The Deen Show – FAZE APEX Exclusive Interview – What I love about ISLAM

			Bismillah Alhamdulillah wa salam aleikum greetings of Peace Welcome. Welcome. Welcome to the deen
show. My next guest, FAS apex is a 26 year old Muslim Palestinian born and raised in California. At
the age of 14, he became a member of the gaming group called FAS clan. He has spent the last 11
years as a pivotal member of the organization and is one of the four original founders of the
business. He has since transitioned out of the content creation and into the leadership role in the
company. So fast Apex Our next guest is one of the owners of the largest gaming organizations in the
world. And he's someone who also loves something more than any of these games. Let's find out what
		

			that is here with Apex PSB with you a set on Lake goon this is your brother Hamza and dress jerseys.
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			Mike, how you doing? How you doing young man? I'm doing well. Thank you for having me on the show.
Appreciate it. It's great to have you on the show. You said something in Arabic and some people are
like hamdulillah What's that they heard Habib say they hear you saying it now? What was this?
Alhamdulillah was that mean? Oh praise and thanks, do the love or God the Most High. So that's
beautiful. And I'm dilla. So you'll hear us saying that a lot. Yeah. So what's this fast eight this
fast clan talk to us about that? FaZe Clan, Faze clan is the name we are gaming organization. Like
you mentioned, I started off as a kind of a group of kids that just played video games together. And
		

			I joined the group when I was 14 2011. And since then,
		

			with the rest of the gaming industry, it's kind of grown into a business and thing a lot larger than
than just that. And now, you know, we're one of the leading organizations in the gaming and eSports
world. And from the left, bless to be one of the founders and
		

			one of the people kind of helping run it and put it on the right path. So yeah, we just we do a lot
of things. We have a lot of professional gamers that play and think we have up to eight different
games that people play in. And then we have a whole nother roster of Twitch streamers and YouTube
Tiktok content creators and stuff. So do a couple things. We got a couple of athletes now that we
have recently brought on to our team as well. So we're kind of just like a youth culture.
		

			Internet you know, little group trying to just take over the internet. So who are these athletes
you're talking about? So right now we have
		

			brawny James LeBron James Jr. has joined is a member we have Kyler Murray who is a quarterback on
the Arizona Cardinals
		

			Oh man, I'm gonna you could put me on the spot I'm gonna forget some of the other guys.
		

			That's all right. If it wasn't, I mean, we've worked with a lot of different athletes but those two
are actual like solidified phase members I mean recently actually Snoop Dogg music artists who
signed so you know we have we have Doggy Doggy Yeah, so we have we have a wide you know, group of
people from the law that have been a part of it. So So you do you get to? Are you gonna get to meet
Snoop Dogg? Yeah, so I did meet him I met when I recorded a video with him he's a really really good
guy at his little like warehouse he has so hopefully he can take some of this advice that we're
going to be giving out now. And this is from your trip Hodge right. Yeah. So I want to read this I
		

			want to go ahead and because this is what we're going to be talking about something that you love
more than any of the games so this is I believe this is this is you This is no blessing in the in
life compares to the blessing of being and I'm gonna just define this term one who has submitted to
the will of the Creator of heavens and earth, not Muslim, nothing gives you more peace and purpose
in this world. Inshallah God willing we all will be reunited together in the next life and the
highest levels of Jannah paradise. Now this is b
		

			eautiful advice you're saying here at the end, I highly encourage anyone who has any interest or
feels like they are missing a purpose in life to look into Islam submission to the Creator, not the
creation. May God guide us all to the best for us in this life and the next, what was going through
your mind, you're in front of the first house of worship built by me by Abraham to commemorate the
worship of one and only one God. And you're given his wonderful advice was going I mean, what was
what are you feeling at the time? Yeah, I'm, I've been blessed to be able to visit Mecca, Medina, a
couple of times from Dylan, when I posted that
		

			I think I just got back from a trip there. And honestly, I talked about I've talked about a couple
times recently, the past couple years, but so I like I mentioned I joined phase when I was 14. So
I've been kind of online creating content since I was a 14 year old. And over that last 11, I just
turned 26. Yesterday, actually, I'm the last so like, it's been 11 years of me doing this. And not
until really the last maybe two or three years have I really kind of
		

			realized the platform, you know, that I've been blessed with to
		

			share, you know, the message of Islam and also like, you know, shine some light on things that are
happening around the world and kind of use them as a platform for good. So when I joined originally,
I was kind of, you know, I grew up in America my whole life. So I was kind of, I don't want to say
bullied, I don't want to like make it I wasn't bullied, you know, that's not to make it sound worse
than it was. But there was a guy in the organization, who was like the biggest at the time, I
compare it to like, let's say, for all the football fans out there, oh, and say soccer, that, let's
say you join,
		

			you know, Barcelona at the time, and you're the biggest Messi fan when he was on Barcelona. And then
he's like, making fun of you for being Arab and Muslim or whatever. That's what happened to me. So
as a 14 year old, that happened right off the bat, since then, I kind of just really kept to myself
didn't really speak on my background, my religion, nothing like that. And then in the last couple of
years, I realized, like, you know, suffered a lot, not only nothing to be ashamed of, but it's
something to be super proud of. So.
		

