustenance for Bodies and Souls).

Preserved in the Ayasofya Library in Istanbul is an astonishing manuscript. Written more than eleven centuries ago, by the ninth century CE polymath Abu Zayd al-Balkhi, it tackles mental and psychological disorders which seem commonplace to us today.
Al-Balkhi explains symptoms and treatments giving advice on preventive measures and how to return the body and soul to their natural healthy state. In doing so he displays a keen understanding of the human condition and the medical nature of the human emotional state. An astonishing feat given that many of the conditions he discusses were left largely unknown and untreated for centuries before being clinically defined as such, only as relatively recently as the 20th century.
A genius, his insights on human psychopathology as well as diagnoses of psychological ailments including stress, depression, fear and anxiety, phobic and obsessive-compulsive disorders, together with their treatment by cognitive behavior therapy, relate to us in every way and are in sync with modern psychology. Importantly they also incorporate a greater dimension to include the soul and the worship of God.

PDF: Abu Zayd al-Balkhi's Sustenance of the Soul: The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Of A Ninth Century Physician: Abu Zayd al-Balkhi, Malik Badri (Translator)

https://iiit.org/wp-content/uploads/AbuZaydal-Balkhi-complete.pdf

YouTube Video: How Muslim Scholars Understood Mental Illness a Thousand Years Ago: Holistic Healing with Dr. Rania Awaad-Yaqeen Institute- December 17,2020

https://youtu.be/RywqNRQpwUA?si=ptwV8qL-SVz3GI_u

Has anyone ever uttered these words to you, “A Muslim is not afflicted with depression?” If so, you are not alone. However, this phrase actually contradicts the teachings of our beloved Prophet ﷺ. It’s important to truly understand the factors that influence mental health illnesses in order to begin healing. In this episode, Dr. Rania Awaad discusses how early Muslim scholars understood the complexities of such illnesses.

YouTube Video:The 1,100-Year-Old Islamic Science to Cure Depression | Abu Zayd al-Balkhi - Where Faith Leads- Feb.20,2026

https://youtu.be/MrxA6StevPI?si=QAbN47tCrQlbdQqD

Depression is not a modern mystery. More than 1,100 years ago, Islamic scholars were already explaining its causes and cure. This video explores the forgotten Islamic science of mental health through the works of Abu Zayd al-Balkhi and the Quran. Long before modern psychiatry, Abu Zayd al-Balkhi developed a systematic understanding of depression, anxiety, fear, and emotional imbalance. He explained how the human mind and body interact, how distorted thinking leads to psychological suffering, and how conscious effort can restore balance. At the heart of this discussion lies a powerful Quranic principle from Surah An-Najm: “And that man will have nothing but what he strives for, and that his striving will surely be seen.” (53:39–40) This verse rejects passive salvation and passive despair. It teaches that inner change begins with striving — a concept that directly challenges the helplessness at the core of depression. When effort, intention, and expectation are aligned, psychological healing becomes possible. The video also examines how this Quranic framework relates to what is today called the “law of attraction.” Unlike modern self-help narratives that promote wishful thinking or manifestation without effort, Islam grounds change in action, responsibility, and alignment with Divine Law (Sunnatullah). One strives for good, acts for good, and expects its outcome from God. Using only authentic and documented sources — the Quran, verified hadith, and classical Islamic scholarship — this documentary-style video presents a grounded, realistic, and intellectually honest approach to mental health.

YouTube Video:Professor Malik Badri & Professor Suleyman Derin (Prophets and Psychology in Islam) Episode 1- Prof.suleyman derin -Feb 25,2020

https://youtu.be/tZ0eMYwrUZo?si=CBRRW2uBiNKOOHG6

Dr. Farah El-Sharif: A Spiritually Revolutionary Ramadan & Teachings from Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse RA:Lighthouse Mosque-Feb11,2026

 YouTube Video:

https://www.youtube.com/live/CVkchVwvX6g?si=z91aApUKaSYx2Y1P

Learn more about Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse here - https://sacredfootsteps.com/2024/06/1... Read more on Dr. Farah El-Sharif here - http://sermonsatcourt.substack.com/

Lighthouse Mosque Oakland,CA Website:https://lighthousemosque.org/about-us/

PhD Thesis pdf:Kitāb al-Rimāḥ of ‘Umar Fūtī Tāl:  Sealing Muhammadan Sainthood in Nineteenth Century West Africa A dissertation:Farah El-Sharif - Harvard University-Dec.2021

https://dash.harvard.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/ca729d03-6cad-496c-b33f-efe6e7e8d9bf/content

