Ep 136 - From Morocco To Senegal: How Spiritual Travel Transforms Your Faith With Filmmaker Zoheb
Release Date: 11/28/2025
Ep 136 - From Morocco To Senegal: How Spiritual Travel Transforms Your Faith With Filmmaker Zoheb
Boys In The Cave
What does it mean to travel for Allah and not just for content or vibes In this episode of Boys In The Cave, Tanzim sits down with filmmaker and Revival Retreats founder Zoheb to unpack how spiritual travel reshapes the heart. From his first work trip to Morocco, to documenting floods in Pakistan, to walking in the streets of Istanbul and the zawiyas of West Africa, Zoheb shares how travel became a mirror that showed him who he really was before Allah. They discuss the ethics of charity media, not romanticising poverty, how to hold Palestinian and global suffering in your heart, and why sohbah...
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Ep 135 - Misyar, Secret Wives, Polygamy, Mut'ah: Halal or Haram? | Habeeb Akande
Boys In The Cave
Habeeb Akande joins BITC to talk misyar, secret wives, polygamy, passport wives, sex negative culture, and the nafs. We unpack how some men cherry pick fiqh to justify secrecy, how praiseworthy aims differ from loophole hunting, and what real justice and consent look like in practice. We also ask the question, have Muslims adopted a Christian style suspicion of pleasure and projected it onto Islam. Habeeb speaks from classical learning and lived research, Maliki fiqh, usul, erotology, African and Muslim cultures. We cover consent, maintenance, time rotation, publicity, and the harm rule, then...
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Ep 134 - Professor Joel Hayward on Rethinking Medina’s Covenant, Treaties & Statecraft
Boys In The Cave
Professor Joel Hayward unpacks how Medina actually worked, the Sahifat al Madinah, parallel pacts by clan, covenant enforcement, and the Prophet’s statecraft in moments like the Sawiq raid, the Qaynuqa crisis, the Nadir siege, and the Trench. We dig into source criticism, what the early texts really say, and why the dominant narrative needs a rethink. What we cover: • Sahifat al Madinah, what the charter says and how it functioned inside a web of bilateral pacts • The Prophet’s statecraft, treaties, arbitration, measured enforcement, generosity in terms • Banu Qaynuqa, cause of the...
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Ep 133 - Shaykh Asim Yusuf on Ghazali's Ihya: Timeless Wisdom for Modern Seekers
Boys In The Cave
Shaykh Dr Asim Yusuf joins Boys in the Cave for a deep dive into Imam al Ghazali’s Ihya Ulum al Din, how to read it in our time, and how its spiritual psychology maps onto modern clinical insights. We cover decontextualizing and recontextualizing sacred texts, the metaphysics of eating, marriage and companionship, contentment in a consumer world, and why spirituality is the ruh of the religion. What you will learn • Why an Ihya commentary speaks to today’s seekers, and how to apply it, context first, then decontextualize, then recontextualize • Metaphysics of eating, turning sunlight...
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Episode 132 - Dr. Yasir Qadhi on Rethinking Western Islam: Institutions, Salafism & The Tradition
Boys In The Cave
Dr Yasir Qadhi joins us to unpack Salafism, sectarianism, and how Muslims in the West can move from labels to leadership. We talk about what healthy disagreement looks like, why unity does not mean uniformity, and how communities can build real capacity, from mosques and schools to media, philanthropy, and liberal arts education. We get specific about funding ethics, local service to the poor, and civilizational projects that shape hearts and minds. The goal is practical, principled institution building that serves faith and society together. What you will hear: • Salafism in context,...
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Episode 131 - The Future of Western Muslims: Resistance, Sufism & Activism | Dr. Shadee Elmasry
Boys In The Cave
In this episode, Dr. Shadee Elmasry joins us for a powerful conversation about the challenges and responsibilities facing Muslims in the West today. We reflect on whether Muslims are in an “Abyssinia phase” or if the time has come to invest fully in building lasting institutions that can preserve faith and serve future generations. The discussion explores how to nurture resilient belief in young Muslims while navigating secular societies, and why institutions rooted in the deen are essential for long-term survival. Dr. Shadee reflects on the role of Sufism, noting that historically many of...
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Episode 130 - Jungian Psychology & Ibn Arabi Metaphysics: The Secrets of the Soul | Dr. Samir Mahmoud
Boys In The Cave
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Samir Mahmoud joins us for a deep dive into the intersections of Islamic spirituality and Jungian psychology. We explore how classical Islamic thinkers like Ibn Arabi, Al-Ghazali, and Ibn Sina understood the soul, and how their insights resonate - and diverge - from the work of Carl Jung. We discuss the concepts of individuation, shadow work, and archetypes alongside Islamic notions of tazkiyat al-nafs, fana’, and qalb. Dr. Samir sheds light on the imaginal realm (ʿalam al-mithāl) as articulated by Ibn Arabi, and how it challenges modern...
