ImanWire Podcast

Slavery might be considered a thing of the past, but the position of slavery in Islam continues to be an issue that many Muslims grapple with today. In this special four-part series of the ImanWire podcast, we approach this complex topic from several perspectives, beginning with a discussion with Dr. Jonathan Brown on the moral question of slavery, its place in Islamic law, and the diverse practices of it in Muslim history.

Dr. Jonathan Brown is the Alwaleed bin Talal Chair of Islamic Civilization in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and author of several books, including "Slavery and Islam".

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Introduction

4:51 - Why Discuss Slavery Now?

14:35 - Challenges in Defining Slavery

18:06 - The Problem of Talking About Slavery in World History

21:59 - Projecting Assumptions On Others

27:53 - The Ubiquity of Slavery in the Pre-Modern World

31:32 - Slavery in 7th Century Arabia

34:40 - Closing the Doors to Enslavement

37:31 - The Emphasis on Emancipation

40:50 - Female Slaves and Legitimacy of Children

44:11 - Ethical Treatment of Slaves

46:53 - The Zeal to Emancipate

47:42 - Slaves of God, Slaves of Men?

49:58 - The Legal Handicap of Slavery

52:35 - Slavery is Harm

56:16 - An Obsession to Free Slaves

1:00:10 - Slavery in Muslim Civilization

1:05:28 - Racialization and Slavery in Muslim History

1:07:59 - Important Distinctions in Slave Populations Between the United States and the Muslim World

1:14:26 - The Slavery Conundrum and the Moral Wrongness of Slavery

1:27:14 - Horrors of Trans-Atlantic American Slavery

1:33:07 - History of Abolitionism

1:41:57 - Abolition in the Muslim World

1:44:08 - Muslim Arguments Against Slavery

1:53:40 - The Abolition of Slavery

1:55:59 - Reconciling Tradition and Abolition

Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui discusses the importance of freeing oneself from attachments and dedicating the heart to worshiping Allah. This episode delves into the art of cleansing one's soul in pursuit of divine love.

CHAPTERS:

23:28 - Divine Connection: Ultimate Relationship

25:20 - Divine Edicts: Understanding The Command

29:40 - Spiritual Conditions: The Conditional Clause

32:40 - Inner Freedom: Liberated Heart vs Life's Challenges

Shaykh Hatem El Haj and Imam Dawud Walid join the ImanWire podcast to offer words of encouragement and advice in staying true to Prophetic etiquettes for Muslims engaged in protests and activism for the Palestinian cause.

Link to article discussed in the podcast:

https://muslimmatters.org/2024/05/30/holding-onto-prophetic-etiquettes-when-protesting-encouragement-and-advice-for-muslim-human-rights-advocates/

Embark on a profound journey through Ibrahim's ultimate test, a tale of unwavering faith and the epitome of a father's sacrifice. This episode delves into the heart-wrenching story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son—a narrative that continues to inspire spiritual guidance and reverence towards Allah.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Invocation

3:50 - Forbearing Son Tidings

11:00 - Ibrahim Ismael Vision

21:45 - Ibrahim Ultimate Test

25:50 - Shaytan Temptations

29:50 - Sacrifice Act

36:15 - Dua Prophet Ibrahim

40:05 - Ibrahim Divine Ransom

45:38 - Qurbani Significance

“Whoever imitates a people becomes one of them." This well-known hadith on tashabbuh (imitation), debated by scholars over centuries, continues to play a role in how Muslims see both themselves and others. Dr. Youshaa Patel, author of the book, “The Muslim Difference: Defining the Line between Believers and Unbelievers from Early Islam to the Present”, joins the podcast to explore the many different layers of tashabbuh, weaving through scholarly commentaries, psychology, history, style and culture.

CHAPTERS:

1:18 - What is Tashabbuh?

11:08 - Tashabbuh in Early Islam

14:50 - Parting the Hair

17:12 - Changing the Qibla: A Distinctive Community

18:58 - Projecting Identity in the Public Space

20:59 - The Scale of Style: Small or Stark Differences?

27:55 - Imitation and Hierarchy in the Age of Empire

33:88 - More Than Just Imitating Non-Muslims

36:12 - Reinforcing Hierarchies in Empire

39:57 - Prioritizing Order in Society

41:36 - Ibn Taymiyyah Weighs In

44:08 - Bad Imitators: Festivals and Muslims Blurring Into Non-Muslims

49:32 - Can the Hadith of Imitation Go Both Ways?

