Boys In The Cave

Latest Episodes:

Episode 132 - Dr. Yasir Qadhi on Rethinking Western Islam: Institutions, Salafism & The Tradition Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Dr Yasir Qadhi joins us to unpack Salafism, sectarianism, and how Muslims in the West can move from labels to leadership.

We talk about what healthy disagreement looks like, why unity does not mean uniformity, and how communities can build real capacity, from mosques and schools to media, philanthropy, and liberal arts education.

We get specific about funding ethics, local service to the poor, and civilizational projects that shape hearts and minds. The goal is practical, principled institution building that serves faith and society together.

What you will hear:

• Salafism in context, strengths, blind spots, and the illusion of correctness

• Agreeing to disagree, red lines, and ending the habit of turning rivals into enemies

• From masjid to media, why we need journalists, artists, scholars, and leaders

• Philanthropy with purpose, feeding the hungry locally, museums and public education, funding without strings

• Liberal arts and classical sciences, why breadth of knowledge matters for the next generation

• Living in the West with confidence, learning from Abyssinia

If this conversation benefits you, share it with a friend, subscribe, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway.

Thanks to our sponsor Human Appeal Australia for supporting community focused conversations.

https://www.humanappeal.org.au/appeal/gaza-emergency-appeal-2023-2/ 🕳️

Boys In The Cave is an independent platform exploring faith, politics, culture, and the pressing issues confronting the modern Muslim mind. Subscribe to join the conversation!

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Don't forget to like, share, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest episodes!

Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes!

Timestamps

00:00 Intro and book context

06:58 Criticism and following trusted scholars

17:47 Unity, red lines, civility

21:05 Mawlid and taraweeh, nuance

33:12 Diverse strengths in the seerah

40:33 Seminary reform and the modern imam

49:40 Training leaders, contextualizing in the West

56:38 Knowledge exchange, Israiliyyat and kalam

01:12:07 Read real history, what to build next

01:26:44 Philanthropy, public projects, local politics, funding ethics

01:39:21 Identity pressure, Abyssinia question

01:42:35 Politics is a dirty game, ethics of engagement

Episode 131 - The Future of Western Muslims: Resistance, Sufism & Activism | Dr. Shadee Elmasry Aug 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Shadee Elmasry joins us for a powerful conversation about the challenges and responsibilities facing Muslims in the West today.

We reflect on whether Muslims are in an "Abyssinia phase" or if the time has come to invest fully in building lasting institutions that can preserve faith and serve future generations.

The discussion explores how to nurture resilient belief in young Muslims while navigating secular societies, and why institutions rooted in the deen are essential for long-term survival.

Dr. Shadee reflects on the role of Sufism, noting that historically many of the fiercest resistors to colonial powers were Sufi leaders who combined spirituality with action.

He cautions, however, that in more recent times some who call themselves Sufis have become tied to political power, leading to compromise and inaction.

Dr. Shadee highlights what resistance means, both politically in the face of oppression and spiritually in holding firmly to faith under pressure.

Together, we examine what it takes to raise a generation that is grounded in Islam, ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities, and prepared to carry the message of the deen with strength and clarity.

Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes!

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Timestamps

0:00 Introduction and guest welcome

1:16 Trip to Australia, Sydney and Brisbane

3:12 Pressing challenges for Muslims in the West, Gaza and moral weight

19:22 Tasawwuf within Islam, tea analogy, integrating aqidah, sharia, tazkiyah

20:45 Do not fixate on a Sufi identity, sincerity and community duty

21:11 Sufi resistance to colonizers, Omar Mukhtar, Amir Abdul Qadir, al-Sanusi, Imam Shamil

22:02 Recent co-optation, the real issue is closeness to power and fitna

23:23 Building your own Medina, zawiyas, Tijani examples, Uthman dan Fodio

26:01 Sharia as the standard, avoid defending tariqas, maintain husn al-dhann

27:02 Community builders move cautiously, usually not revolutionaries

33:13 Aligning with other Muslim groups on action, question setup

34:00 Measure alliances by birr and taqwa, not labels

34:38 Principle over person, support good deeds, correct wrong with husn al-dhann

49:58 Fatima Payman, political literacy, Palestine recognition debate in Australia

50:36 Recognition announcement context, why it is symbolic, not a victory

1:10:04 Abyssinia phase versus building here, raising youth and curriculum prompt

1:11:42 Curriculum for present needs, identity first, balancing ummah and locality

1:18:04 Action dispels fear, hope for Palestine and political trends

1:20:45 Zakah to locality and a note on nationalism

1:22:00 Outro and closing thanks

Episode 130 - Jungian Psychology & Ibn Arabi Metaphysics: The Secrets of the Soul | Dr. Samir Mahmoud Aug 02, 2025

Show notes

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Samir Mahmoud joins us for a deep dive into the intersections of Islamic spirituality and Jungian psychology.

