EP 154 - Taqwa and Transformation: Rethinking Worship in a Distracted Age*Support After Maghrib this Holy month of Ramadhan. Become a partner or make a one-off donation today:* https://www.aftermaghrib.com/donate As we approach the month of Ramadan, Dr Sheikh Mohammed Ali Shomali joins Sayed Ali and Ahmed on the After Maghrib Podcast for a timely and deeply reflective conversation on the reality of ‘ibadah. In a season where many are preparing to fast, pray, and reconnect, this episode asks a crucial question: is worship simply a set of obligations to fulfil, or is it meant to transform who we are?Together, they explore why so many believers feel spiritually distracted or numb before Ramadan, and why some seekers look outside traditional worship for depth. What does true presence in prayer require in an age of constant distraction? Why does prayer not always translate into moral change? How do we balance the severe warnings about neglecting salah with the vast mercy that defines Ramadan?From the philosophy of worship to the deeper meaning of taqwa, this discussion reframes fasting not as suppression of desire, but as its reordering. A powerful pre-Ramadan reset for anyone seeking more than routine — and longing for real inner transformation.

*After Maghrib Podcast 🌙 | EP 153 - Shia Reddit DilemmasBook for The After Maghrib 2026 Event: https://www.aftermaghrib.com/bookIn this After Maghrib episode, we dive into real Shia dilemmas sourced from Reddit, unpacking honest questions and lived struggles from the community. We discuss family neglect and tension after becoming Shia, how and where to seek authentic knowledge, and alternative beliefs surrounding Imam Mahdi (عج). The conversation expands into the state of the world today—confusion, misinformation, and spiritual fatigue—and what it truly means to prepare ourselves ethically, intellectually, and spiritually for the Mahdi. Raw, thoughtful, and grounded, this episode is for anyone navigating faith, identity, and responsibility in uncertain times.

The Problem With AI and Islamic Ethics

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Ahmed and Sayed Ali are back on After Maghrib, discussing real issues that affect Muslims day to day. In this episode, they explore the growing use of artificial intelligence — including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Grok — to answer Islamic questions. As more people turn to AI for guidance on halal and haram, relationships, and personal struggles, the conversation asks whether these tools can truly understand Islamic morality, intention, and lived context, or whether they are limited to surface-level information without hikmah.The discussion also touches on recent controversy surrounding Grok on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting how AI systems continue to generate problematic responses and spark backlash when moral boundaries are crossed. Ahmed and Sayed Ali unpack why AI will keep making mistakes, why it cannot grasp accountability or ethics in the Islamic sense, and the dangers of outsourcing religious understanding to machines. A timely and necessary conversation on faith, technology, and navigating modern life as Muslims.

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The Islamic Republic of Iran is under global scrutiny as US President Donald Trump signals a possible military strike, raising fears of war and regional collapse. Where should Shia Muslims stand if Iran’s leadership falls? How do we turn to God in times of uncertainty, and emphasise the need for religious unity?As tensions between Iran and the United States escalate, the consequences could be catastrophic for the Middle East and the wider Shia world. In this episode, Sheikh Hassan Al-Qadri explores what may happen if the Ayatollah and the Islamic Republic collapse, whether there is a viable alternative political system for Iran, or if regime change would only deepen the suffering of the Iranian people.The discussion also addresses the global protests against Iran, questioning whether these movements are genuine grassroots expressions or Western-backed efforts aimed at further destabilising the country. Our guest also shares his personal experience of being attacked by mobs in London, highlighting the growing divisions within the Iranian diaspora.All views expressed in this episode are those of the speaker and are not necessarily representative of After Maghrib. This episode offers an important Shia spiritual perspective on war, geopolitics, Iran, Trump’s policies, regime change, and the future of the region.

What we’re seeing on our algorithms today is alarming. From hijabis engaging in thirst-trapping behaviour to content that mirrors dating-app culture, our feeds are increasingly filled with videos we’re meant to stay away from. Constant exposure doesn’t just entertain us — it reshapes our mindset, desires, and sense of normality. Over time, this begins to affect our standards, especially when it comes to marriage. In this episode of the After Maghrib Podcast, we discuss what we should truly be looking for in a spouse, and how far our expectations may have drifted from reality.Become a partner or make a one-off donation today: https://www.aftermaghrib.com/donate

We've been away for a minuteeeeee, but i'm sure you've all missed us. and there's SOOO much to catch up on, to start of the season were gonna sit back and just go over everything that's happened and what you can expect coming up.The After Maghrib Podcast is back for its 5th season! In this episode, the hosts—alongside Mohamed Ali—share highlights from the past year and reflect on what the team has been up to over the last few months, unwrapping the previous 12 months together. As a Shia podcast, the conversation also delves into the life of Imam Ali (as) as we celebrate his birth on the 13th of Rajab. Tune in to catch up, have a laugh, and kick-start the new year with us.Become a partner or make a one-off donation today: https://www.aftermaghrib.com/donate

Arba’een is upon us and it’s a time for a deep reflection. This week, the boys talk about some of their favourite Ziyarat memories, the special status of this rank and how to benefit from this period, regardless where on earth you are. We also give some important updates about After Maghrib and what’s coming up in the next few months, as we wrap up this season of the podcast.

This week, Sayed Mahdi al-Modaressi returns to confront questions that continue to stir quiet - and sometimes not-so-quiet - controversy from pockets within the community. From differing views on the birth of Imam al-Mahdi (ajfs) to the boundaries of infallibility, and even the uncomfortable question of potential corruption within the hawza, no topic is off-limits. These are issues some shy away from. Others call them red lines.

Where do you stand?

We urge all listeners to seek guidance and search for truth, with an open heart and intellectual maturity - and not to take words of any scholar or mentor for gospel. All views expressed in this episode are reflective of the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts, nor After Maghrib.