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Meaning Through Movies

Movies can be great resources for articulating powerful messages, all under the guise of entertainment. Meaning Through Movies (or MTM for short) by The Family and Youth Institute is about jazzing up your family movie night with teachable moments. Scroll to view our guides for meaningful reflections and conversation-starters for movie night! The guides below unpack themes from each movies and provide discussion questions for meaningful conversations with you and your family. Pick a movie, pop the popcorn, and use the guide to get talking about the meaningful themes in each movie. 

Movie Guides Available For:

  • Soul
  • Encanto
  • Finding Nemo
  • Onward
  • Inside Out

Videos

Blogs

Meaning Through Movies

Soul Movie Discussion Guide — Part 4: Power of Community; Representation Matters

In the Soul Movie Guide series so far, we have discussed themes about death, purpose of life, our souls, and...

Meaning Through Movies

Soul Movie Discussion Guide — Part 3: Our Souls and Brains Are Amazing

In part 1 and part 2 of the Soul Movie Guide Series, we discussed how the movie provides insight and...

Meaning Through Movies

Soul Movie Discussion Guide — Part 2: It’s the Journey That Matters

In part 1 of the Soul Movie Guide series, we discussed themes about the blessing of knowing about the afterlife...

Meaning Through Movies

Soul Movie Discussion Guide — Part 1: The Blessing of Knowing about the Afterlife

If you’re looking to “jazz” up your family movie night with meaningful reflections and teachable moments, the Disney Pixar Soul...

Meaning Through Movies

Making Meaning out of the Movies – An Emotionally Intelligent Look at Pixar’s Inside Out

Making Meaning out of the Movies An Emotionally Intelligent Look at Pixar’s Inside Out Sorry, Finding Nemo, your stellar ranking...

Meaning Through Movies

Untying the Knots of Generational Trauma in Encanto: 3 Takeaways for Your Family

This article was written by Duaa Haggag, LPC. It was reviewed by Issra Killawi, BA, and Madiha Tahseen, PhD. Click...

Meaning Through Movies

Onward: 4 Conversations-Starters for the Family

This article was written by Duaa Haggag, LPC. It was reviewed by Issra Killawi, BA, and Madiha Tahseen, PhD. Click...

Nemo from the movie Finding Nemo swimming in the ocean

Four Lessons Finding Nemo Taught Me About Parenting

This article was written by Duaa Haggag, LPC. It was reviewed by Issra Killawi, BA, and Madiha Tahseen, PhD. Click...

Zakat eligibility of The FYI

The Family & Youth Institute, or The FYI, is a well-known Muslim organization in the United States. It works to promote mental health and wellness by strengthening and empowering individuals, families, and communities through research and education. It has been working for many years to bring Islamic perspectives to understanding and promoting mental health in our communities.

It is dedicated to serving and supporting Muslims – safeguarding our deen, our families, and our future generations. Therefore, the work of The FYI comes in the category of ‘fi sabeelillah’ or the Path of Allah, within the eight categories where Zakat money can be used.

Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah, and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah, And Allah, is Knowing and Wise.”
(Al-Tawbah 9:60)

According to scholars who widen the meaning of fee sabeelillah to include any activities that promote Islamic growth, The FYI is indeed eligible to receive part of the Zakat funds for its programs and services. I urge Muslims in America to support this organization through their donations, general charity, and through their Zakat. I ask Allah swt to strengthen and guide The FYI to continue its good work in supporting Muslims.

Shaikh Ali Suleiman Ali, PhD

About Shaikh Ali

Sh. Ali Suleiman Ali was born in Ghana where he spent his childhood studying with various Muslim scholars. He then moved to Saudi Arabia and enrolled in the Islamic University of Madina.  He graduated with a degree in both Arabic and Islamic Studies. Dr. Ali went on to complete his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Sh. Ali serves on the Advisory Council of The Family & Youth Institute. He is the Senior Imam and Director of the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs in Canton, Michigan. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Muslim Family Services in Detroit and is a council member of the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA). He is also a member of the North American Imams Federation (NAIF) and the Association of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA).