What happens when you know Islam is true… but still feel empty inside?

In this powerful episode of OnGuard, Hamza Tzortzis speaks to Imran Hussein about anxiety, intrusive thoughts, depression, nihilism, and the search for meaning.

Imran shares his own journey through darkness, the moment life seemed to lose its meaning, and how turning back to Allah transformed everything. But that wasn't the end...

This is an important conversation for anyone who has ever felt lost, anxious, spiritually numb, or overwhelmed — and for anyone trying to support someone who is.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/VP1qNaKeIKw

And search for 'OnGuard' on any of the online podcast platforms to listen.

This is a ruling on the cutting of hair and nails for the families of the one offering Qurbani/Udhiyah.

https://www.islam21c.com/fatwa/cutting-hair-and-nails-qurbani/

Are we really there for our kids?

This is a profound point: we have to build an environment of connection prior to correction, especially when it comes to our children.

In fact, we may even find that many of their mistakes are better off put to one side, while we focus on those that actually matter.

Watch the full video:

🎥 https://youtu.be/OCfPSkFBYos

This is why fathers carry more than we realise, and why honouring them is among the greatest paths to Allah.

https://www.islam21c.com/islamic-thought/fathers-are-forgotten-gate-to-paradise/

Love is an action, not a feeling

We're in a world where the meaning of love has been lost.

The Prophet ﷺ embodied love in the way we need to emulate: saying it often to those we care about, giving gifts, speaking with encouragement, and showing love through action rather than passivity.

Watch the full video:

🎥https://youtu.be/OCfPSkFBYos

Men and women were separated from their fitrah — and each other. Here’s how we fix it.

This OnGuard episode with Sheikh Shaqur Rehman goes deep into how Muslim families were weakened, why motherhood and wifehood were devalued, how men lost real Islamic leadership, and what it takes to rebuild the home as the foundation of the Ummah.

This is not just a “gender roles” discussion. It’s about civilisation, family, tarbiyah, haya, and the future of our children.

https://youtu.be/mh6jCxdAebo

The political awakening we are seeing in our community is real. That should be welcomed. We have shown that we can mobilise. We have shown that we can protest. We have shown that we can vote. But awakening alone is not maturity.

Mawlana Tahir Talati argues that the real question now is whether we can build. Because voting creates moments, but relationships create influence. And if our political engagement begins and ends at the ballot box, we will remain visible without ever becoming truly influential.

https://www.islam21c.com/politics/awakening-to-influence/

Do we worship our bodies?

In this clip from our recent podcast episode with Shaykh Abu Eesa Niamatullah, an interesting point is raised about how younger generations have become intensely focused on health and fitness — perhaps even to the point of obsession.

As priorities and lifestyles shift across generations, we need to ensure we remain relevant and connected to those younger than us, especially in a time when so many outside influences can shape their thinking and behaviour.

Watch the full video:

🎥 https://youtu.be/qiswHaCmlBE

This life is anything but a fairytale

This life is not all "love and peace" as some may want us to believe; rather, there will always be conflicts, wars, battles, and each and every one is there to test us.

Once we understand the above, everything else in this world should then also be understood according to that concept.

Watch the full video:

🎥 https://youtu.be/UN7Ax-H7mU8

Pushing away intrusive thoughts makes them worse?

It's normal to have intrusive thoughts, what we should do is avoid the things that set them off or make them worse, be that scrolling on social media, Reddit, Googling symptoms, etc.

We should instead accept that the compulsive thoughts are there in the background, while simultaneously moving on with life. This will change how we deal with such experiences.

Full video:

🎥 https://youtu.be/VP1qNaKeIKw

Love is not lost overnight. It can sometimes fade through busy schedules, neglected relationships, wounded hearts, and forgetting the purpose that brought us together in the first place.

This upcoming evening will explore how faith can help restore love, strengthen relationships, and bring mercy back into our lives.

Book now: https://charitydinner.co.uk

Why does practising Islam feel so complicated today?

In this new Islam21c podcast, Shaykh Dr Hatem al-Haj joins us for a deep and timely conversation on modern Muslim life — from politics, fatwas, maqāṣid and minority fiqh, to marriage, family breakdown, spirituality, and why so many Muslims feel that their faith has become dry or distant.

This isn’t just a discussion about “modern issues”. It’s about how to remain grounded in revelation while navigating a world that constantly pulls the heart, family, and community in different directions.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/4YEPuFvJ4Qo

Children are like empty cups that need filling

We often focus heavily on harmful ideologies, whether liberalism, LGBTQ, or others — but that is not always where our greatest efforts are needed.

If our children grow up feeling loved, valued, listened to, and emotionally secure, they are far less likely to seek belonging elsewhere.

See them as empty cups needing love, affection, guidance, and attention poured into them before outside influences fill the gap.

Watch the full video:

🎥 https://youtu.be/OCfPSkFBYos