Article:The Rimāḥ De-Marginalized: Sealing Sainthood and Ṭarīqa Formation in 19th Century West Africa-Dr.Farah El-Sharif- Istitute of Islamic Studies, University of Toronto-August 12, 2022

https://islamicstudies.artsci.utoronto.ca/the-rima%E1%B8%A5-de-marginalized-sealing-sainthood-and-%E1%B9%ADariqa-formation-in-19th-century-west-africa/

"A key chapter in my dissertation, entitled “Interauthors in the Dhawq-sphere: The influence of 15th and 16th century Egyptian scholars” discusses why it is significant that half of the copious quotes of the Rimāḥ come from ‘Abd al-Wahhāb al-Shaʿrānī (d.1565).  Their interauthorial relationship depended on Tāl’s understanding of a metaphysical space that can only be known by direct experience– a shared gnostical “taste”-and not merely rationalized or thought of."

Article:The Saint and the Sword: How Sufi Scholars of the Nineteenth Century Resisted Colonialism and State Repression-Dr.Farah El-Sharif -Jan31,2023- Maydan:An online publication of the AbuSulayman Center for Global Islamic Studies at George Mason University

https://themaydan.com/2023/01/the-saint-and-the-sword/

YouTube Video:Colonial Stains on Muslims’ Imagination of the Umma: Dr. Farah El-Sharif and Ovamir Anjum -Ummatics-April 22,2025
https://www.youtube.com/live/dW4XE60r6gk?si=mxkbneMO3Dz0KWV4

The Umma historically provided a framework of unity for Muslims, transcending geographical, linguistic, and ethnic divisions. However, colonial interventions and the rise of modern nation-states severely disrupted traditional Islamic thought and institutions, fracturing trans-regional ties and reshaping collective identities. This session explores how colonial and modern influences transformed the Umma’s theological, intellectual, and political dimensions. It highlights the erosion of classical religious authorities, the reshaping of Islamic knowledge, and the emergence of nationalist ideologies that undermined traditional concepts of unity. Colonial strategies intentionally sought to erase the idea of the Umma as a sacred trust, generating competing visions of what the Umma could and should embody today. Contemporary neocolonial realities, notably the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the neglect of Islam's sacred geography, exemplify these dynamics. Critically analyzing these historical disruptions provides an opportunity to reconceptualize the Umma—not merely as an ideal aspiration, but as an actively evolving lived reality. 

Dr. Ovamir Anjum (presenter) is the founder and Chief Research Officer at the Ummatics Institute. He is Professor and endowed chair of Islamic studies in the department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Toledo and co-editor of the American Journal of Islam and Society. Dr. Anjum's areas of research include Islamic history, theology, political thought, and history broadly. 

Dr. Farah El-Sharif is a researcher and scholar of Islamic intellectual history and contemporary thought. In 2022, she received her PhD from Harvard University's Near Eastern Languages and Civilization Department where she focused on the Islamic scholarship of 19th century West Africa. Her academic interests lie in Islam in West and North Africa, the nation-state and the intersection of Islamic law and Sufism, and Islam and colonialism. She has completed research in various countries such as Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, and Senegal.

Article:Colonial Stains on Muslims’ Imagination of the Umma: Dr. Farah El-Sharif and Ovamir Anjum-Albert Harmon-April27,2025- Magica
https://magica.com/youtube-summarizer/colonial-stains-on-muslims-imagination-of-the-umma-dW4XE60r6gk

Cultivating Prophetic Characterﷺ: Dr.Mariam Sheibani- Cambridge Central Mosque - Aug 6, 2023

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/ILJZQmv4DnM?si=bQCU6Xt6FelQHRps

The Prophet ﷺ said “I was only sent to perfect the noble qualities of character.” Dr Mariam Sheibani talks about how we can cultivate prophetic character in ourselves.

Amazon:An Islamic Legal Philosophy: Ibn ʿAbd al-Salām and the Ethical Turn in Islamic Law (Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization)- Mariam Sheibani

https://www.amazon.com/Islamic-Legal-Philosophy-Cambridge-Civilization/dp/100958846X

