Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often seen as a modern invention—but its core ideas were explored over 1,100 years ago by the 9th-century scholar Abu Zayd al-Balkhi.

In this video, we explore al-Balkhi’s groundbreaking writings on mental health, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and the connection between thoughts and behavior—ideas that closely resemble modern psychology and CBT.

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Nicholas of Cusa was a 15th-century philosopher, theologian, and mathematician whose ideas anticipated modern science and philosophy. In this video, we explore his life, key works, and radical concept of “learned ignorance,” as well as his views on infinity, knowledge and religious diversity. Discover why this forgotten medieval thinker still matters today.

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Sources/Recommended Reading:

Bond. H. Lawrence (edited and translated by) (1997). "Nicholas of Cusa: Selected Spiritual Writings". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press.

Hopkins, Jasper (translated by) (1986). "NICHOLAS OF CUSA’S DE PACE

FIDEI AND CRIBRATIO ALKORANI". Second edition. THE ARTHUR J. BANNING PRESS MINNEAPOLIS.

McGinn, Bernard. "The Presence of God" Series, in several volumes. Perhaps the best and most comprehensive introduction to Christian mysticism. Published by Crossroad Publishing Co.

Valkenberg, Pim (2011). "Sifting the Qur’an: Two Forms of Interreligious Hermeneutics in Nicholas of Cusa". In "Interreligious Hermeneutics in Pluralistic Europe", Currents of Encounter Online, Volume: 40. Brill.

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In this video, I explain the meaning of taqiyya in Islamic tradition & where it comes from. We look at its historical context, what scholars actually say about it historically and today.

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Sources/Recommended Reading:

Hallaq, Wael (2004). "The Origins and Evolution of Islamic Law". Cambridge University Press.

Hallaq, Wael (2009). "Sharia: Theory, Practice, Transformations". Cambridge University Press.

Stewart, Devin (2013). "Dissimulation in Sunni Islam and Morisco Taqiyya*". AL-QANTARA, XXXIV 2, 2013, pp. 439-490.

https://islamqa.org/hanafi/askimam/81133/?utm

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What is Sharia law, really? In this video, we break down the meaning of Sharia, explain where it comes from, and discuss some of the most misunderstandings you’ve probably heard online.

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Sources/Recommended Reading:

Hallaq, Wael (2004). "The Origins and Evolution of Islamic Law". Cambridge University Press.

Hallaq, Wael (2009). "Sharia: Theory, Practice, Transformations". Cambridge University Press.

Kamali, Mohammad Hashim, 'Shariah: Meaning, Definition, History, and Sources', Shariah and the Halal Industry (New York, 2021; online edn, Oxford Academic, 19 Aug. 2021).

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The Qadiriyya is often called the most widespread Sufi order in the world — but how did one 12th-century mystic in Baghdad inspire a global movement that still thrives today?

This episode explores the life and legacy of Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, the saint revered across the Muslim world as Ghaus al-A‘zam — “the greatest helper.”

From medieval Baghdad to North Africa, Turkey, South Asia, and beyond, we trace how his teachings spread across continents, shaping Islamic spirituality for nearly 900 years.

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Sources/Recommended Reading:

Abun-Nasr, Jamil M. (2007). "Muslim Communities of Grace: The Sufi Brotherhoods in Islamic Religious Life". C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd.

Knysh, Alexander (2012). "Islamic Mysticism: A Short History". BRILL.

Malik, Hamza (2018). "The Grey Falcon: The Life and Teaching of Shaykh 'Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jilani". BRILL.

Trimingham, John Spencer (1971). "Sufi Orders in Islam". Oxford University Press.

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Discover the fascinating history of alchemy — the ancient art that aimed to turn base metals into gold. From mystical experiments to the birth of modern chemistry, this video explores how alchemists shaped science, philosophy, and the human quest for knowledge.

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Sources/Recommended Reading:

Abt, Theodore (ed.) (2007). "Corpus Alchemicum Arabicum: Book of the Explanation of the Symbols Kitab Hall Ar-Rumuz". Psychological Commentary by Marie-Louise Von Franz. Living Human Heritage Publications.

Adamson, Peter (2021). "Al-Rāzī". Great Medieval Thinkers. OUP USA.

Corriente, Federico & Ed Emery (translated by) (2004). "Twenty-seven Muwashshashaat and One Zajal by Ibn al-'Arabi of Murcia (1165-1240)".

Dodge, Bayard (translated by) (1998). "The Fihrist: A 10th Century Ad Survey of Islamic Culture". Kazi Pubns Inc.

Grimes, Shannon (2018). "Becoming Gold: Zosimos of Panopolis and the Alchemical Arts in Roman Egypt". Rubedo Press.

Hirtenstein, Stephen (translated by) (2018). "The Alchemy of Human Happiness (Mystical Treatises of Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi)". Anqa Publishing.

Principe, Lawrence (2013). "The Secrets of Alchemy". University of Chicago Press.

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Long before modern horror imagined zombies or demons, ancient Arabic folklore spoke of the Ghoul (غول) — a terrifying shape-shifting creature haunting deserts, ruins, and graveyards. In this video, we uncover the true origins of the Ghoul: its roots in pre-Islamic Arabian mythology, its transformation through Islamic tradition, and its lasting influence on global horror culture.

