In Good Faith – Details, episodes & analysis

In this inaugural episode of In Good Faith, Iqbal Nasim — educator, speaker and writer on the topics of prayer, giving, leadership and revelation — is joined by guest host Taimur Abdaal.

Together, they discuss what this new show is all about, focusing on the profound question: what does it mean to lead a truly God-centred life?

This conversation examines the personal and societal implications of orienting one’s life around divine guidance.

With plenty of reflection on scripture, Iqbal and Taimur talk about how the prescriptions of faith are not arbitrary, but divinely calibrated for human flourishing.

They consider the opportunities and challenges of the status quo and also discuss how revelation offers a framework for living with purpose, integrity and clarity in the modern world.

An invitation to thoughtful, sincere inquiry, this episode sets the tone for a podcast that seeks to uncover the principles and practicalities of being truly faithful in the 21st century.

(0:00) – Core principles of In Good Faith

(6:38) – Iqbal's escape from investment banking 

(13:47) – Iqbal's journey from CEO of NZF to educator and podcaster

(21:52) – Qualifications, authority and scholarship

(28:42) – Islam as a state of devotion, not a fixed identity

(37:49) – Restoring the universal tradition of Abraham

(43:08) – Divine prescriptions and human flourishing 

(47:42) – Iqbal's worries about the podcast 

(50:49) – Vision, tradition and traditionalism

(1:01:17) – Language, meaning and unity

(1:09:12) – How to find out more

In this episode of In Good Faith, Taimur and I discuss the single most important action in the life of a believer: prayer (salat).

After some initial reflections on the importance of meaningful communication through our prayer - and exploring some analogies to illustrate how it should fit coherently into our overall lives - we referred to a number of verses from revelation to see how God Himself explains this central topic.

(0:00) - Prayer as connection 
(3:36) - The importance of meaningful communication with God 
(11:38) - Prayer in public and useful analogies for prayer 
(15:29) - Prayer as conscious engagement with scripture 
(17:35) - The restorative effect of prayer, plus another analogy
(26:29) - The behavioural effect of prayer 
(28:57) - Prayer as an ancient prophetic practice 
(33:07) - Prayer as a cornerstone of social action and public advocacy 
(39:23) - Overcoming our split-brain approach to life  
(43:00) - The connection between prayer, remembrance, contentment and paradise 
(46:49) - How not to pray and taking prayer seriously

In this discussion, Taimur and I go deep into exploring the way we as believers use certain Arabic phrases in our day to day lives. Why is it that we say certain things in Arabic instead of English amongst ourselves? Do we say these phrases meaningfully? Why is it that we don't feel comfortable saying the English equivalents with those outside our community even when it's relevant to do so? We tackle these questions with plenty of practical examples and scenarios. We also explore the issue of language in the context of "du'a", i.e. calling upon God. Finally we revisit the appropriateness of the way we think and speak about "Islam" and "Muslims" with some analysis of key verses in revelation. I think this episode makes for our best conversation so far. Hopefully it gives you plenty of food for thought and a basis upon which to reflect on your own practice. Enjoy!(0:00) Taimur introduces the discussion(6:28) Keeping the vision in mind(8:43) Truth and the diversity of languages(11:01) Do you mean what you say? (15:57) Practical examples of saying “alhamdulillah” in English(24:55) Practical examples with “insha’Allah” and “masha’Allah”(31:03) A summary of the key points so far(33:04) The problem with the way we “make du’a” (39:49) How to understand Quranic and prophetic supplications (49:50) Are there special times to call on God? (54:26) Are “Islam” and “Muslims” appropriate terms? (1:01:44) Analysis of relevant verses from Chapter 3(1:05:51) How to deal with Jehovah’s Witnesses! (1:09:29) Were the disciples of Jesus “Muslims”? (1:11:20) Taking responsibility for our brand; conclusion

Dr Sahira Dar is a portfolio GP in Glasgow working in both the NHS and private sector. She is also President of the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA).

Dr Sahira and I sat down ahead of the BIMA Conference on Saturday 28th June to discuss the organisation's work as well as challenges and opportunities for the future.

She also talked about her work as Founder of Vibrant Scottish Mosques and a recent conference she organised to celebrate and raise the profile of women leading the way in scholarship, community leadership, and faith-based activism.

Get your tickets to the BIMA Conference: https://britishima.org/event/bima-national-conference-2025/

Check out job opportunities at BIMA: https://britishima.org/who-we-are/careers/

Connect with Dr Sahira: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahira-dar-59801453/

Follow BIMA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/britishima/(0:00) Vibrant Scottish Mosques and female leadership

(7:30) Mosque inclusion: has anything changed?

(13:39) Dr Sahira's BIMA journey

(15:05) What does BIMA do?

(22:45) Do Muslim staff in the NHS feel welcome?

(30:54) BIMA's unique training and advocacy work

(42:36) Theory of change and impacting wider society

(59:22) Hiring a CEO

(1:01:05) The BIMA Conference 2025

(1:02:56) How is AI being used in the NHS?

