May 7

A Life Of Service

In this episode of the Muhsinaire Podcast, we sit down with Captain Atif Fareed — a retired airline pilot with nearly five decades in aviation and over 30 years of community service — to explore what it truly means to live a life of impact. From arriving in the United States as a young student and witnessing the misrepresentation of Islam, to stepping into community leadership, building masaajid and schools, and serving as Chairman of CAIR Florida, Captain Atif’s journey is a powerful reminder that impact doesn’t start with position, it starts with intention. We talk about: * How a simple decision to volunteer at a Sunday school sparked decades of service * Building institutions in places where Muslims are a minority * Navigating the challenges of being visibly Muslim in a post-9/11 world * Why civic engagement and relationship-building matter * The story behind a free clinic now serving thousands of patients every year * Mentoring the next generation and opening doors into careers like aviation One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes from his perspective on why he serves: “At Southwest Airlines, I make American dollars. Over here, I make Jannah dollars.” This episode is a masterclass in consistency, sincerity, and building a legacy that goes beyond career and into community. 🎧 Listen in as we explore what it means to start small, stay consistent, and serve with purpose. * 1:56 How the journey started * 11:16 Practicing Islam in Sin City * 13:42 From volunteering to building * 19:42 EMGAGE and CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations) * 22.:03 Being a Muslim pilot post 9/11 * 28:45 The American Muslim Social Services Clinic * 40:24 Mentoring youth and advocating for careers in Aviation * 50:06 Final thoughts and advice Resources: An article on Capt. Atif Fareed and his pilot son This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muhsinaire.substack.com

Apr 27

DisOccupied with Brother Asher

DisOccupied: Economic Resistance Through Boycotts, Divestment, and Collective Bargaining In this podcast episode, Abdul interviews Asher, co-founder of DisOccupied (launched 2023; now a website and mobile app) that helps users divest from brands, banks, and institutions complicit in genocide. DisOccupied has ranked 4,800+ brands using a deep research model that links products to parent companies, reviews financials, supply chains, leadership statements, and suggests ethical alternatives across many categories with recommendations based on your country or region. Asher explains his Islamic motivation for “economic resistance,” his family’s activism, and their decision to leave the US for Malaysia to reduce complicity, including using the FEIE to reduce US income tax exposure. We discuss protests as information dissemination, historical boycott successes (anti-apartheid South Africa; Sabra/AXA; Malaysia Starbucks and McDonald’s), and DisOccupied’s planned “Unionize” features: receipt-scanning to quantify diverted spend and pledges to move money from complicit banks to pressure institutions with aggregated financial leverage.02:40 Origin Story and Motivation06:31 What Makes DisOccupied Different12:16 Trust and Verification25:24 Do Boycotts and Protests Work?33:42 Unionize Collective Bargaining45:25 Ethics Of Complicit Employment52:48 When Alternatives Are Hard57:27 Raising Conscious Kids01:00:59 Building Ethical Alternatives01:04:54 Resources And Local Action01:08:52 How To Contribute In App01:10:38 Final Thanks And Wrap Up This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muhsinaire.substack.com

Jan 19

Homeschooling, Intentional Living, and Raising Muhsinaires

What does it really mean to educate our children for the world they’re inheriting, not just the one we grew up in? In this episode, we have an honest and reflective conversation about homeschooling, intentional parenting, and the deeper why behind choosing an unconventional path. This is not a how to guide or a polished success story. It’s a real discussion about doubts, trade offs, growth, and trust in Allah while trying to raise grounded, curious, and confident children. We talk about• Why homeschooling is less about academics and more about values• The pressure of default systems versus intentional choices• Creating a home culture rooted in faith, curiosity, and responsibility• Letting go of fear and comparison when your path looks different• Raising children with identity, purpose, and resilience in mind This episode is for parents who feel the tension between ambition and presence, structure and freedom, dunya and akhirah. Whether you homeschool, worldschool, or are simply questioning the status quo, this conversation invites you to step back and ask better questions about success, family, and legacy. This is part of the Muhsinaire journey, striving for ihsan in how we live, love, and lead our families. 00:00 Introduction to Homeschooling and Patience01:11 Guest Introduction and Podcast Overview02:49 Sajida's Homeschooling Journey06:25 Daily Homeschooling Routine09:49 Community and Social Activities18:52 Doubts and Confidence in Homeschooling29:19 The Compressed Time of School Days29:48 Homeschooling: Finding Your Rhythm30:32 The Importance of Patience32:08 Homeschooling Satisfaction and Challenges32:54 The Role of Personal Growth in Homeschooling35:43 Flexibility in Homeschooling36:17 Curiosity and Teaching Methods42:03 Balancing Homeschooling and Personal Life43:53 Reflecting on the Homeschooling Journey46:26 Quality Time Over Quantity53:14 Final Thoughts and Encouragement This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muhsinaire.substack.com

