The Conviction Project

Akbar and Farhan discuss the blackout challenge on TikTok and what dangers are in store for those who give smartphones to young children. 

Akbar and Farhan discuss the issue of suicide and Islam. Sometimes, we hear of cases of suicide and we do not know how to process it. Why do people commit suicide? Do we offer their funeral prayer? Why or why not? What should be done about this issue? 

Much debate is raging in our society nowadays on gender identity and expression. Farhan and Akbar discuss the Islamic perspective on this topic and how it should be understood in light of the Holy Quran. 

Akbar and Farhan discuss the question of God's pronoun. Why do religious scriptures refer to God as a "He" or "Him"? Does this mean God has a gender? Does it mean that one gender is better than another? 

On August 16, 2022, Farhan Iqbal and Luis Dizon had a dialogue on a YouTube livestream, on the topic, "Revelation and Authority in Christianity and Islam." This is the audio recording of that dialogue. After initial presentations of about 20 minutes each, they asked each other questions. In the last 10 minutes of the program, questions from the audience were taken. 

Akbar and Farhan discuss Farhan's latest book, The Secrets of a Prosperous Marriage, co-authored with Shahrukh Rizwan Abid and Sadiq Ahmed. They discuss the idea that sparked this book, its purpose, contents and the arranged marriage vs. dating debate. Options to buy the book were also discussed. 

On April 9, 2022, Dr. Mike Liconna and Dr. Bart Ehrman had a 6-hour long debate discussing the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was a lengthy, informative, exhaustive debate and I learned many things from it. This debate was an invitation-based zoom event, and in this episode, I have discussed the salient features and those points that I found intriguing. 

Ramazan Mubarak from The Conviction Project. As we begin Ramazan, there are some things to be aware of. Akbar and Farhan discuss the essentials that are to be kept in mind during Ramzan. The fundamental habits that should be adopted by all Muslims. We also respond to the ex-Muslim allegation that if one has empathy, they can take care of the poor even without Ramazan. 

This is the audio version of my YouTube video where I review a debate held between Dr. Javad Hashmi and Robert Spencer on the topic, "Is Islam more violent than Christianity?" I felt that Dr. Hashmi clearly had the upper hand and I explain this by discussing the salient points of this debate. If you don't have 3 hours to go through the main debate, listen to my review to learn the main points. 

In light of the current war between Russia and Ukraine, Akbar and Farhan discuss whether or not World War III is inevitable? Ahmadiyya Muslim prophecies regarding World War are also discussed. 

The lecture series continues with a discussion of the Quran's argument that Jesus cannot be God because he had a mother and used to eat food. 

The lecture series on the refutation of the Divinity of Jesus Christ (as) continues with lecture #4 where I explain an argument by induction as discussed in the writings of the Promised Messiah (as). We know from human history that God always sends prophets for guidance. He never sends sons. Therefore, Jesus Christ (as) who came for guidance was also a prophet, and not a son. 

The series of lectures continues with discussion about Jesus' divinity. I begin with the references from the Gospels that show that when Jesus was confronted with the question about his divinity, he denied it in absolute terms. 

This is the audio recording of a video I released on my YouTube channel, Understanding Islam, where I review the interview of Bart Ehrman by "Apostate Prophet" (Ridvan Aydemir). He attempted to 'undo' the effect of Muhammad Hijab's interview of Ehrman. I discuss various topics that came up in the interview, and give the Ahmadiyya Muslim perspective. 

In his writings, the Promised Messiah (as) has pointed out four witnesses against the Divinity of Jesus Christ (as), as follows: 

1. The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)

2. Followers of John the Baptist

3. Unitarian Christians

4. The Holy Quran and Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa)

Recently, I came across a video on a Catholic Youtube channel where Father Gregory Pine tries to explain why Jesus still had wounds after he was 'resurrected'. It is an important question that cannot be taken lightly. I go through some of the main points that Pine made and then discuss his arguments in light of the Bible, as well as Christian and Islamic doctrines.

This is the first lecture in a new series on the refutation of the divinity of Jesus Christ (as). We explore the need for this refutation in the first place. Why is it so important? What can we gain from this? 

This is the audio recording of my recent video where I present a review of Muhammad Hijab's interview with Bart Ehrman. I discuss all of their main points and critique Bart Ehrman's statements. I try my best to give the Ahmadiyya Muslim perspective on many of the issues raised. 

This is the concluding lecture on the topic of the refutation of the Trinity. I go back to the discussion about the Trinity being incomprehensible. Why are humans being held accountable for something they cannot even understand? 

Damon and Farhan sat down (virtually) to carry forward their conversation from the previous podcast about the Bible. Is the Bible reliable? Authentic? Why or why not? They discuss these questions from a Muslim perspective. They also present a quotation of the Promised Messiah (as) where he has expounded his understanding of the "Injil" (mentioned in the Quran) in comparison with the Gospels available today. 

3 more arguments are discussed in this lecture in refutation of the Trinity. 14th argument: The doctrine of the Trinity is not based in any revelation. 15th argument: The doctrine is influenced by wrong notions or ideas of Plato. 16th argument: This doctrine is founded by St. Paul. It is not original to Jesus Christ (as). 

