The Adnan Husain Show

Rhea Rahman joins the 43rd episode of Office Hours, a weekly Friday livestream, at its traditional 5pmET time to discuss her important recent book: Racializing the Ummah: Muslim Humanitarians beyond black, Brown, and White (Univ of Minnesota Press, 2025). It is an ethnographic study of Islamic Relief a Muslim charitable organization,, examining Muslim transnational philanthropy networks, the structures of racial capitalism at work, and the possibilities and limits of its strategic positioning in response to Islamophobia. Challenging and critical, it presents a textured analysis of complex phenomeno of great importance to understanding our world. Join us with your comments and questions for another session of the Radical Academy, Friday Sept 11th, 5pmET.

Dr. Rhea Rahman is assistant professor of Anthropology at Brooklyn College, CUNY.

Please support our fundraiser for Rahima Foundation, a food aid and assistance organization in the South Bay Area started by my mom thirty odd years ago in our garage to help refugees settling in the area, mostly as a resut of US imperial wars: https://www.rahima.org/donate

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The Radical Academy is in session for an early edition, 9amET Fri Sept 4! Orisanmi Burton, a social anthropologist at the CUNY Graduate School and author of the profound study, Tip of the Spear: Black Radicalism, Prison Repression and the Long Attica Revolt, joins Office Hours for a discussion of political prisoners, Black radical resistance movements, internationalism and anti-imperialist solidarity. We might have a chance also to talk about his new project that integrates Black Muslim militants thinkers and activists and think about aspects of the relationsip between the Black Radical tradition and socialism/Marxism. We will certainly have much to discuss about the importance of political prisoners in the imperial core and under settler colonial rule from the US to Palestine. Since the open letter addressed rhetorically in the Guardian to political prisoners in Iran and signed by many leading scholars, activists and even political prisoners, the question of the politics around prisoners and solidarity has come further to the fore. Without belaboring that particular controversy, now is an opportune time to learn about and from the experience of political prisoners and resistance. Join us with your questions and comments! You can buy Orisanmi's book: https://www.ucpress.edu/books/tip-of-the-spear/paper Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orisanmi_burton/ Please support our fundraiser for students in Gaza taking my online course, Guerrilla History: Anticolonial Resistance History, Theory, Practice, for materials and supplies for their final history research projects and the costs to support an in-person version of the course starting in September for displaced students from Gaza on the campus of the American University in Cairo: https://chuffed.org/project/174168-support-a-third-round-of-spocs-for-gaza Support the show on Patreon or Substack, if you can (and get early access to episodes)! www.patreon.com/adnanhusain https://www.adnanahusain.substack.com Or make a one-time donation to the show and Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/adnanhusain Like, subscribe, share! Also available as audio podcast on all major platforms: https://adnanhusainshow.libsyn.com

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Adnan and Marc return with a discussion of a name or attribute, al-Qadeer or "the Powerful" or "All-Powerful", identified by `Afīf al-Dīn al-Tilimsānī in his work translated as "The Divine Names: A Mystical Theology of the Names of God in the Qur'an" by Yousef Casewit. Notably, the name al-Qadeer is not often included in the devotional tradition listing the "99 Names". As a result, we relied greatly on interpreting his discussion as the starting points for a conversation about understanding the sources of power and agency spiritually, theologically, psychically and, especially, phenomenologically. The discussion of al-Tilimsani was remarkably wide-ranging on different aspects of this issue of the nature of power and agency, including the varieties of forms of agency. We also explored how agency might manifest through the seeker's recognition and experience of "the Powerful" in a fascinating parable of the Sufi catching their cloak (presumably patched!) on a twig or branch as a metaphor for challenges, obstacles, the force of power upon us. Finally, we reflected on two different Qur'anic statements al-Tilimsani cites that opened a deeper consideration of the nature and meaning of power and its source. Whether we grasped the subtle distinction between the statement "All power belongs to God" (or as we also proposed, "power belongs to God wholly/completely/all together") on the one hand and "There is no power except through God," we must leave to listeners to ponder further. Every exploration of a distinguished name led us back to consideration of the unity of the Named, this time through a final suggestion of al-Tilimsani that apprehending and experience the unity and essence, "witnessing" it, the Names disappear and the witnesser is rendered "speechless." We were enriched by and grateful again for an opportunity to reflect together on the Names. Inshallah, you found something beneficial or resonant in our shared exploration. Again, we welcome your comments, queries, corrections in discussion of the video!

