When Ali Jaffery first experienced same-sex attraction at age 12, he began an 11-year journey of silence, shame, and self-loathing. Growing up in a conservative Muslim family with limited male mentorship, he felt fundamentally different and broken—convinced that his feelings made him unworthy in the eyes of Allah.

This profound conversation reveals the transformative moment when Ali began dismantling what he calls "the identity paradigm"—the false notion that experiencing same-sex attraction makes someone inherently different or forces them to choose between their faith and their feelings.

Ali articulates a powerful alternative framework grounded in Islamic tradition: differentiating between having desires (which aren't sinful) and acting upon them (which involves choice). Through deep reflection on the Qur’an, he discovered that the divine message wasn't about condemning people with certain attractions but rather calling everyone toward taqwa (God-consciousness) regardless of their internal struggles.

The healing journey Ali describes involves brotherhood, healthy masculine connections, and psychological insights that reveal how his sexualised attractions masked deeper needs for acceptance and belonging. Most movingly, he shares how honesty about his struggles led to a fulfilling marriage with a woman who responded to his disclosure with remarkable compassion…

For anyone navigating the complex intersection of faith and so-called “sexuality”—or simply trying to understand how Islamic teachings can address contemporary challenges with both compassion and principle—this episode offers rare wisdom. Ali's story demonstrates that neither shame-filled silence nor identity-based surrender are the only options, showing instead a third way: how struggle itself can become a pathway to spiritual growth and authentic relationships.

In this episode, Ali and the host Hamza Andreas Tzortzis discuss:

• First experiencing same-sex attraction at age 12 while lacking masculine role models and mentorship
• Carrying the secret for 11 painful years due to shame, fear and self-loathing
• Finding the courage to speak openly in counselling sessions at university
• Distinguishing between having desires and acting upon them – a crucial Islamic principle
• Discovering that healthy male relationships and brotherhood were what he truly craved beneath sexualised attractions
• Reframing the Quranic story of Prophet Lūt عليه السلام as calling people toward taqwa
• Building a successful marriage based on complete transparency and shared spiritual values
• Creating support systems for Muslims with same-sex attraction to find community without shame
• Emphasising that Allah judges actions rather than feelings we don't control
• Offering a third path beyond both denial and identity-based approaches to same-sex attraction

…and more.

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Sheikh Haitham Al-Haddad offers profound Islamic insights on preventing suicide, addressing hopelessness, and finding meaning during difficult times. Through Quranic principles and prophetic guidance, he provides a comprehensive approach to mental distress that addresses physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions.

• Life is inherently a test, so difficulties should be expected rather than surprising
• The sanctity of life in Islam extends to all creatures, with human life holding special value
• Despairing of Allah's mercy may be a greater sin than many realize
• Muslims have the lowest suicide rates among religious groups in the UK, demonstrating religion's protective effect
• Those contemplating suicide often mistakenly believe death ends suffering, when Islamic teaching shows accountability continues
• Finding hope requires understanding both dunya (worldly) and akhira (afterlife) perspectives
• Effective support combines physical practices (prayer, exercise), intellectual understanding, and emotional connection
• Remembering the temporary nature of this life compared to eternity helps contextualise current suffering
• Every challenge contains hidden opportunities for spiritual growth and development
• Muslims are created to lead humanity by example, carrying divine light to benefit others

Visit Islam21c.com/HoldOn to access resources from our campaign designed to provide Islamic tools for preventing suicide and addressing hopelessness in our communities.

Support the show

🌟 Support Our Mission 🌟

To extend the reach of our impactful content, kindly consider making a contribution (www.islam21c.com/guardians). Your support helps us make a difference.

👇 Stay Connected & Never Miss an Update 👇

1️⃣ Subscribe: Hit the 'Subscribe' button and don't forget to ring the 🔔 bell, ensuring you'll be the first to know when we upload fresh content.

2️⃣ Social Media: Stay up-to-date and join the conversation on our social media platforms:

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Thank you for your continued support and engagement.