Dr. Shabir Ally and Dr. Safiyyah Ally reflect on the Islamic New Year and the significance of Muharram, which marks the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (hijrah) from Mecca to Medina, a moment that reorients Muslims toward purpose, renewal, and growth. Dr. Safiyyah emphasizes that unlike typical New Year festivities, the Islamic New Year is a time for introspection, setting meaningful goals, and recommitting to one's spiritual and social responsibilities. Dr. Shabir urges Muslims to use this moment to reflect on how they spend their time, serve others, and align their lives with the ultimate purpose of worship and mercy. They also highlight the importance of deepening Islamic knowledge through reading, studying the Prophet’s life, and understanding history to avoid misinterpretations of faith. If you enjoy this video, please support our work financially by: Visiting our website http://www.QuranSpeaks.com OR Sending an etransfer to iGive@QuranSpeaks.com OR Subscribing monthly at Patreon.com/QuranSpeaks ► DONATE: http://www.quranspeaks.com/ ► SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=quranspeaks Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/LetTheQuranSpeak Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/QuranSpeaks.tv Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/Quran_Speaks

As a ceasefire takes hold in Iran, many Muslims are left wondering where their loyalties should lie. Should sectarian divisions influence how we respond to the suffering of fellow Muslims? Dr. Shabir Ally and Dr. Safiyyah Ally explore the origins of the Sunni-Shi’i split, which began as a political disagreement over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) but later developed into significant theological differences. They explain how Sunnis and Shi’is diverged on the nature of leadership and the continuation of divine guidance. They also reflect on how early tensions evolved into deeply entrenched divisions. Despite these historical differences, Dr. Shabir urges Muslims to remember their shared core -- belief in the same Quran, love for the Prophet, and commitment to the five pillars of Islam -- and to approach one another with compassion and unity, especially in moments of collective pain. Note: this episode was filmed on June 19, 2025. If you enjoy this video, please support our work financially by: Visiting our website http://www.QuranSpeaks.com OR Sending an etransfer to iGive@QuranSpeaks.com OR Subscribing monthly at Patreon.com/QuranSpeaks ► DONATE: http://www.quranspeaks.com/ ► SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=quranspeaks Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/LetTheQuranSpeak Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/QuranSpeaks.tv Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/Quran_Speaks

Dr. Shabir Ally addresses a viewer’s question about why Islam completely forbids alcohol, especially in a society like Canada where drinking is normalized in schools and workplaces. He explains that Islam encourages Muslims to uphold their principles regardless of social norms, and that alcohol is clearly prohibited due to its numerous harms (both personal and societal). These include addiction, health issues (like cancer and liver disease), fetal harm, impaired judgment, domestic violence, and drunk driving. While some medical studies once suggested limited benefits, more recent research indicates that even small amounts of alcohol can be harmful. Islam's prohibition is ultimately rooted in divine command, but the wisdom behind it becomes clear when we consider the widespread damage alcohol can cause. Muslims are encouraged to avoid places where alcohol is served to protect themselves and set a positive example, and awareness about this position is gradually gaining more respect in Canadian society. If you enjoy this video, please support our work financially by: Visiting our website http://www.QuranSpeaks.com OR Sending an etransfer to iGive@QuranSpeaks.com OR Subscribing monthly at Patreon.com/QuranSpeaks ► DONATE: http://www.quranspeaks.com/ ► SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=quranspeaks Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/LetTheQuranSpeak Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/QuranSpeaks.tv Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/Quran_Speaks

Do Muslims believe in ghosts (spirits of the dead wandering the earth)? While some may think so, Islamic teachings paint a different picture. As Dr. Shabir Ally explains, the Qur'an suggests that once a person dies, their soul enters a separate realm and cannot return to this world. There’s a one-way passage from this life to the next, with a barrier between the two. Although souls remain alive and may even interact with each other, there’s no authentic Islamic source that says they roam the earth. Instead, they are either experiencing bliss or facing punishment, neither of which allows for earthly visits. If you enjoy this video, please support our work financially by: Visiting our website http://www.QuranSpeaks.com OR Sending an etransfer to iGive@QuranSpeaks.com OR Subscribing monthly at Patreon.com/QuranSpeaks ► DONATE: http://www.quranspeaks.com/ ► SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=quranspeaks Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/LetTheQuranSpeak Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/QuranSpeaks.tv Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/Quran_Speaks

Dr. Shabir Ally explores the often misunderstood verses 18:23–24 of the Quran, which emphasize saying “insha Allah” (“if God wills”) when speaking about future actions. The context of the verses is tied to the story of the People of the Cave, and possibly to a moment when the Prophet Muhammad promised to answer questions without awaiting divine revelation, leading to a delay and a lesson in humility and dependence on God’s will. Dr. Shabir explains that while the widespread Muslim practice of saying “inshallah” is rooted in this verse and carries valuable spiritual meaning, it can be misapplied in situations requiring clarity and commitment, like marriage vows or business contracts. He stresses the importance of letting the Quran speak for itself without inserting rigid interpretations and encourages a balanced, thoughtful application of its guidance. If you enjoy this video, please support our work financially by: Visiting our website http://www.QuranSpeaks.com OR Sending an etransfer to iGive@QuranSpeaks.com OR Subscribing monthly at Patreon.com/QuranSpeaks ► DONATE: http://www.quranspeaks.com/ ► SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=quranspeaks Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/LetTheQuranSpeak Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/QuranSpeaks.tv Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/Quran_Speaks

Dr. Shabir Ally continues the Misunderstood Quranic Verses series by exploring the story of the People of the Cave in 18:10. He explains that the Quran is not concerned with confirming every historical detail, but rather with conveying deeper moral and spiritual truths. The verse begins with the word “remember,” which signals a call to reflection rather than a factual account. Instead of rejecting the popular tale outright, the Quran engages with it through a method scholars describe as “staging, penetrating, and eclipsing”-starting with familiar narratives, adding new meaning, and ultimately allowing the Quranic message to take precedence. This sophisticated approach helped the Quran resonate with early audiences and continues to shape how Muslims understand the story today. If you enjoy this video, please support our work financially by: Visiting our website http://www.QuranSpeaks.com OR Sending an etransfer to iGive@QuranSpeaks.com OR Subscribing monthly at Patreon.com/QuranSpeaks ► DONATE: http://www.quranspeaks.com/ ► SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=quranspeaks Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/LetTheQuranSpeak Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/QuranSpeaks.tv Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/Quran_Speaks