Follow Marc's channel for additional supplemental videos on the topics of the series: @marcapplebaum8177

Also please support the fundraiser for Yara, a single woman living in a tent in Deir al-Balah, Gaza. She is currently trying to raise money for her mother's medical needs after heart surgery and support for her family of five: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=RUNFTJSLC4YVW&fbclid=IwY2xjawR9pORleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWZDg1M3FsdEtibjBWZm1Ec3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt5xsnU6Pdq2yaDuFN3S1G9gWUbekwvZfyV8WT8r8-ARiKcCIIADKxM1-_ey_aem_jWjpyM2qbCfKDkHbmWb8ww

Support the show on Patreon or Substack, if you can (and get early access to episodes as well as full audio of all livestreams)!

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https://www.adnanahusain.substack.com

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The Radical Academy is in session for a continuing discussion with returning guest Gabriel Rockhill, Professor of Philosophy at Villanova University and author of numerous books, about the "Intellectual World War" and in particular the geopolitical economy of compatible left theory production in the imperial core. We discuss his new co-authored book, with Aymeric Monville, "Requiem for French Theory", from Monthly Review Press. It is a series of dialogues emerging from past sessions of The Critical Theory Workshop that engage a critique of structuralist, post-structuralist and postmodern French theory; contextualizes it in the global political economy of intellectual production; examines the consequences of its regressive and reactionary formulations as part of a broader "anticommunist cultural front"; and enjoins a revival of revolutionary praxis. It should be an interesting conversation on a very engaging and relevant short book and themes distilled from volume 1 of the "The Intellectual World War" series and extended to French theory in this digested fashion. Join us 4pmET Friday August 28 with your comments and questions.

You can listen to/watch two previous episodes w/Gabriel, "The Imperial Theory Industry": https://youtu.be/Qz8rX6UEB2Q?si=xFKgdOxmdNNPCeWb and Office Hours 22-Western Marxism, https://www.youtube.com/live/6-okZ9MgvZE?si=s8QIXgzJWOIU9WMy

"Requiem for French Theory" is available from Monthly Review Press: https://monthlyreview.org/9781685901509/

You can find out more about The Critical Theory Workshop: https://criticaltheoryworkshop.com/ Follow Gabriel Rockhill and learn about his work: https://gabrielrockhill.com/

Please support our fundraiser for students in Gaza taking my online course, Guerrilla History: Anticolonial Resistance History, Theory, Practice, for materials and supplies for their final history research projects and the costs to support an in-person version of the course starting in September for displaced students from Gaza on the campus of the American University in Cairo: https://chuffed.org/project/174168-support-a-third-round-of-spocs-for-gaza

Thank you for supporting the program on Patreon as a paid member. Your support helps keep this content for political eduation free and available on YouTube for others who cannot afford to be paid members.

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Join us for a special early edition Office Hours Friday livestream Fri Aug 21--the Radical Academy is in session to discuss a new book from Monthly Review Press titled The Exterminating Empire: Capitalism's War on Life, from Palestine to the Burning Planet with its author Chris de Ploeg. The book examines the political economy of imperialism and its connection to climate crisis, war, genocide. Foreword by Jason Hickel. It should be a great discussion! Bring your comments and questions for Chris.