			And at the end of the paragraph you read as well, you know, people, I've seen a lot of people the
reason I put that in about people not really having a purpose in life, haven't done, I've met so
many people, so many successful people for the last couple of years. And it's crazy to me to see,
		

			like, you know, off camera, how people's lives are, you know, all the people that have all the
success in the world, and people think that they would probably be the happiest people in the world.
Like, I see so many people that just feel like they're missing something. And I truly think that
that's what it is. It's like you said, connection with the One God with this, you know, submission
to, you've phrased it perfectly to the Creator, not the creation, and I'm delighted, you know, I
just I feel like there's a obligation on me to spread it, you know, and I'm delighted to I try to do
I obviously, focusing on working on myself first and foremost, trying to be the best Muslim I can
		

			be. But like, it's not even, it's really, like that post specifically is really like, you guys need
it. Like there's people out there that need it. And like, you know, people haven't been exposed to
certain things. And I was just, you know, feeling great coming back from Mecca. I'm Dylan, I thought
I would post it. So it's awesome. Even I just saw the likes on it right now too. Like obviously, I
don't post it for likes, but it's crazy to me Spinalonga see, the engagement on it is better than
any of the engagement I've on any of my other posts that I've posted recently, I might be the most
liked picture I've posted, which is crazy. And really just showed me to like, for the Muslim world
		

			kind of I feel like Alright, I got a little bit of a voice here that I got to use sha Allah for the
right reason. So it was good to see mashallah, that's what I'm talking about. So nothing to be you
realize it was nothing to be ashamed of. But something to be proud of is the way of Jesus is the Way
of Moses, Abraham, the last the fundamental problem, Muhammad, this is the same way of life that
they live Islam submission to one god to the will of God. This is something that I've had you've ice
tea, you had I've had three way on part of JCS crew, you had lun Mirren which at this stage, Stephen
Jackson, Stephen Jackson stack. You heard it? Yeah, of course. And many of these people, they're
		

			also coming to Islam, you know, when your mind is open. And what do you think like said, you
mentioned some of these other celebrities, some of these other athletes like Snoop Doggy Dog, how
receptive because at one point, I think he was going towards the nation. And yeah, I have a memory
in my head, as well as like, you remember that seeing him? Like, Something seemed dressed up maybe
in like, some traditional clothing or something. But yeah, that's the thing to have noticed. You
know, the nation obviously is like, a path has been a path for some people towards, you know,
		

			the, I guess, yeah, we'll say the truest to that because I've actually looked more into the nation
recently, and I've really seen the differences and never knew until recently but you know, like,
yes, how
		

			No, I think a lot of people kind of have a lot of celebrities and a lot of
		

			athletes and stuff have seemed to go down that route. And as we saw Mohammed Ali and Malcolm X that
led them to the course to them. But yeah, it's, you know, I think actually more than ever, people
are more. I mean, at least in our generation, right, compared to the last, the last, let's just say
100 years, it seems like so many people are, are not only converting, I know, you probably see more
than I do. But just on social media. I see so many people talking about their path this them and
like, I just feel a lot of people are really open minded. We have a lot of amazing role models like
Habib, who have like really
		

			shined a bright, beautiful light on like what it is to be a Muslim. Obviously, Muhammad Ali, as well
as one of the most influential figures in Islam in the last cup in last 100 years, at least then
like, Yeah, I think it's great when we have athletes and people that that well known that embody
what actual Muslim is as well, you know, like, like, happy. That's why people that's he's open the
door for so many people convert because his actions and his character which, you know, I'm sure he
tries to resemble the Prophet SAW Salem, and he does an amazing job at being what, you know, acting
like a Muslim. So those are the things that I think open people's eyes, especially in a culture
		

			where everybody's focused on themselves and focus on material and stuff like that, that when you see
someone like Habib who like, doesn't care about anything, but God and his family and doing what he
does, like, it's a little weird to people and it kind of like, catches them off guard, it makes them
want to look into it. So like Hamdulillah we say the best way to living by example. So I just think
like this next generation of athletes like and celebrities, I really think like we're gonna keep
seeing more and more I know we You've mentioned a lot there's a lot of other athletes as well that
have converted and I just think it's a it's interesting. It's just interesting to see the spread of
		

