Videos Archives - Lamppost Education Initiative

Nuance in Political Spaces: Islamic Principles for Political Engagement-A Conversation with Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:41:36 +0000

The Lamppost Education Initiative was honored to host this timely conversation featuring Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, Founder and Director of the Lamppost Education Initiative and Associate Professor at Zaytuna College, in discussion with Imam Farhan Siddiqi. Before a live audience, Dr. Abdullah addressed one of the most important questions facing Muslims today:

How should Muslims engage in political life without compromising their commitment to Islam?

In an age of increasing political polarization, Muslims are often pressured to embrace simplistic narratives, partisan loyalties, and single-issue activism. Dr. Abdullah reminds us that the Islamic tradition calls for something far more demanding: careful scholarship, sound moral reasoning, intellectual humility, and principled judgment rooted in the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the rich legacy of Islamic scholarship.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Abdullah explores:

Remaining faithful to Islamic principles while engaging in civic and political life
The qualifications necessary for sound Islamic judgment and evaluation
Why understanding facts on the ground must precede religious assessments
Avoiding reductionist thinking and the pitfalls of partisan politics
Balancing competing harms and benefits through the principles of Islamic jurisprudence
The importance of knowledge, wisdom, and intellectual humility in public discourse
His reflections on voting and lessons drawn from his own experiences navigating political questions
The Prophetic guidance concerning political authority, leadership, and public responsibility
Islamic concepts of accountability, trust, and ethical decision-making
Thinking beyond political labels while remaining firmly grounded in Islamic teachings

Rather than offering political slogans or partisan talking points, Dr. Abdullah presents a thoughtful Islamic framework for engaging the challenges of modern political life with clarity, balance, and integrity. His insights encourage Muslims to resist reactionary thinking and instead cultivate principled engagement informed by revelation, scholarship, and a careful understanding of contemporary realities.

The photographs below capture moments from this memorable evening of learning, reflection, and community engagement. We are grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to this important discussion.

If you were unable to join us in person, we invite you to watch the full conversation and benefit from this timely exploration of Islamic principles for political engagement.

The post Nuance in Political Spaces: Islamic Principles for Political Engagement-A Conversation with Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali appeared first on Lamppost Education Initiative.

Interpretation of the Salaf – Part II: Deepening the Discussion on Divine Attributes

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:26:37 +0000

For centuries, Muslims have wrestled with one of theology’s most important questions: How do we affirm the divine attributes without likening God to His creation?

In this Part II of our ongoing conversation, Imam Rashad Abdur-Rahmaan continues his interview with Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, building upon the foundations laid in Part I. This second discussion moves beyond introduction and into a more focused exploration of key theological terminology and concepts related to Islamic creed (‘aqīdah).

Drawing from the newly released translation, The Attributes of God—the first English rendering of Imam Ibn al-Jawzi’s Dafʿ Shubah al-Tashbīh bi-Akaff al-Tanzīh—Dr. Abdullah provides deeper clarity on:

the precise meanings of foundational terms used in classical theology
how misunderstandings of terminology lead to confusion about creed
the role of interpretation (ta’wīl) in Sunni orthodoxy
how the early scholars (Salaf) approached ambiguous texts with nuance and restraint
why careful language is essential when discussing the divine attributes

Where Part I introduced the historical and intellectual context, Part II sharpens the lens, helping viewers better understand the language, frameworks, and methodological precision that underpin orthodox Sunni belief.

This continuation is especially valuable for students, educators, and anyone seeking to move beyond surface-level debates toward a more grounded, principled understanding of Islamic theology.

In an age where discussions on creed are often oversimplified or misrepresented, this conversation offers a much-needed return to clarity, balance, and scholarly depth.

We encourage our readers, students, and supporters to watch the full interview and secure their copy of The Attributes of God, a landmark publication now available through Lamppost Education Initiative.

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New Interview: Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali on The Attributes of God with Imam Rashad Abdur-Rahmaan

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:27:15 +0000

For centuries, Muslims have wrestled with one of theology’s most important questions: How do we affirm the divine attributes without likening God to His creation?

In this timely and thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali joins Imam Rashad Abdur-Rahmaan for a deep discussion on our newly released translation, The Attributes of God, the first English rendering of Imam Ibn al-Jawzi’s Dafʿ Shubah al-Tashbīh bi-Akaff al-Tanzīh.

The discussion explores:

the historical debates surrounding divine attributes
how early scholars approached ambiguous scriptural texts
misconceptions about “the creed of the Salaf”
the importance of preserving Sunni theological clarity in the modern age
why Ibn al-Jawzi’s work remains essential for English-speaking Muslims today

This conversation is especially important in a time when online discussions about creed often generate more heat than light. Dr. Abdullah carefully explains why this classical text remains a critical guide for serious students, teachers, and seekers of sacred knowledge.

