Wrapping up 2020 with a bang Bahath brings you the ultimate guide to Muslim podcasting.
“They’re biscuits for your ears” - Rhett McLaughlin
One of my all-time favourite Internet personalities once described a podcast as an “ear biscuit” and I’ve always thought that was quite the apt description.
Ear biscuits, sound nuggets, auditory samosas whatever you’d like to call them podcasts have slowly crept into my daily commute (well while it existed anyway) and have been a super useful way of occupying my time while also taking in some valuable information. There’s also the added benefit of creating an immersive experience, a one-sided conversation of sorts, different from the blathering chants of pop music or your favourite Islamic hymn.
The perks of podcast listening certainly haven’t gone unnoticed by listeners with millions tuning into podcasts every day - and with the latest figures showing a strong upward trend on listenership, availability and advertising revenue it’s no surprise that a thriving genre of Muslim podcasters has also emerged. Stretching from topics ranging from faith, entrepreneurship, sports and politics Muslims have taken full advantage of this emerging market. With such an abundance of content to consume, I thought I’d put together the ultimate* list of 50 Muslim run podcasts.
Without further ado here are fifty podcasts you should check out in 2020.
*Disclaimer: this is not a ranked list, nor an exhaustive list, feel free to drop your recommendations in the comments below.
1) American Submitter
Kicking us off is American Submitter by Imran Ali Malik a sleek production exploring the deep stories that contribute to the western Muslim experience. A great project, combined with a clean aesthetic and some meaningful conversation.
“American Submitter is an experimental weekly podcast from I. A. Malik Studio that pushes the format of podcasting, combining conversation, audio documentary, and reflective narration to explore a personal story which illuminates deep and broad themes: the spiritual teachings of Islam and the reality of Muslims finding their way while living at the western edge of civilization.”
2) The Mad Mamluks
Second, on the list is a stalwart of the Muslim podcast scene. Join regular hosts Imran (SIM), Mahin, Mort and resident scholar Sheikh Amir Saeed who: “Deal with topics ranging from human consciousness to intimacy with guests from around the world.”
If you’ve never listened in to one of their episodes I would recommend “EP 069: The First American Jihadi” an enthralling introduction to their work.
“Get ready to be challenged about everything you thought you knew about the world.”
3) Naptime Is Sacred
Fousia Abdullahi is the host of nap-time is sacred an innovative podcast focused on creating content geared towards Muslim women.
“You’ll hear the stories of impressive, accomplished, and amazing Muslim women authors, bloggers, entrepreneurs, nutritionist, and so many more. These stories will give you the tools you need to not only be inspired but to provide you with tangible steps towards personal, professional growth, and development.”
4) The DiscoverU Life Podcast
Razia Hamidi takes you on a journey of self-discovery with a series of episodes geared towards positive self-development.
“Through conversations with pretty cool Muslims who have found a way to walk their dreams with Islamic excellence we take you on a path of discovery. This is the podcast where you discover you.”
Some interesting guests include Al Maghrib founder Sh. Muhammad Al Shareef, Sh. Omar Suleiman and Dr Rania Awaad.
5) Greed For Ilm
Another longstanding podcast on the list, Greed For Ilm has now clocked up a total of over 200 episodes since its inception. With so many episodes to catch up on you’ll be sure to find something of interest.
“There are a ton of passionate people out there that want to get their stories heard. Just because we don’t see them in mainstream media, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I had the pleasure to speak with numerous authors, journalists and other extremely passionate people.”
6) Blood Brothers
Across the pond, you’ll find another ‘chapter’ of The Mad Mamluks, it’s the Blood Brothers podcast hosted by brothers Dilly and Aki Hussain.
The podcast began as a creative partnership between the UK and the US but has since grown into its own popular platform. Join the Bedford bros for a proper British angle on some of the most important discussions happening in the Muslim world.
7) Mind Heist
Hosted by Mohamed and Amin Mind Heist episodes cover self-development, entrepreneurship, youth culture and social commentary. A series of interesting discussions from two cross-continental buddies that will be sure to keep you engaged.
