Episode 48 Women's Day It Up

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This episode of Level Up Women's Day It Up (Episode 48), hosted by Ziyaad Plaatjes, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes, celebrates National Women's Day in South Africa (9th of August, 2026).

 

A promotional graphic for a Women's Day radio show, featuring a large banner that reads 'THIS WEEK WE WOMEN'S DAY IT UP' with colorful text and floral decorations, set in a decorated event hall. The 'Level Up' logo is on the left, and the 'Radio Islam International' branding is at the bottom. Level Up - Women's Day It Up

 

The hosts discuss the importance of recognising women's contributions throughout the year, rather than limiting focus to a single month (1:16 - 6:04).

Key segments of the show include:

  • News Roundup (6:33 - 17:28): The hosts cover various local and national news, including the upcoming 2026 local government elections on November 4th, political tensions within the ANC, updates on the Madlanga Commission, and local service delivery challenges, such as waste collection delays in Johannesburg. They also share positive news about the rescue of a leopard cub in Limpopo (14:06).

  • Women in Islam (17:48 - 32:17): Issa highlights the lives and legacies of five influential women in Islamic history:

    • Khadijah bint Khuwaylid: A successful merchant and the first to accept Islam (20:22).
    • Aisha bint Abu Bakr: A renowned scholar who taught thousands of hadith (23:14).
    • Maryam bint Imran: Known for her devotion and trust in Allah (25:15).
    • Asia, wife of Pharaoh: Exemplified moral courage and faith (27:23).
    • Fatima bint Muhammad: Praised for her humility, patience, and devotion to her family (28:47).
  • Reflections and Takeaways (32:18 - 44:31): The hosts emphasize that these historical figures serve as role models for overcoming hardships. They encourage listeners to continue their personal growth by engaging with religious texts, such as Surah An-Nisa (the chapter on women in the Quran), and by seeking knowledge through reputable scholars and consistent study.

 

Listen to Level Up with Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes on Radio Islam International MW 1548

Episode 48: Women's Day It Up

Sunday 09 August 2026 / 25th Safar 1448AH 14h00 - 15h00 (CAT)





 

Watch Level Up with Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes on Radio Islam International MW 1548

Episode 48: Women's Day It Up

Sunday 09 August 2026 / 25th Safar 1448AH 14h00 - 15h00 (CAT)

 

Read the Transcript for Level Up with Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes on Radio Islam International MW 1548

Episode 48: Women's Day It Up

Sunday 09 August 2026 / 25th Safar 1448AH 14h00 - 15h00 (CAT)