			Islam right now amongst like, mainstream media, so it's cool from dilla Yeah, you reminds me of when
the Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him, he made dua, supplication for the two Omar's
for them to accept Islam. And this dua reached and we see the impact when Omar are the Aloha and
when he accepted Islam. So when some of these figures you imagine, you know, the following that they
have, and how many people are glued, you know, imitating them watching them, and when they talk to
turn towards the right path, they can really do some amazing good and benefit from any of the things
that you're talking about. There's a quote here that you said, and it's very powerful. I want you to
		

			elaborate on this. You said there's no chance and Earth no Elon Musk or anyone to have me take a
drink of alcohol and we see no problems we just saw Johnny Depp you don't have to know much about
him but it was all over you know, it was a circus their their lives which is plastered all over. And
he would for instance, may God Almighty Allah guide him and Amber, to the to the truth to Islam, but
you can see alcohol played a big major role. And the problems that were happening is waking up in
the morning drinking, you know, happy hour all throughout the day. But imagine like, this is what
gave you this discipline to say something like that. We're not even Elon Musk, and I don't even know
		

			I'm not sure what that quotes from but sounds. Sounds right, though. I Yeah. That was you as a quote
from you. Yeah, I know. I'm saying. It's funny. I don't even I don't remember saying that. But
definitely hamdulillah like, I definitely live by that. Like, I'm very happy to say that I've never
even taken a sip, like you said, Never dabbled into that drugs, any of that stuff. And for me, it's
been pretty easy, I think. I think just, I don't know if for some people, you know, it just sets in
easier to their brains, like, alright, this is bad, I'm not going to do it. And like I've just, you
know, alcohol I've never been really tempted towards even drugs and like nothing like that I've ever
		

			it really interested me. A lot of people around me, especially in my scene that I'm in with work of
partake and drinking and smoking and stuff like that. And I've just really seen the, the negatives
to it. I haven't really seen any positives. I mean, it's funny, like a lot of my old roommates and
stuff like would always tell me like, Man, I understand why you don't drink and like I respect why
you don't drink and why you don't smoke and why this and that and it's just funny because I'm like,
It's not me it's just it's my religion. It's I'm just following it and like, you know, it's an even
gambling to is another thing, but like, I've just seen these things happen and like, yeah, in the
		

			moment, that's the one thing I can't lie gambling is something that men haven't allowed haram
because I wouldn't be an addict. If it wasn't and I'm like, I know that and I could see why it's
haram and I could you could see the wisdom and it just like the wisdom and
		

			alcohol and you know, everything else being at home, but yeah, it's hamdullah it's been pretty
simple for me, I think in that household I was raised in and also my community and like the friends
that I grew up around and
		

			Most of my, my closest friends come from the Masjid. So like, we all have the same, you know, we all
have have the same morals we all follow the same, like, you know, Hamza, we're all Muslim, we all
follow. we all we all go about life the same so like it was pretty simple as never really pressured
down the path of any of those things and it's just just easier for me to stay away from him to Allah
put it in me to not really be tempted by those things and like, you know, I've had some
opportunities with sponsorships and with with, with alcohol brands and gambling brands and all those
things and Hamdulillah you know, just again, growing up, my mom always tells me, you know that when
		

			you when you leave something for Allah, you'll give some be given something better when you stay
away from something like a lower place with better and I've seen that have happened in my life. And
it's just, it's like, it's not even a question for me like hamdulillah Hamdulillah. And inshallah
I'm always able to stay away from these things, and not dabble into anything bad. But like that gray
line to me, I never really even try to get near it. So like, I'm dilla it's not something too
difficult for me to Allah says It's haram, I try to do my best stay away from it. You know, how many
parents right now are not just parents, just individuals out there. They're like, I wish I can stay
		

			away from alcohol. Yeah, no, I wish I can go ahead and just leave this alone. They're seeing the
disaster that's happening in their lives due to this. But this is amazing to have someone as young
as you to be sometimes, you know, around some very influential people and peer pressure, know how
that works. If you're around, you know, if you don't have a strong foundation, you're not solid, you
know, you can bend and one just one time, it needs to be that one sip that one bugs? And that's all
she wrote? No, yeah, unfortunately, it's a real addiction. Like, that's something people don't
really understand, either. It's like, a lot of people can't help themselves. So like, May Allah help
		

			anyone who's going through it. Even if maybe at one point, they made the conscious decision to take
part in that stuff. Like, it's not the easiest thing in the world to stop. And I think like, I don't
know, sometimes you have other experiences where you get a little, you'll get a little taste of what
they might be feeling in their bodies. And it's easy to understand. I know, it's,
		

			it's something they can't control. You know, a lot of people can't control it. And it's a tough
thing, and everyone has their tests from the law. You know, for me, as a Muslim I've been tested
with and show I never am tested with it. And like you said, anyone that is inshallah they're able
to, you know, overcome those temptations in short, but this is the antidote. Well, we started off
with and your post Islam, this is it. This is for all the social ills, you know, people why, at the
end of the day, look, Apex, why should I give it up? For what if I'm not believing in something
greater than myself living for our true purpose? If I'm just there, you know, fulfilling my desires?
		