Check out “EP 39 - Enslaved To Your 9 to 5” for a motivation boosting episode on entrepreneurship and self-employment.
8) The Qarawiyyin Podcast
The Qarawiyyin project is a Muslim women-centric initiative that aims to revive the tradition of Muslim women being at the forefront of discussing the most critical issues of our time. Join the TQP team where they discuss a range of pertinent issues related to the modern Muslim including secularism, feminism and modern science.
9) Paper Trails (Inspyre Reads)
If you’re a bookworm or want to get into reading Inspyre Read’s Paper Trails just might be your cup of tea. Join the podcast crew for fun discussions related to youth culture and their reflections on the books they read. Here’s a great episode to check out.
10) Ilmfeed
Ilmfeed has grown to be one of the largest Muslim media websites and so it’s no surprise that they have also joined the podcast game. Join alternating hosts Shabbir Hassan and Ustadha Fatima Barkatulla for interviews with some of the most interesting Muslims of the western world.
11) Brewing Talks
Brewing Talks is another all-female endeavour dedicated to discussing issues relevant to the everyday Muslim. Episode topics include friendship, business, marriage and the evil eye.
12) One Foot In The Sink
Probably the most inventive approach to a podcast name on this list. Anees and Foz have racked up fifty episodes with all sorts of creative discussions geared towards “achieving a more positive, fulfilling Islamic lifestyle.”
“One Foot In The Sink is Muslim Lifestyle Podcast. What is Muslim lifestyle? We believe it is living an inclusive life within the boundaries of Islam and pushing yourself to becoming a better human being and a Muslim. Of course, it involves enjoying the finer things in life too.”
13) The Thinking Muslim Podcast
Switching gears slightly now, this podcast hosted by Muhammad Jalal and Farhat Amin is based around Islamic thought in the contemporary world. The podcast is part of a wider project that takes a critical look at Islam, Liberalism and modernity. In their own words:
“The Thinking Muslim is a project to inspire and equip Muslims with the thought required to gain confidence about our faith and to embrace the timeless challenge of Islam to humanity. Our contribution is to create a space for the in-depth study, dissemination and advocacy of Islam and its response to liberal modernity.”
A couple of golden episodes you should check out are: Islam, Liberalism and a Muslim Benedict Option with Ismail Royer and The Politics of Hijab - with Farhat Amin and Ustadh Iyad Hilal
14) Abbasid History Podcast
The epoch that brought you the Islamic golden age. The Abbasid period was a fascinating time filled with scientific discovery, conquests, architecture and philosophy. Host Talha Ahsan delves into the complex world of the Abbasids alongside esteemed academics. Professor Hugh Kennedy features in episode one with a general introduction to the Abbasids.
15) The Shaykh It Show
Followers of Muslim Twitter or ‘MT’ as the cool kids would refer to it as would be aware of the legend that is @raztweets but besides his Twitter antics, Raz also runs the Shaykh It Show alongside his buddy AA. The affable duo run a light-hearted podcast that will be sure to bring a smile to your face.
“Two Muslims. One Podcast. A light-hearted show hosted by Raz & AA, providing social commentary on current affairs, pop culture, food & anything else!”
16) ISA podcast
It indeed is a podcast and a pretty cool one too. ISA stands for ‘Islamitische Studentenvereniging Amsterdam’ and as you can probably tell this is a multi-lingual podcast recording episodes in both Dutch and English. The podcast is an endeavour by the Muslim student association of the Netherlands and as a result, they have a number of interesting guests from within the Netherlands and further afield. Check out this English language episode that covers the topic of social media and mental health.
17) Yaqeen Institute Podcast
The Yaqeen Institute founded in 2016 is a world-renowned Islamic research institute that produces journals, articles, surveys and curriculum that addresses common contentions related to Islamic conviction, Islamophobia and extremism. Their podcast is an extension to this work and adds another layer to the conversation.
