098 – Former Muslim Convert and Exmuslim Salafi Aboo Imraan Interview

Aboo Imraan is a Latino, Secular Humanist, who practiced Salafi Islam for approximately twenty-eight years. During that time he translated and published over eight Islamic works from prominent Salafi scholars that are still widely read around the world. Aboo's YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQjn0RJKdHvEQkPPKcj6hJgAboo's IG: https://www.instagram.com/AbooImraan/Aboo's blog: https://offdamanhaj.blogspot.com/ YouTube version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/5gXBxjxa1wg Here are the timestamps for the podcast: 0:00 Introductions.1:40 Aboo’s religious background starting off as a Catholic and how he got introduced to Islam.6:33 How Surah Maidah impacted Aboo and helped him with the problem of the trinity in Catholicism.8:05 Why are Islam and the Quran more appealing to Christians especially when they are facing hardships?12:33 Aboo’s first interaction with Salafi Muslims and his first visit to the Masjid.20:00 Some background on the Masjid where Aboo was attending and the sectarianism that was at play at this Mosque.24:40 Aboo’s take on whether Islam solves the problem of racism and classism.29:04 Aboo’s first marriage to another Muslim convert35:14 Why is there a stronger emphasis on early marriage in Salafi Islam?40:50 Moving back to El Paso.43:50 Aboo’s first experience with someone leaving Islam and how it pushed him into being more devout.45:30 Muhammad in the bible and Aboo’s introduction to the Islamic Dawah mission48:34 Aboo’s first encounter with the book Iranian Christian by Nasir Lotfi. Receiving a package from Ahmed Deedat51:00 The Quran’s erroneous characterization of Christianity.55:20 Moving back to Dallas. How Aboo was told to throw out all the books he had received from Ahmed Deedat and start reading Bilal Phillips books instead.1:00:15 What is Salafia? Sheik Albani and his anti-Madhhab stance.1:05:47 Channel announcements1:06:07 The literal interpretation of Islamic texts by Salafis1:07:30 Dr. Mohammad Jabali and how he tapped into his vast network and connections to bring prominent Sheiks to the local Masjid1:14:52 The 1998 bombing of the US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya and how some of the key players were from Centre Street Masjid.1:21:02 The ‘US versus Them’ mentality in the Salafi community.1:23:15 The funny dynamics of Salafis being against terrorism and yet most terrorists come from the Salafi community.1:25:47 What are Kawarij? How is it different from Jihad?1:30:30 Aboo’s divorce from his first wife and his second marriage.1:32:50 The rift in the Salafi community in the East Coast and the cancel culture that sprung out of it.1:44:10 Breaking off from Center Street Masjid and setting up a new Dawa center.1:51:08 Aboo’s blog. A critique of Sheik Albani.1:53:00 Aboo’s channel.1:53:52 Final remarks.