We explore how classical Islamic thinkers like Ibn Arabi, Al-Ghazali, and Ibn Sina understood the soul, and how their insights resonate - and diverge - from the work of Carl Jung.

We discuss the concepts of individuation, shadow work, and archetypes alongside Islamic notions of tazkiyat al-nafs, fana', and qalb. Dr. Samir sheds light on the imaginal realm (ʿalam al-mithāl) as articulated by Ibn Arabi, and how it challenges modern materialist worldviews.

Drawing on Jung's Red Book, Ibn Arabi's Wahdat al-Wujud, and Henry Corbin's comparisons, this conversation uncovers the symbolic dimension of dreams, the structure of the soul, and the journey to wholeness from both Islamic and psychological perspectives.

Whether you're a seeker, student, or simply curious about the inner life, this episode opens a rare portal into the metaphysical heart of being.

Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes!

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Episode 129 - False Flags & Manufactured Enemies: Unmasking Iran, Israel & Pakistan's Shadow Wars | Ibrahim Moiz Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

We're joined by political analyst Ibrahim Moiz to dissect the unfolding chaos in the Middle East.

From Israel's escalating war rhetoric against Iran to Pakistan's cynical geopolitical manoeuvres — we explore how narratives are weaponised, enemies are manufactured, and resistance is co-opted.

We unpack:

Whether Israel's war with Iran is about survival or hegemony
The truth behind "Sunni vs Shia" framing in modern geopolitics
Leftist solidarity with Palestine: genuine resistance or ideological trap?
What this all means for the future of Muslim unity and resistance

Is this the beginning of World War III, or just another empire-fuelled illusion?

🎧 Subscribe and listen to the full episode to hear a raw, unfiltered breakdown that challenges mainstream narratives.

Episode 128 - Who Decides If You're Muslim? Faith, Government, or Community? | Dr. Jonathan A.C. Brown Jun 15, 2025

Show notes

What makes someone a Muslim? Is it personal faith, government ID cards, or the community's judgment?

In this profound discussion, Dr. Jonathan A.C. Brown explores the tensions between Islamic identity, state power, and social expectations—from Malaysia's laws defining "who counts" as Muslim, to the Tablighi Jama'at's role in enforcing prayer, to Gaza's impact on global Muslim solidarity.

Key Topics:

Faith vs. Formality: Can governments enforce Islamic practice without killing sincerity?

Malaysia's Paradox: Why some laws define Muslims by "what others think" of them.

Prayer Police: Should communities pressure individuals to pray—or is that hypocrisy?

The Gaza Effect: How tragedy is reviving the Ummah's political conscience.

Colonial Legacies: Why British-era laws still shape Muslim identity in Asia.

Dr. Brown weaves fiqh, history, and dark humor (see: "storage room khutbahs" and "6 AM podcast sacrifices") into a critique of modern Muslim fragmentation—and a vision for collective revival

Dr. Jonathan Brown is the Alwaleed bin Talal Chair of Islamic Civilization in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

He received his BA in History from Georgetown University in 2000 and his doctorate in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Chicago in 2006.

His book publications include "The Canonization of al-Bukhari and Muslim: The Formation and Function of the Sunni Hadith Canon", "Hadith: Muhammad's Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World".

"Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction" and "Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenges and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet's Legacy", and "Slavery and Islam".

Episode 127 - Decolonizing Islamic History: From Constantinople to the Mughals (feat. Mustafa Briggs) May 30, 2025

Show notes

In this deep and enlightening conversation, Mustafa Briggs joins us to discuss the rich and often overlooked history of Islam and its profound impact on the modern world.

From the contributions of Muslim civilizations to the legacy of figures like Muhammad Iqbal and the Ottomans, we explore how reclaiming these narratives can empower Muslims today.

Mustafa also shares insights from his upcoming book, Islam and the Making of the Modern World, and why understanding our past is crucial for shaping our future.

✅ How Muslim scholars gave Europe "Arabic numerals" (including zero) — and why it led to binary code (0s and 1s).

✅ The Ottomans' secret claim to the Roman Empire — and why Constantinople's fall was a spiritual victory.

✅ Why Muslims today don't know their own history — and how colonialism erased Islamic intellectual traditions.

✅ Muhammad Iqbal's surprising solution — why politics won't revive the Ummah, but spirituality will.

