Explore every episode of the podcast Firmly Rooted

In this deeply engaging episode, we confront what many consider the biggest crisis facing the Ummah today: the neglect of prayer (Salah).

Join us in this insightful podcast episode as we delve into the profound significance of Ramadan, offering valuable insights on preparation, embodying the ideals of a Muslim student, and setting meaningful goals for the holy month.

How do you get married? From navigating the path to finding the right potential partner to the use of apps, our guests share wisdom, anecdotes, and practical tips to guide you through this exciting chapter of life.

In this thought-provoking episode, we're diving into the heart of a crucial question: Are You Ready for Marriage? Join us as we navigate the complexities of marriage, self-discovery, and partnership. Our guests share personal experiences, insights, and valuable advice to help you gauge your readiness for this significant life step.

In this enlightening episode, we delve deep into the profound quest of finding one's purpose within the realm of career choices. Join us as we explore the intricate journey of self-discovery, uncovering the inner passions, values, and aspirations that guide individuals toward a fulfilling path. Don't miss this inspiring discussion on unlocking your true purpose!

From getting invited to pubs and bars by your coursemates to your lecturers telling you that God isn’t real, the faith of Muslim students is continuously tested on campus. How would you respond when you get invited to the pub? Or when your non-muslim friend tries to convince you that God isn’t real? This episode will discuss the experiences of former students and how they dealt with all the pressures of Western society.

Welcome to our podcast, a platform dedicated to delving deep into the experiences of Muslim students in university. Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the often overlooked issues they encounter during their academic journeys. Join us as we embark on a collective journey of discovery and dialogue.

Have you ever felt stuck in a dark hole, drowning in a world filled with temptations and explicit content just a few clicks away? Sensitive yet widespread topics such as pornography addiction can often be overlooked or buried under the carpet for lots of reasons. In this episode, we try to break down these barriers by chatting with our specialguest Ustadh Asim Khan, Pharmacist, Author and Imam. We explore the social, mental and spiritual impacts of struggling with addictions - and how to find the path to recovery. We also discuss how building accountability, seeking professional help from muslim individuals, and repentance is crucial in Islam.

In this episode, we sit down with inspiring revert, Esa who shares his transformative journey to Islam. From leaving his religion to discovering Islam and embracing it as his new way of life, he recounts pivotal moments and heartfelt anecdotes that shaped his path. We discuss the power of dawah through actions over words and how leading by example can spark curiosity and change for reverts. Our guest Esa also offers heartfelt advice to new reverts, touching on the challenges and blessings that come with this spiritual journey. Whether you’re a revert, born Muslim, or simply curious about Islam, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical wisdom. Tune in for more!

In this episode we sit down with Shinaz, a young startup business founder, and someone with an inspiring vision for the future.

University deadlines. Social pressure. Distractions everywhere. Where does the Qur’an fit in?

In this episode, Ustadh Hisham is joined by Shaykh Jamal Abdinasir to explore the challenges and opportunities for students trying to stay spiritually anchored.

What drives you when no one’s watching? In this thought provoking episode of Firmly Rooted, we explore our understanding of motivation and what it means to live a life driven not by applause, but for the sake of Allah.With Iqbal Nassim, we are taken through a personal and spiritual journey of aligning our priorities with that of our greater purpose - to live God-centered lives. Whether you're in university, leading a team, or just trying to stay spiritually grounded, this episode will challenge you to realign and refocus.

Half of young Muslims at university suffer from anxiety or depression.

In this latest episode of the Firmly Rooted podcast, Asim Khan argues that Islam has always addressed mental health - through Quranic stories of prophets experiencing grief, anxiety, and fear - but cultural stigma has caused Muslims to treat these struggles as signs of weak faith rather than human realities God has already spoken to.

He offers a holistic framework: combining spiritual grounding (Quran, reliance on God, prophetic example) with practical steps like physical exercise, good companionship, and professional support from Muslim clinicians. The conversation is especially aimed at university-age Muslims navigating loneliness, identity pressure, and the compounding effect of Islamophobia.

This episode covers:

• Why mental health stigma in Muslim communities often comes from culture, not Islam - and what the Quran actually says about the mind
• How prophets like Yaqub (AS) and Musa (AS) experienced what we'd today call depression and anxiety, and what they did with it
• The holistic approach: why spiritual, physical, and emotional wellbeing are inseparable in Islam
• Practical steps for Muslim students - from choosing the right friend circle and seeking Muslim clinicians, to reciting Quran aloud before your exams

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about student life, faith & identity.

In this latest episode of the Firmly Rooted podcast, Rehan Salim unpacks why the Qur'an consistently pairs the command to worship Allah alone with goodness to one's parents - arguing that honouring parents is not a side thing, but one of the most direct routes to Allah's pleasure.

This episode will help you reframe how young Muslims and university students should think about their parents - while they still have them.

This video covers:

• Why the Qur'an repeatedly ties worshipping Allah to goodness toward parents
• Inspiring stories that show what honouring a mother can earn
• Three practical habits for university students: humility, learning what makes them happy, and consistent communication
• How to navigate difficult or controlling parents - including the three criteria for when to listen to them
• How to speak to your parents about marriage

Looking for more Firmly Rooted content? Check out our top episodes:

• Are you ready for Marriage? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87wrgmhXBCo
• How to get married https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51ggEz6MhHw
• Addictions, Temptations & Marriage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggLnzTP9nZY

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/firmly-rooted/id1709700213

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3XojwtnPcAX3B2Nm39lOAQ

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RootsAcademyuk

Website: https://rootsacademy.co.uk/

Check out the full playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy0lOVCoktk0hGEFDnlQ6311m5GQ3088A

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about faith, identity & student life.