📓 Show Notes – Episode 1: From Liquor to Dhikr

In this inaugural episode, I sit down with Yahya Abdul Alim Coats, a lifelong seeker and student of Islamic spirituality with over three decades of experience on the path. The conversation is unfiltered, honest, and full of lived insight.

Bear with the audio—I'm a better host than a sound engineer. What we may lack in polish, we make up for in presence.

It’s real. It’s raw. It’s recovery.

Yahya Abdul Alim Coats

Yahya Abdul Alim Coats is a 30-year Muslim convert and lifelong seeker on the path of sacred knowledge. He’s a dedicated student in the Darul Qasim Arabic program under Shaykh Musa Sugapong, walking the path of the Maliki madhhab, and deeply rooted in the spiritual teachings of Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba of Sénégal.

📚 Mentioned in This Episode

For seekers who want to go deeper, here are the books Brother Yahya referenced in our discussion:

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• Al-Ghazali’s Path to Sufism: His Deliverance from Error (al-Munqidh min al-Dalal)
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• Al-Ghazali on Disciplining the Soul and on Breaking the Two Desires (Books XXII and XXIII of the Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din)
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• Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart
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• Sufism for Non-Sufis?: Ibn 'Ata' Allah al-Sakandari's Taj al-'Arus
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• Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam

Also check out our website or join the discussion on discord https://discord.gg/tSEg9cuc.

🎙️ Transcript: Episode 1 – From Liquor to Dhikr

James:

All right. Hello everyone, and welcome to the inaugural episode of Path of the Sober Seeker. My name is James, and I’ll be your alcoholic host today. I’m joined by a very special guest—Brother Yahya. We're here to talk about the fundamentals of Islamic spirituality and how they relate to the path of recovery.

James:

Welcome to the show, Brother Yahya. If you want to go ahead and introduce yourself?

Yahya:

Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you, Brother James. My name is Yahya Abdul Alim Coats. I’ve been a Muslim convert—or revert—for about 30 years. I’m not a scholar by any means, just a student of life. Over the years, I’ve studied under various scholars and mentors, both here in the U.S. and abroad, particularly in Senegal. Born and raised right here in Cleveland, Ohio.

James:

That’s amazing. Just out of curiosity, what brought you to Islam?

Yahya:

(Transcript continues with back-and-forth discussing Yahya’s spiritual journey, Rumi, Senegalese Sufism, and the parallels between Islamic teachings and the 12 Steps.)

James:

You said earlier that spiritual healing involves purification of the heart. That resonates with recovery too—we’re trying to remove the buildup, the baggage that covers the soul. It’s like spiritual alchemy—taking lead and turning it into gold.

Yahya:

Absolutely. In Islamic spirituality, the concept of tazkiyah—purification—is central. It’s a lifelong process of returning to our original state. The Quran calls it shifa—a healing for the heart. Through dhikr, prayer, mindfulness, and guidance, we slowly remove those veils.

James:

That idea of veils is so powerful. In AA, we say the disease is cunning, baffling, and powerful. It hides itself. The 12 Steps help cut through those veils. And it’s not just addiction—it’s self-will, ego, resentment. We’re at war, and the battlefield is the heart.

Yahya:

Exactly. And the Prophet ﷺ taught us that anger, jealousy, and arrogance are spiritual diseases. There’s an entire science in our tradition dedicated to identifying and healing these.

James:

I love that. We’re not talking about behavior management—we’re talking about transformation. That’s the magic of both paths.

(Conversation continues exploring dhikr, mindfulness, spiritual accountability, and the importance of fellowship and community support.)

James:

There’s a saying in AA: “We’re given a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” That ties directly to the Islamic concept of muhasaba—self-inventory. We’re constantly taking stock. Not because we’re bad—but because we’re seekers.

Yahya:

One of the spiritual masters said, “The seeker takes himself to account with every breath.” That’s how present we try to be. Every breath is an opportunity to return to Allah.

James:

That hits deep. We don’t need to be perfect—we just need to keep turning back. In recovery, we call that progress, not perfection. And in Islam, Allah loves those who constantly return to Him.

James:

Any parting thoughts for our listeners?

Yahya:

If you’re struggling, just take one sincere step toward Allah. One moment of honesty can open the door. Read the Qur’an. Learn about the Prophet ﷺ. And if you’re inclined, look into the teachings of Imam al-Ghazali, Rumi, and Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba. May Allah guide and protect you all.

James:

Ameen. And for anyone listening—if you're struggling, pick up the phone before you pick up the bottle. We’re all in this together.