0:07
7 seconds
To dear listeners, it's just past 200 p.m. right here in South Africa and it's our favorite day of the week, yad.
0:18
18 seconds
It's the 25th day of Safur 1448 ah alhamdulillah and it corresponds to Sunday the 9th of August 2026.
0:30
30 seconds
I'm Zad Plachies and with me are my co-hosts Nabiha and Issa Plachis.
0:35
35 seconds
Welcome to Level Up where we listen, learn, and grow inshallah with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's guidance and we break down the week's news and talk
0:43
43 seconds
about what really matters to young Muslims today. Our WhatsApp line is open. This number is 0727861548.
0:53
53 seconds
You can call in on 0185472 or DM us on iilov.com.
1:02
1 minute, 2 seconds
That's I L O V E Z A C O M. We on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn,
1:10
1 minute, 10 seconds
YouTube, Tik Tok threads as well as upcrolled.
1:16
1 minute, 16 seconds
So, it's the 9th of August, 2026, and here in South Africa, it's a public holiday.
1:24
1 minute, 24 seconds
It's National Women's Day. That's right. It's National Women's Day.
1:30
1 minute, 30 seconds
So, seeing that it's a woman's day, you would have thought that maybe I would have gotten a holiday or a break for today's show.
1:39
1 minute, 39 seconds
Okay. So, do you want a break, Nia? Do you can I can I sit this one out?
1:44
1 minute, 44 seconds
Yes, you can. But you're already here now and I'm sure um the sisters uh your
1:50
1 minute, 50 seconds
audience um the listeners rather um are probably going to miss you and they want to hear you on this National Women's Day. It's all about women empowerment.
2:00
2 minutes
Um so you think they'd rather hear from me?
2:04
2 minutes, 4 seconds
Yes. So I think maybe you should carry on with the show and maybe let us uh keep quiet for today.
2:10
2 minutes, 10 seconds
Oh, okay. Um I thought it was maybe I should take a break cuz I know I I read so many things um many years back and
2:19
2 minutes, 19 seconds
constantly they always say for some odd reason only on women's day I mean only in
2:26
2 minutes, 26 seconds
women's month only in August uh people choose to have women's speakers and women you know these motivational speakers that you have and these
2:35
2 minutes, 35 seconds
conferences that you have mostly on in women's month they tend to look for women's speakers, but all
2:42
2 minutes, 42 seconds
through the year it can be whoever and whatever. What do you think about that?
2:47
2 minutes, 47 seconds
Well, I think it's true. I mean, it started off with just a day woman's day. Um, we having a long
2:56
2 minutes, 56 seconds
weekend here in South Africa as well cuz tomorrow is also a public holiday.
3:00
3 minutes
Alhamdulillah for those of you spill over. Um but it has become women's month and I think that um there's a a big
3:09
3 minutes, 9 seconds
focus and I think a lot of holidays have become commercialized and um you know in terms of
3:18
3 minutes, 18 seconds
like you say uh women's month now has become a a part where we have just you
3:24
3 minutes, 24 seconds
know like said okay there are so many other months in the year but we'll reserve August where we'll invite women
3:32
3 minutes, 32 seconds
or we'll do something good for women or you know we'll have these conferences where there's woman empowerment so the
3:39
3 minutes, 39 seconds
rest of the year uh like you say we can do whatever we want to and then women's month we know we've we've got it down in the
3:46
3 minutes, 46 seconds
I just want to make sure that you are being sarcastic right no no no I'm no I'm actually being serious because no but I mean you you can't do whatever
3:55
3 minutes, 55 seconds
throughout the year no but I mean that's what it seems like that's why I'm saying it's become so commercialized not only in like selling
4:03
4 minutes, 3 seconds
of products because there's like you know women's month special and this and that and it's not only with women's
4:10
4 minutes, 10 seconds
month or women's day it's with any um holiday public holiday um even Islamic
4:18
4 minutes, 18 seconds
days um you know there's there's certain commercialism attached to it right that's that's the first thing the second
4:26
4 minutes, 26 seconds
thing is like I'm saying to you and I think it's a good point that you brought up is that there is a calendar out there
4:33
4 minutes, 33 seconds
and there's no other like strongly focused women empowerment or womendriven
4:40
4 minutes, 40 seconds
events or things during the year happening outside of August you mean?
4:45
4 minutes, 45 seconds
Yeah, outside of outside of August and um you know there's more focus on it in
4:52
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August and there are women that are doing things during the year that don't get um notice that don't get
5:00
5 minutes
recognition. Um there's also you know like events like I'm saying or just like
5:09
5 minutes, 9 seconds
like there's so much happening that women are driving and I think you know it goes as far back as women in Islam
5:17
5 minutes, 17 seconds
which I think Issa is going to talk about later on in the show inshallah and I think it's not just it happened
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5 minutes, 25 seconds
yesterday you know um where women take the the back seat or the passenger princess basically. Um
5:34
5 minutes, 34 seconds
there are women that have uh you know done a lot for Islam. So we're going to talk about that and there are women that
5:42
5 minutes, 42 seconds
are doing lots of things for our country that have done things in the world that we living in or so
5:50
5 minutes, 50 seconds
that we can live in this world in a certain way inshallah. And they should be recognized. We should they should all be recognized throughout the year.
5:59
5 minutes, 59 seconds
Yes. No, definitely. Um, and yeah, so so I think you have your your part to play.
6:07
6 minutes, 7 seconds
Um, you're going to to stay on for for a little while longer. Um, so sisters, if you are listening, Nabia is here.
6:19
6 minutes, 19 seconds
But I will just take a little bit of a passage how what is that passenger princess seat at the moment while you just tell us what is happening in the
6:27
6 minutes, 27 seconds
news here and abroad. Okay. So I I think I'll I'll take that one. Okay.
6:33
6 minutes, 33 seconds
Okay. So um I think key news stories making headlines across South Africa this week. Um if we look at politics and
6:40
6 minutes, 40 seconds
govern governance um we've got the local government election set. So the minister of cooperative governance and
6:48
6 minutes, 48 seconds
traditional affairs Schlabisa Schlabisa officially proclaimed 4th of November the 2026 as
6:57
6 minutes, 57 seconds
the date for the 2026 local government elections. We did mention this.