12/09/2025

EVERYTHING we do has impact!

This episode of the Muhsinaire podcast features Dr. Bilal Bugaje discussing the concept of impact from a Muslim perspective. Linking Islamic teachings, particularly from the Quran, with modern views on capitalism and legacy, Bilal emphasizes the importance of good deeds and the enduring influence they have. He reflects on the co-opting of Islamic principles by capitalism and non-religious agendas, highlighting a need to deconstruct and realign these principles with Islamic values. The discussion also touches on the central importance of personal character development, the ethical framework within Islam of Islah (improvement) and Khilafah (stewardship), and actionable paths to creating lasting, positive legacies. The conversation concludes with practical insights on personal and community projects that can help Muslims maximize their potential for impactful and sincere contributions to society. 00:00 Highlights and Introduction 01:43 Understanding Impact from an Islamic Perspective 04:27 Conventional vs. Quranic Understanding of Impact 09:03 The Role of Good Deeds and Legacy in Islam 17:13 Islah, Khilafah, and Khidmah: Ethical Frameworks 28:53 Maximizing Impact and Legacy 36:27 Corporate Skills and Training in Building Legacy 37:42 Understanding Hypocrisy and Centering God 40:02 Muslims and Their Potential for Legacy and Impact 41:31 Challenges and Observations in Muslim Communities 45:21 Encouraging Positive Habits and Projects 51:52 Practical Steps to Build Good Character 59:33 Current Projects and Future Plans This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muhsinaire.substack.com

11/23/2025

How to design your (Muhsinaire) year

Ever felt like your days are full, but your life isn’t moving in the direction you want? We have too. And that’s what pushed us to rethink how we plan as a family. In todays episode, we walk you through how starting with a 5-year vision that is helping us bring our deen, family life, homeschooling, work and finances into alignment. We talk about using long-term thinking as your “North Star,” how to turn big hopes into annual goals and daily habits, and how our app, the Ihsan Habits App, helps with consistency even in busy seasons of life. But what happens when goals and plans aren’t achieved? We also talk honestly about the harder moments when plans fall apart, du’a feels unanswered or you start to doubt your own progress. You will hear how to navigate those seasons with du’a, tawakkul and gratitude… because every effort builds skills and isn’t wasted. We share the lessons that changed so much for us, like reviewing regularly, staying flexible, doing less but doing it well, and learning to say no. If you’ve been wanting more direction and more intentionality at home, we think you’ll find this conversation insightful inshaAllah. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & Why We Plan: Living intentionally, not accidentally; backstory of the first planning session 03:10 Five‑Year Vision vs. Annual Goals: Long‑term thinking, the “North Star” concept and aligning faith, family and finances 13:14 From Vision to Routines: Breaking goals into yearly, quarterly and monthly steps; quarterly check‑ins and the 12‑week du’a challenge 15:00 Ihsan Habits App: How the app was born, using it to build consistent habits and involve the kids 19:51 Dealing with Setbacks: Upgrading du’a, practicing gratitude and trusting Allah when goals aren’t met 25:42 Mistakes & Lessons Learned: Avoiding burnout, staying flexible, regular reviews and the power of risk‑taking 29:33 Take Action: Encouragement to start planning, download the template and align your life with Ihsan Resources mentioned in this episode Our Planning Template Essentialism by Greg McKeown The Millionaire Fastlane by MJ DeMarco The Ihsan Habits App The 12-Week Du’a Challenge Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please take a moment to subscribe, share, and leave a comment below! Your support helps us reach more muslim families who need these insights. Also, if there’s any one you’d like us to interview on the podcast, please let us know! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muhsinaire.substack.com