			What's the point of you know, it all at the end of the day, and why should I really stop? You know,
what I mean? I'm not looking for some higher, but you are, obviously, and that's where would you say
that is that where the discipline, you know, the self discipline really kicked in because of Islam.
Now, of course, of course, I'm the Lead like, it again, like, I blessed to be born Muslim, to grow
up amongst Muslims to just always be raised with that mentality, because like, you know, I'm 26 out,
I don't know, if I wasn't, if I didn't grow up in a family that was even quote, unquote, religious,
or a part of a community or whatever, I don't know what my life would be like. But for me, it's not
		

			even a question like, these things are things that I've known since I was young, that I've learned
since I was young. So like, yeah, that discipline, that fear of Allah in your heart, has been
instilled in me since I've been little. And it's been, you know, it's an easy thing, but 100%. And I
think that, I think that's interesting thing that happens, a lot of people do, and I respect them so
much more than even people like myself who've been born into us, when people on their own go out and
seek it. And they come to that conclusion on their own. And they, they realize on their own right,
you know, hamdullah, even if they live in good life, they're still living a difficult life, they
		

			realize like that there must be more than just what's going on now, you know, and they come to that
conclusion on their own, and they're able to kind of turn it around, it's a lot more difficult than
it is for someone like me, who has been born into it and who's never had, you know, much struggles
have been blessed with parents that have taken care of us and stuff. So like, you know, if I was
doing anything else that would be it would be, it'd be harder for me to be on the wrong path than
the right one from the left. So like, yeah, you know, back to what I said earlier to about people
that I've seen, like around me that have so much access, whatever, and they're missing something.
		

			It just taken a second to take a step back and like, facing that, you know, a lot of people don't
like to face that feeling. And that's why they continue to party and drink and do drugs and stuff,
because it's easier than sitting there and kind of having that inner conversation with yourself and
like what's missing here? I have all the money I wanted to have all the success or reached all my
goals. And now like what's missing? People don't want to have that conversation with themselves. But
I think when people do
		

			a lot of the time maybe it's some sort of faith at least that that they
		

			realizes what's missing. And I believe it's hard. Honestly, I can't imagine living this life and
thinking that when I die, it's just done. Like, I can't imagine, I wouldn't be able to comprehend
that it makes sense. You know, like, it would be hard for me to see people dying and your family and
to go through all these hard times and to feel like you no one like this is it and to I'm not going
to, like be like, these people are not going to be account counted accountable for what they did to
me, for example, you know, I've had some tough experiences in business and stuff where I'm like, you
know, I'm delighted, he's like, I'm good, knowing that Allah takes care of everything. And I'll get
		

			back whatever I deserve at some point. And like, like, again, like, it's just so much better than
living a life without that, that
		

			that belief, because I just would not be able to take so many things on a day to day basis. If I
didn't know that, you know, it's all going to come full circle at some point and shalom, we stand in
front of Allah. And sure, we're gonna have other things to worry about that one guy wrong in us. But
you know, it's like, it's a good peace of mind and hamdulillah makes sense. So I've had so many
opportunities to sit with people also who are in the limelight, and one person comes to mind, I
mentioned him a little earlier loon. And there's a statement by him, he said, we were paying for the
disease while the cure was free. So what would you say to many of the youth, people who are into
		

			gaming and sticking relate to you? And you know, they might be tempted, they're like, they're
inquisitive, or they're tempted to go and accept invitation to the nightclub? Yeah, go hang out. And
you know, possibly they're going to be around other people who are passing around the joints. Yeah.
Know, what other things that can come with it the drugs and whatnot, and, and their closest
slipping, but they're listening to you. Right? And they're thinking and many people have warned,
look, there's nothing out there, you're gonna It's like a broken bridge, you're gonna fall off.
Right? So what would you say? Yeah, so that's, that's where it gets tough for me.
		

			When you see people partaking in certain things, people that you're not super close with, right? But
that are Muslim and stuff. And like, it's hard. Like, I try to walk a walk that line carefully. If
like, you know, I don't want to make any comments or say things to people that will push them even
further. You know, it's always a tricky thing. And we see that in our communities. People think that
they're helping, they make things a lot worse. And it's listen, I tell my close friends and stuff
that I've talked to that have dabbled into like the world that I've dabbled into. It's like people
that I'm really close with, I say very straight to them. Like, don't even think about opening that
		

			door to any haram money.
		

