Zaynab bint Ali (ra): A Voice of Courage | The Firsts | Sahaba Stories | Dr. Omar Suleiman

 

A granddaughter of the Prophet ﷺ, exemplary for her patience, courage and generosity. She established institutions to support the poor, elderly, and disabled. She persevered after the painful massacre of her family at Karbala, and eloquently spoke truth to power. 

Zaynab bint Ali (ra) is from the great women of the Ahl al-Bayt and is an enduring role model for every generation of Muslims.

Lowkey Meets Former US Soldier

 

Lowkey meets MintPress colleague Greg Stoker for the first time in a special episode of The Watchdog.

How to See the Prophet ﷺ in a Dream | Barzakh | Other Side Ep.5 | Dr. Omar Suleiman | Ramadan Series

 

Do you wish to see the Prophet ﷺ in your dream? 

What would it be like to see his smile, hear his voice, and be in his presence? The Prophet ﷺ continues to appear in the dreams of the faithful. From the woman in Gaza who foresaw tragedy, to scholars and warriors who received his reassurance, these visions have carried the ummah through generations. But you don’t need to have lived with him to connect with him.

Husayn ibn Ali (ra): Redefining Victory in Karbala | The Firsts | Sahaba Stories | Dr. Omar Suleiman

 

Who is Husayn (ra)? The beloved grandson of the Prophet ﷺ, a role model for believers in their pursuits of justice, and the master of the youth of Jannah.

Dr. Omar Suleiman explores his life in depth, from his birth and childhood, his grandfather ﷺ's love for him, his sense of justice, his service to the ummah, his tragic martyrdom at Karbala, and the lessons his story teaches us today. 

Zionism's Last Stand? Israel's War on Iran and the Collapse of Empire | Lowkey

 

Iran and Israel are at war after Israel launched an unprovoked attack last week. Palestine Deep Dive’s Ahmed Alnaouq sits down with legendary journalist and hip hop artist Lowkey to talk about the role Iran has played in the history of resistance to Zionism, about whether regime change in Iran is Israel's end goal, and who might come out on top.

They also talk about the resistance to the Gaza genocide within the UK, particularly the role Palestine Action has played, and the repression the British state has unleashed on activists and journalists to try to dampen the popular movement for Palestine.

Finally, they compare notes on being interviewed by Piers Morgan, and talk about whether his recent change of position on the genocide in Gaza is genuine, and what his real goal is with his popular Youtube show.

No Prophet Lied — So Why Does Trump Lead Some Religious Folk?

Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), his use of negotiations as a stalling tactic while enabling Israeli strikes, and his public lies — such as claiming he would “wait two weeks” before deciding on a military response, only to covertly authorize action — raise not merely political or strategic concerns, but deep moral and theological questions about the very nature of leadership. This concern is amplified by the fact that his base includes many devout Christians who find his bravado motivational and empowering. 

In this piece, I examine the theological implications of his dishonesty through the lens of ʿilm al-kalām (Islamic theology), and his deceit in negotiations with Iran through the lens of classical Islamic law—particularly in the Mālikī tradition.

Prophetic Integrity An Inspiration Prophethood has always held a central place in Islamic theological reflection. Prophets are not followed because of coercion or wealth, but because of their balanced teaching, ethical clarity, and the miracles that support their truth. Their leadership inspires. Of all their qualities, moral integrity—ṣidq (truthfulness)—was considered so foundational that classical theologians listed it among the essential beliefs every Muslim must hold about a prophet. 

This quality was not merely ethical; it was epistemological. The Prophet’s truthfulness is the guarantee of the truth of revelation. As Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī writes:
“If the source of information is corrupt, then what follows is invalid.” (al-Maṭālib al-ʿĀliyah)

Prophetic honesty, then, is not merely a virtue—it is a reflection of the ontological harmony between the Prophet and the Divine Will. His truth mirrors the covenant between him and God. And it was that truth that inspired, and it so clear, that it was logical. Al-Taftāzānī explains in Sharḥ al-ʿAqā’id: 

“If it were possible for a prophet to lie, even once, then belief in revelation would collapse — hence ṣidq is rationally and textually obligatory.”