✅ The truth about the "Moors" — were they Black? Why Europeans feared (and demonized) them.

Purchase Mustafa Briggs New Book 'Islam & The Making of The Modern World':

https://www.amazon.com/Islam-Making-Modern-Mustafa-Briggs/dp/B0DVQSS18M/

🕳️ About the Podcast Boys In The Cave is an independent platform exploring faith, politics, culture, and the pressing issues confronting the modern Muslim mind. Subscribe to join the conversation!

🔔 Like, Share, Comment & Subscribe to stay connected.

Subscribe to Boys in the Cave Podcast for more insightful discussions on politics, culture, and community. Don't forget to like, share, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest episodes!

Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes!

Check out our book club! - https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave/membership

Check out our website – boysinthecave.com

Instagram – @boysinthecave

Twitter – @boysinthecave Become a Patreon today! https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave

Timestamp:

00:10 Mustafa's trip to Pakistan & Islamic history

01:29 Connections between Uzbekistan & Mughal Empire

04:34 Influence of Arabic/Persian on Indian languages

05:29 Mustafa's new book: Islam and the Making of the Modern World

08:06 Chapters on Roman Empire, Western science, colonization

09:31 The Moors & their legacy

10:52 Muhammad Iqbal's spiritual & political influence

16:49 Iqbal's mastery of Eastern & Western philosophy

23:19 Fibonacci & Arabic numerals' impact on modern tech

27:31 Liberal arts vs modern education systems

36:03 Concept of Ihsan (excellence) in Islamic tradition

42:24 Roman Empire's connection to Islamic history

47:57 Ottomans as successors of Rome

52:52 Hagia Sophia's qibla alignment & divine destiny

58:02 Ottomans & Europe's complex relationship

01:02:24 Legacy of Zayd ibn Harithah (RA)

01:13:47 Moors: Misconceptions & racialization

01:23:52 Colonial narratives vs African scholarship

01:29:01 Hidden Muslim history in Australia

01:34:20 Closing thoughts on reclaiming Islamic legacy

Episode 126 - MVM: Mobilising the Ummah or Normalising the System? | Ghaith Krayem & Dr. Yassir Morsi May 18, 2025

Show notes

Is Muslim political mobilisation in Australia empowering the community — or playing into a system that was never built for us?

In this powerful and timely episode of Boys in the Cave, we host a critical dialogue with Ghaith Krayem (national spokesperson of Muslim Votes Matter) and Dr. Yassir Morsi (lecturer, political theorist, and author of Radical Skin, Moderate Masks).

Together, we unpack the tension between grassroots activism, electoral politics, and the deeper philosophical questions around identity, power, and belonging in a settler colonial state.

One of the most urgent questions facing Muslims in Australia today is:

👉🏽 Are we truly building political power — or just legitimising a broken system?

Following the devastating events in Gaza and the growing disillusionment with traditional Muslim institutions, Muslim Votes Matter emerged as a bold new grassroots campaign.

Ghaith outlines its origins, strategies, and goals — including the mobilization of Muslim voters across 11 key electorates in a way Australia has never seen before.

But with political slogans now echoing those of the mainstream — "cost of living," "housing crisis," etc. — many wonder: Has the focus on Gaza been diluted?

That's where Dr. Yassir Morsi steps in. Known for his critical approach to liberal democracy and his deep engagement with Muslim political subjectivity, Yassir offers his critique.

Through his framework of Green, Amber, Red, he challenges not just tactics, but the very assumptions beneath Muslim participation in electoral politics.

🟢 Green: Even if we get MPs elected, then what?

🟡 Amber: Let's slow down and question the language we're using — are we naturalising liberal democracy?

🔴 Red: Have we diluted righteous anger over Gaza into civic slogans and softened resistance into vote-counting?

Key Themes Explored:

The real motivations behind launching Muslim Votes Matter post-Gaza
What it means to be a political lobby group — beyond peak bodies and backroom meetings
Whether voting creates leverage or limits for Muslims - How the Muslim "bloc vote" operated, and whether it even exists
Dr. Yassir's critique of political imagination, civic language, and electoral pragmatism
Whether the rage and moral clarity sparked by Gaza has been rechanneled into a system that neutralizes resistance
The dangers of "pragmatism" without deeper community discourse

Ghaith Krayem is the national spokesperson for Muslim Votes Matter, and is a former head of the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV), and former CEO of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, and current operator of Hikmah Consulting.

Dr. Yassir Morsi is a provisional Psychologist at Australian international Academy and lecturer in Aboriginal Studies at La Trobe University. With a PhD in Political Science and Islamic Studies, he is the author of "Radical Skin, Moderate Masks".

