Blood Brothers

Khalid Ismail | Anatomy of a Warrior | BB #28

In this special episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly and Aki Hussain host former MMA fighter and coach Khalid Ismail. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #KhalidIsmail​ #MMA​

Khalid offers a wealth of insight into the world of professional mixed martial arts (MMA), including the physical and mental preparation required in training camp as a fighter and a coach.

The veteran MMA coach also shares the lessons he learnt when he experienced serious injuries during the peak of his fighting career, and his realisation of the strengths and weaknesses of the human body.

In addition to providing various health and fitness advice, Khalid explains how the morals and values of a fighter is as important, if not more important, than their physical abilities.

Hamzah Sheeraz | Staying humble as a champion | BB #27

In this exclusive episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly and Aki Hussain host the WBO European Super Welterweight Champion Hamzah Sheeraz. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #HamzahSheeraz​ #Boxing​

The undefeated boxer shares his thoughts and feelings after becoming a European champion last November and what he's doing in preparation for his first title defence on Saturday 11th April at the 02 Arena.

The east Londoner also explains the values and morals which have shaped him since childhood, and how the same mindset is shared by his entire team in keeping him headstrong and humble during his journey.

Topics of discussion also include the role of Islam in Hamzah's life as a professional boxer, handling fame and wealth, and how contact sports can help deter youth from a life of crime and gangs.

Dr Yakoob Ahmed | How Islamic were the Ottomans? | BB #26

In this informative episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly Hussain hosts the erudite Ottoman historian Dr Yakoob Ahmed. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #DrYakoobAhmed​ #OttomanHistory​

Dr Ahmed who is currently a lecturer at Istanbul University, explains what initially led him to study history as a postgraduate, and subsequently going onto specialise in Ottoman history, specifically the 'Hamidian period' (Reign of Caliph Abdulhamid II).

Dilly also questions Dr Ahmed about a number of controversial practices widely attributed to the Ottomans, and whether any of those positions had scholarly support and any Islamic basis.

Topics of discussion also include how Islamic the Ottoman Dynasty was in terms of their state institutions, governance and laws, as well as the importance of reconnecting with Ottoman history in the political, spiritual and intellectual revival of the Ummah.

This episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast was in partnership with Family Break: https://familybreak.org.uk/​

Shaykh Mohamed Yaffa | Africa's ignored Islamic history | BB #25

In this special episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly Hussain speaks with Shaykh Mohamed Yaffa from Halifax, Canada. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #ShaykhMohamedYaffa​ #BlackHistoryMonth​

Shaykh Yaffa explains the daily challenges of being black, Muslim and immigrant in Canada at a time of heightened racism and Islamophobia.

He also also shares his thoughts on the ignored Islamic history of Africa and anti-black racism which began during the Abbasid Caliphate.

Topics of discussion also include Shaykh Yaffa's experience while studying in Pakistan and the forced conversion of African slaves to Christianity by European colonialists.

This episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast was in partnership with Family Break: https://familybreak.org.uk/​

Imam Dawud Walid | Accounting scholars | BB #24

In this special episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly Hussain catches up with Imam Dawud Walid of CAIR-Michigan. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #ImamDawudWalid​ #Islamicactivism​

Imam Walid explains the perimeters of Islamic activism and "enjoining good and forbidding evil" in light of the new ideological challenges facing the dawah.

The imam also shares his thoughts on the growing culture of calling out scholars and Muslim public figures on social media, and how that fits into "speaking truth to power".

Topics of discussion also include anti-black racism within Muslim communities and sensitivities around discussing black community issues.

This episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast was in partnership with Family Break: https://familybreak.org.uk/​

Muslim Belal | Crisis in Islamic alternative industries | BB #23

In this up close episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly and Aki Hussain host actor, director, producer and spoken word artist Ashley Chin aka Muslim Belal. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #MuslimBelal​ #AshleyChin​

Muslim Belal shares his thoughts on the strategic importance of different types of dawah, including his specific focus on helping youth involved in gangs, crime and drugs.

Belal also gives his brutally honest views on the current Muslim media industry, and how it has failed at creating and providing an alternative to mainstream media, arts and entertainment.

Topics of discussion also include the Muslim Belal's upcoming film 'Faith', the ongoing rise of black prisoners converting to Islam, Muslim grime artists and scholars addressing sensitive issues relating to black communities.

Adnan Rashid | India under Muslim and Hindutva rule | BB #22

In this insightful episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly Hussain catches up with the prominent Muslim historian Adnan Rashid. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #AdnanRashid​ #MughalEmpire​

Adnan shares his thoughts on the recent assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani by the U.S. and its implications for the region.

He also discusses the current state of BJP-led India, with the rise of institutional Islamophobia and the introduction of various anti-Muslim laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Topics of discussion also include the formation of Pakistan, India's ongoing occupation of Kashmir, the history of the Subcontinent under Mughal rule, and how Islamic the Mughal Empire was in comparison to the Ottoman Empire.

Sunnah Remedies | Hijama hype & veganism | BB #21

In this raw episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly and Aki Hussain speak with the well-known hijama practitioner Abdul Hakim, better known as 'Sunnah Remedies'. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #SunnahRemedies​ #Hijama​

Abdul Hakim explains how his interest in health and fitness led to him becoming a certified cupping therapist, specialising in sports rehabilitation and holistic and natural remedies.

He also shares how he ended up treating famous athletes like the Moroccan UFC fighter Ottman Azaitar, world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua among others.

Dilly and Abdul Hakim have a friendly debate about how much meat was part of the Prophet's (saw) diet and whether vegans are weird hippies.

Abdullah al Andalusi & Dr Salman Butt | Is voting haram? | BB #20

In this special General Election episode of the Blood Brothers podcast, Dilly Hussain hosts Abdullah al Andalusi from the Muslim Debate Initiative and Dr Salman Butt, editor of Islam21C. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #AbdullahAlAndalusi​ #DrSalmanButt​

In this lively discussion, the guests cover:

• Is democracy and Islam compatible?
• Is it permissible for Muslims to vote in secular democratic elections?
• Is voting an obligation, permissible, haram or kufr?
• Can Muslims vote for unIslamic political parties based on preventing greater harms and bringing about greater benefits?
• Is the issue of voting really a matter of lesser of two evils or necessity?
• Is Brexit good or bad for Muslims?
• Why should Muslims vote for Labour when their manifesto includes various unIslamic pledges? All the above and much more is discussed in this engaging episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast.

Abdurraheem Green | Dawah battles of the 90s | BB #19

In this episode of the Blood Brothers podcast, Dilly Hussain catches up with the legendary Ustad Abdurraheem Green. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #AbduraheemGreen​ #IERA​

The veteran da'ee reflects on his personal evolution from playing a leading role in the fiery and arguably divisive "Salafi" dawah of the 1990s to a more inclusive and tolerant approach to dawah.

Ustad Green also explains how the message of all the Prophets (peace be upon them all) included both the glad tidings of Paradise and the warnings of Hellfire, stressing the importance of dawah organisations not to neglect or disproportionately focus on either.

Topics of discussion also include the challenges Muslim parents face when balancing love and discipline with children, and whether white converts to Islam are privileged and ignorant of institutional racism.