The post New Interview: Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali on The Attributes of God with Imam Rashad Abdur-Rahmaan appeared first on Lamppost Education Initiative.

Special Interview with Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:05:52 +0000

In this insightful YouTube interview hosted by Paul Williams on his channel “Blogging Theology,” Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali delves into the core themes of his groundbreaking work, The ‘Negro’ in Arab-Muslim Consciousness. Dr. Ali and Mr. Williams explore how classical Muslim scholars perceived race, focusing on key figures like Al-Mas’udi and Ibn Khaldun, as well as distinctions made between African groups such as the Zanj, Moors, and Nubians. This candid dialogue sheds light on the historical context of racial thought, offering viewers a chance to reconsider long-held notions about culture, identity, and social norms in the pre-modern Islamic world.

Order your copy of this book by clicking the link HERE:

“The ‘Negro’ in Arab-Muslim Consciousness” by Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali offers a fascinating exploration of how race and cultural perceptions were understood in pre-modern Arab-Muslim thought. With expanded content and improved readability in its second edition, this work challenges modern assumptions about race and provides profound insights into the intersection of history, culture, and religion.

Starting Monday, Jan 20, 2025-Season Four 'Talking With Teachers" Podcast

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Faith & Society with Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 05:39:18 +0000

**Faith and Society** is an engaging new series where Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali explores a wide range of topics, from ethical dilemmas to global affairs, offering invaluable insights from an Islamic perspective. These monologues are crafted to provide deep understanding and address challenging questions from an Islamic viewpoint. For instance, in our inaugural episode, “Harms of Adultery,” Dr. Ali delves into the rationale behind the stringent penalties for adultery in Islamic law, particularly stoning.

Join us for this exclusive series featuring Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, Founding Director of the Lamppost Education Initiative, as he shares his expertise and perspectives. The series is available on our YouTube channel—don’t forget to like, share, comment, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes.
Click below to catch up with a special interview in this series: the latest episode of this series: ‘Truth, Freedom, and Victimhood’ with Owen Benjamin

Truth, Freedom, and Victimhood: A Conversation with Owen Benjamin

“Blacklisted by Hollywood and banned from mainstream platforms, Owen Benjamin has a lot more to offer than just laughs. His ideas have greater value than his jokes. This controversial comedian who has built an amazing network “off the grid” has much to teach us about independence, motivation, creativity, and success on our own terms.
Join us for this special conversation between, Dr. Abdullah Ali and comedian Owen Benjamin as they try to help us avoid being brainwashed and manipulated, forced to make unnecessary difficult decisions, and overcome by victim consciousness”
Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali on this special, live online presentation with Owen Benjamin. You can view this session live here on our website-click the link below. You can also view the live session on our Facebook page, or YouTube page. This Sunday, Noon, EST/9 am PST.

The Permissibility of Dogs in Islam: A Maliki School Perspective with Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

Who Is Qualified To Speak For Islam?

Harms of Adultery

The 'Talking With Teachers' Podcast

“Talking with Teachers” Podcast by the Lamppost Education Initiative! 🌟 For years, Lamppost has been a beacon of diverse English-speaking Muslims, dedicated to our rich Islamic tradition. Now, we’re taking it a step further with our new podcast series!

In each episode, we dive deep into the world of education, featuring insightful conversations with Islamic teachers from various backgrounds. Whether you’re an educator, a student, or simply passionate about learning, this podcast is packed with knowledge and inspiration just for you.

Join our vibrant community and let’s illuminate the path to effective teaching and learning together! 🌐✨

🎧 Tune in now: https://lamppostedu.org/talking-with-teachers Don’t miss out on the latest episodes of Season 3!

#Education #IslamicTradition #Podcast #Learning #Teachers #LamppostEdu #TalkingWithTeachers

Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

He holds a Ph.D. in Cultural and Historical Studies in Religion (2016) and an M.A. in Ethics and Social Theory (2012) from the Graduate Theological Union. He obtained his B.A. (ijaza ‘ulya) in Islamic Law (Shariah) from the prestigious Al-Qarawiyin University of Fes, Morocco in 2001. He served as full time Islamic chaplain at the State Correctional Institute of Chester, PA from 2002-2007, and is the founding director of the Lamppost Education Initiative. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Islamic law and Prophetic Tradition at Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California. His research interests include the interconnection between law and identity formation, comparative Islamic law, and Islam’s role in the modern world.
Click HERE to see more articles, videos, and more from Dr. Abdullah Ali

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The School of Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal in Aqeedah: Ustadh Nuh Saunders

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 16:30:06 +0000

The madhab of Imam Ahmed is the madhab of the salaf which is complete tafwid

Nuh Saunders Tweet

Are the Hanbalis a part of ‘ahl us-Sunnah wa Jama’at? Are they aligned with the beliefs of the salaf? Ustadh Nuh Saunders provides a brief, yet fascinating discourse on this topic in this exclusive talk for the Lamppost Education Initiative.

