In this special episode of OnGuard, Hamza Andreas Tzortzis sits with the world-renowned Mauritanian scholar Shaykh Dr Mostafa al-Shaybani for a deeply personal conversation on da‘wah, sincerity, fame, the Qur’an, family, and the crisis of Muslim online influence.

Hamza asks the Shaykh to advise him directly — as someone involved in leadership, public da‘wah, online work, and mentoring others — on how Muslim speakers, activists, influencers and students should protect themselves from ego, ostentation, fame, algorithm-chasing and losing sight of the real purpose of calling people to Allāh.

The Shaykh’s answer is a powerful reminder: before public da‘wah must come private worship; before chasing followers must come sincerity; and before trying to “win” arguments must come a heart shaped by the Qur’an.

This is essential viewing for anyone involved in da‘wah, Islamic content, community work, teaching, activism, or public Muslim discourse.

Chapters:

00:00 Hamza asks for sincere mentorship
02:44 Private worship and the weight of da‘wah
06:37 Why are you calling people to Allāh?
08:10 The Qur’an is guidance, not just barakah
12:10 Surah al-Baqarah and reshaping the Muslim mind
17:18 Tadabbur: the Qur’an as transformation
21:22 Reading sīrah as Qur’anic guidance
22:40 Your da‘wah starts at home
24:47 Fame: the enemy of the da‘i
29:40 Basīrah, hikmah and long-term da‘wah
36:10 Qur’an, marriage and the da‘i’s inner life
42:29 Let the Qur’an choose your da‘wah priorities
44:11 Followers, hearts and success from Allāh
46:38 Hamza’s journey back to the Qur’an

Subscribe to Islam21c for more conversations on faith, family, da‘wah, politics, society and the challenges facing Muslims today.

Share this episode with anyone involved in da‘wah, Islamic content, community leadership or Muslim public discourse.

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What happens when Muslim men and women are separated from their fitrah, their roles, their families — and each other?

In this OnGuard podcast, Shaykh Shaqur Rehman joins us for a deep discussion on the Power of a Muslim Woman, the role of motherhood and wifehood in Islamic civilisation, the crisis facing Muslim families, and how modern society has reshaped the way men and women see themselves.

This is not just a discussion about feminism, university, marriage, or gender roles. It is about the heart of the Muslim home, the future of the Ummah, and the urgent need to rebuild men, women, families, and communities upon submission to Allāh.

We discuss how colonialism, liberal modernity, materialism, online discourse, broken family structures, and schooling from a young age have shaped Muslim men and women — and what it takes to undo that damage through tarbiyah, leadership, sisterhood, brotherhood, haya, family, and community.

Chapters:
00:00 Reclaiming the Power of a Muslim Woman
12:06 How the Muslim family was hijacked
20:38 Real Islamic masculinity and male leadership
34:04 How society reprogrammed men and women
49:11 Muslim women, media and da’wah
01:00:10 Motherhood, wifehood and the path to Jannah
01:06:17 University, apostasy and protecting the dīn
01:22:38 Rebuilding families, tribes and communities

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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

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To extend the reach of our impactful content, kindly consider making a contribution (www.islam21c.com/guardians). Your support helps us make a difference.

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