Voices from Beyond the Rainbow

Waheed Jensen
  • 5.0 (4)
  • ISLAM

A podcast series featuring stories of men and women experiencing same-sex attractions and gender dysphoria from around the world who want to live a life true to Allah SWT and Islam.

Episodes

  1. DEC 12

    Voice #8 - A Father, A Brother, and Amina: "From Crisis to Compassion: We Chose Love and Boundaries While Learning How to Heal"

    A single sentence can anchor a life: “You will always be my sister.”  Our season finale gathers Amina, her father, and her brother for a rare, vulnerable conversation about love with boundaries, faith under pressure, and what it takes to heal without rewriting what you believe. We walk through the “watershed” road trip and surgery plan that split the family’s memories, hear a father name the all-night flights, the frantic calls, and the imam’s simple counsel, and watch a brother draw a firm line — no endorsement of what he can’t accept — while keeping his door, and his heart, wide open. Across the episode, a few themes keep returning. Dua, istikhara, and tawbah as the three tools that actually sustain families when certainty disappears.  Accountability without cruelty — owning parental failures, apologizing for absences, and protecting the marriage and the other children who are catching the fallout. Most of all, loving the child you have rather than the ideal one you imagined.  These and other relevant themes are discussed in this episode, which is highly recommended for parents, friends, and family members of individuals experiencing same-sex attractions or gender dysphoria. The conversation offers a final image worth keeping: be the gentle breeze — kind, careful, steady — so the door stays open for growth and healing. Amina's story from A Way Beyond the Rainbow - Episode 26 Episodes discussing sexual abuse from A Way Beyond the Rainbow - Episode 60 and Episode 61 Send as an anonymous one-way text message Support the show "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow" Sign-up Form Background music for most podcast episodes: "Pandemia" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

    2h 38m

  2. NOV 21

    Voice #7 - Yasser: "From Shame To Sobriety: A Revert's Journey through Faith, Addiction, and Healing"

    A single moment on a church baseball field set a lifelong script: feeling invisible, unchosen, and unsure how to be a man. That early wound threads through this raw conversation with Yasser as we trace a path from strict Protestant roots and adolescent shame to marriage, internet-fueled addiction, nervous breakdown, and the long, messy search for wholeness. Along the way, deconstruction stripped away old beliefs, cultural pressure blurred lines, and “try harder” spirituality left the core problem untouched. Everything pivots when a kind doctor offers Arabic lessons and Al-Fatiha's “Guide us to the Straight Path” cut through the noise. Conversion to Islam wasn’t a cure-all, but it became a solid frame for real change. We unpack what “horizontal healing” looks like: therapy that teaches naming feelings before acting out; brotherhood through Straight Struggle and Strong Support; experiential work with Brothers Road and Journey Into Manhood; and the daily structure of 12 Steps and Sexaholics Anonymous. The wins are humble and real: months of sobriety counted one day at a time, a marriage tempered by honesty, and a father-son bond strengthened by truth rather than performance. This episode sits with the hard questions: Why does vertical faith fail when relationships are broken? How do grief and cultural narratives fuel relapse? What actually helps when willpower and prayer alone don’t? Yasser's story offers a hopeful vision: progress over perfection, surrender over secrecy, and service over shame. Send as an anonymous one-way text message Support the show "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow" Sign-up Form Background music for most podcast episodes: "Pandemia" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

    2h 13m

  3. OCT 31

    Voice #6 - Yara: "Finding Peace Within: Navigating Identity, Faith, and Trauma in Gaza and Beyond"

