The Architecture of Arrogance: A Psychological Profile of Iblis

According to Nouman Ali Khan, Iblis is a highly strategic and intelligent being who is neither delusional nor psychotic. He possesses free will, a sense of right and wrong, and full moral responsibility, which makes his choice to disobey far more significant than that of someone who simply does not believe in God. Unlike humans who receive divine commands through books or messengers, Iblis heard the command to bow directly from Allah. This direct interaction makes his refusal remarkable because even the fear of Allah, which he certainly possessed, was outweighed by something deeper within his personality.

That internal obstacle was his rigid self-image. Iblis had built a concept of himself as a "VIP" because he was the only jinn amongst the angels, leading him to believe he was more special than anyone else. When Allah commanded the angels and Iblis to bow to Adam, Iblis felt his status as "number one" was under threat. He was faced with a choice: break Allah’s rule or break his own prideful image of himself. He chose to protect his ego, fearing that if he let go of that special status, he would be equal to everyone else.

Following this fall, Iblis used his intellect to shift the blame, targeting both Adam and Allah for his situation. He viewed Adam as the reason he was no longer special and committed himself to a life of revenge and sabotage against humanity. Khan suggests that Iblis now attempts to infect humans with this same value system, where a person's worth is derived from their rank, possessions, or how others perceive them rather than their actual conduct or character. In this mindset, one's value is tied to being "number one" or even being the "biggest problem" just to remain relevant and visible. Ultimately, Iblis prioritises "his truth"—the story he created in his head to justify his actions—over the actual truth, and he encourages humans to do the same by clinging to their own narratives even when they are destructive.

Please see the lecture below:

10 Objectives of Fasting in Ramadan

Mercy Before Everything | Surah Ar-Rahman: A Deeper Look | Nouman Ali Khan

 

In this episode, we begin exploring the opening word of Surah Ar-Rahman and uncover why this single name carries extraordinary depth. 

We look at the subtle continuity between Surah An-Najm, Surah Al-Qamar and Surah Ar-Rahman and how themes of the moon, the star, the tree and sajdah flow seamlessly into the opening of this surah. 

Then we dive into the linguistic depth of the name Ar-Rahman. What does it really mean? Why is “merciful” not enough to capture it? What is the difference between Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim? And why does this name carry both overwhelming love and a powerful warning? 

Through the imagery of the womb, overflowing care and the structure of the Arabic language itself, we begin to understand that this word is not just a translation, it is a universe of meaning. 

This episode sets the emotional and intellectual foundation for everything that follows in the surah.

Story of Prophet Muhammadﷺ - The Wives of the Prophet ﷺ

 

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf explains that the Seerah cannot be judged through a modern social template. Human nature is constant, but customs and norms change, and many things that shock people today were ordinary in pre modern societies, including in parts of the West not long ago. He addresses the controversy around Sayyidah Aisha رضي الله عنها by grounding it in historical context, noting that the strongest reports in the canonical hadith collections state the marriage contract occurred when she was young and that she entered the Prophet’s ﷺ household later, while also acknowledging that some later historical calculations propose older ages but are treated as weaker.

He emphasizes that Sayyidah Aisha رضي الله عنها was not an ordinary figure. Her life shows extraordinary intelligence, maturity, strength of personality, and a massive scholarly legacy. She preserved and transmitted an immense portion of the religion, mastered language, poetry, genealogy, and legal understanding, and became one of the most authoritative teachers of the Ummah. The smear campaigns, he argues, rely on stripping away context and ignoring how societies actually functioned, then projecting modern outrage backward to manufacture doubt.

He expands the discussion to broader Sharia principles, explaining how Islam reformed pre Islamic practices through gradual, wise transformation. He uses adoption as an example: Islam preserved care for children but protected lineage and identity through clear rules, because not knowing one’s true origins can cause profound psychological and social harm. He also touches on slavery as a pre modern global reality and explains that the Sharia systematically narrowed its sources and placed freeing people among the fastest paths to Allah, while building a framework that dignified human beings and aimed to dry up the system over time.

Finally, he frames apologetics properly. Defending Islam does not mean being embarrassed. It means explaining clearly, fairly, and with knowledge, while refusing the emotional traps of modern polemics. He warns against mocking other faiths, because it breeds retaliation and harms da’wah, and he highlights that many accusations collapse when people compare Islamic law and Prophetic ethics with the harsher legal and historical realities found in other traditions and in secular modernity.

Zabeel al-Ilm walks in the path of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah — sharing the best of knowledge, teaching adab, and nurturing love for the Habib ﷺ.
Our content is filled with reminders rooted in the way of the Salihin, reviving faith with daily knowledge, Aqeedah, Hadith, and timeless wisdom that connects hearts back to Allah ﷻ and His Beloved ﷺ.