			And even with that, like again, I don't want to sound hypocritical because even myself, like I've
had a recently realized, like, I used to have a lot of music in my videos and stuff like that. And
like it kind of hit me like a train at some point where I was like, wait a minute, like
		

			I never thought about this being held on. And you know, later on I'm gonna Chatelet Allah knows best
of how he's gonna deal with all those things. But like, I even had that realization recently. I was
like, All right, and I did what I you know, I took my steps in my personal way of talking to some
people figure out what I should do to try to like, you know, do what I can to repair that. But like,
when it comes to opening the door with obvious how to I'm like, like, gambling sponsors, or, or
drinking sponsors, or like you said, even drinking, or falling into peer pressure, where people try
to give you a drink and stuff like that, like, yeah, it's not, of course, it's not worth it. And
		

			there'll be no blessings in anything you do. If, if you're getting off if you're getting into a new
industry and like you start off on the wrong foot, like, why would Allah put any vodka in, or
blessings in your money and your success? You don't I'm saying like, you know,
		

			it's, it's just, it's just obviously, something that is not going to help you out in this life or
the next maybe in the moment. Someone will think you know, help you with like a personal
relationship, but like dude in this world, in business, what I've another thing I've realized I'm
not I don't act like I'm the most experienced person, I'm young, but I'm dead. I've had a lot of
years of working with people and like, at some point, a lot of people will flip on you either way,
no matter if you do all the things to make it right for them and like people really are here for
themselves to happen a lot or like I've been shocked that people kind of stabbing us in the back and
		

			even personally just it's just never worth it no human is going to be worth making Allah angry with
you. And that's just that's just how it is. That's just the fact that the end of the day and like
the small things that might help further your career now you might think may help further your
career now are going to come back and collapse it later and there's just I don't know I just think
there's the like I mentioned there's way more blessing in staying away from haram and it will be
replaced with better and you know, I think people also respect these days when you're like I'm
Muslim I don't drink like people respect that. And I think you know, you can lean into that a little
		

			more and like it's better to stand by who you are and you're in your
		

			and like you know your your morals and your standards you set for yourself then caving into what
what other people like and even on even on a business level. I really think people respect that more
		

			And
		

			then they even would have you wouldn't impress them by drinking, but people are like, okay, like
they can respect you stay away from it, you know. But at the end of the day, it's all about making
Allah happy. And
		

			you know, we know what's wrong and what we shouldn't do. And we should just do our best to stay away
from it. Beautiful. Love it, you got to stand for something or fall for anything. And you stand in
for something one of the most beautiful things and that's your dean this way of life brings you that
contentment, that piece that money can't buy. And tell us about this. This is you know, yeah, I'm
delighted. Yeah. What do you think, tell us about where it is. For someone like Snoop Dogg or some
of these athletes, they don't know where this is at. And you think maybe you can plan a trip, you
know, you can invite someone to come visit so they can see firsthand like, what's going on in this
		

			part of the world? Yeah, so this is in Jerusalem and Palestine at michigan lochsa. Well, that's
technically the whole complex as measured up. So that's, that's called the Dome of the Rock, though.
		

			And that's a very important spot. And I think all three major religions, and Islam. That's where the
night ascension was with the Prophet, Muhammad, Salah Salem, lot of Prophets, a lot of people in the
history of our religion have been in that area and been around there, but very, that's the third
holiest site in our religion, and Islam. And yeah, I'm, I'm Palestinian, like I mentioned, and I
never really visited till 2017.
		

			So again, even that, like I kind of just grew up as an American kid, kind of detached from my
culture, even the language as well. The last couple of years, I've really put in some work and I
stuff a lot of work to do to learn the language better, for multiple reasons. But
		

			yeah, I love Palestine, I wish I could go as much as I could, kind of, at this point, you know, my
parents are really scared of me even going to visit because I've posted so much about it.
		

			Last time I was there, I got stopped, you know, and my phone got looked through at the at the
Israeli border and stuff like that. It's not the simplest thing for Palestine, for Boston is to go
visit. And, you know, like I mentioned about me kind of realizing my platform for spreading the
message of Saddam, I realized the same thing for spreading, you know, awareness of what's happening.
And obviously, Palestine hits home to me, because I'm full Palestinian, there's a lot of things that
are happening around the world that should have awareness spread to them. And unfortunately, a lot
of other things don't get as much light
		

			spread on them. But like, for me, I'm Palestinian, something that I really, you know, care about,
and this has affected my family. And I love it, I love Palestine, and I love you know, the last
year, there was a lot, unfortunately, going on, during Ramadan. And, you know, I realized that I had
used my platform for good even recently, actually,
		

			it's kind of, I probably shouldn't be talking about it, because it kind of caused a little bit of
issues for me and some of my friends, but some of my friends were visiting.
		

			With some co workers that are Israeli, some of my friends were visiting, and I kind of posted about
it. And, you know, it's just one of those things where I feel like I'm trying to, one educate myself
a little more on, on what's gone on in the conflict, and to educate the people around me. So even my
friends that are not Israeli, like I'm talking about, like, my friends, just from Brazil, and from
wherever they are, that we're visiting, you know, I kind of had some conversation with them, letting
them know, hey, you know, I don't blame you for not knowing but like,
		

			you know, there's a lot going on there. And you should kind of know, and you know, they know, I'm
Palestinian or whatever. So like, it's, I'm trying to learn for myself, and I'm trying to learn to
also, you know, help spread some awareness because historically, Palestinians have not really had a
voice
		

			in like, mainstream media, I guess you'd say again, and like, you know how it is, you know, a lot of
people have been scared to speak on it, even myself, I kind of every time I post some kind of like,
well, I don't know if this is gonna hurt me later in the future with me trying to visit or, you
know, with business, I don't know. But like, again, back to what I said, like, I really don't care,
because I think it's,
		