7:02
7 minutes, 2 seconds
Yes, we did mention that. So just make make a note everyone. 4th of November inshallah is when you're going to have the local government elections.
7:10
7 minutes, 10 seconds
Yes. So the electoral commission the IEC has published the official election timetable following the final voter registration deadline and I think that
7:18
7 minutes, 18 seconds
was on the 7th of August was it not? Um that was the final day to register.
7:25
7 minutes, 25 seconds
And then the ANC secretary general Fikilea responded to allegations made by party veteran in Kosazan Lamini Zuma
7:33
7 minutes, 33 seconds
regarding alleged vote buying at previous national conferences with senior leaders threatening legal action.
7:41
7 minutes, 41 seconds
So that's uh internal uh tensions happening there. Um in the Madlanga
7:49
7 minutes, 49 seconds
Commission there's been a few developments. proceedings at the Mlanga Commission of Inquiry continued focusing on ongoing investigations into
7:57
7 minutes, 57 seconds
high-profile governance and police affairs. I think we've gone into that in a bit of detail and we we'll keep you
8:05
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updated as as it goes as it goes because that seems to be like a constant thing. Each week there is something new developing that we will keep you updated with inshallah.
8:15
8 minutes, 15 seconds
Yes. Amen. And then um the gunman convicted in the high-profile murder of popular personality DJ Warez, Mosmb beek
8:24
8 minutes, 24 seconds
national Armando Pakula was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the court.
8:32
8 minutes, 32 seconds
And uh pick it up depot in Johannesburg face wildcat protest and go slow disruptions over depot security leading to waste collection delays across several suburbs.
8:42
8 minutes, 42 seconds
Oh, I was wondering why I was was late this week. Uh delayed this week. It's been like that for a few weeks.
8:48
8 minutes, 48 seconds
No, it has been, but um it's it was exceptionally late this week, but there was a message sent out especially in our area that um firstly
8:58
8 minutes, 58 seconds
don't put out the bins because they're not coming. Then it was like put out the bins because they are making an exception to come today. And um yeah,
9:07
9 minutes, 7 seconds
it's it's been for a few weeks now where we're not sure, you know, uh people and I think there's areas that they haven't
9:15
9 minutes, 15 seconds
collected in as well, you know, like in a few weeks.
9:19
9 minutes, 19 seconds
Oh gosh. So, um that actually reminds me of this place that we went to. Um was it Kin Ross
9:26
9 minutes, 26 seconds
where they had um they have these um like little infrastructures like they almost look
9:34
9 minutes, 34 seconds
like little not little they actually look like big baskets outside each person's house that's almost like a bin.
9:42
9 minutes, 42 seconds
And um I don't know why it just reminded me of that. just pictured that and I actually thought it was quite cute. So then if
9:51
9 minutes, 51 seconds
there is someone who comes then they can just grab the the the black bins that are in those baskets which are right
9:58
9 minutes, 58 seconds
outside the home. But obviously here in Johannesburg we have a lot of um um what is it? Town houses flats um a lot of waste.
10:08
10 minutes, 8 seconds
So it it becomes a problem when um pick it up is delayed.
10:13
10 minutes, 13 seconds
Yeah. No, we inshallah we hope that whatever they faced with um that they resolve the issues so that work can
10:22
10 minutes, 22 seconds
continue as normal as we're not as normal as you know like even better than normal because like you said we've we've had many problems with them. So we
10:31
10 minutes, 31 seconds
don't want waste to be one of the things that pollute our air because as it is it's going to be cold this week and I I believe there's a cold front coming on.
10:41
10 minutes, 41 seconds
Yeah. Uh there is already a cold front.
10:43
10 minutes, 43 seconds
Um they say it's going to continue until Tuesday. There's actually reports of snow as well in certain areas. Um so
10:52
10 minutes, 52 seconds
that would most probably be the Berg as in Draensburg area.
10:56
10 minutes, 56 seconds
No, they said that we might even see it in Pritoria and Johannesburg. Is it? Yeah. Okay, everyone keep an eye out for that. When is it? Uh when around Tuesday?
11:05
11 minutes, 5 seconds
No, they said that the cold front is going to last until Tuesday. Is Tuesday the No, they said the 13th. When's the 13th?
11:14
11 minutes, 14 seconds
Um, choose Monday is the 10th. So, Wednesday, Thursday, Thursday is the 13th. So, it's going to continue till then.
11:23
11 minutes, 23 seconds
But I think like it's going to be like Monday, Tuesday will be like the most severe apparently.
11:29
11 minutes, 29 seconds
Uh, but I'm not a weather man and this is not a weather channel. So, don't so don't take our word for it.
11:35
11 minutes, 35 seconds
Um then there's a legal challenge emerged at the University of Cape Town involving Vice Chancellor Mosa Mosa
11:43
11 minutes, 43 seconds
Moshabella and the UCT Council regarding internal governance investigations.
11:48
11 minutes, 48 seconds
Were you going to say Moses Mabida the way you said MOSA? Yeah, I was. I thought it was Moses.
11:56
11 minutes, 56 seconds
And then um some sad news. Following the completion of the 2027 academic year, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for
12:03
12 minutes, 3 seconds
Girls in South Africa will transition to the Haing Department of Education under the leadership of MEC Leohang Mile in
12:11
12 minutes, 11 seconds
accordance with the original partnership agreement. I don't know if it's it's sad news or it's good news. I actually thought um it was a bit of a good news
12:19
12 minutes, 19 seconds
but when you said it it's you said now you started it off as sad news and then I realized maybe it is a bit of sad news
12:25
12 minutes, 25 seconds
because we won't have a name um attached to it but in terms of news I think it's
12:33
12 minutes, 33 seconds
it would become more of a South Africa it's still there the infrastructure is still there the the the school is still there's still going to be um
12:42
12 minutes, 42 seconds
but I don't think it's it's not the um the name attached to it. I think it's the investment
12:49
12 minutes, 49 seconds
uh more you know that um they invested in South Africa in education for women.
12:57
12 minutes, 57 seconds
Mhm. That's Yeah. Because it's for girls. Yeah.
13:00
13 minutes
Yeah. For education and empowerment of young South African women.
13:05
13 minutes, 5 seconds
Mhm. Um so they said that they are committed to preserving the academyy's legacy of
13:12
13 minutes, 12 seconds