    What happens when the war outside mirrors the conflict within? Meet Yara, a 23-year-old Palestinian woman whose journey through war-torn Gaza, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening offers profound wisdom beyond her years. Growing up amid bombs and uncertainty, Yara developed anxiety that shaped her understanding of herself and the world around her. When she began experiencing same-sex attraction as a teenager, the silence surrounding sexuality in her community left her feeling isolated and confused. "When you grow up believing normal human development is shameful," she reflects, "it plants seeds of fear that take years to unlearn." This conversation travels through the landscapes of trauma, mental health, and religious identity with remarkable honesty. Yara shares how therapy complemented her spiritual journey, explaining that "psychology and spirituality go hand in hand, but they're not the same." After feeling alienated by harsh, male-dominated religious discourse, she discovered scholars whose balanced, compassionate approach transformed her relationship with Islam. "Your authentic self is not defined by your urges. True freedom means living according to what fulfills your spirit and soul." Through her story, Yara demonstrates how acknowledging same-sex attraction while remaining committed to Islamic values isn't contradiction but integration.  The episode concludes with a moving tribute to Gaza that reminds us of the resilience, beauty, and dignity of a people going through the most challenging of circumstances. Recommended resources on Palestine and Gaza: - Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement official website. - UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) donation link. - More about pinkwashing and purplewashing. - A comprehensive historical outline of Palestine’s occupation: The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi. - Novels, novellas, and poetry portraying the Nakba, Diaspora and Palestinian Struggle: Umm Sa’d, The Land of Sad Oranges, Return to Haifa, Men in the Sun, and The Owl in The Filled Room by Ghassan Kanafani; Mornings in Jenin, and Against The Loveless world by Susan Abulhawa; On this Land, Those Who pass Between Fleeting Words, and Who Am I, Without Exile? by Mahmoud Darwish. - A documentary outlining a couple months of the genocide captured by Yousef Hammash, a small video about Gaza before the war, and a video about significant historical & religious sites in Gaza. - A drama series on the struggles and everyday life of Palestinians before/during the Nakba: Al-Taghreeba Al-Falastinya by Hatem Ali. - Experiences of Arab and Arab American feminists with gender, sexuality and feminism: Arab and Arab American Feminisms: Gender, Violence and Belonging by Rabab Abdulhadi. Send as an anonymous one-way text message Support the show "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow" Sign-up Form Background music for most podcast episodes: "Pandemia" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

    1h 56m

  4. OCT 10

    Voice #5 - Mustafa: "From Revisionism to Redemption: How I Found My Way Home"

    When Mustafa first realized his same-sex attractions weren't going away, he spiraled into self-hatred, shame, and thoughts of suicide. Desperate for relief, he embraced revisionist interpretations of Islam that seemed to permit same-sex relationships. This led to marriage with another man—a decision that initially brought him the love and acceptance he'd been craving. Yet beneath the surface happiness lurked an inexplicable emptiness. Despite having what appeared to be everything he wanted, something felt profoundly wrong. "I hid the relationship from everyone," Mustafa reveals. "I was living two lives—a world where I was the Muslim son and one where I was the gay Muslim man married to another guy." The theological contradictions he'd noticed in revisionist arguments grew more apparent, and the marriage eventually ended, leaving him spiritually and emotionally adrift. The turning point came when Mustafa connected with a supportive brother online who encouraged him to pray just two rakats whenever he felt empty. This small act gradually rebuilt his connection with Allah, transforming his understanding of God from a distant, judgmental figure to a loving, present One who "lets me retake the test every day." Through a 12-step program, healthy platonic relationships with other men, and daily spiritual practices, Mustafa discovered how reconnecting with Allah in a deeply personal way can heal the deepest wounds and provide a sense of belonging that no human relationship can match, and how divine love can transform even our darkest moments into opportunities for growth and purpose. Extra references: - A Way Beyond the Rainbow episodes on Islamic revisionism (Part I and Part II) with Mobeen Vaid - Article by Mobeen Vaid "Can Islam Accommodate Homosexual Acts? Qur'anic Revisionism and the Case of Scott Kugle" on Muslim Matters - Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) official website - A Way Beyond the Rainbow episode on 12-step programs and sexual recovery programs. Send as an anonymous one-way text message Support the show "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow" Sign-up Form Background music for most podcast episodes: "Pandemia" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

    2h 8m

  5. SEP 19

    Voice #4 - Adam: "From Shame to Strength: What Allah's Mercy Taught Me About Being a Man"