			I'm more scared of facing Allah and him telling me, why didn't you use your platform to spread this,
you know, and like, I don't want to act like
		

			I'm saying that now. And I hope I can live by that, you know, but I know it's not the easiest thing
for other people as well. So it just kind of like, I'm just kind of, at this point in my life, at
least, I'm kind of just like, Hey, I gotta do what I gotta do. Whatever happens happens, and I know
that a little guidance towards whatever. So like, when I see an opportunity that I have to speak out
on it. I do. And yeah, that's that's what that was. And I'm trying to, again, educate myself a
little more and when times to talk about the time to talk about it. So yeah, I've been around a lot
of fighters and I teach for a living martial arts and oh, wow, okay. No, I didn't know that. I mean,
		

			I've been I've seen your show for years now, by the way, and congratulations on everything and the
new method I saw recently, Michelle, or the new senator, I guess.
		

			But I didn't know that. I didn't know the martial arts thing, which is awesome. I gotta take some
lessons from you. Yeah. Insha Allah when you come down to Chicago. Yeah, we're working on we're
trying to
		

			Open up the Dean center. Yeah, we're looking on towards that. My point what I was, what I wanted to
say was that I've been around, you know, a lot of tough individuals. But some are actually when it
comes down to this, what you're saying is true bravery. Courage is what you're doing. Because you
can be a fighter, you can be somebody who's a champion USC, but when it comes down to standing,
because you're out there, and you're getting all the high res and all of the props, and that's
feeding your ego and your desire, and you're just feeling great. But what are you doing with that,
at the end of the day, right, when it's time to go and stand for something like Muhammad Ali did,
		

			like Malcolm X did like some of the giants who are remembered today, many of these people are
scared, they're cowards. Yeah, I'm, I really commend you for that, for having such a big platform,
and you're actually talking the way you're talking, I appreciate it. But honestly, like, I haven't
even done anything compared to what I should have done and should be doing. And, at least for me,
that's what I'm trying to just start, you know, I'm trying to try to do something and Inshallah, at
least I'm sure I'm able to do a lot more than I am now. But I appreciate it. I mean, number one
thing for me is to get educated myself. So I actually know what I'm talking about. I'm not just
		

			following trends, as a lot of people on the internet do. And obviously, like I said, the
Palestinian, I don't want to call it a conflict, the Palestinian occupation, Palestinian situation,
is something that hits a lot closer to home, because my dad was there in the, in the 60s, when he,
you know, he was hiding in the mountains when they were invading our village. So like, it's, you
know, I have to I have to who's gonna speak on it if we don't, and, like I said, there's a lot of
other things that are happening like with it, with the Uyghurs and the, you know, a lot of people
around the world and, you know, I, I try not to, like, overwhelm myself. Because the way I am was
		

			like, Alright, if I do this, that means I have to do this, and I have to do that and whatever, and
then I end up not doing anything. So like, for me, I'm just trying to, I know, at least a couple
posts, at least a couple interviews like this, and Sharla like, if I can just start doing a little
bit and show a lead to me being able to do a lot more and a lot of us can band together and do a lot
together and having did I think that's another thing that's been really inspiring to me is like,
since I've posted anything, a lot of other like Muslim influencer, I don't look at myself as an
influencer. But other like, people on social media, basically, most of them people that do social
		

			media and stuff like that are how students have reached out and like, you know, like, kind of, like
even you're talking about fighters, blah, Muhammad, the UFC fighter, like me and him kind of like,
became good friends based on both of us posted about Palestine a lot. And he's Palestinian, and
like, we bonded over that other like people as well, like just seeing that we're Muslim. I know,
it's, you know, you know how it is like, it's cool. When you meet another Muslim. There's like this
special connection. So like, there's that and then throw on top of the Palestinian to like, in
supporting the cause, you know, like, it's cool. It's been, it's been cool. It's been a blessing to
		

			like, meet people, and it just inspires you to want to do more. And again, Habib, I have to give all
the credit in the world to him. Like, I think he's the guy that really made me like, Alright, wait,
what am I doing here? I love being Muslim, and I'm proud of being Muslim and I want to talk about it
because seeing what he did, he did he is I mean, our generation is Mohammed Ali. And he really like
for me at least he kicked that door wide open and I'm like, okay, he made me even more proud to be
Muslim. So you know, there's people that are doing a lot more than I am and that we are and I'm just
trying to follow in their footsteps inshallah so Masha Allah hum de la, very nice to hear just
		