academic excellence, leadership and opportunity for future generations.
13:16
13 minutes, 16 seconds
So inshallah they will they will continue with that and it will be for women. So and it's you know knowledge and education which is something we
13:23
13 minutes, 23 seconds
should always empower ourselves with but at the same time we have seen similar Islamic institutions that have
13:32
13 minutes, 32 seconds
gone where the founding member has left and had that force and investment and it's gone a totally different direction.
13:41
13 minutes, 41 seconds
That's true. That's also true. So I suppose it's just a matter of time to see and also um the people who are
13:49
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taking over to make sure that they continue with the legacy and you know they don't change it.
13:54
13 minutes, 54 seconds
Inshallah I mean I actually want to go to Limpopo now to I'm not in Limpopo directly. I mean in in terms of news I
14:03
14 minutes, 3 seconds
want to tell you something about what happened in Limpopo because someone sent that in. Um local farmers discovered a
14:10
14 minutes, 10 seconds
starving leopard cub who was severely malnourished and trapped somewhere near Modi.
14:16
14 minutes, 16 seconds
Um and then it turned out okay so why this um leopard cub was roaming on its own. It turned out that her mother was
14:24
14 minutes, 24 seconds
tragically killed by a farmer and she was just 3 months old just searching for her next meal. So local farmers um in
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14 minutes, 32 seconds
Modi Molly found her. Alhamdulillah. So that's great. And then they immediately called um emergency wildlife rescuers
14:40
14 minutes, 40 seconds
and thereafter the African pangolan pangolan working group stabilized the dehydrated cub and they named a moi. Am
14:49
14 minutes, 49 seconds
I saying it right? M O H L I Mi Mosley.
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14 minutes, 52 seconds
Mosley which means Moshli which means warrior but it's short also for Moshlan which means fighter. And then they also
15:00
15 minutes
housing her. And um the inlamiti wild big cat sanctuary raised funds and built a brand new rehabilitation enclosure in just one week.
15:11
15 minutes, 11 seconds
Alhamdulillah.
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Alhamdulillah. And Moshi is monitored via camera traps to keep human contact minimal because the ultimate goal is um
15:20
15 minutes, 20 seconds
they want to release her back into the wild at 18 months old. That's a good news. It is good news.
15:28
15 minutes, 28 seconds
Yeah. Um that area actually mod all that Limpopo area they there they are like
15:36
15 minutes, 36 seconds
leopards roaming like not like like they people have cited them really like on the highway.
15:43
15 minutes, 43 seconds
If anyone's listening from that area please tell me if you really have cited that. I don't know is that is that a cute sighting or would you be scared?
15:51
15 minutes, 51 seconds
But they they some people say that it's not uh leopards or cheetahs. It's other cats that look like them.
15:59
15 minutes, 59 seconds
Oh, okay. So, like those cats with a different type of design.
16:02
16 minutes, 2 seconds
Yeah. So, because obviously a lot of them are at night and like leopards, you know, like generally are out at night
16:09
16 minutes, 9 seconds
and they they're very um like shy animals.
16:14
16 minutes, 14 seconds
Oh, sh. So, um, but I have heard of, you know, like a lot of sightings in in that area.
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16 minutes, 21 seconds
Okay. So, if anyone is from that area, please do let us know. I'd like to know.
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16 minutes, 25 seconds
And I'd also like to know your feelings about it. Were you scared? Were you um feeling like, "Oh, okay. That's cute." You know?
16:34
16 minutes, 34 seconds
Yeah. When when it's standing in front of you, then you would be scared. You just stop. It looks at you.
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16 minutes, 42 seconds
I'd be scared if I see one. But um if you would like to join the conversation, our WhatsApp line is 0727861548.
16:54
16 minutes, 54 seconds
You can call in on 0185472 or you can even DM us on.com on social
17:01
17 minutes, 1 second
media. That's I o v e z a c o m. Let's go for a break and when we can back I'll
17:10
17 minutes, 10 seconds
be talking about woman in Islam, tutoring, mentoring, homeschool assistance, concessions, facilitation and more.
17:20
17 minutes, 20 seconds
Visit After Fighter Grind Academy, the dawn of excellence.
17:30
17 minutes, 30 seconds
And welcome back to Level Up. If you've just tuned in, we've been talking about the latest news. If you missed it, be
17:38
17 minutes, 38 seconds
sure to check out the Radio Islam International SoundCloud during the week for the podcast as well as our website also.com for the video podcast.
17:48
17 minutes, 48 seconds
But right now I'll be talking about women in Islam. If you would like to join the conversation, our sublime is
17:57
17 minutes, 57 seconds
open. The number is 0727861548 or you can call in on 0185472
18:08
18 minutes, 8 seconds
or you can even DM us on.com that's ov zoom m.
18:17
18 minutes, 17 seconds
Today we are talking about courage, wisdom, strength, and incredible leadership.
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Specifically, we are exploring the lives of five of the greatest women in Islamic history.
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You know sometimes people wonder about the status of women in Islam but when
18:44
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you look at our history the contributions of women are totally indisputable.
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They were scholars, leaders, business owners and heroes of faith.
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In fact, Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam mentioned four women who
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19 minutes, 9 seconds
stand out above all of mankind. He said, "Sufficient for you among the women of
19:19
19 minutes, 19 seconds
mankind. Omar bin Imran Khadijah bin Kalid Fatima bin Muhammad
19:28
19 minutes, 28 seconds
and Aisha Assia the wife of Fon and he also highlighted
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a fifth incredible woman Aisha
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19 minutes, 44 seconds
saying that her excellence over other women is like the finest this meal over all other foods.
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19 minutes, 56 seconds
So, we are going to get to know these five legendary role models,