“Dismantling Doubt and Nurturing Conviction, One Truth at a Time. You'll find a variety of Islamic lectures, conversations, and discussions on topics most important to you. At Yaqeen, we aim to make academic and Islamically-credible scholarship mainstream through accessible resources such as infographics, animations, podcasts, learning materials, and more.”
18) Nomadic Hustle
Focusing on the powerful and inspiring stories of the Somali community, Mukhtar Sharif runs the ‘Nomadic Hustle’ podcast. Mukhtar has created an engaging podcast series discussing important topics related to Somali history, career advice, personal finance and most recently police brutality.
“This podcast aims to celebrate and highlight Somali excellence while shedding light on the countless success stories within our community both on a local and global scale. Focusing on inspiring the younger generation is the goal, and facilitating conversations on common issues and solutions that pertain to the Somali diaspora experience will help us stay connected as a people.”
19) The Unscripted Podcast
As a news and politics website Islam 21C has always focused on articulating Islam in the 21st Century. Alongside publishing a plethora of articles and videos the team has also put together their own podcast. The show is hosted by the sites Chief Editor Dr Salman Butt. With a unique combination of in depth discussion and Dr Salman’s cheerful sense of humour Unscripted is a noteworthy podcast you must check out.
20) HazCast
Coming in at number twenty is the first non-English podcast hosted by Egyptian YouTube personality Hazem El Seddiq. Hazem is a Muslim YouTuber who runs an Arabic language channel and podcast. If you’re an Arabic speaker or are looking to brush up on your Arabic check out his work. In case you were curious there are a few English episodes too.
21 ) From The Other Side
Filled with character and bucket loads of banter FTOS is your quintessential look at Muslim culture. If you’re looking for an entertaining take on just about every subject under the sun you can take a pick from the over seventy episodes they have produced.
22) Sultan and Sneakers
Chicago based Mahin Islam hosts Sultan and Sneakers another quality podcast to add to your ever-growing podcast list. Mahin is one of the co-hosts of The Mad Mamluks but he certainly brings something unique to the table with S&S. You can expect an eclectic mix of guests on the show, including bible scholars, Indian matchmakers and even republic politicians.
"WHY do we believe the things we do? I talk to interesting people from all walks of life to find out."
23) Boys In The Cave
Another variety show with interviews with guests from across the Muslim political and religious spectrum. Join the Aussie boys Tanzim, Rafael and Joshua as they delve into pertinent topics related to Islam, Identity and the modern world.
“Boys In The Cave Podcast ethos is to 'revive Islamic discourse, thus intends to be a platform that provides much needed exposure as well as accessibility of information, varying perspectives and ideas when it comes to intellectual discourse and dialogue within a modern context.
We critically engage with various guests, ranging from Shaykhs, Scholars, Academics, Community leaders and Activists, in order to explore perspectives, raise awareness, provide tools, in order to elevate the level of discourse within the Muslim community.”
24) The Abwaan Podcast
Abwaan means storyteller in Somali - join five regular hosts as they share their experiences while living their lives as TKC’s (Third Culture Kids). Topics of discussion include university life. racism, Somali identity and cancel culture to name but a few.
“On "The Abwaan Chronicles Podcast" we focus on topics related to our life experiences and identity as Muslim/Somali/Western third culture kids.”
25) Sacred Footsteps
Sacred Footsteps is a website which publishes content on alternative and spiritual travel, history & culture. Alongside their fascinating articles and video content, they also produce a great podcast. With the help of some great guests, they explore a number of topics including scholarship, liberation movements, travel, environmentalism and orientalism.
26) ImanWire
ImanWire host faith-centred discussions with some of the community’s brightest minds. Their episodes cover a range of pivotal topics relevant to Muslim life. If you’re searching for deeper insights into racism, Muslim finance, spirituality, and politics, ImanWire covers all that and more.
“ImanWire is an online publication and multimedia platform focusing on articulating spirituality in a modern context, highlighting a diverse group of American Muslim voices.”