🎧 Whether you're an organiser, skeptic, or student of political theology, this conversation is a must-watch. It's not just about votes — it's about vision.

🔔 Like, Share, Comment & Subscribe to stay connected. Subscribe to Boys in the Cave Podcast for more insightful discussions on politics, culture, and community.

Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes!

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Instagram – @boysinthecave

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Episode 125 - Fatima Payman, Muslim Representation & The Politics of Hope | Dr. Yassir Morsi Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Boys in the Cave, Tanzim is joined by Faraz, Abdulah Hamimi, and Dr. Yassir Morsi for a candid and thought-provoking discussion about Fatima Payman, Muslim political visibility, and what it really means to "represent" the ummah in the Australian political system.

We unpack the symbolism surrounding Senator Fatima Payman—Australia's first hijab-wearing MP—and whether her floor-crossing over Palestine was a transformative moment, or simply a reaction to public pressure.

We also ask:

Why did so many Muslims place hope in Fatima Payman?

Can Muslim political activism in Australia ever be truly independent?

What are the limits of representation in a system built to subdue dissent?

What does true leadership for the ummah look like in an era of crisis?

This is not about personalities. It's about power, systems, and our collective psychology as a community.

🔊 Listen in for a candid and critical discussion that goes beyond surface-level analysis to question the very foundations of Muslim activism in the West.

🕳️ This one's for the thinkers, the seekers, and those struggling to reconcile rage, hope, and reality.

👤 About Dr. Yassir Morsi

Dr. Yassir Morsi is a prominent political scholar, academic, and public intellectual known for his critical perspectives on race, Islam, and the politics of representation in Western societies.

With a PhD in Politics, Dr. Morsi has dedicated his career to examining the intersections of colonialism, Islamophobia, and the lived experiences of Muslim communities in the West.

He is a leading voice in challenging mainstream narratives around Muslim identity, democracy, and political engagement, often critiquing the limitations of liberal democratic systems in addressing systemic racism and inequality.

Dr. Morsi's work emphasizes the importance of self-determination, community power, and the need for Muslims to rethink their relationship with state structures.

As a lecturer and researcher, Dr. Morsi has contributed extensively to academic and public discourse, blending rigorous scholarship with accessible commentary.

He is also a sought-after speaker and has been featured in various media outlets, podcasts, and community forums, where he continues to advocate for a more nuanced understanding of Muslim political agency.

🔔 Like, Share, Comment & Subscribe to stay connected.

Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes!

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Check out our website – boysinthecave.com

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Twitter – @boysinthecave Become a Patreon today! https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

02:16 Fatima Payman as a Symbol of Hope

06:00 Islamophobia, Critique & Community Pressure

12:08 The Nine Months Before: Disillusionment & Delay

19:00 October 7 and Our Community's Awakening

25:00 The Myth of Breaking the Duopoly

33:02 Visibility, Heroism & the Muslim Psyche

41:00 Subjugation vs Oppression: Rethinking Islamophobia

48:00 Where is Palestine in All This?

55:00 The Valorization of Fatima Payman

58:11 Palestine as Our Generation's Defining Question

1:08:00 The Problem with Nationalist Muslims

1:18:00 Final Reflections: What Are We Really Fighting For?

1:28:00 Outro

Episode 124 - Is the Special Envoy Combating Islamophobia? | Dr. Yassir Morsi Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

We're joined by Dr. Yassir Morsi and Faraz to unpack the controversial role of Aftab Malik, Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.

What does this position truly represent? Is it a genuine step toward justice, or is it entangled in state-driven narratives of governance and social cohesion?

We explore the political architecture behind CVE (Countering Violent Extremism), the historical context of Islamophobia, and why certain forms of "anti-racism" can actually perpetuate systemic control.

From internalized Islamophobia to the policing of dissent within our own communities, this episode is a deep dive into the uncomfortable truths that need to be heard.

📌 Topics Covered:

The political function of the Special Envoy role
Structural vs. interpersonal Islamophobia
CVE, social cohesion, and soft state control
Why truth and resistance are sidelined for strategy
The economy of representation & Muslim complicity

👤 About Dr. Yassir Morsi

Dr. Yassir Morsi is a prominent political scholar, academic, and public intellectual known for his critical perspectives on race, Islam, and the politics of representation in Western societies.

With a PhD in Politics, Dr. Morsi has dedicated his career to examining the intersections of colonialism, Islamophobia, and the lived experiences of Muslim communities in the West.

Dr. Morsi's work emphasizes the importance of self-determination, community power, and the need for Muslims to rethink their relationship with state structures.

