Today, we briefly highlight the fall of the Umayyad dynasty and rise of the Abbasids in 750 CE. The focus of the episode will be on the development of early Shi`ism. We introduce the Imamis (Twelvers), the Isma`ilis (Seveners), and the Zaydis (Fivers). We also come across the notions of "Imam" and "Taqiyya."

EP.29–History: Early Forms of Shi`ism

Historical surveys and current discussions surrounding religion, culture, and politics in Muslim settings

Religion & Spirituality

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Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

This episode discusses some elements related to the transition from the first dynasty of the world of Islam, the Banu Umayya, to the highly influential ruling dynasty of the Banu al-Abbas, bringing Muhammad's clan of Banu Hashim back to a leadership role.

EP.56--History: From the Umayyads to the Abbasids

This episode continues discussing the non-Muslim communities of the early Islamic period. The focus shifts to Christian communities after the Arab conquests.

EP.55-The Non-Muslims of the Early Islamic Period (Part II)

This episode of the World of Islam briefly discusses the non-Muslim communities of the early Islamic period, particularly after the Arab conquests of the Near East and the establishment of an Islamic empire. The focus of this first part is on Judaism and the Jewish communities.

EP.54-The Non-Muslims of the Early Islamic Period (Part I)

This episode seeks to correct a major misconception concerning Islam and Muslim life. The Islam of the masses is not simply a reflection of the intellectual discourses that we have covered so far in the podcast.

Ep.53-Religion: Popular Islam

This episode of the World of Islam introduces the so-called Ikhwan al-Safa (The Brethren of Purity), a group of mysterious thinkers that produced a major encyclopedic philosophical work. We touch on Ismailism and the attempt to unify various forms of knowledge in classical Islam.  A History of Islamic Philosophy           by Majid FakhryIslamic Philosophy A-Z                          by Peter S. GroffIslamic Philosophy: an Introduction   by Oliver LeamanThe Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy   Edited by P. Adamson/R.C. Taylor

EP.29–History: Early Forms of Shi`ism

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