10/21/2025

Faith & Family: A Muslim couple's Journey

Assalamu alaykum and welcome to this special episode of the Muhsinaire Podcast! In this episode, Abdul engages in a profound conversation with our friends; Dr. Bilal Bugaje and his wife, Sajida Mohammed. They discuss the beautiful journey of Bilal and Sajida’s relationship, their courtship, and eventual marriage, emphasizing the principles of sincerity, communication, and mutual self-improvement. As parents and dedicated homeschoolers, they share their parenting philosophies and the benefits (and challenges!) of homeschooling their children. They also talk about the importance of extended family connections and a supportive family unit. This was such an inspiring conversation where they highlight their commitment to living a life of Ihsan and building wealth in faith, family, and impact! Links from the discussion: * Sajida’s personal blog - Puella Ibrahim * She wore red trainers (Book by Na’ima B. Robert) * Magical child by Chilton Pearce Books by Sajida; * Safiyyah’s Jariya Jar * Marshmallow Sabr * Mai Kukan Kitso * Our Great Green Country This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muhsinaire.substack.com

10/04/2025

Discussing "Faith" with Dr. Bilal Bugaje

In this episode, Abdul interviews his childhood friend, Dr. Bilal Bugaje. The discussion is centered around the first pillar of Muhsinaire i.e. Faith. The discussion goes deep, touching on theology, Dr. Bilal’s experiences, things he has learned from his daughters and we even talk about anime (Japanese cartoons). We ask Dr Bilal the following questions: * “What’s something your kids taught you recently?” * “How has your faith shaped the way you see the world and make decisions?” * “Is there a Qur’an verse, Hadith, or principle that you keep coming back to in your life?” * What’s the one thing in your faith that has evolved the most over time? * “How do you personally balance being an intellectual and being spiritual * “As Muslims living in today’s world, what do you think we often overlook when it comes to practicing faith with ihsan?” * “If you could give advice to a friend who is 20 years younger than you, what would it be?” References: * Sherman Jackson article - https://lamppostedu.org/liberalism-american-muslims/ * Journey to God - https://share.google/KhU2LQGl2y1iq7CZO * KRM Publication - Reason and Rationality_web2016.pdf https://share.google/bhsE3Intr1plqlK1p * Hadith 1, 40 Hadith Qudsi - https://sunnah.com/qudsi40:1 * Sound of Seerah podcast: https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/the-sound-of-seerah/3bbbfd10-9bd6-013a-d86e-0acc26574db2 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muhsinaire.substack.com

09/30/2025

4 countries, 4 lessons, and some tips

Life has taken us across four countries we’ve called home at different points, and each one planted a seed in us alhamdulillah. Those seeds keep growing quietly, and they shape how we raise our children, how we define “enough”, and how we imagine the kind of life we want to live (and leave behind). But you don’t need to move across the world for these seeds to be planted. Your current environment is shaping you, too. The people around you and the culture in the air all shape how you think, how you spend your time, attention, money…, and even who you’re becoming. So today, we’re sharing the lessons that have shaped us and impacted the way we live, raise our children, and build with ihsan (excellence). We hope that something we share will get you reflecting on your own journey, too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muhsinaire.substack.com