As a lecturer and researcher, Dr. Morsi has contributed extensively to academic and public discourse, blending rigorous scholarship with accessible commentary.

🔔 Like, Share, Comment & Subscribe to stay connected.

Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes!

Check out our book club! - https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave/membership

Check out our website – boysinthecave.com

Instagram – @boysinthecave

Twitter – @boysinthecave Become a Patreon today! https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave

Timestamps

00:00 Intro 03:45 Faraz's meeting with Aftab & the ISRA event fallout 10:20 Why Aftab took the role: Good faith or political naivety? 15:30 Structural Islamophobia vs. individual ignorance 20:50 Postmodernism, Marxism & the dismissal of race critics 26:15 Islamophobia as governance, not just hate 31:40 Internalized Islamophobia and Muslim respectability politics 37:00 CVE, counter-terrorism & the state's soft power tools 42:30 Social cohesion or social control? 48:15 Economic incentives: grants, representation & compromise 54:40 Palestine, performance politics & selective solidarity 1:00:05 The illusion of power: managing Muslims through "inclusion" 1:05:25 Community complicity, careerism & soft censorship 1:11:40 Can we engage power without selling out? 1:17:10 Yassir on state-approved anti-racism & Islamic resistance 1:22:30 Faraz: The ecosystem of control & Muslim leadership 1:26:00 Conclusion

Episode 123 - Do Muslim Votes Matter? | Dr. Yassir Morsi Mar 23, 2025

Show notes

We dive deep into the "Muslim Vote Matters" (MVM) movement in Australia.

Joined by special guest Dr. Yassir Morsi, a renowned political scholar and critic, we unpack the complexities of Muslim political engagement, the challenges of representation, and the broader implications of voting in a settler-colonial state.

From the aftermath of Gaza to the role of democracy in shaping Muslim identity, this conversation challenges the status quo and asks: Is voting enough to create real change?

We explore the pitfalls of over-reliance on electoral politics, the dangers of miseducation, and the need for self-determination within the Muslim community.

Whether you're a supporter of MVM or a skeptic, this episode offers a balanced, critical, and engaging discussion that will leave you questioning the systems we live in and the power we hold as a community.

Key Topics Covered:

The rise of the Muslim Vote Matters movement
The limitations of electoral politics in addressing systemic issues
The role of community self-determination vs. reliance on government
The impact of Gaza and Palestine on Muslim political consciousness
The dangers of miseducation and victim-blaming in political activism

Dr. Yassir Morsi is a prominent political scholar, academic, and public intellectual known for his critical perspectives on race, Islam, and the politics of representation in Western societies.

With a PhD in Politics, Dr. Morsi has dedicated his career to examining the intersections of colonialism, Islamophobia, and the lived experiences of Muslim communities in the West.

Dr. Morsi's work emphasizes the importance of self-determination, community power, and the need for Muslims to rethink their relationship with state structures.

As a lecturer and researcher, Dr. Morsi has contributed extensively to academic and public discourse, blending rigorous scholarship with accessible commentary.

Join the Conversation:

What are your thoughts on the Muslim Vote Matters movement? Do you believe voting can create real change, or is it time to rethink our approach to political engagement? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Please email us your comments, feedback, and questions at: boysinthecave@gmail.com, and leave a review and 5-star rating on iTunes!

Check out our book club! - https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave/membership

Check out our website – boysinthecave.com

Instagram – @boysinthecave

Twitter – @boysinthecave Become a Patreon today! https://www.patreon.com/boysinthecave

Timestamps

00:00 Intro 00:10 The Rise of Muslim Vote Matters 05:00 The Vacuum of Muslim Representation 10:00 Educating the Muslim Community 15:00 Yassir's Critique of MVM 20:00 The Illusion of Electoral Power 25:00 Failure of Interfaith Dialogue & CVE 30:00 The Myth of the Muslim Voting Bloc 35:00 Over-Identifying with Democracy 40:00 Anger and Grief in Activism 45:00 Need for Self-Determination 50:00 Islamic Schools & Palestinian History 55:00 Fantasy of a Muslim Voting Bloc 60:00 Appropriating Gaza's Rage 65:00 Punishing Labor in a Two-Party System 70:00 Community-Building Over Voting 75:00 Internal Community Accountability 80:00 Shaming Muslims into Voting 85:00 The Role of Critics in Movements 90:00 The Need for Community Consultation 95:00 The Psychological Impact of Oppression 100:00 The Failure of Islamic Institutions 105:00 The Importance of Political Education 110:00 Outro

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