27) Accidental Muslim
South African duo Khalil and Zaheer run Accidental Muslim, a platform that is dedicated to “living with purpose”. Their long-running podcast has now exceeded seven seasons, so there’s plenty of great conversations to catch up on. But you’re probably wondering, why accidental Muslims?
“AccidentalMuslims.com is a movement or platform whereby we showcase leaders (current & future), in their field or career or life in general, to inspire us to live with purpose. And we just happened to be Muslims [People who submit to One God :)]
Coming from a family where most of us were born Muslim – there is this perception that we were Muslims by “accident” or by chance. This platform is here to remind you to live with intentionality, to have this drive to actualize your true potential in this life and to ultimately live with purpose (with faith).”
28) OnePath Network
Shifting contents now, the Australian based One Path network has risen in prominence thanks to the top-class media content they have produced over the years. The team behind incredibly impactful videos like ‘The Ali Banat Story’ have now also started their own podcast, adding yet another layer to their great offering. If you're looking for high-quality and relevant content for the Muslim millennial, I would definitely recommend checking out their work.
29) Safina Society
For listeners seeking an intellectually fulfilling series, the Safina Society podcast will most certainly keep you engaged. Hosted by a number of enlightening individuals such as Dr. Shadee Elmasry and others, episode topics cover in-depth discussions on faith, spirituality, philosophy and da'wah, all through the perspective of traditional Islamic thought.
30) Flip The Switch
YouTube ‘influencer’ might not be the most accurate title for Wajeeh Mahmoud, who has been able to maintain a thriving YouTube channel while also pursuing his dreams in the legal field. His podcast Flip The Switch aims to provide a resource for second-generation minority students to successfully navigate college life and make the most of their future careers.
“This series is to provide motivation and guidance for those who didn’t really have that guidance growing up. Whether it be through college applications or internships in the professional or academic world we are here to help. The whole idea is to take your work ethic to the next level and share stories and advice for you to flip the switch.”
31) Muslims On Fire
Maruf Yusupov is the mind behind entrepreneurial endeavours halal.ad and Ali Huda; he hosts ‘Muslims On Fire’, a podcast series that celebrates the stories of ordinary Muslims doing extraordinary things. As a successful serial entrepreneur, he engages in fascinating conversations with leading Muslim businesses owners, delving into their past and the stories behind their success. A great set of episodes filled with valuable gems and 🔥 conversations.
32) Breaking Binaries
Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, known online as The Brown Hijabi, is a poet, writer and speaker, she recently released her debut poetry collection ‘Postcolonial Banter’ which received rave reviews. Suhaiymah also hosts Breaking Binaries, a novel podcasting series that seeks to deconstruct seemingly oppositional ideas. In all honesty, I can only vouch for episode one but if that’s anything to go by this is a must-listen series.
“Every episode Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan is joined by a different guest to discuss and deconstruct two seemingly oppositional ideas (innocent/guilty, radical/moderate, secular/religious etc). In doing this we consider if things are really so simple, or if seemingly commonsensical binaries actually hides, obscures or allows for much more complicated political dynamics.”
33) See Something Say Something
Focusing on the nuance and idiosyncrasies of Muslim American life ‘See Something Say Something’ is a BuzzFeed-powered podcast featuring Ahmed Ali Akbar as host. As you would expect from one of the worlds leading media publications the series is a well-produced one, covering intriguing discussions about western Muslim life in a comical and heartwarming manner. In 2016 they were listed by The New York Times and iTunes as one of the best new podcasts.
34) Freshly Grounded
Merging the realms of YouTube fandom and religious practice, Faisal Choudhry is now one of the most influential young Muslim personalities on the internet. His podcast Freshly Grounded, founded in 2011, was at a point the number one podcast on iTunes. With a background in marketing, branding and video production, his podcast is a well-oiled machine and he regularly pushes out quality content with an eclectic mix of guests, including sports superstars, businesses owners and religious personalities.