Treaties & Deceit 
Muslim political theorists extended this principle—though to a lesser degree—to rulers and heads of state. A leader devoid of truthfulness is epistemically unfit: fundamentally unreliable as a source of knowledge, judgment, or legitimate authority. His mirror becomes blurred, reflecting not strength or courage, but weak faith and a severed connection to divine responsibility. As Imām Abū Manṣūr al-Māturīdī taught, divine obligation (taklīf) assumes that those in power speak truthfully. When a ruler severs the bond between language and reality, he collapses the moral framework that makes obedience meaningful. The Muʿtazilī scholar ʿAbd al-Jabbār similarly argued that obedience to a dishonest leader is tantamount to obedience to falsehood—an ethical contradiction and theological impossibility. Shāh Waliyyullāh al-Dihlawī captures this brilliantly in Ḥujjatullāh al-Bāligha:

“The Prophet’s amānah was not just personal but institutional, and imāms who come after must reflect it in justice, restraint, mercy, and dedication to the sharīʿah.”

Shari’ah & Sidq
This is not merely a theological matter. Classical Islamic law, especially within the Mālikī school, explicitly condemns ghadr (treachery)—even in war, and especially in the context of treaties. Al-Dardīr writes in al-Sharḥ al-Kabīr:

“Treachery is not permitted — even with disbelievers.” — 2/196
And more directly:

“Fulfilling the treaty is obligatory. If the Imām fears treachery from the enemy, he may not break the treaty until he openly nullifies it [on equal terms].” — 2/196

Breaking a treaty under the pretense of diplomacy, using negotiations to buy time for military aggression, or lying to the public while secretly escalating conflict—these are all classified as prohibited treachery in Islamic law. From this perspective, Trump’s conduct is not only a breach of political integrity, but a moral betrayal and legal transgression. In Islam, truth is not optional in leadership. Without it, both revelation and governance lose their claim to legitimacy. Sad, his most passionate supporters claim to do so in name of faith and integrity. 

As we move forward in an increasingly unstable world, being known as a nation whose leaders lie will only further erode the trust required to heal a fractured global order. Trumping others is not the way of the Prophets. It is the opposite.
imam Suhaib Webb,
Ella Collins Institute

Ms Rachel DEFENDS her support for Gaza's kids

 

Whether or not you have toddlers, by now chances are you’ve heard of Ms Rachel, the children’s educator who has taken the world by storm. With more than 14 million subscribers on YouTube and billions of views worldwide, Rachel Accurso has become a superstar in children’s entertainment, teaching them everything from how to sound out syllables to learning about their emotions.

But ‪@msrachel‬ as she’s known, has not just garnered attention for her educational videos, she’s also become an outspoken advocate for children in conflicts worldwide. But it’s her advocacy for the children in Gaza in particular, who have been displaced, starved, injured, and killed in their thousands by Israel’s offensive, that has turned her into a target. 

In this exclusive interview with Mehdi Hasan and Zeteo, Ms Rachel opens up about why she decided to speak out against Israel's war in Gaza, how her experience as a teacher and mother informs her perspective, and responds to the backlash she's received.

Toxic Positivity and Colonial Psychosis

 

The Multi-Million Dollar War on Islam | Focal Point with Imam Tom Facchine

 

Who profits from making people fear Muslims? In this Focal Point episode, Imam Tom exposes the multi-million dollar network fueling Islamophobia—fake experts, front organizations, and political actors who weaponize misinformation for profit and power.

This isn’t ignorance, it’s strategy. Who funds the fear? Who benefits? And how do we counter it?

"Everything I Was Taught… Was a Lie" : Aaron Mate Speaks Out!

This week on The Tea with Myriam Francois, journalist and critic of U.S. foreign policy Aaron Maté joins us for a deep dive into Palestine, ‘Jewishness,’ and the media narratives around them. As a Jewish voice opposing Israel’s violence, he’s been dismissed and sidelined — but he’s not backing down.

From the devastation in Gaza to the discourse in Washington, Maté thoughtfully explores how identity can be instrumentalized, how definitions of antisemitism are being reshaped in politics, and why solidarity with Palestinians is not only compatible with Jewish identity — but essential to its integrity.