    In this deeply moving episode, Adam shares his journey through the confusing terrain of same-sex attraction as a Muslim man from Egypt. With remarkable vulnerability, he reveals how complicated family dynamics – a domineering mother and emotionally distant father – created the perfect storm for his internal struggles with identity and sexuality. Adam's story isn't just about attraction; it's about the profound human need for connection. Through tears and triumphs, he describes how childhood wounds manifested as attractions that were less about sex and more about seeking the masculine affirmation and fatherly embrace he never received. "I learned that I just want to bond with men," he explains. "I want this healthy, golden fatherly hug." The turning point came after Egyptian activist Sarah Hegazi's suicide in 2020, which propelled Adam into a spiritual crisis that ultimately led to healing. Through support groups, therapeutic approaches, and reconnecting with Allah, he began to unravel the complex "triangle of fusion" behind his attractions – discovering they contained elements of his mother, his wounded younger self, and the father figure he desperately needed. Today, Adam experiences his masculinity differently. While still navigating occasional same-sex attractions, he's found peace by understanding their roots and addressing his deeper needs for healthy connection. His journey offers hope that healing is possible without denying one's experiences or abandoning faith and one's relationship with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Resources mentioned in the episode: - Sh. Fadel Soliman's video addressing homosexuality, and his series on Allah's Divine Names - Shame and Attachment Loss by Dr. Joseph Nicolosi - Three books by Richard Cohen: Coming Out Straight; Being Gay: Nature or Nurture; and Healing Humanity: Time, Touch & Talk - How to Do the Work by Dr. Nicole LePera - Secrets of Divine Love by A. Helwa - Breaking the Habit of Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza - Strong Support official website - Journey into Manhood (JiM) - Brothers Road official website - Brothers Road clearance exercise (MANS principle for reframing SSA) Send as an anonymous one-way text message Support the show "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow" Sign-up Form Background music for most podcast episodes: "Pandemia" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

    2h 31m

  6. AUG 29

    Voice #3 - Maryam: "From the Rahm to Allah's Rahma: Healing Gender Dysphoria through Hope and Surrender"

    Trigger warning: This episode involves a discussion of sensitive subjects like sexual abuse and trauma, in addition to female menstruation and body image wounds. Growing up as a "tomboyish" girl in Pakistan who never quite fit traditional feminine expectations, Maryam eventually developed gender dysphoria alongside same-sex attraction—all while trying to remain faithful to her Islamic beliefs. Maryam takes us through the complex factors that contributed to her gender struggles: early sexualization despite modest dress, cultural pressure to conform to narrow definitions of womanhood, and complicated family dynamics. With remarkable vulnerability, she shares how her relationship with her female body, particularly menstruation, transformed from shame to sacred connection when she discovered the linguistic relationship between "Rahm" (womb) and Allah's attributes of mercy. What makes Maryam's story so powerful is that her healing didn't come from forcing change or focusing obsessively on eliminating unwanted feelings. Instead, it came through complete surrender to Allah when nothing else was working: "I will get out of my own way," she decided, opening herself to approaches she had previously dismissed. The transformation that followed surprised even her—not just in alleviating gender dysphoria but in helping her genuinely embrace her femininity. Today, Maryam describes herself as "a very feminine woman" whose SSA and gender dysphoria no longer define her existence. Yet she's quick to emphasize that this shouldn't be everyone's benchmark for healing: "Being better means being actually content and happy, having good mental health," not necessarily eliminating all challenging feelings. Maryam's story illuminates how spiritual growth, psychological healing, and cultural understanding can work together to create authentic paths forward for Muslims experiencing gender and sexuality struggles. Resources mentioned in the episode: - A Way Beyond the Rainbow episodes on understanding and healing sexual abuse (part I and part II) - A Way Beyond the Rainbow episodes on marital intimacy and sex with Dr. Rana Khaled (part I and part II) - Women of Desire: A Guide to Passionate Love and Sexual Compatibility by Habeeb Akande - Maryam's contact information: mohsinmaryam1993(AT)gmail.com Send as an anonymous one-way text message Support the show "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow" Sign-up Form Background music for most podcast episodes: "Pandemia" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

    2h 31m

  7. AUG 8

    Voice #2 - Ishaq: "No More Running: A Revert’s Climb from the Ashes of Desire"