Iblis: A Psychological Profile | Nouman Ali Khan

 

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan explains why Iblis - the Shaytan - didn’t disobey Allah out of ignorance, but because of pride. He knew Allah, feared Allah, and still refused to obey because obeying meant shattering his self-image. This reflection exposes a dangerous mindset that’s still alive today: measuring worth by status, rank, image, and attention instead of obedience, humility, and truth. The Quran doesn’t just tell a story about Iblis, it holds up a mirror.

The Epstein Files, Orientalism, and the Hypocrisy Behind Islamophobia | Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi

 

"The Epstein Files: A Wake Up Call for Muslims" - Usuli Khutbah

 

TRIGGER WARNING: SA, PDFILIA, ABUSE

Today, Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl analyzes the newly released Epstein Files. Sermon given at The Usuli Institute on 6 February 2026.

Islam and the Importance of Being a Providing Husband — In Every Way

In Islam, marriage is not merely a social contract or a romantic arrangement; it is a sacred covenant (mithaq ghalith) built on responsibility, mercy, and mutual care. Among the central responsibilities placed upon a husband is the role of being a provider. While this is often reduced to financial support alone, Islamic teachings present a much broader and deeper understanding of what it truly means to provide.

Financial Provision: A Clear Obligation

Islam clearly establishes financial responsibility (nafaqah) as a duty of the husband. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Men are caretakers of women, as men have been provisioned by Allah over women and tasked with supporting them financially…”
(Qur’an 4:34)

This includes food, clothing, shelter, and general living expenses according to one’s ability. Importantly, Islam emphasizes justice and effort, not wealth. A husband is not required to be rich, but he is required to be sincere, hardworking, and responsible. Even small earnings, when halal and earned with integrity, carry immense barakah.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“It is sufficient sin for a man that he neglects those he is responsible for.”
(Abu Dawood)

Providing financially is therefore not an act of charity—it is an act of worship.

Emotional Provision: Presence, Compassion, and Safety

Islam does not stop at material provision. A husband is also responsible for emotional stability and kindness within the marriage. The Prophet ﷺ was emotionally present, gentle, and attentive to his wives. He listened, comforted, joked, and reassured.

Allah describes marriage as a source of tranquility:

“And among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy.”
(Qur’an 30:21)

Being a providing husband means offering emotional safety—being someone your wife can rely on during fear, stress, sadness, and uncertainty. This includes patience, respectful communication, and emotional maturity.

Spiritual Provision: Leadership Without Tyranny

A husband in Islam also carries the responsibility of spiritual leadership—not domination, but guidance through example. This means encouraging prayer, maintaining halal income, creating a home environment that nurtures faith, and striving for personal righteousness.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The best of you are the best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family.”
(Tirmidhi)

A husband who provides spiritually leads with humility, seeks knowledge, asks forgiveness, and grows alongside his wife rather than placing himself above her.

Physical and Psychological Care

Providing also includes protecting one’s wife from harm, neglect, and emotional abuse. Islam strictly condemns cruelty and injustice in marriage. A husband is expected to be a source of strength and reassurance, not fear or instability.

This includes:

• Respecting boundaries
• Offering affection
• Supporting mental and physical well-being
• Standing up for one’s wife when she is wronged
• Provision as an Act of Worship

One of the most beautiful aspects of Islam is that mundane acts, when done with the right intention, become acts of worship. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whatever you spend on your family is charity, even the morsel of food you place in your wife’s mouth.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)

Providing, in every sense, is a path to Allah’s pleasure. It requires effort, sacrifice, self-discipline, and sincerity—qualities Islam seeks to cultivate in men.

Islamic masculinity is not defined by control or status, but by responsibility, mercy, and service. A providing husband is one who shows up financially, emotionally, spiritually, and morally. He understands that leadership is accountability, that strength is gentleness, and that provision is far more than money—it is presence.

In fulfilling these responsibilities, a husband not only strengthens his marriage but also earns immense reward in the sight of Allah.

Hard Hadith Explained | Real Talk ft. Dr. Tesneem Alkiek

 

The Prophet ﷺ communicated with compassion, and that alone should be enough to know that his words were never meant to belittle or degrade others. So how do we react to statements attributed to the Prophet ﷺ that appear to do just that—especially when they seem to target women? In this episode of Real Talk, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek unpacks that tension, offering case studies from the Qur’an and Sunnah that have been misunderstood or misused, and shares how we can all feel more confident and empowered in understanding our tradition with greater clarity and depth.

HÜR ADAM : film on Said Nursi

 

Said Nursi (1877–1960) was a visionary Islamic scholar who sought to reconcile faith with reason in an age of upheaval. Through his writings, especially the Risale-i Nur, he argued that modern science and deep spirituality need not be in conflict, offering a message of hope, resilience, and inner renewal. This film explores the life and legacy of a man whose ideas quietly transformed hearts under pressure and continue to resonate today.