If God is three in one, why the various names to each "person" of the Godhead? Why is God the Father the "Father"? And why is God the Son the "Son"? And why is God the Holy Spirit called "Holy Spirit"? 

Why such human terms to describe God Who is supposed to be the One Perfect Being. 

What is the Bible?

Damon and Farhan discuss their impressions of the Bible, what it contains, and what it means to a Muslim. The discussion also leads into other related topics, such as:

1. Who wrote the books of the Bible?

2. When was the Bible written?

3. What are the various translations of the Bible?

And more. This is the first video in this series. More will come in the near future, Insha' Allah!

In this lecture, I discuss arguments 8, 9 and 10 against the Trinity, given in the writings of the Promised Messiah (as). The common theme in these arguments is that the Trinity does not make sense in and of itself. It goes against everything we know about God and presents an incomplete concept of God. 

In this lecture, I discuss the 7th argument for the refutation of the Trinity. The argument is simple: Jesus Christ never preached the Trinity. In fact, he preached the opposite. There are three key references to remember in this regard: 

1. Mark 12:28-30

2. John 17:3

3. John 10:30-37

I discuss all these 3 references in the lecture. 

One of the most astonishing facts about the doctrine of the Trinity is that it is not found anywhere in the New Testament. There is only one controversial reference (1 John 5:6-7) and this is discussed in this lecture. For comments or feedback, write to us: theconvictionproject@gmail.com. 

Human nature is not inclined to the Trinity. There is no representation of the Trinity in nature itself. And, there is no mention or even implicit support for the Trinity in the Old Testament (or the Hebrew Bible). See Deuteronomy 6:4 and Mark 12:28-30. 

I have begun a series of lectures that refute the trinity, based on the writings of the Promised Messiah (as). In this first lecture, I discuss the basic argument that the Trinity is not true simply because it does not make any sense, and it is illogical. 

On Sunday, August 22, 2021, I had a chance to discuss the question of the truthfulness of Prophet Muhammad (sa) with friend from the Jehovah Witness community. The question he posed was as follows: Was it truly the angel Gabriel who spoke to Muhammad (sa)? In essence, we discussed the proofs of the truthfulness of Prophet Muhammad (sa). After my initial remarks, he gave his rebuttal followed by my counter-rebuttal and then questions and comments from the live zoom audience. 

This is part of the Darsul Quran on habit formation. I explore more deeply the principles given in the book, Atomic Habits, and the parallels in Islamic Teachings. I also quote some verses of the Holy Quran which teach the same principles. 

One of my duroos this Ramazan (2021) discusses habit formation. I discuss a great book on the topic, Atomic Habits, and explore how the tips and techniques of habit formation can be applied towards spiritual and religious goals. I explore how these tips and techniques are also found in Islam. For the YouTube video of this Dars, go here: https://youtu.be/Dvau-wvNw7A

Maarij, Farhan and Shahrukh discuss a recently released book, The Folly of Atheism, that the three wrote together. How did this project begin? What does it set out to do? What are the themes and unique features of this book? These are the kind of questions discussed in this podcast. 

You can order your copy from www.BooksonIslam.org. 

One of our listeners asked a follow-up question to Ep. 101 on marriage, via ask.fm:

"I listened to your conviction project podcast on marriage - could you touch upon how to select your partner + the rishta process? Should we simply select someone because theyre pious even if we arent attracted to them? How should we be feeling in this stage or the process? Should there be butterflies in our stomach when we see them for the second time (with their family)? & if we dont feel those types of feelings, does that mean that person isnt for us? Theyre a good person but just not a match for us?" 

In this episode, Shahrukh and I discuss these questions at length. 

One of the books we discussed is "My Mariam". Its translation can be found here: https://www.alhakam.org/my-maryam/

Maarij and Farhan discuss the issue with publication of caricatures of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). Should freedom of speech have limits? Should freedom of expression be censored? Is that what Islam teaches? 

An article quoted in this website can be seen here: https://www.reviewofreligions.org/25656/a-french-imams-response-to-barbaric-terrorist-attack-in-france/

Shahrukh and Farhan discuss their next project: A book that discusses the various aspects of marriage in Islam. Growing up in the West, some young Muslims face difficulties related to marriage. The book will act as a helpful guide to navigating the challenges of modern day living, while not compromising the principles of the Islamic faith. 

Maarij and Farhan discuss the release of Farhan's new book, The Myth of the Divinity of Jesus Christ. Farhan speaks about the background to this project, how it came to be, and what are its goals. He also speaks of some of the unique features of this book. 

This book can be purchased on Amazon.

Paperback: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1989163033/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_0M8HFbZ60QN2G

Kindle: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08L5W6RZM/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_pN8HFb0XP08CG

In this episode, I and Shahrukh discuss an interview of Nicholas Evans on the Islamic Books Podcast. He speaks of his research of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Qadian, India, and discusses some of the themes of his new book, Far from the Caliph's Gaze. Both Shahrukh and I have not yet read his book, but we discuss some of his comments about the Jama'at and the issues that we have with some of his statements. Hopefully, we will get to read his book and do another podcast more specific to his book in the near future, Insha Allah!