Shahwa to Taqwa
The first of its kind 12 week guided course for men wanting practical steps to understand, relate and manage sexual desire through an Islamic psychological and spiritual framework.
Are you managing your desires… but exhausted by the struggle?
From the outside, you may appear disciplined, practising and in control. You know your values. You know how you want to live. Yet inside, desire can sometimes feel far more complicated.
You may find yourself caught between what you feel and what you believe — trying to resist certain urges, questioning why particular attractions feel so powerful, or carrying shame about thoughts and feelings you never chose to have.
For some, the struggle becomes a constant battle: avoiding triggers, fighting temptation, feeling guilty, slipping, repenting, and starting again.
For others, it is quieter — a persistent longing, a need to feel wanted, a fantasy that keeps returning, or the sense that desire has more influence over your emotions and choices than you would like.
Why does it feel a struggle all the time?
But what if the goal wasn’t to stop having desire?
‘Indeed I am migrating toward my Lord. Indeed He is the All-mighty, the All-wise.’ 29:26
What if it is to understand it — where it comes from, what strengthens it, what you are really seeking beneath it — and to develop the inner strength to choose how you respond?
When you understand your desires rather than simply fighting them, it’s not only your relationship with temptation that changes. Your capacity for self-awareness, choice, inner strength, peace, and closeness to Allah expands with it.
INTRODUCING
Shahwa to Taqwa
A 12 week practical course designed to navigating desires and reclaiming self control
Understanding & Overcoming Lust
– how desires overpower intellect and lead to fragmentation
– how worship is meant to help with patience and building inner strength
Guarding the sight and modesty
-how sight influences our hearts over time
-the concept of Islamic ‘haya’
-self esteem and awareness in private
Long Term Thinking
– How to surrender the instant gratification for something higher
– The beauty of the struggle and the journey
This isn’t a course that just explains the nature of sexual desire
It’s a course that prompts you to reflect what is holding you back from the next step
WHAT TO EXPECT
- GUIDED SESSIONS WITH ALI AND PEERS
- PRACTICAL TOOLS TO APPLY IN REAL LIFE
- TAKE HOME EXCERCISES FOR EACH SESSION
- PSYCHOEDUCATION GROUNDED IN QURANIC VALUES
- A CLEAR STEP APPROACH TOWARDS YOUR JOURNEY OF INNER STRENGTH
Inside the Course
1. Trust
What is blocking me from trusting that Allah (swt) has a plan for me? How can I learn to trust others in my healing journey? How do I disclose safely to loved ones?
2. Breaking patterns
Our past relationships may have protected us, but some of them may not serve us now. How do we keep looking forward in a path that may seem lonely? What if I am rejected by all of my peers in my thinking?
3. Shame
What is positive and negative shame? How do I understand concept of sexual identity, behaviour and desire? How does negative shame impact my self worth?
4. Grief
What memories may have I had repressed? What does my sadness or anger have to tell me? Why is it that sometimes my heart doesn’t want to listen and are blinded?
5. Understanding beauty and desire
How we react with good looking people and the power dynamic it creates. How acting out on desires may be due to ignorance and/or unmet needs . How our childhood curiosity may be sexualised.
6. Understanding intellect and reasoning
How desires overpower the intellect and thus becomes an urging motive in all actions. How fragmentation can give different meaning to traits or body parts. How to develop reasoning and intellect at the onset of sexual desire.
7. Understanding a need versus a want
How our base needs of food and sex are related. How thinking of something may be more enticing than doing it. How our wants may be clouding what we really need.
8. Females and femininity
The societal and cultural expectations of sexual desires and marriage. Understanding and appreciating the feminine while being grounded in self worth.
9. Gratitude
What does gratitude look like for you? How can gratitude be a way of purification? How can a self-centric view affect us?
10. Modesty
What is a modest man? How does the sight affect the heart? How can we remember Allah in private just as we do in public.
11. The Journey
What does living a God centred life look like? How do I develop a long term thinking view rather than settling for instant gratification?
12. Inner Strength
What spiritual tools can I adopt to that are preventative? How do I build my journey with Allah (swt) beyond the realm of sexual desires?
A note from Ali
I created this course after 6 years of private practice, seeing hundreds of clients struggle with managing shahwa (sexual desire) feeling success meant to eradicate the desire fully and were ashamed by its same sex nature and struggle.
Sexual desire is a God-given faculty that is blessed, rewarded and part of human nature. Uncontrolled desire is a trial and leads to ruin. However, reasoning with desire is a sign of taqwa (God centricity), intellect, and nearness to God. Accessing modesty, lawful outlets, fasting, coupled with a long term vision and reliance on Allah help more than willpower alone.
Join the first ever cohort of this course!
FAQs
When does the course begin?
The first session starts at Monday 7th September 2026 at 7pm and lasts till 8.30pm (UK). Sessions are held weekly and the final twelfth session will be held on Monday 23rd November 2026.
What is the cost and duration of each session?
Sessions are 90 minutes long and cost £20 per session.
What happens in a session?
The sessions are designed to be feel personal, small and interactive. We will meet weekly where you can bring questions, reflections and struggles. Sometimes we might do exercises, journaling or guided reflection.
Depending on what the group needs, I can teach more spontaneously and share my personal experience. The sessions are not a lecture, but interactive to help you do your work and learn from others. Don’t worry if you couldn’t attend a session as long as you booked for that session, materials can be made available.
How do I enroll?
You need to enrol for each week separately on the Jane App, select Men’s Programme and put in credit card details and fill in the client forms.
Can I just attend one session?
Yes, you can enrol for how many you like. Note there is a very short period for introductions.
What If I can’t attend a session I booked?
Our sessions are not recorded to maintain privacy compliance. However, we can give you the handouts and material.
How much notice do I need to cancel my booked session?
You must cancel with more than 24 hours left, cancellations less than this amount will be charged
What is your refund policy?
If for whatever emergency or other reason you cannot attend and did not cancel with more than 24 hours, the full charge is applied and there are no refunds.
How much time do I need to commit?
The sessions last 90 minutes and it may be take you 30 minutes to complete the handout material.
Will I have to share to the group?
We require videos to be on to help the group feel safe. However, its fine to just listen, reflect privately or engage quietly. There will never be an expectation to share personal details before you’re ready.
Will I have access to Ali?
Yes, the sessions are a space to ask questions, get guidance and integrate the work in a way that feels best. You can also submit questions in advance and these will be brought into sessions where relevant. While this isn’t 1:1 therapy, Ali will be present to respond to you.
Is this therapy or coaching?
No, this is not a replacement for individual coaching or therapy.
I’m already in therapy or coaching – is this useful?
Yes, many people benefit from group courses alongside 1:1 work. You are welcome to bring whatever comes up for you in these sessions to your therapist or coach.
I’m a coach or therapist – is this for me?
Yes, professionals can join this work. While concepts may be understood, its different to experience them in your own work. This isn’t professional training but is a space to look at your own thoughts, patterns and experience.
I don’t live in the UK – can I still attend?
Yes, the course has participants globally, it is priced in GBP (£).
I have more questions, can I speak with someone?
You are welcome to email contact@sayedalijaffery.com