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Episode 129 - False Flags & Manufactured Enemies: Unmasking Iran, Israel & Pakistan’s Shadow Wars | Ibrahim Moiz
Boys In The Cave
We’re joined by political analyst Ibrahim Moiz to dissect the unfolding chaos in the Middle East. From Israel’s escalating war rhetoric against Iran to Pakistan’s cynical geopolitical manoeuvres — we explore how narratives are weaponised, enemies are manufactured, and resistance is co-opted. We unpack: Whether Israel's war with Iran is about survival or hegemony The truth behind “Sunni vs Shia” framing in modern geopolitics Leftist solidarity with Palestine: genuine resistance or ideological trap? What this all means for the future of Muslim unity and resistance Is this the...
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Episode 128 - Who Decides If You’re Muslim? Faith, Government, or Community? | Dr. Jonathan A.C. Brown
Boys In The Cave
What makes someone a Muslim? Is it personal faith, government ID cards, or the community’s judgment? In this profound discussion, Dr. Jonathan A.C. Brown explores the tensions between Islamic identity, state power, and social expectations—from Malaysia’s laws defining "who counts" as Muslim, to the Tablighi Jama’at’s role in enforcing prayer, to Gaza’s impact on global Muslim solidarity. Key Topics: Faith vs. Formality: Can governments enforce Islamic practice without killing sincerity? Malaysia’s Paradox: Why some laws define Muslims by "what others think" of them. Prayer...
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Episode 127 - Decolonizing Islamic History: From Constantinople to the Mughals (feat. Mustafa Briggs)
Boys In The Cave
In this deep and enlightening conversation, Mustafa Briggs joins us to discuss the rich and often overlooked history of Islam and its profound impact on the modern world. From the contributions of Muslim civilizations to the legacy of figures like Muhammad Iqbal and the Ottomans, we explore how reclaiming these narratives can empower Muslims today. Mustafa also shares insights from his upcoming book, Islam and the Making of the Modern World, and why understanding our past is crucial for shaping our future. ✅ How Muslim scholars gave Europe "Arabic numerals" (including zero) — and why it...
info_outlineWhat does it mean to travel for Allah and not just for content or vibes In this episode of Boys In The Cave, Tanzim sits down with filmmaker and Revival Retreats founder Zoheb to unpack how spiritual travel reshapes the heart.
From his first work trip to Morocco, to documenting floods in Pakistan, to walking in the streets of Istanbul and the zawiyas of West Africa, Zoheb shares how travel became a mirror that showed him who he really was before Allah.
They discuss the ethics of charity media, not romanticising poverty, how to hold Palestinian and global suffering in your heart, and why sohbah and righteous companions may be the most important part of any journey.
Along the way, you will hear stories of hidden Moroccan homes, bustling Senegalese streets, and the teachers and scholars who quietly keep the light of the ummah alive.
If you have ever felt the urge to pack a suitcase for Umrah, retreats, or a trip that is more than tourism, this conversation will help you make your journeys intentional and rooted in love of Allah, His Messenger and His awliya.
What we talk about in this episode
• Why “your suitcase is a mirror” is the perfect metaphor for spiritual travel
• How filmmaking and faith came together in Zoheb’s life
• Pakistan, Lebanon, Palestine and the ethics of charity campaigns
• How Revival Retreats began and what makes a retreat truly transformative
• Istanbul, Morocco and Senegal as lived expressions of Islamic civilisation
• Colonisation, travel etiquette and leaving your privilege at the door
• Sohbah, righteous companions and making every journey a journey to Allah
https://www.humanappeal.org.au/
Zoheb is a UK born filmmaker now based between Cairo and the UK, with a an Hons in Digital Media and Film Production.
He has filmed faith centred travel and cultural projects and humanitarian relief projects across the Muslim world, as well as events and music videos.
He now leads Revival Retreats, a platform hosting Islamic heritage travel and spiritual retreats.
Timestamps
00:11 Salaam intro, Gaza and global suffering
00:49 Who is Zoheb, filmmaker and Revival Retreats founder
01:39 “Your suitcase is a mirror” travel quote
03:52 Zoheb’s background and discovering filmmaking
04:54 Why filmmaking became a path of service for the ummah
06:09 First work trip to Morocco and first time in a Muslim country
07:12 Humanitarian travel in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey
08:25 The birth of Revival Retreats and reconnecting Muslims to heritage
09:52 Pakistan trip in depth and what impacted him most
12:12 Listening to Syrian and Palestinian struggles on the ground
18:14 Not romanticising poverty and witnessing tragedy up close
20:29 The ummah as one body and what that really means
27:38 Living in Istanbul and walking in the footsteps of the sahaba
30:25 Zawiyas, scholars and why you must see Islamic civilisation for yourself
35:29 Senegal, West Africa and a lived experience of Islam
43:31 Countries that deepened his faith and the highlights of his travels
44:26 Why Morocco feels like home and a spiritual sanctuary
48:21 Hidden Moroccan homes and the lesson of inner beauty
52:34 Outward aesthetics, barakah and how we have been shaped by modernity
53:06 Teachers and scholars who shaped him on the road
59:57 Why traveling with like hearted people matters
1:02:30 Sohbah and the friendships that form on retreat
1:06:38 Quranic reminders about righteous companions
1:12:19 Fun Boys In The Cave question, three people to share a cave with
1:15:44 Where to find Revival Retreats and how to join
1:16:03 Where to follow Zoheb and his work online
1:16:48 Final reminder about Revival Retreats and Gaza projects
1:17:09 Outro, how to support Boys In The Cave