35) Salam Girl
Showcasing the inspirational stories of Muslim American women, Salam Girl is hosted by Monica Traverzo and Nicole Queen. The pair are both reverts to Islam and are driven by their mission to “help empower Muslim women to reach their fullest potential.” In their latest episode, they speak to fashion writer Hafsa Lodi, author of the book “Modesty, A Fashion Paradox".
If think you know a Muslim woman who would make a great quest you can even send them a recommendation here.
36) Unleashed Potential
Heading down under once again, Unleashed Potential is a podcast run by an ensemble of East African brothers of Somali and Ethiopian descent. The team discusses a variety of everyday topics from business to relationships and lifestyle.
“We believe that everyone has the potential within them to be better than who they are now in every area of their life so we made it our mission to help realize this. The content we share is a conversation between a group of friends exchanging experiences so that our viewers not only get the benefit of halal entertainment but also extract helpful lessons, ideas and motivation that unleashes their own potential to be great.”
37) Coffee With Karim
Seeking the light of the deen with some caffeine. Coffee With Karim is hosted by Karim Serageldin, a professional coach and founder of Human consulting platform Noor. Alongside some interesting guests, Seragldin expertly handles a number of topics including homeschooling, health, racism, religion and spirituality.
“I enjoy doing this podcast in order to give American Muslims an authentic voice and show the world what amazing gifts we have to offer. My focus is psychology, relationships, spirituality, science and art.”
38) Straight To The Point
Bursting onto the scene a decade ago (wow that does make us feel old) Humza Arshad AKA ‘Badman’ was a comedic fixture in almost every young British Muslim’s life. His in-your-face humour and social commentary has been viewed by millions across the globe. Humza has continued with his YouTube comedy sketches but now also runs “Straight To The Point” a podcast series that hosts a number of high profile guests covering both lighthearted and serious conversations.
39) Little Muslims
Our first child-centric podcast is Little Muslims run by Nada Osman. Little Muslims is a valuable contribution to the Muslim podcast scene, allowing parents to teach Islamic values in an engaging manner. The episodes tend to range between 10-12 minutes long and are perfect to listen to during the school run or as an easy alternative to a bedtime story.
“A new way to expose our children and teach them about the rich Islamic history through short interactive stories that you can listen to whenever and wherever.”
41) Honest Tea Talks
With a core theme of honesty and openness, Honest Tea Talks has just completed its second series and takes a look at some of the most important and sometimes uncomfortable issues that the Muslim community deals with. Join hosts Aliyah, Sumayah and LaYinka as they take part in some fruitful and frank conversations. Their most popular episode on the topic of intimacy is a great first episode to check out.
“A show where 3 Muslim women get together and have honest conversations about the things we desperately need to talk about, as women and as an ummah. It's raw, it's real, at times heavy, but always profoundly important.”
40) Ibn Abee Omar
Omar Usman focuses on faith-based personal development. His podcast takes a unique look at Islamic principles that can contribute to a healthier and more productive life. Usman does a great job of covering concepts of both personal development and Islamic principles in a tactful and innovative manner. His regularly used hashtag, #FiqhOfSocialMedia, is another interesting concept to unpack alongside episodes that discuss grandstanding, scarcity mindset and emotional intelligence.
42) Mindful Muslimah Speaks
This podcast series is part of a larger project that includes workshops, classes and mentorship schemes all aimed at positive self development for the Muslim woman. The highly-rated podcast covers themes of self care, organisational tips, childcare and marriage advice.
“I’m a nerd when it comes to mindful living and obsessed with teaching other women how to craft the life that they desire.”
43) What The Fiqh
Poet, presenter and preacher Boona Mohammed is perhaps most notable for his enthralling spoken word skills. He now also hosts his own podcast and has released a total of twelve episodes. Recent guests include Nasheed artists like Ilyas Mao and Essam Muhammad as well as some notable scholars.
44) Ummahpreneur
Continuing with the consistent theme of entrepreneurial-based podcasts, Ummahpreneur is hosted by business owner Abby El-Asmar.