Ustadh Nuh Saunders was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the grandson of converts to Islam who were sure to instill in him a love of Islam.

As an aspiring Student of Knowledge, he began his studies in Arabic and Quranic studies at the Quba Institute in Philadelphia. He then began an in-depth study of Aqidah and Dawah with Shaykh Abdur Rahman Sondalani privately. During this time, he was privileged to study Shafi Fiqh with Imam Muhammad Amin of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

At the advice of Imam Amin and many others, Ustadh Nuh set out to the Islamic world to further his pursuit of knowledge. At first, this led him to Egypt where he had the opportunity to study Arabic grammar and Tajweed with scholars of Al Azhar University. After that, he moved to Tarim, Yemen to enroll in the world-famous Dar Al Mustafa Islamic Seminary. He has studied the various Islamic sciences including fiqh, hadith, seerah, and tassawuf.

His main area of study is Quranic recitation. He was given the opportunity to study privately with such great Quran reciters such as Sayyid Ali Ba Alawi of Tarim Hadramawt and Shaykh Bashar al Riz, who is one of the great reciters of Damascus and a direct student of Abul Hassan al Kurdi. He has memorized the main text in the science of Tajweed and received ijaza. He has been been in Tarim for the past six years where he is studying full time with the intention of specializing in Dawah, and Quranic recitation, along with the variant modes of recitation under the tutelage of great scholars such as Habib Umar Bin Hafidh and many others.

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Talking With Teachers: A New Podcast With Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 15:20:08 +0000

Talking With Teachers Podcast

Join us every week as we explore the world of Islamic education with leading Muslim-American educators, sharing their insights, experiences, and expertise with you.

Welcome to the “Talking With Teachers” Podcast, hosted by Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali. Join us as we delve into the unique contributions of famous and lesser-known scholars and teachers. Our guests primarily consist of Muslim scholars, imams, and other notable figures from the community. Some of our episodes will include non-Muslims who we believe may offer needed insights for our Muslim community. Each episode will explore a particular thinker’s key intellectual and cultural contributions, providing valuable insights into their academic journey. Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter and subscribe to our YouTube channel for updates.

Talking With Teachers Returns for Season Seven – August 3, 2026

The Lamppost Education Initiative is pleased to announce the return of Talking With Teachers for Season Seven, beginning Monday, August 3, 2026. Hosted by Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, Founding Director of the Lamppost Education Initiative and Associate Professor at Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California, the podcast continues its mission of connecting English-speaking Muslims with scholars and teachers dedicated to preserving and transmitting our rich Islamic intellectual tradition.

Talking With Teachers places the emphasis on knowledge rather than popularity. Our guests include established Muslim scholars, educators, researchers, and dedicated teachers—some well known and others whose work may be unfamiliar to a wider audience. What matters is their commitment to helping Muslims learn and better understand our Deen through the Qur’an, Sunnah, Islamic law (fiqh), theology (‘aqidah), spirituality, history, ethics, and other areas of Islamic scholarship.

Season Seven will introduce our audience to another diverse group of voices and perspectives through engaging conversations about Islam, Islamic education, Muslim scholarship, and contemporary challenges facing Muslims. Introducing our community to trustworthy teachers and meaningful opportunities for Islamic learning remains at the heart of the mission of the Lamppost Education Initiative.

Season Seven premieres Monday, August 3, 2026. Watch or listen to Talking With Teachers on YouTube, Spotify, and wherever you enjoy podcasts, and follow the Lamppost Education Initiative for new episodes and updates throughout the season.

Episode 1

Episode 2

You can view this upcoming episode on this page. Bookmark this page to see our upcoming episodes during Season Three. To see full episodes of Season One and Season Two. Please click the links below.

Please join us for the upcoming season of the ‘Talking With Teachers’ Podcast. This fascinating conversation will feature some of the foremost scholars and teachers of English-speaking Muslims in the world. This project is made possible by your support of the Lamppost Education Initiative. Please support our efforts by donating to Lamppost, a 501 c3 non-profit Islamic organization. Please click the link to find out more.