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learn about what made them so special, and discover
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20 minutes, 10 seconds
how we can follow in their footsteps today.
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20 minutes, 15 seconds
But first we will begin with Khadijah.
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20 minutes, 22 seconds
Did you know that prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam said the best
20:28
20 minutes, 28 seconds
of its woman is Khadijah binar and the best of its woman is Min Imran
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20 minutes, 39 seconds
Khad was the first wife was the very first wife of the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam and she was an absolute powerhouse house.
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20 minutes, 51 seconds
Long before Islam came, she was a very successful, wealthy merchant. When her
20:59
20 minutes, 59 seconds
father passed away, she took over the family business and ran it with honesty
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and skill. But despite having so much wealth, she wasn't selfish at all. She
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was famous for helping the poor, supporting her family and caring for anyone in need. When the prophet
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sallallahu alaihi wasallam received the first the very first revelation from
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Allah subhana wa ta'ala in the cave of H.
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He was shaken and overwhelmed. Guess who he ran home to? Fadijah.
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She didn't doubt him for a second.
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She wrapped him in a blanket, comforted him, and was the very first person on earth to accept Islam.
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She stood by him through the hardest times, spending her wealth and enduring terrible sacrifices when people in
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Makkah went against the message of Islam. The prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam loved her so much that even
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years after she passed away he spoke about her with so much warmth.
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Aisha his later wife narrated that whenever the prophet sallallahu alaihi
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wasallam slaughtered a sheep he would make sure that send to send portions to
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Khadijah's old friends. When Anisha asked him why he always talked about her as if she was the only woman on earth.
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The prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam replied was such and such and from her I had children.
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Isn't that amazing? Loyalty, generosity and pure strength. That was Khadijah.
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Now let's talk about Aisha bin Abu Bakr.
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Aisha was the daughter of the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam's closest friend Abu Bakr
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Asi and she grew up to become one of the greatest scholars in human history.
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How close was she to prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam?
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Well, someone once asked him, "Oh Allah messenger, who amongst all the people is
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the dearest to you?" He answered simply Aisha. And then and when
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asked out of the men, he said her father
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because she lived so close to the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam and
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possessed a brilliant memory and sharp mind. Aisha remembered and taught thousands of his
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sayings and actions hadith.
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Whenever the big male companions of the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam had tricky questions about religious laws,
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Quranic verses or daily practice. Do you know who they went to for advice? Aisha.
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She was a goto legal expert and teacher.
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Her life totally shatters the myth that women can't be high level scholars or leaders in religion. She proves that
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smart, curious and educated woman are right at the core of Islam.
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Then the third woman I'm going to speak about is someone reverted not just in Islam but by millions around the globe.
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Mariam bent Imran also known as Mary the mother of Jesus who we know as Israel.
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Mariam has such a high status in Islam that surah 19 in the Quran is literally named surah Mariam.
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The Quran actually tells us her story from before she was even born. Her
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mother prayed deeply for the right for a righteous child to dedicate Allah subhana wa ta'ala's service. In surah
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aliman, her mother prays, "My Lord, I have
26:11
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delivered a female and I have named her Mariam and I seek refuge
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for her in you and her descendants from Shatan." Mariam grew up dedicated entirely to worship.
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She lived a life of ultimate prior purity and devotion. In fact, when her
26:39
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guardian, the prophet Zakaria would enter her prayer chamber, he would
26:46
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find fresh food and provision already there. When he asked where it came from, Mim simply said, "It is from Allah
26:55
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subhanana wa ta'ala. Indeed, Allah subhanana wa ta'ala provides for whom he was without account.