09/23/2025

4 Muhsinaire Family Rules for Raising Grateful, Responsible Children

The “Muhsinaire Family Rules” is a seed (among many others) we’re planting and hoping will bloom one day, inshaAllah We’re excited to share them with you! How can Muslim parents create a strong family culture without turning every lesson into a lecture? In this episode, Abdul and Maryam share four simple Islamic family rules that act as an anchor in their home. The rules are easy for children to remember, but broad enough to guide everyday decisions, behaviour and relationships. The first establishes Muslim identity as something children live, not merely a label they carry. The second makes mutual care part of the family’s culture. The third holds effort and enjoyment together, teaching children to work hard without making home feel joyless. The fourth returns the family to gratitude for what Allah has provided. This conversation is not about presenting a perfect household or imposing a rigid system. It is about giving children a shared language that parents can return to consistently. Listen if you want practical Muslim parenting ideas for building responsibility, connection, gratitude and Islamic identity at home. The four rules: • We are Muslims and we behave like Muslims • We take care of each other • We work hard and play hard • We are always grateful for what Allah has given us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muhsinaire.substack.com

09/22/2025

What Is True Success in Islam? Wealth, Family and the Legacy You Leave

What is true success in Islam, and how do you know whether the life you are building will still matter when status, income and applause disappear? In this episode, Abdul and Maryam reflect on Clayton Christensen’s observation that many outwardly successful people eventually discovered that career achievement had come at the expense of their families, character or peace. The conversation then turns to the Islamic scoreboard of a meaningful life: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and righteous children who continue to make du’a for us. Money is not presented as the enemy or the final goal. It is a tool that can educate children, support families, build institutions and create room for generosity. The deeper question is whether our choices are producing hollow wins or planting seeds for the akhirah. Listen if you are ambitious but do not want ambition to cost you your deen, family or legacy. You will explore: • The difference between visible success and a truly rich life • Wealth as a tool for worship and service • The forms of legacy that can outlive us • How to examine where your effort is taking you That’s why we created the idea of a Muhsinaire — someone who strives for excellence in faith, family, and impact. Money itself isn’t the goal; it’s a tool. A tool that can build masajid, feed families, educate children, and free us to give generously. Legacy begins with seeds: teaching a child, funding a project, mentoring, building businesses that serve. Every choice can either be a hollow win — success that leaves you empty — or a step toward akhirah-anchored impact. So we ask: Fa ayna tadhhabun? Where are you going? Are your efforts feeding only your dunya, or are they building your akhirah too? Because at the end of the day, the question is not whether you were rich or poor, but whether you lived a life that truly mattered. The chart discussed showing income by groups of married vs unmarried men and women: https://www.reddit.com/r/charts/comments/1ngrefr/married_men_dramatically_out_earn_all_other/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muhsinaire.substack.com

09/22/2025

What Is Ihsan? The Mindset Behind Muslim Excellence

What is ihsan, and what would it look like to pursue excellence across faith, family, work and wealth? In this opening episode, Abdul and Maryam explain the idea behind Muhsinaire: a Muslim who refuses to measure success by income or status alone, and instead builds a life rooted in worship, strong relationships, meaningful work and lasting impact. They share why they started the podcast, how entrepreneurship, homeschooling, travel and marriage shaped their thinking, and why ambition does not have to compete with spirituality. This is not a formula from people who have everything figured out. It is an invitation to learn, build and grow together while keeping the akhirah at the centre. Listen if you are rethinking conventional success, trying to balance deen and ambition, or looking for a Muslim framework for personal growth. In this episode: • What ihsan means beyond a textbook definition • Why identity shapes habits and decisions • Material success versus barakah-driven success • What to expect from the Muhsinaire Podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muhsinaire.substack.com

Muhsinaire Podcast

Episodes

A Life Of Service

DisOccupied with Brother Asher

Homeschooling, Intentional Living, and Raising Muhsinaires

EVERYTHING we do has impact!

How to design your (Muhsinaire) year

Faith & Family: A Muslim couple's Journey

Discussing "Faith" with Dr. Bilal Bugaje

4 countries, 4 lessons, and some tips

4 Muhsinaire Family Rules for Raising Grateful, Responsible Children

What Is True Success in Islam? Wealth, Family and the Legacy You Leave

What Is Ihsan? The Mindset Behind Muslim Excellence

Trailer

What Is Ihsan? The Mindset Behind Muslim Excellence

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