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Sources/Recommended Reading:

Al-Rawi, Ahmed (2009). "The Mythical Ghoul in Arabic Culture". Article. The University of California.

Al-Rawi, Ahmed (2009). "The Arabic Ghoul and its Western Transformation". Folklore 120 (December 2009): 291–306.

Lebling, Robert & Tahir Shah (2014). "Legends of the Fire Spirits: Jinn and Genies from Arabia to Zanzibar. I.B. Tauris.

Henninger, Joseph (2004). "Beliefs in Spirits among the Pre-Islamic Arabs". In "Magic and Divination in Early Islam". Edited by Emile Savage-Smith. Ashgate Publishing Company.

Rašić, Dunja (2024). "Bedeviled: Jinn Doppelgangers in Islam and Akbarian Sufism". State University of New York Press.

"The Annotated Arabian Nights: Tales from 1001 Nights". Edited by Paulo Lemos Horta. Translated by Yasmine Seale. Liveright Publishing Corporation.

Online version of Qazwini's "Wonders of Creation": https://shamela.ws/book/30006/310?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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Who were the mysterious Sabians of Harran? This forgotten group of ancient star-worshippers left behind one of history’s most fascinating mysteries. We look at the contemporary sources to (try to) find out what these ancient peoples actually believed and practiced.

Find me and my music here:

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Also check out the Let's Talk Religion Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ih4sqtWv0wRIhS6HFgerb?si=95b07d83d0254b

Sources/Recommended Reading:

Dodge, Bayard (translated by) (1970). "The Fihrist of al-Nadim: A Tenth Century Survey of Muslim Culture". Columbia University Press.

Gunduz, Sinasi (1994). "The Knowledge of Life: The Origins and Early History of the Mandaeans and Their Relation to the Sabians of the Qur'an and to the Harranians". Oxford University Press.

Hjärpe, Jan (1972). "Analyse critique des traditions arabes sur les Sabéens Harraniens". Doctoral thesis. University of Uppsala.

Moses Maimonides - "The Guide for the Perplexed - A New Translation". Translated with commentary by Lenn E. Goodman & Philip I. Lieberman.

Stanford University Press.

Tardieu, Michel (1986). "Sabiens coraniques et Sabiens' de Harran'. Journal Asiatique 274, 1-44.

Tardieu, Michel (1987). "Les calandriers en usage a Harran d'aprés les sources arabes et le commentaire de Simplicius a la physique d'Aristotle". In Ilsetraut Hadot, ed., "Simplicius: Sa vie, son aevre, sa survie. Acted du colloque international de Paris (28 Sept.-1 Oct. 1985)". Berlin, de Gruyter, 40-57).

Van Bladel, Kevin (2009). "The Arabic Hermes: From Pagan Sage to Prophet of Science". OUP USA.

Van Bladel, Kevin (2017). "From Sasanian Mandaeans to Sabians of the Marshes". Brill.

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Who were the Sabians (Ṣābi’ūn) mentioned in the Quran? Were they a mysterious religious community, early monotheists, Mandaeans, star-worshippers, or something else entirely? In this video, we explore the fascinating question of the identity of the Sabians, drawing on Islamic sources, Quranic references, historical accounts, and scholarly debates.

Music by Filip Holm (me)

Find me and my music here:

https://linktr.ee/filipholm

Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon:

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Or through a one-time donation:

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Sources/Recommended Reading:

Gunduz, Sinasi (1994). "The Knowledge of Life: The Origins and Early History of the Mandaeans and Their Relation to the Sabians of the Qur'an and to the Harranians". Oxford University Press.

Van Bladel, Kevin (2009). "The Arabic Hermes: From Pagan Sage to Prophet of Science". OUP USA.

Van Bladel, Kevin (2017). "From Sasanian Mandaeans to Sabians of the Marshes". Brill.

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Who are the Druze? In this video, we explore the history, culture, and beliefs of the Druze people — a small but influential religious community mainly found in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

Find me and my music here:

https://linktr.ee/filipholm

Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon:

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Sources/Recommended Reading:

Betts, Robert Brenton (2009). "The Druze". Yale University Press.

Daftary, Farhad (2007). "The Isma'ilis: Their history and doctrines". Cambridge University Press.

Firro, Kais M. (2011). "The Druze Faith: Origin, Development and Interpretation". Arabica 58 (2011) 76-99. Brill.

Hirschberg, H.Z. (1981). "The Druzes". In "Religion in the Middle East: Three Religions in Concord and conflict (ed. Arberry, A.J. & Beckingham, C.F.), vol 2. Cambridge University Press.

Hitti, Philip K. (2007). "The Origins of the Druze People and Religion: With Extracts from their Sacred Writings." Saqi Books.

Hodgson, Marshall G.S. (1962). "Al-Darazi and Hamza in the Origins of the Druze Religion". Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol 82, No. 1.

Walker, Paul E. (2010). "Caliph of Cairo: Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, 996-1021". The American University in Cairo Press.

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