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Even when people accused her and made her life extremely difficult, Mariam remained steadfast trusting Allah
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subhanana wa ta'ala completely. She is the ultimate model of patience, prayer, and trust in Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.
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Now let's talk about Asia, the wife of Feron.
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Imagine living in a massive palace with ultimate gold, servants and power, but
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being married to Fon, one of the worst tyrants in history. Even though Fon
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claimed he was a god, Asia saw through the arrogance and secretly believed in
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the one true Allah who created us all.
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She gave up all her luxury and even face painful torture rather than abandon
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abandon her faith. In surah at the hearing
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chapter 66 verse 11 Allah subhanana wa ta'ala highlights her famous prayer.
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My lord build for me near you a house in paradise and save me from your own and
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his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people. Hia shows us that true wealth isn't money or palaces.
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It's faith in your heart. And finally, our fifth greatest woman of Islam that
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I'll speak about today is Fatima bin Muhammad.
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The beloved beloved youngest daughter of the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam
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and Fatima was nicknamed al Zahar which means the splendid one. She grew up
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watching her father struggle to preach Islam and she was always by his side supporting him.
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The prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam loved her deeply whenever she entered a room when
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29 minutes, 28 seconds
he would stand up, greet her and kiss her forehead. He once said, "Fatima is a
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part of me and he who makes her angry makes me angry." Fatima married Alib
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Ibin Abalib and together they raised Hassan Hussein
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Zanib and Kum.
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Even though she lived a very modest life, often doing the tough manual work
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and having very little money. She was known for her incredible patience, humility and generosity.
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On his deathbed, the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam gave her the glare
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sittings that she would be a leader of the woman in paradise.
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So when you look at all these five at all these five incredible
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figures Fija, Aisha, Mariam, Aia and Fatima,
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they each bring something special to the table. Kadija teaches us about generosity,
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business, integr integrity and loyalty. Aisha teaches us to pursue
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knowledge, ask questions and lead as scholars.
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31 minutes, 8 seconds
Mariam teaches us about deep devot devotion and unwavering trust in Allah subhanana wa ta'ala.
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31 minutes, 19 seconds
A teaches us moral courage standing for truth even when everyone around you isn't.
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31 minutes, 28 seconds
Fatima teaches us humility, patience, and devotion to family.
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These women weren't just background figures in history. They were active leaders, scholars, and heroes of faith.
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31 minutes, 45 seconds
Their legacy belongs to all of us. I hope you found these stories and as
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31 minutes, 52 seconds
inspiring as I do. Let's try to carry a piece of their character, their Sabbath,
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31 minutes, 59 seconds
patience, courage, and kindness into our schoolwork, home, our homes, and our
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daily lives this week. May Allah subhana wa ta'ala elevate the ranks of these great women and guide us to follow in their noble footsteps, inshallah. Amen.
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Amen. Yes, Shukran and Issa for sharing that with us. I think it's very important um you know especially with the youth
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listening um to hear these stories. I don't think that this um actually not stories, it's history.
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It's Islamic history.
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32 minutes, 37 seconds
This is stuff that has happened. And you know we always say that when we hear um you know what the the prophets went
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through then we say oh you know they they went through similar things that we are going through or we've been through.
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Um so we look to them as role model on how to be and how to um continue with our life you know and how to
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go through that you know go go through with patience and perseverance.
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Yes. And in in the same way and these are just five women that Issa has chosen
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to spo speak about today. There's many others that are not spoken about
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that those were the um the founders or the pioneers or the um early Muslim
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33 minutes, 30 seconds
women. There's been throughout history, you know, we um I think Issa did uh about the inventions.
