Quran for All Seasons

The "life review" on the Day Judgment; Iblis’ refusal to bow to Adam; and the consequences of accepting the exchange Satan offers, taking his wilāya in place of the wilāya of God.

This episode examines the parable of the wealthy disbeliever, its lessons regarding the adornments of the world, and the manner in which the parable relates to broader Quranic themes as well as the other stories in Sūrat al-Kahf.

This episode examines the end of the story of the Companions of the Cave and the injunctions that come after it in verses 22 through 31 of Sūrat al-Kahf. These injunctions touch upon the manner in which one should handle disputes, how to interpret Quranic narratives, the structure of society, and the importance of actions.

Our second episode on Sūrat al-Kahf examines the story of the Companions of the Cave, its relation to other accounts in the ancient Near East, and the manner in which the Quran employs this story for lessons regarding the spiritual life and the path to God.

This episode contextualizes Sūrat al-Kahf and examines the reasons it is recommended to recite at least a part of it every Friday. It then analyzes verses 1-8 and the manner in which they set the stage for the themes discussed in greater depth later in the sūra.

A contextual and linguistic analysis of Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ, examining its relationship with the surrounding sūras, the inner meaning of the words employed, and some of the reasons for its recitation being referred to as equivalent to one third of the Quran.

An intertextual analysis of Sūrat al-Masad, linking it to the surrounding sūras and examining the reason for its inclusion in the Quran.

Sūrat al-Tīn provides one of the most famous descriptions of the human being in the Quran as one who is created "in the most beautiful balance" to then be cast to "the lowest, lowly." This episode demonstrates how this presentation of the human being is connected to the remainder of the sūrah and the overall Quranic theme of maintaining the balance in all of creation.

A linguistic and contextual analysis of Sūrat al-Māʿūn, illuminating its relationship to the adjacent sūrahs and discussing its emphasis on the importance of being present in prayer.

After an examination of the Quranic use of the word "naṣr" (help), this episode examines the relationship between Sūrat al-Naṣr and the preceding Sūrahs, discussing the manner in which it serves to complete their message.