Order the book: https://monthlyreview.org/9781685901653/

And follow Chris at: www.chrisdeploeg.com

Please support our fundraiser for my online course for students in Gaza: Guerrilla History: Anticolonial Resistance History, Theory, Practice for materials, supplies and equipment for creative expression and sharing of their historical research. Please be generous again as you have in supporting this course: https://chuffed.org/project/174168-support-a-third-round-of-spocs-for-gaza

Support the show on Patreon or Substack, if you can (and get early access to episodes as well as full audio of all livestreams)! www.patreon.com/adnanhusain

https://www.adnanahusain.substack.com

Or make a one-time donation to the show and Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/adnanhusain

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Join us for a special impromptu edition of Office Hours Sunday Aug 23rd to break down the infamous "Open Letter" addressed to "political prisoners" in the Islamic Republic of Iran signed by a number of promient left academics and activists in the BLM and abolotionist anti-carceral movement. The response has been overwhelming and swift in criticism and condemnation of the ill-advised letter. Sina Rahmani of The East is a Podcast joins Office Hours to analyze and reorient this controversy politically. The Radical Academy is in session so join us with your comments and questions.

Tune into both of us and a number of other excellent panelists on this topic on the indispensible Millenials are Killing Capitalism Tue Aug 25 11am-1pmET:

Of course, support and subscribe to Sina's unbanned The East is a Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@theeastisapodcast

Please support our fundraiser for my online course for students in Gaza: Guerrilla History: Anticolonial Resistance History, Theory, Practice for materials, supplies and equipment for creative expression and sharing of their historical research. Plus we need to fund an in-person version of the course for displaced Gazan students in Cairo. Please be generous again as you have in supporting this course: https://chuffed.org/project/174168-su...

Support the show on Patreon or Substack, if you can (and get early access to episodes)! www.patreon.com/adnanhusain https://www.adnanahusain.substack.com Or make a one-time donation to the show and Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/adnanhusain Like, subscribe, share! Also available as audio podcast on all major platforms: https://adnanhusainshow.libsyn.com X: @adnanahusain Substack: adnanahusain.substack.com www.adnanhusain.org

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Adnan is joined by two comrades and scholars of the history and theory of Guerrilla War, Profs Justin Podur and Alex Aviňa, both friends of the show. This era of anticolonial and anti-imperial resistance has witnessed many developments in insurgency, guerrilla, and asymmetrical war from Gaza, Southern Lebanon, to Yemen and Iran among the Axis of Resistance. This important conversation gives us an opportunity to learn about some of the main features of People's War politically and tactically from the roots in communist and revolutionary struggles to anticolonial resistance and what innovations and lessons can be learned since the Genocide and resistance and their implications for liberation and geopolitics of our time. Read your Mao, get your Che on! Join us with your comments and questions, Fri August 6, 3pm ET.

Please support our fundraiser for my online course for students in Gaza: Guerrilla History: Anticolonial Resistance History, Theory, Practice for materials, supplies and equipment for creative expression and sharing of their historical research. Please be generous again as you have in supporting this course: https://chuffed.org/project/174168-support-a-third-round-of-spocs-for-gaza

Support the show on Patreon or Substack, if you can (and get early access to episodes as well as full audio of all livestreams)! www.patreon.com/adnanhusain

https://www.adnanahusain.substack.com

Or make a one-time donation to the show and Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/adnanhusain

Rate and Review! Like, subscribe, share! Also available in video on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@adnanhusainshow

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"The All-Encompassing" or al-Muheet is a less discussed of the Qur'anic divine attributes because many traditions/hadith of the devotional "99 Names" and subsequent Sufi commentaries do not include it. Al-Tilimsani, following the incidence of divine names as they appear in the Qur'an, dedicates a discussion of al-Muheet. Adnan and Marc engage in an exploration of the meanings and experiences of encompassing and return to the question of the divine-human relationship and the "jamali" and "jalali" distinction we've been considering in recent names emphasizing divine lordship. What is the relationship between the "Avenging" attribute al-Muntaqim and the ontological, universal "Mercy" of al-Rahman in the experience of "The All-Encompassing", al-Muheet? A phenomenological perspective bears particular fruit as we conclude with al-tlimimsani's quotation of the great North African Sufi Master Abu Madyan, "Whoever speaks of dates without tasting their sweetness in his mouth has not spoken of dates!" His final exhortation in his discussion of al-Muheet is: "So understand this, and you will understand the deepest meanings of the final end through your own tasting and state, not trhough transmitted reports and hearsay!" As ever, we reflect on how the name, the sufi commentaries on the name, might together bring insight to a deeper consideration of our own contemporary material conditions and instrospections spiritually, psychologically, and phenomenologically.

