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Episode 383: Hisham Abu Yusuf

May 12, 2025

Guest

Ustadh Hisham Abu Yusuf

Hisham Abu Yusuf, an Al-Azhar graduate and Muslim chaplain, shares his unique journey as a reluctant influencer despite his aversion to social media. He discusses the emotional depth behind his viral Names of Allah series and its profound impact on listeners. Delving into the role of Tarteel AI, he contrasts prophetic resilience with modern self-help culture. Hisham reveals insights from his chaplaincy work, addressing young Muslims’ struggles and the healing power of the Quran. He encourages a merciful approach to teaching and emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in pastoral care.

01:29:43

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ANECDOTE

Tarteel's Muslim-Built Quran Scale

At Tarteel, Hisham helped scale a Muslim-built Quran app to millions while preserving proprietary Arabic models.
He notes this created unprecedented opportunities for global Quranic reward and impact.

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ADVICE

Limit Apps That Hunt Your Attention

Avoid building habits that maximise eyeball time because many product teams design for addiction.
Delete or limit distracting apps and use product ethics to protect your focus and family life.

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ANECDOTE

Viral Growth By A Student

A student ran Hisham's dormant Instagram and uploaded three reels that exploded his following overnight.
Hisham then sought guidance from his teachers to convert viral reach into protected, sincere work.

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Tarteel AI: mission, tech and impact

00:29 • 4min

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Being a reluctant influencer

04:19 • 3min

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How Hisham's Instagram grew unexpectedly

07:28 • 11min

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The Names of Allah series origin

18:25 • 26sec

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Teaching names through Quranic context

18:51 • 9min

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Viral spread and live feedback

27:45 • 1min

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Names of Allah as therapy and prophetic mindset

29:00 • 4min

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Prophetic resilience versus modern self-help

32:38 • 5min

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Musa and Khidr: reframing trauma

37:11 • 3min

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Chaplaincy: real pastoral care insights

40:23 • 6min

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Counselling, mediation and emotional intelligence

46:20 • 54sec

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Maintaining calm and life balance

47:14 • 4min

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Learning Arabic: why and how

51:25 • 6min

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Practical habits for Quran and hifz

57:30 • 5min

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Avoiding 'hifz or nothing' mentality

01:02:01 • 5min

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Trauma from harsh teachers and healing

01:07:04 • 7min

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Prophets' stories as tools for reframing

01:14:08 • 11min

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Teaching with mercy and building Quran love

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Ustadh Hisham Abu Yusuf is not your typical influencer. In fact, he hates social media. And yet, through a divine twist, his words have reached millions.

In this powerful episode of Freshly Grounded, Ustadh Hisham opens up about:

👉 His viral Names of Allah series and why it resonated so deeply. 👉 The emotional depth and research behind each lesson. 👉 His reflections on sincerity, fame, and being a "reluctant influencer." 👉 Insights from his role at Tarteel AI and why it's different from other AI apps. 👉 How working as a Muslim chaplain exposed him to the raw, unfiltered reality of young Muslims struggling with faith, identity, and trauma. 👉 The prophetic secret to calmness, productivity, and long-term resilience. 👉 The Musa (AS) story like you've never heard it before — as a framework for processing trauma and finding meaning in our most painful moments.

We also dive deep into topics like Arabic language revival, toxic teaching, and the dangerous illusions of self-help culture.

This isn't just a conversation, it's a perspective shift.

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