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

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.

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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