(1:05:22) Top priorities for BIMA

(1:08:15) Top leadership lessons

(1:09:37) How Dr Sahira would like to be remembered

(1:11:23) Concluding thoughts

If you're a working professional who knows deep down that there's more to life than whatever you're up to right now, this one's for you!

New guest hosts Ali Siddiqui and Fiyal Malik - who work in corporate law and financial services respectively - put their questions to me on finding our ultimate purpose.

We covered a range of considerations and concerns, including how to set our intentions, transcend constraints, avoid compartmentalisation, escape the minority mindset, find balance, and much more...(0:00) Teaser

(0:51) Introducing Ali and Fiyal

(6:20) What is the God-centred life?

(9:11) Freeing our minds to find purpose

(13:41) Avoiding compartmentalisation

(19:28) Iterating towards the ideal

(22:31) Our lack of shared cause

(26:30) Are there stages in life?

(32:15) Establishing true intentions

(41:01) Escaping the minority mindset

(45:01) Doing God in the workplace

(51:15) Capacity constraints

(53:22) Fiyal and Ali ideate their objectives

(1:10:19) Gender, marriage and mission

(1:22:00) Finding balance as a woman

(1:26:06) Quickfire questions

It was a pleasure catching up with scholar and social scientist Dr Haroon Sidat.

Our conversation focused particularly on the past, present and future of religious scholarship and leadership.

Haroon also shared many stories from his personal journey, including encounters with those who have inspired him and those who have threatened his life!

(0:00) The importance of humour

(2:02) Haroon’s early intellectual journey

(6:57) Challenging the notion of “Islamic Studies”

(27:04) The state of contemporary scholarship

(44:30) Haroon invites your questions!

(49:15) How to - and how not to - use hadith

(55:51) Have Darul Ulum seminaries changed?

(59:40) Scholarly spaces and a culture of respect

(1:07:41) Advice to budding scholars

(1:20:49) Is it time for a 5th school of law (madhab)?

(1:38:17) Cambridge Muslim College

(1:43:33) Haroon’s future plans and ambitions

ABOUT HAROON:

Haroon holds two undergraduate degrees, a Masters degree and a PGCE. In 2019, he completed the prestigious Jameel PhD scholarship in Philosophy, Religion, and Theology at Cardiff University, in which his topic of study was the education, formation and training of Muslim religious leadership in Britain. He is currently a research associate and scholar at the university's Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK. Haroon has long served as an imam and teacher at a number of mosques and local community organisations in the North of England.

Learn from Haroon: https://hujjahacademy.com

Cardiff University profile: https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/sidathe

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-haroon-sidat-00515943/

Taimur just left with his mum for his first ever Hajj, the major pilgrimage to Mecca. A few days ago we sat down to see how his preparations were coming along and what he was hoping to get out of it all. I shared some reflections based on my own trips as well as, of course, from revelation itself - especially Chapter 2 (The Cow) and Chapter 22 (Pilgrimage).

(0:00) Will Taimur shave his head?

(1:43) Anticipation and preparations

(6:25) Connect, cultivate, control, conquer

(13:02) Iqbal's experience and memories

(20:06) Substance, patience and sacred dress code

(28:25) Why can't "non-Muslims" visit the holy sites?

(36:18) The blessing of livestock; food waste

(38:54) More inner dimensions

(43:02 ) Abrahamic leadership and devotion

(53:19) Ordering our priorities around revelation

(1:00:50) Why would God care about footwear?

(1:06:55) Wishing Taimur well

Azim Kidwai is CEO of Mercy Mission, Chairman of the Bradford District Community Foundation and, most of all, my best friend. 

After we first met in 2010, Azim was the one who helped me transition from investment banking to taking the helm at National Zakat Foundation the following year. He's been the most wonderful mentor, colleague and comrade ever since.

Azim doesn't do podcasts. So I'm honoured that he made an exception for me. I hope that you benefit from this enriching conversation in the same way that I did. 

(0:00) Iqbal’s tribute to Azim

(2:09) Azim outlines his mission

(7:16) Designing zakat systems internationally

(14:44) Local community funding in the UK

(20:46) How should faith be reflected in social action?

(23:11) Advice for those who want to do good

(26:34) Mindset, belonging and identity 

(35:01) Palestine and overcoming pessimism 

(42:53) Scaling up our long-term efforts

(51:19) What’s going on in Bradford?

(57:32) How to make faith more accessible to others

(1:11:52) Longing to meet God 

Find out more about Mercy Mission here: https://www.mercymission.org.uk

Connect with Azim here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azim-kidwai-5595a66/

The Public Forum was launched on 12th February 2026. It’s the in-person strand of the In Good Faith podcast. This episode contains the panel’s responses to the final audience questions.

The Public Forum was launched on 12th February 2026. It’s the in-person strand of the In Good Faith podcast. This episode contains the panel’s responses to the second audience question.