We look forward to your comments!

Follow Marc's channel for additional supplemental videos on the topics of the series: @marcapplebaum8177

Also please support the fundraiser for Yara, a single woman living in a tent in Deir al-Balah, Gaza. She is currently trying to raise money for her mother's medical needs after heart surgery and support for her family of five: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=RUNFTJSLC4YVW&fbclid=IwY2xjawR9pORleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWZDg1M3FsdEtibjBWZm1Ec3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt5xsnU6Pdq2yaDuFN3S1G9gWUbekwvZfyV8WT8r8-ARiKcCIIADKxM1-_ey_aem_jWjpyM2qbCfKDkHbmWb8ww

Support the show on Patreon or Substack, if you can (and get early access to episodes as well as full audio of all livestreams)!

www.patreon.com/adnanhusain

https://www.adnanahusain.substack.com

Or make a one-time donation to the show and Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/adnanhusain

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The series The Karbabal Paradigm and Anti-Imperialist Resistance for Muharram addresses the important ideas that helped transform modern Shi'i devotional practice and theology into a revolutionary anti-imperialist force. Often called the ideologist of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Dr. Shariati's writings and teachings are a fundamental source of anti-imperialist thought from the Global South. In particular he articulated a non-secular but radical and liberatory project that is at the heart of the Axis of Resistance's use of Shi'i values, rituals, and sacred histories as tools of struggle. You could say this episode will begin to delve into the historical reinterpretation of Shariati that gave birth to Shi'i liberation theology. Join me for Day 2/3 of Muharram on this series.

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In this 7th episode of the Names of God series, Adnan and Marc reflect on al-Malik, the King or Owner, another name or attribute that raises the questions of lordship and servanthood in their intimate, non-dualistic interrelationship and the language of hierarchy in the context of spiritual development and psychological health for humans. Because al-Tlimsani discusses the appearance of al-Malik in the context of its Qur'anic appearance in the opening surah, al-fatiha, as "Master of the Day of Judgment," we discussed the eschatological meanings of the "afterlife" from an experiential understanding in juxtaposition to conventional understandings in Islamicate (and broadly monotheistic) theology. al-Ghazali's definition of "kingship" as being free from need opens up ways of understanding spiritual self-sufficiency or sovereignty in our daily life as a practical absorption of this name spiritually. In a wide ranging conversation about different dimensions of al-Malik, we explore the spiritual, the metaphysical, the political, and the social in contemporary life from both conceptual and experiential approaches for what it means to be human.

Follow Marc's channel for additional supplemental videos on the topics of the series: @marcapplebaum8177

Also please support the fundraiser for Yara, a single woman living in a tent in Deir al-Balah, Gaza. She is currently trying to raise money for her mother's medical needs after heart surgery and support for her family of five: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=RUNFTJSLC4YVW&fbclid=IwY2xjawR9pORleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWZDg1M3FsdEtibjBWZm1Ec3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt5xsnU6Pdq2yaDuFN3S1G9gWUbekwvZfyV8WT8r8-ARiKcCIIADKxM1-_ey_aem_jWjpyM2qbCfKDkHbmWb8ww

Support the show on Patreon or Substack, if you can (and get early access to episodes as well as full audio of all livestreams)!

www.patreon.com/adnanhusain

https://www.adnanahusain.substack.com

Or make a one-time donation to the show and Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/adnanhusain

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