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33 minutes, 39 seconds
Yes. And then the first um university was made by founded by a Muslim woman, a Muslim.
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Alhamdulillah.
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33 minutes, 48 seconds
So you know throughout history there's you know you can take certain things.
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33 minutes, 54 seconds
You don't have to look at just you know um these five women. There's so many
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34 minutes
others that you can look at um you know as like you say as role models but just
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34 minutes, 7 seconds
to to know that they went through certain things maybe you're feeling like oh why am I only going through these
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34 minutes, 15 seconds
things or you know um why isn't it easier for me or and you
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34 minutes, 24 seconds
can you can hear just like with these uh five women the things that they went through. Mhm.
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34 minutes, 31 seconds
And um you know how they went through certain hardships, how um Fatima had to
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34 minutes, 37 seconds
see her father going through certain things, people not accepting Islam, you know, Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi
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34 minutes, 46 seconds
wasallam trying to spread the dean and how difficult it was for her to see her father go through that. And you know
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34 minutes, 54 seconds
like you look at your father you know you can't compare but I'm saying you know you take some like essence from
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35 minutes, 1 second
there and you see uh your father struggling at work or you know going door todoor trying to you know make make
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ends meet um you know and then you remember these
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things that happened before and Allah knows and Allah plans and Allah knows
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35 minutes, 23 seconds
when when certain things need to happen and what's the right things that should happen. Uh but we reminded
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you know that we are not the only ones going through certain things.
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35 minutes, 36 seconds
We are not the only ones that um go through difficulty. We're not the only ones that go through um endure pain or
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sorrow, you know. And I think it's it's it's very important to always and I think we
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35 minutes, 53 seconds
shouldn't only like we said not only during this month of August we should mention like we said with the with the inventions we didn't mention it wasn't
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in August it was in another month um and if you've missed the previous episodes and this is the first time that you're
36:08
36 minutes, 8 seconds
listening to Level Up I encourage you to go on to um the Radio Islam website.
36:14
36 minutes, 14 seconds
It's easy to find on there um from the app as well. Uh download the app. You can go on to Radio Islam SoundCloud as
36:22
36 minutes, 22 seconds
well and you'll find previous um podcasts of Level Up. So, you'll be able to to
36:30
36 minutes, 30 seconds
follow our journey as well. Um and how you know we we want to break down the week's news like we say and and level up each each week.
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36 minutes, 41 seconds
Yeah. and talk about what really matters to young Muslims today.
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36 minutes, 44 seconds
Yeah. So because like we said as we listen we learn and we grow and then inshallah I mean there is something also
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that I remember that in the Quran there is actually a surah called ana which means the woman. Yes,
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you you know that you remember that. And um what is it? The fourth the fourth chapter of the Quran inshallah. Um
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37 minutes, 8 seconds
but um actually uh I want you to see here. Okay. So the the the core themes
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and the content that's in that um chapter ana the woman in the Quran they speak about the rights of women and family.
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37 minutes, 26 seconds
Um they talk about not they Allah subhana wa t'ala talks about um
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37 minutes, 33 seconds
the rights of woman and family then the protection of orphans then I think inheritance laws
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and um yeah uh other things uh I'm I'm sure you know the the the proper scholars will be able to enlighten you.
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37 minutes, 51 seconds
So if you want to go and look at history books or you want to go and learn go learn from other from scholars about
37:59
37 minutes, 59 seconds
each chapter of the Quran, learn about this um chapter uh it's it doesn't only talk about women. It says it's titled
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the woman but it only it doesn't only talk about you know women. It talks about everything that we need to know
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about it. I mean just similarly like you know how we read on Fridays or Thursday night to Friday uh surah
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uh it's called the cave no what was it I think it was surah someone mentioned how come we read after
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for those who don't know we we like to make sure that um you know there's certain suras that we read daily and at
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certain times and um I like to in our family we like to read surah waka after and surah after
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before we fall we go to sleep so between and um we always were taught that surah
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38 minutes, 56 seconds
waka is for um wealth you know to increase wealth and to make sure that poverty doesn't touch us inshallah I mean