    Searching for love in all the wrong places led Ishaq down a path of destructive relationships, identity confusion, and spiritual emptiness. Growing up in a non-religious household with an emotionally distant father and overprotective mother, he found himself defined entirely by his same-sex relationships. Despite living openly gay in an accepting environment, something felt profoundly wrong. The constant cycle of relationship peaks and devastating crashes left him questioning everything. When a chance encounter brought a devout Muslim man into his life, Ishaq was struck by something he'd never witnessed before: genuine peace. What began as curiosity about Islam transformed into a profound spiritual awakening. Through prayer, Ishaq discovered strengths he never believed possible within himself. The journey wasn't smooth—he lost most friends, wrestled with reconciling faith and sexuality, and had to completely rebuild his identity. But through therapy, healthy male friendships, physical discipline, and spiritual surrender, he found what decades of chasing relationships couldn't provide: purpose and contentment. Today, Ishaq offers a powerful message to others struggling with same-sex attraction or considering Islam: "This feeling of emptiness inside is something everyone experiences, and the void is filled with God... Islam doesn't erase you. It refines you." His story challenges us to consider that healing sometimes comes not from embracing desires, but from wholeheartedly surrendering to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Send as an anonymous one-way text message Support the show "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow" Sign-up Form Background music for most podcast episodes: "Pandemia" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

    1h 50m

  8. AUG 3

    Conscience Over Convenience: A Digital Hijrah

    In this short but urgent episode, I share why I’ve chosen to leave Big Tech services like Google (among others) in light of their complicity in human rights violations and global injustices. As Muslims - and as human beings - we have a moral obligation to act. I’ve moved to Proton Mail and begun supporting ethical, open-source alternatives. I invite you to begin your own journey toward digital ethics. Updated contact information: - A Way Beyond the Rainbow email address: awaybeyondtherainbow(AT)proton.me - Voices from Beyond the Rainbow email address: voicesfrombeyondtherainbow(AT)proton.me - Waheed Jensen email address: waheedjensen(AT)proton.me Helpful resources: - Switching Software - DeGoogled - Privacy Guides - Techlore - Prism Break Background music: "Perfection" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0) Send as an anonymous one-way text message Support the show "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow" Sign-up Form Background music for most podcast episodes: "Pandemia" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

    5 min

  9. JUL 18

    Voice #1 - Bilal: "Turning Shame into Submission: A Married Man's Quiet Struggle"

    What happens when your halal environment feels like your haram environment? When the place that should feel safest—your mosque, your community—becomes a source of struggle? This is just one facet of the profound journey Bilal shares in this deeply moving episode.   Bilal, a married Muslim father from Australia, takes us through his lifelong experience with same-sex attraction (SSA), from the first confusing feelings as a young boy to reaching absolute rock bottom as an adult. With raw honesty, he describes clinging to the Kaaba during Umrah, begging Allah to take these feelings away, and the moment when, sobbing uncontrollably on the side of the road, he surrendered completely to Allah's will.   The transformation began when Bilal discovered resources that helped him understand his experience not as an identity but as a test from Allah—one he was uniquely equipped to handle. Through building healthy masculine friendships, working through shame, and addressing childhood wounds related to his emotionally distant father, Bilal found a path forward that honored both his faith and his reality.   Perhaps most powerfully, Bilal shares his experience as a husband and father while navigating SSA, offering practical wisdom for others considering marriage. His ADHD diagnosis adds another layer to his story, highlighting the complex interplay between neurodivergence and sexuality that many in similar situations experience. Throughout it all, Bilal's message remains clear: acceptance doesn't mean surrender to desires, but rather acknowledging this test from Allah while focusing on the broader purpose of life. Send as an anonymous one-way text message Support the show "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow" Sign-up Form Background music for most podcast episodes: "Pandemia" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

    1h 57m

  10. JUL 4

    Voices from Beyond the Rainbow: An Introduction

    Introductory episode to the new podcast series, "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow". "A Way Beyond the Rainbow" podcast link here. "One Soul" Sponsorship program link here. Send as an anonymous one-way text message Support the show "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow" Sign-up Form Background music for most podcast episodes: "Pandemia" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

    16 min

  11. APR 18

    Podcast Teaser

    A glimpse into the new sequel podcast, "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow", starting summer 2025, inshaAllah. To sign up as a guest: Sign-up Form Send as an anonymous one-way text message Support the show "Voices from Beyond the Rainbow" Sign-up Form Background music for most podcast episodes: "Pandemia" by MaxKoMusic (Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0)

    5 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A podcast series featuring stories of men and women experiencing same-sex attractions and gender dysphoria from around the world who want to live a life true to Allah SWT and Islam.

Information

  • Creator
    Waheed Jensen
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Voices from Beyond the Rainbow
  • Show Website
    Voices from Beyond the Rainbow

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