The Mohamed Ghilan Podcast

Fasting is a practice that according to the Quran has been prescribed upon Muslims as it has been prescribed upon those who have come before. At the external superficial level, it's described as the abstaining from eating, drinking, and having intimate sexual relations from the break of dawn until sunset. However, there is much more to this practice that one must be mindful off lest they risk being included in the Hadith stating that many who fast get nothing from it other than hunger and thirst. This 5-part series explores the inner dimensions of fasting through covering two texts from Imam Abu Hāmid al-Ghazaālī's magnum opus "Ihya' Uloom ad'Deen" (Revivification of the Religious Sciences". The first text covered was "The Book of Breaking the Two Desires", and the second was "The Book of the Secrets of Fasting".

Fasting is a practice that according to the Quran has been prescribed upon Muslims as it has been prescribed upon those who have come before. At the external superficial level, it's described as the abstaining from eating, drinking, and having intimate sexual relations from the break of dawn until sunset. However, there is much more to this practice that one must be mindful off lest they risk being included in the Hadith stating that many who fast get nothing from it other than hunger and thirst. This 5-part series explores the inner dimensions of fasting through covering two texts from Imam Abu Hāmid al-Ghazaālī's magnum opus "Ihya' Uloom ad'Deen" (Revivification of the Religious Sciences". The first text covered was "The Book of Breaking the Two Desires", and the second was "The Book of the Secrets of Fasting".

Fasting is a practice that according to the Quran has been prescribed upon Muslims as it has been prescribed upon those who have come before. At the external superficial level, it's described as the abstaining from eating, drinking, and having intimate sexual relations from the break of dawn until sunset. However, there is much more to this practice that one must be mindful off lest they risk being included in the Hadith stating that many who fast get nothing from it other than hunger and thirst. This 5-part series explores the inner dimensions of fasting through covering two texts from Imam Abu Hāmid al-Ghazaālī's magnum opus "Ihya' Uloom ad'Deen" (Revivification of the Religious Sciences". The first text covered was "The Book of Breaking the Two Desires", and the second was "The Book of the Secrets of Fasting".

Fasting is a practice that according to the Quran has been prescribed upon Muslims as it has been prescribed upon those who have come before. At the external superficial level, it's described as the abstaining from eating, drinking, and having intimate sexual relations from the break of dawn until sunset. However, there is much more to this practice that one must be mindful off lest they risk being included in the Hadith stating that many who fast get nothing from it other than hunger and thirst. This 5-part series explores the inner dimensions of fasting through covering two texts from Imam Abu Hāmid al-Ghazaālī's magnum opus "Ihya' Uloom ad'Deen" (Revivification of the Religious Sciences". The first text covered was "The Book of Breaking the Two Desires", and the second was "The Book of the Secrets of Fasting".

A reflective dive into the inner aims of fasting beyond mere abstention. Discussion of intention, mindfulness of Allah, and avoiding rote rituals. Exploration of al‑Ghazali’s texts on restraining the stomach and other desires. Practical guidance on using Ramadan and Sha'ban to form lasting habits, praise for moderate eating, and how hunger can sharpen worship.

Patience and gratitude are the two wings of belief/faith. They also are derived from two of the 99 Names of Allah. Without them, one cannot attain the reality of belief, and gain access to understanding Divine Attributes. Imam Al-Ghazali dedicated a chapter in his magnum opus The Revival of the Religious Sciences to patience and gratitude. Dr Mohamed Ghilan goes through a selected readings from this chapter, with translation and commentary as part of his ongoing work to make the tradition accessible in a modern context. Join Dr Mohamed Ghilan during his weekly live sessions, access full course materials, and be part of the community at Al-Andalus Academy at https://al-andalus-academy.thinkific.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mohamed_ghilan?igsh=ems5OXF2OWkyNXVn&utm_source=qr Facebook https://www.facebook.com/drmohamedghilan

Dive into the profound concepts of patience and gratitude, essential wings of belief. Explore the two types of patience: the physical endurance and the inner struggle against desire. Discover how resisting cravings for Allah’s sake is the highest virtue. Learn about the spiritual states of struggle and the importance of sincere repentance. Gain insights on using blessings responsibly and contrasting patience in hardship versus ease. Ultimately, self-knowledge is key to spiritual closeness, leading to a richer understanding of faith.

Explore the essential roles of patience and gratitude in faith. Delve into Imam Al-Ghazali's insights on how these virtues help understand Divine Attributes. Discover the transformative power of fasting as a personal act of patience. Learn about the unique human capacity for patience and the moral responsibility of choice. Understand the continuous struggle between desire and religious commitment, bolstered by angelic support. Join a discussion that beautifully blends tradition with modern relevance.

The Prayer of Illumination, the final chapter of The Book of Illumination by Ibn ʿAta'illah al-Iskandari, is a whispered invocation from the heart of surrender. In this episode, Dr. Mohamed Ghilan reads this timeless supplication aloud, inviting listeners into a moment of stillness, reflection, and intimacy with the Divine. This prayer gathers the essence of the path: relinquishing self-management, entrusting all affairs to Allah, and finding peace in His decree. It is a call to love, humility, and nearness to see the beauty in what He chooses for us, until His will becomes what we desire for ourselves. This series is part of the Al-Andalus Academy program on spiritual formation and classical Islamic wisdom. Join the weekly live sessions, access full course materials, and be part of the community. Join Al-Andalus Academy at https://al-andalus-academy.thinkific.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alandalus_online?igsh=ems5OXF2OWkyNXVn&utm_source=qr Facebook https://www.facebook.com/drmohamedghilan

In this episode, Dr. Mohamed Ghilan presents the first of two concluding sessions from The Book of Illumination (Kitāb al-Tanwīr) by Ibn ʿAṭā' Allāh al-Iskandarī. This final section of the text is framed as a divine dialogue — an intimate conversation between Allah and His servant — in which the illusions of control, planning, and self-reliance are dissolved in the light of tawḥīd. The discussion explores what it means to surrender the will, to find sufficiency in God's care, and to live with the serenity that comes from desiring none but Him. This series is part of the Al-Andalus Academy program on spiritual formation and classical Islamic wisdom. Join the weekly live sessions, access full course materials, and be part of the community. Join Al-Andalus Academy at https://al-andalus-academy.thinkific.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alandalus_online?igsh=ems5OXF2OWkyNXVn&utm_source=qr Facebook https://www.facebook.com/drmohamedghilan Twitter https://twitter.com/mohamedghilan