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and someone actually asked but why do we read that because it doesn't even it doesn't even say wealth in any of the uh
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verses and it doesn't talk about um wealth in the title. So I'm not sure why
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you have to find out from a scholar but um in the same way surah anisa the woman speaks about the rights of women but it also speaks about other things as well.
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So it's very good to go and to go and learn and not from the internet.
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39 minutes, 37 seconds
Go and learn from proper Islamic literature. And I'm sure there's um lots of uh Islamic bookshops that have if you
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39 minutes, 45 seconds
don't have already on your own capacity madresses, makdubs, not madressa, madressa masa.
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39 minutes, 53 seconds
There's also a lot of classes where they have taps, not only during Ramadan.
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Again, we focus only during Ramadan on taps because we're reciting the Quran.
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But and you want to understand what you're reciting.
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Yeah. But there are lots of other classes that are going on during the year.
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40 minutes, 11 seconds
I think I've mentioned actually earlier this uh not earlier in one of our episodes I mentioned that there is actually someone doing a Quran groups
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40 minutes, 19 seconds
where they actually uh read a certain part certain verse to certain verse and
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40 minutes, 26 seconds
they actually learn what the verses is that they read. So they have those WhatsApp groups. So maybe make your own make you don't even have to have a group
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40 minutes, 34 seconds
do it on your own. and learn it by yourself. Inshallah take the English translation learn read from the one
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verse to another and then go and learn what it means go and uh not just the meaning but also the explanation behind
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40 minutes, 50 seconds
it the the the history behind it inshallah and now because um you know we are so
40:58
40 minutes, 58 seconds
we're more connected than before like you say it's easy to to um join a WhatsApp group or a zoom whom um you
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41 minutes, 7 seconds
know you don't have to physically go for a thaleim for example you know to someone's home in order to to gain this
41:15
41 minutes, 15 seconds
or go to to a makdab but there are quite a lot in a lot of areas as well you know
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41 minutes, 22 seconds
like it's easily accessible but if if you can't um there are you know online
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41 minutes, 29 seconds
where there are scholars um that can assist and that have classes is online as well.
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41 minutes, 37 seconds
Inshallah. Amen. Yes. Let's all make um an effort inshallah to try and carve out I know it's so busy. Our lives are so
41:45
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busy. So let's first start off maybe once a week just a few minutes once a week to go through like besides you know
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41 minutes, 53 seconds
making sure that you read your Quran daily obviously your salah and then your Quran daily maybe look at each look at a
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42 minutes
verse at a time and learn like I said learn the meaning the translation but the meaning behind it and inshallah it
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42 minutes, 9 seconds
can move up to more than once a week and you know you know you're talking about translation and you know the Quran has been translated into so many different
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42 minutes, 17 seconds
languages even into um African languages. So there's even a Quran that's in Zulu. So you know you you can
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42 minutes, 26 seconds
get a Quran in your language. Um so you can read the Arabic and then read it in
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42 minutes, 34 seconds
English or you know many other languages as well. um you know to to first get that understanding of what you're
42:42
42 minutes, 42 seconds
reading and then like we said and then go deeper into it, find out the history about it, why was it, when was it even um um sent down, revealed. Yes.
42:52
42 minutes, 52 seconds
Yes. But once again, if you would like to join the conversation during the week, you can do so on our social media
42:59
42 minutes, 59 seconds
pages at iO.
43:07
43 minutes, 7 seconds
We are on Instagram, Facebook X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Tik Tok threads and upscrolled.
43:14
43 minutes, 14 seconds
You are welcome to read the articles on our website as well as listen, watch and read the past episodes on our website ioveza.com.
43:25
43 minutes, 25 seconds
And if you've missed any of the other Level Up episodes or you'd like to like Zad mentioned like to just go back and listen to it, you are welcome to do so
43:34
43 minutes, 34 seconds
on the Radio Islam International SoundCloud to our dear listeners for joining us on
43:42
43 minutes, 42 seconds
this lovely Sunday afternoon. Please join us every Sunday right here on Radio Islam International from 2 to 3:00 p.m.
43:51
43 minutes, 51 seconds
Inshallah. Amen. from myself, Nabiha, from Isa and from Siad. Enjoy your
43:58
43 minutes, 58 seconds
Sunday and we wish you a wonderful weekend, long weekend if you're having the long weekend tomorrow and a
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44 minutes, 5 seconds
wonderful week, short week ahead if you have a public holiday tomorrow as well. Inshallah.
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Nabihah Plaatjes Accolades:

2023 CEO of the Independent Media Association of South Africa (IMASA)

2018 Contributing Author to SAFFRON: A Collection of Personal Narratives

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Ziyaad Plaatjes Accolades:

2021 Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans: Arts, Entertainment, Film & Media 

2020 Contributing Author to There's a Story in Everyone