“Every Tuesday, I interview Muslim Entrepreneurs at the top of their game LIVE inside of our Ummahpreneur Facebook group to break down business, lifestyle, mindset and entrepreneurship from an Islamic perspective!
My guests come from all backgrounds to shed light on a specific topic or business model that will help give value, inspiration and insight to the audience.”
45) Jokes and Gems
One of the more unique ones on the list, this podcast is run on Instagram by utilising the nifty live feature. As the name would suggest, the hosts balance both comedy and beneficial knowledge during their live streams. Between Moses, a comedian, and Ustadh Youssef, a student of Al Azhar University, the pair create some entertaining episodes packed with meaningful content.
46) Muslim Central
I don’t think any Muslim podcast list would be complete without mentioning Muslim Central. Although not strictly a ‘podcast’, the service regularly uploads Islamic lectures for listeners across the globe. Whatever topic that may be of interest, just type: “Muslim Central” into your podcast app and take your pick from the plethora of talks available. The service also hosts thousands of hours of Quran recitation from the most prominent Quran reciters of our time.
47) Muslim Founders
In at number forty seven is a podcast that focuses on interviews with some of the most trailblazing figures of the modern Muslim world. There are currently only two episodes but considering their quality, future releases will be ones to look forward to. The standout episode is their latest, which is an interview with 10-year NBA veteran, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
“Much like the founding fathers of many nations, a society requires members who have paved the road and laid the groundwork for present and future communities, the name was inspired by these individuals. MF details the lives of unique Muslims and takes an in-depth look into their work while motivating others along the way.”
48) Ottoman History Podcast
The epoch of history that brought you Ertugrul, Muhammad Al-Fateh and Sultan Selim; the Ottoman Empire was an awe-inspiring time in the history of humanity, fraught with disasters and epic tales of conquest, so there’s no surprise that a history podcast on the Ottomans would be equally as exciting. Join academics and researchers of varied backgrounds for in-depth discussions on the Ottoman era.
“Ottoman History Podcast began in March of 2011. It was a modest experiment aimed at finding an alternative form of academic production that explores new and more accessible media and allows for a collaborative approach. Since then we have grown to be one of the largest digital resources for academic discussion concerning the Ottoman Empire and the modern Middle East.”
49) Muslima Mindset
Farhat Amin originally founded the Muslim Mom Podcast discussing issues related to parenting and child care; her podcast has now evolved into the Muslima Mindset Podcast, helping guide Muslim women through the rollercoaster that is life. Recent episodes cover the topics of falling in love, gender roles, Islamophobia and the hot topic of feminism.
“A Muslim podcast for Smart Muslimas. Farhat Amin is an author & coach. She's a speaker for www.thinkingmuslim.com, having delivered lectures on women in Islam and feminism. Muslima Mindset Podcast is about helping Muslim women understand their Islamic identity.”
50) IERA ReRooted
An acronym for The Islamic Education & Research Academy, IERA are perhaps the most prominent da’wah organisation in the Western world. If you grew up in the West, chances are you have come across their publications in one form or another. The ReRooted podcast launched by Musa Adnan in 2019 has racked up over forty episodes to date. ReRooted is a top-quality production available in both audio and video formats, another must-listen series. Check out their YouTube playlist below.
I know we promised you fifty podcasts but we can’t put together a podcast mega list without plugging our own podcast right? We’ll keep it short and sweet. In at number fifty-one is Wax Lyrical hosted by the founders of Bahath Muhammad and Eissa. It’s our humble offering to the Muslim podcast scene.
At Wax Lyrical we promote purposeful conversations in a relaxed environment and we’re also open to guests of all backgrounds regardless of prominence - just as long as you’re down to have a good old natter. Feel free to reach out to us via email if you’d like to be on. Click the button below to be directed to the podcast homepage.
To report any errors or inaccuracies, drop us an email at contact@bahath.co
Author: @mshuwekh