While many studies of Islamic law have centered on the development of legal theory and substantive law, especially in their formative period of development, Mariam Sheibani instead argues that the rich legal history of the post-formative period and the Islamic legal philosophy that developed in it have been comparatively neglected. This innovative study traces the ethical turn in medieval Islamic legal philosophy through the pioneering work of the prominent jurist and legal philosopher Izz al-Dīn Ibn ʿAbd al-Salām (d. 660/1262). Sheibani demonstrates how Ibn ʿAbd al-Salām advanced a comprehensive analysis of the law's purposive and coherent rationality, articulated in a distinctive genre, with direct bearing on legal doctrine and social praxis. Ibn ʿAbd al-Salām expanded on previous theological and legal reasoning, furthering two ideas developed by Khurasani Shāfiʿīs: maṣlaḥa (human benefit) and qawāʿid (legal maxims). He also sought to embody and deploy the teachings of his legal philosophy for socio-religious reform in Ayyubid Damascus and Cairo, breaking with the dominant formalism of legal practice. The new forms of legal reasoning and writing that Ibn ʿAbd al-Salām developed would influence subsequent jurists from diverse legal schools and across regional traditions until the present day.
Review:
‘Mariam Sheibani's intellectual biography of Ibn ‘Abd al-Salam is a welcome contribution to our understanding of Islamic legal history in the crucial period when the institutions of Islamic law were stabilizing in the Ayyubid-Mamluk period in Egypt and the Levant. Given Ibn ‘Abd al-Salam's outsized influence – both as theologian and Shafi'i jurist― this study will be indispensable for anyone interested in developments in Islamic law in Egypt and the Levant in the 6th-8th/12th – 14th centuries.' Mohammad Fadel, University of Toronto

‘This rich and absorbing study brilliantly interweaves the life and socio-political context of the Shafi'i jurist Ibn ʿAbd al-Salām with a multi-faceted exploration of his intellectual legacy. Sheibani demonstrates Ibn ʿAbd al-Salām's pivotal role in the development of an Islamic legal philosophy premised on the rational coherence of the law.' Marion H. Katz, New York University
Book Description:
Traces the ethical turn in medieval Islamic legal philosophy through the lens of the pioneering contributions of Ibn ʿAbd al-Salām.
About the Author:
Mariam Sheibani is an assistant professor of Islamic thought at Brandeis University, where her research focuses on Islamic intellectual and social history. Her work has been published in Islamic Law and Society, Journal of the American Oriental Society, Oxford Journal of Law and Religion, and Religions.

Dr.Mariam Sheibani's Website: https://www.mariamsheibani.com/

Article:Fellow Spotlight: Dr. Mariam Sheibani:Islamic Law Blog- July 27,2022

https://islamiclaw.blog/2022/07/27/fellow-spotlight-dr-mariam-sheibani/

This interview is part of our Fellow Spotlight series. This series features interviews with current and previous PIL Fellows, highlighting their work with the Program, their path getting here, and the road going forward.

YouTube Video:Can Hadith Be Problematic? - Mariam Sheibani -CelebrateMercy- May24,2025

https://youtu.be/46M-3NhM4tA?si=fz0Q-n4myRweMyTT

View the full FG webinar: https://youtube.com/live/-QLlwwKjkkk 

Can Hadith be Problematic? How to Navigate the Prophet's ﷺ Legacy with Confidence     

Description: Ever come across a hadith of the Prophet ﷺ that made you pause — even feel disturbed or confused? A narration that just didn’t sit right… about women, violence, history, science, or something else? You’re not alone. In today’s online world, faith-shaking doubts often begin with a single hadith — quoted without context or assumed to represent a holistic picture of the legacy of our Prophet ﷺ. Dr. Mariam Sheibani, a leading scholar of Islamic law and ethics, will help us confront these doubts head-on. We’ll look at how scholars have dealt with “problematic” hadiths for over a thousand years… so you can increase your love for the Prophet and strengthen your conviction in who he truly was.

YouTube Video: Delving into the Names of the Divine – Mariam Sheibani - Cambridge Muslim College- April 13,2023

https://youtu.be/JqK4aSJWSP4?si=YOf0ZXtzrObhKT4j

In this lecture, Dr. Mariam Sheibani delves into the fascinating topic of the Divine names of Allah, sharing insights and reflections on the long and deep tradition of contemplation on the Divine names of God, and how it can help deepen our understanding of Allah's role in our lives and our relationship with Him. Dr Mariam Sheibani highlights the importance of this practice in shaping how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world around us.

YouTube Video: Al-Qushayri's The Grammar of the Hearts – Mariam Sheibani: Tea Over Books - Cambridge Muslim College- Aug 21, 2022

https://youtu.be/6kBC0iX6Gqc?si=qDEHmm_6B2Xc6T3F

Abu al-Qasim al-Qushayri (d. 1072) wrote the first Sufi commentary on Arabic Grammar, entitled "The Grammar of the Hearts" (Nahw al-Qulub). Dr Mariam Sheibani explores the genre through al-Qushayri’s work – including his social context and the book's teachings and methods – to answer the question: ‘Why use grammar to teach spiritual cultivation?’