50:53 - Tracing Anxieties Over the Ummah Through Tashabbuh

54:22 - Ibn Taymiyyah and Tashabbuh in Non-Muslim Lands

55:46 - Coffee, Controversy & Najm-ud-Din al-Ghazi

1:01:23 - Aligning Fiqh With Beauty

1:04:19 - The Coffeehouse: The Devil's Lair

1:06:09 - Good Imitation and the Path to Piety

1:09:43 - A Transformative Technology of the Self

1:10:33 - Animals as Role Models?

1:11:57 - Wearing European Hats

1:13:00 - The Most Controversial Fatwa in the History of Islam

1:19:46 - Power of Symbols in Shaping Communal Identity

1:22:57 - Tashabbuh Today: How Do Muslims Be Different Now?

1:33:21 - Internal Imitation: The Intellectual Onslaught on the Muslim Psyche

1:41:36 - Muslim Pride: Me Against Them?

1:44:56 - Figuring Out How to Be Muslim

1:47:01 - Elevating Ourselves and the Other

Dr. Bara Zuhaili shares stories from his time in Gaza, highlighting the humanity, resilience, and heroism of its people.

Shaykh Hassan Lachheb joins Moutasem Atiya to discuss topics close to their hearts and delve into global events.

Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui talks about the internal struggles and choices faced by individuals. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's drives and inclinations with the divine, attaining serenity and freedom from worldly attachments. He draws inspiration from the story of Prophet Ibrahim and highlights the significance of steadfastness and faith in delivering the divine message. This enlightening discourse encourages Muslims to strive for spiritual growth and live a life dedicated to pleasing the Divine.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Opening Prayer Invocation

6:37 - Struggle for Freedom: Understanding Nafs

18:50 - Followers of Prophet Ibrahim

21:00 - Spiritual Connection with Allah

23:00 - Attaining Inner Peace: Becoming Salim

40:55 - Prophet Ibrahim's Deliverance

41:05 - Journeying to Allah: Ibrahim's Quest

In this dialogue, Moutasem Atiya and Firas Zahabi discuss the situation in Palestine and Muslims worldwide and explore a range of topics in arriving to genuine faith in God.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro

1:48 - Palestine Issue Discussion

5:36 - Proof Importance Analysis

11:56 - Psychology of Oppression Insights

14:35 - Radicalization Process Explained

19:15 - Historical Irony Explored

26:44 - Rabbi Shmuley

27:50 - Humanity

28:44 - Black Slave Rebellion Justification

30:00 - Gaza Cultural Impact

34:44 - Wikipedia Page Controversies

35:30 - Faith Journey Reflections

39:40 - Islamic Golden Age Highlights

43:30 - Born Muslim Concept

48:41 - Ma’rifah Concept Importance

52:08 - Divine Concept Projection Refutation

56:00 - Key Historical Events

59:10 - Historical Facts Overview

1:02:00 - Quran Interpretation Discussion

1:03:00 - Quran and Divine Existence

1:04:30 - Royce Gracie: My Hero

1:08:02 - Journey into MMA

1:13:17 - Secrets to Greatness

1:15:49 - Excellence Importance

1:20:10 - Peace Treaties and Coexistence

1:21:51 - International Law and War Crimes

1:26:32 - Israel Democracy Debate

1:31:04 - Future Predictions

1:35:25 - Conflict Duration Speculation

Video version of this episode is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLwc52V2tuE

Who is the Islamic Mary? Was she a Prophet? Dr. Younus Mirza reflects on what her Qur'anic story means for us today, and how it connects us to deeper spiritual realities in Ramadan.

CHAPTERS:

0:05 - Introduction

3:04 - The Origin Story [Aal-Imran 3:35-37]

7:52 - The Male Is Not Like the Female

14:47 - Learning From Female Saints

19:15 - The Name of Maryam

20:42 - Unique Features of Surah Maryam

24:17 - The Womb and Ar-Rahmaan

25:24 - Prophet Zakariya, Najashi and Interfaith Dialogue

30:57 - Seclusion and the News of Prophet Isa

33:35 - Labor and Complaining to God

37:25 - Spiritual Tests

39:11 - Divine Reassurance and the Fasting of Maryam

43:16 - Speech and Silence

44:26 - Connecting to the Deeper Realties of Fasting

47:01 - The Gifts of Silence and Ramadan

51:55 - Prophet Isa Speaking From Cradle

54:29 - Was Maryam a Prophet?

1:02:56 - Getting Lost in Qur'anic Commentary

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