			couple more questions. Before we conclude, tell me, you now suffered a little bit of backlash. So
you got a lot of support, a little bit of backlash, but sometimes just a little bit to have somebody
crumble and just, you know, go into shell and not come out again. Was it worth it at the end? And
for somebody out there some celebrity, someone has a big following, they're also watching us and
they're also getting motivated, but they're worried. And you know, you can't please everybody, you
know, you had some some people, yes, some things. How did you deal with it? And what would you say?
Was it worth it at the end? Yeah. So I'm referring to this post, the post that you made. This one
		

			here, beautiful prose, again, you're at the first house of worship built by Abraham to commemorate
the worship of one and only one God, this is it. Mecca, Acaba. And so this is what you did. Yeah.
And you just you invited people to go ahead and have a relationship with the Creator to heavens and
earth. And some people said something. So how was that? Yeah. So you know, again, I'm doing I've
been making I've been pretty like on social because if Um, let me just sorry to interrupt you
because you went into a shell. If I understood the first time this happened, you were younger.
Exactly. Yeah. You experienced some what? Some bullying and some insults. What were those insults
		

			and what and then you kind of like you, you are timid to speak up again? No. 100%. So that's what I
was gonna say is like, I'm still I've been lucky now with 11 years of experience online, like, yeah,
when I was first 14 years old, and that's my first three, four or five months in this world to be
kind of like, shot down by, again, one of the leading figures in the industry at the time. Oh, your
mom wears a scarf on her head high and he's laughing like that.
		

			Like, I didn't know how to deal with it I was leading a leading figure in industry was mocking like
this. Yeah, like I meant like the example I gave earlier like imagine I joined I joined PSG. And
Messi was making fun of my mom for wearing hijab like that's exactly who he is. PSG of the soccer
team PSG Messi okay or like let you know Messi is like one of the most famous songs give me my my
generation like Jordan. Exactly. You joined the bulls and Michael Jordan is is just, you know coming
at you for being your name is Yousef haha your mom was a scarf. Ha, that's exactly what happened. So
like I a little kid joining FaZe Clan. It was like a little basketball fan joining the bulls exactly
		

			like that. And the Michael Jordan of our team was coming at me. So as a 14 year old, of course, I
want in my shell completely, like you said. So again, it comes with age comes with maturing and
stuff for me to kind of break out of that shell. But even more, you know, even more recently, it's
been, like I mentioned was because of someone like Habib, like someone else showing how it needs to
be done. And like then I kind of had this realization, what am I doing? Like, you know, the last
couple years that wasn't like scared or wasn't, it wasn't even like that. I just didn't think about
it. But at first definitely, I think back to your question about like, the criticism, I've got that
		

			post specifically the about me being Muslim, I didn't really get much. I mean, I didn't notice, like
I said, I've been doing this for like 11 years now. So like, I don't even read comments anymore.
hate comments, like I genuinely hummed a lot, don't feel anything, when I read a comment about,
like, the only thing I care about is my family. And I have kept them completely private and away
from the internet for that reason. So like someone can say whatever they want about me, it really
doesn't affect me. I think the Palestinian stuff in Palestine stuff kind of was the more shaky
thing. And that kind of, you know, could have caused some disruption in my life and problems. And
		

			like, I have to just be honest, for me,
		

			it's a lot easier for me to make these
		

			Yes, quote, unquote, risky statements opposed to because like, like, I'm, I'm one of the founders of
my company, I'm one of the owners of the company, and like, you know, it doesn't mean I'm in I have
like immunity to anything happening to me, but it's my company, you know, and like, it's, I'm not
gonna get kicked out for speaking on my people being, you know,
		

			being oppressed, it definitely can cause problems, but then it's a lot harder for someone like me to
get pushed out of my position than it might be for other people. So I just got to be honest, it's,
you know, I don't want to make it sound like everyone should be doing this. And that, like, everyone
has their own situation, and story, and everyone can make change in their own way. But for me, um,
you know, it's a little easier for me to just speak on what I want to speak on without having to
really worry. But with that being said, Now, 2022, you know, everyone knows the culture is a little
different. It's a little, you could say one wrong thing, and you can be absolutely canceled for the
		

			rest of your life. And that might happen. I don't know, we'll just see what the next couple of years
are like, with me. But like, it's, like I said, I have a little more of protection, one and two,
like Hamdulillah.
		

			You know, I'm definitely I'm definitely not where I want to be. I'm not like, act like I'm gonna
retire tomorrow. And but like, I'm currently setting myself up. Inshallah, I'm trying even with my
company, right, even if something was to happen to me, I owned the company, I still own shares in
the company and stuff like that, and like, my life's not going to be over, I'm not going to be
completely out of work, for example, if I was to be, you know, pushed out of any position or
whatever. So again, I just want to make that distinction clear. Like, it is easier for me, you know,
so like, I can't blame other people for not speaking as much. But like, that's why I really am not
		

			scared of anyone coming at me for speaking my mind is because, like, they can't really, you know,
		