We are excited to announce the release of the Second Edition of “The ‘Negro’ in Arab-Muslim Consciousness” by the distinguished scholar Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali. This comprehensive work delves into the intricate dynamics of race and cultural perceptions within pre-modern Arab-Muslim societies, offering readers a profound understanding of historical racial hierarchies and their lasting impacts.

Now available: A Return To Purity In Creed, the latest book by the renowned Islamic scholar Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazzali. Translated into English by Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali with commentary, it’s a guide for Muslims seeking to understand the aqidah of the salaf. This classic work is available on Amazon for readers in the UK, Canada, and the US. Click the link for details and to begin your journey towards knowledge.

A fascinating new work published by the Lamppost Education Initiative.

Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

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Interfaith Discourse: Who is Christ?-Dr. Ali Ataie and Rev. Andrew Lobban

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 06:27:15 +0000

Remember when the angels proclaimed, "O Mary! God gives you glad tidings of a word from Him, his name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary; honored in this world and the Hereafter, and he will be one of those nearest to God

Qur'an 3:45 Tweet

In one of the best interfaith sessions since the days of Shaykh Ahmed Deedat, Dr. Ali Ataie provides a powerful exploration of the history of Christ in the Bible. From close examinations of shifts in Christian belief about Isa (as), the Council of Nicea, the meaning of Hebrew words in the Bible, and so much more-Dr. Ali Ataie masterful defense of the Islamic tradition as it relates to Prophet Isa (as) should be apart of our Islamic literacy in the West.
In the first part of this discourse, Rev. Andrew Lobban explains general Christian belief about Jesus (as) as the ‘son of God’ and part of a trinity.
This video is from a presentation at MCC East Bay

Please support our End of the Year Fundraising Drive. We are able to provide critically important content with the support of Muslims like you. Find out more and donate today

Dr. Ali Ataie

Dr. Ali Ataie is undoubtedly one of the foremost leading scholars in comparative religions today.
He is currently a teacher and researcher of the Islamic Sciences and specializes in theology and biblical interpretation. Additionally he is also the President and Founder of Muslim Interfaith Council and has been heavily involved in interfaith activities for the past 15 years. He earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Cal Poly State University in 2000, during which time he served as the President of the Muslim Students’ Association . He has been both a guest lecturer and guest instructor at several colleges and universities such as Cal Poly State , UC Davis , UC Berkeley, and Cal State East Bay . He studied various Islamic sciences under local Bay Area scholars and has dialogued and debated with several Christian scholars on a variety of topics ranging from the historicity of the resurrection of Christ (upon whom be peace) and the Prophet hood of Muhammad (upon whom be peace and blessings).

He is a graduate of the Badr Arabic Language Institute in Hadramawt, Yemen and studied at the prestigious Dar al-Mustafa under some of the most eminent scholars in the world. He holds a Masters’ Degree in Biblical Studies from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, (the first Muslim seminarian in the 143 year history of the school to do so), and he has a PhD in Islamic Biblical Hermeneutics.

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Muslims, Freedom, and The GOP: A Conversation with Bruce Fenton and Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 12:21:20 +0000

The Lamppost Education Initiative is pleased to present a conversation with Bruce Fenton and Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali.
Bruce Fenton is a special adviser to the Republican Presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy. He serves as Ramaswamy’s New Hampshire campaign state co-chair. He recently came under harsh fire for his statement:
“Israel is an apartheid state”
Bruce Fenton is an expert in Bitcoin, Economics, and technology. He has appeared in articles & publications all around the globe, from CNBC interviews in Saudi Arabia, discussions about bitcoin/blockchain & financial articles in the Wall Street Journal. He has also written articles for Coindesk and other leading blockchain and financial publications. Mr. Fenton will be speaking with our very own Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, the Founding Director of the Lamppost Education Initiative and an Associate Professor at Zaytuna College

A fascinating new work that defends the use of the dhikr beads against the long-standing assertion by Shaykh Muhammad Nasiruddin Al-Albani that the dhikr beads are a reprehensible innovation (bid’ah).
Order your copy today.

Join us for this live, online discourse that you can view live on our YouTube channel, Facebook, or right here on our website. The event takes place on Monday, October 16th, 2023, at 3 pm EST.
Please click HERE and sign up for our newsletter to receive updates and reminders on this event.

Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

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Significance & Lessons of Muharram and Ashura-Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 23:13:35 +0000

"...It is said that this Day of Ashura is the day that Allah forgave Adam (AS) so it reminds us that we are here on this Earth for a short time and our true home is jannah"

Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali Tweet

Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali gives spiritual insights about the significance of the Day of ‘Ashura from Hadith and the significance of events that occurred after the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and what it means to the community today.

A powerful work from the Lamppost Education Initiative. Find out more by clicking the link below

Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

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