			I, I'm, this is my company, one of the other founders with me is also a Palestinian as well. And
like, you know, it's just it is what it is. And if, if the time comes where there's some pressure
and there's some, you know, there's a, there's a point where I have to, like kind of choose between
the two sides, and I'm just going to do what I got to do for me, you know, and that I'm that I'm,
that that will put me in a position where I'm
		

			okay with taking whatever I'm doing to Allah and whatever happens happens so. And sorry, I kind of
didn't explain that. Well, but my, my main point is that, like, I'm in a lot easier position than
other people are and like, that's why I gotta just I gotta say what I got to say, because not
everyone has that opportunity. So
		

			and what you're saying is that hamdulillah you're praising the Most High just like Habib did. You're
living the way of Jesus of Moses, Abraham, and you're trying to live a morally upright life. And I'm
sure many parents you know, would love to have their kids quit drinking alcohol, doing drugs. So the
message is a positive message. It's a message that helps, helps deliver change and helps deliver
that good that comes from that change. And I think if more people accept this, like the Snoop Doggy
Dog
		

			it's the house of
		

			Peace so inviting people to the house of peace. I don't think there should be any objection to that.
And now people are free to do whatever they want. But this is the solution, the antidote for many,
if not all the social ill I think you're right, that point just real fast. That's also a main thing
I know. I'm not. I know, everything I'm saying is good and positive. And I'm not saying anything
wrong. And I'm not, you know, like, I that's why I'm so comfortable speaking my mind, because I know
what's right, is what I'm saying. And you're right, 100% I'm pushing a positive message. And even
like, I have told you a lot of the guys that I know that have come to me over the years, I know I
		

			can see why you don't drink after drinking the whole night before and I can see why you don't do
this and Hamdulillah you know, it's that's not me. It's just them. And, and I think people like are
just not exposed to the fact that people live life away from these things. So I'm dilla yeah,
there's nothing to hide when you're pushing a positive message. Anyways.
		

			That's face Apex here on the D show. Thank you for being with us. My young brother, thank you so
much. I appreciate you having me. Oh, my God, Almighty, Allah, the Creator, continue to bless you
preserve you and use you for this thing. All of us in sha Allah, thank you so much. Salaam, Salaam
Alaikum for college. And that was over the phase apex, I wanna thank you young brother for being on
a de show, running one of the biggest gaming organizations in the world. And we could take a few
good lessons from this young man one, what helps him to be so disciplined, what helps him to stay
with sulla establishing that connect direct connection with his creator five times a day minimum and
		

			saliva, and where other people are drinking and doing drugs and lives upside down, he's not
deviating from that he's got the courage to invite others to it. And that's what we're inviting you
to also something that can help Snoop doggy, doggy. And all the other famous celebrities out there,
the Johnny Dubs, I mean, these are people who have a big influence. But you can see, you know, when
people are chasing their desires, and they forget about the reality of death, they forget about the
reality of what comes after this life. And they just put money as the number one target fame is the
number one target. But at the end of the day, all this stuff does not give the heart what it needs,
		

			there will always be a void. And you cannot fill that void with all of these things and expect the
pain to go away. You can numb it like many do. By doing all the drugs and the partying and just
listening to the music day and night bobbing your head to the 50 cents and the Snoop ease and
whatnot. At the end of the day, you're gonna die. And this is this young brothers thinking ahead
smart individual to think about these things. How many young boys young men, young women are
thinking about these very important questions. What's the purpose of life? Why am I here? So if you
can go ahead and ponder over some advice he was giving what we started off with. If you're missing a
		

			piece of contentment and purpose in life, look into this beautiful way of life and I got some for
you. You can visit the de show.com to get a free copy of the Koran. And if you still have any
questions, call us one 800 662 Islam and we'll see you next time. And also make sure to support our
project that was coming up with trying to establish the deen center a masjid mega Dawa center. So
make sure that you go ahead and contribute be a part of history where we have over 300 million
Americans and the majority they don't know what Islam is. They don't know what Islam is submission
to the Creator, not the Christians, we're going to be helping to educate because education is key.
		

			You got so much negative propaganda and hate out there we trying to combat that with the proper
knowledge that people need so they can have a better understanding, and inshallah they can also go
ahead and gain what he gained and we were talking about. So we'll see you next time here on the D
show. Thank you very much for tuning in. Until then, Peace be with you as salaam alaikum. This is
your brother Hamza and dress jerseys. And I want every single one of you to support Eddie from the
deen show, financially and otherwise, but in what way? I want you to support his new project. The
dean center is going to be a transformative experience the center. Why? Because it's going to be a
		

			masjid, it's going to be a place of worship. It's also going to have fitness facilities. And it's
also going to be a dialysis center to call people back to Allah Subhana Allah to Allah Muslims and
non Muslims and we trust Edie completely. I for one will take 1000 bullets for Eddie. He has a
vision. He has more than 15 years of experience in the dollar. He's had a huge success with the deen
show. And he has the support of many dua 10 preachers and scholars from all around the world. He's
going to be an amazing project for everybody. Go to the Dean's into the org Donate now.