David/Dawud is represented in the Islamic tradition as a righteous ruler who combines worship and kingship, piety and authority.  One story that emerges in the Biblical and Qur'anic literature is that David/Dawud sees Bathsheba bathing, leading him to have an affair with her, kill her husband and then marrying her.  Various Muslim commentators struggled with this story, with some saying that he only had relations with her after marriage and with others rejecting the story altogether.   

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One of the most fascinating stories in the Qur'an is the Story of Solomon/Sulyaman and the ant.  An ant see Solomon/Sulyman's army approaching and warns her tribe to take shelter to protect themselves.  Solomon/Sulayman hears the ants cry which leads him to pray for God to make him grateful and live a righteous life.  The story speaks to the idea of humility, gratitude and conservation.

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I got the opportunity to do a book talk at the AbuSulayman Center at George Mason University.  The Center focuses on Global Islamic Studies and is a leader in digital Islamic studies and humanities.  I also got to interact with my good friend Professor Maria Dakake who influenced my work on the Quran and the Islamic Mary.  

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I had the opportunity to do a program with the Institute for Islamic, Christian Jewish Studies, especially with my good friend Mathew Taylor.  We discuss issues related to new the book the Islamic Mary such as how various Christian groups approach the figure.  We also discuss how various biblical stories regarding Mary emerge in the Qur'an.    

Abstract:

Join us for a conversation with Younus Y. Mirza, Ph.D., author of The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries. In this new book, Mirza traces the many appearances of Maryam—Mary, the mother of Jesus—across Islamic scripture, theology, devotion, art, and culture. From the Qur’an and early biographies of the Prophet Muhammad to Sufi teachings, medieval debates, and modern interfaith dialogue, Maryam emerges as a shared figure of reverence across traditions. Mirza will discuss how Mary/Maryam can serve as a bridge between Christians and Muslims, opening space for deeper understanding and meaningful encounter.

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One of the questions that I have gotten on the book tour is "What Can Maryam Do?"  I discuss how Maryam can bring unique audiences together, from Middle Eastern Studies, to Religious Studies to Chaplaincy.  She also brings up overlooked issues and topics such as motherhood, daughterhood, female spirituality and leadership.  

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When I first started my graduate education, I was attracted to the framework of Abrahamic Religions or the idea that Jews, Christians and Muslims should return back to their founder, Abraham, to better understand their faiths and move beyond contemporary differences.  In the last several years, I have been traveling to Southeast Asia through the Barzinji Institute for Global Virtual Learning at Shenandoah University which I direct.  Through my travels, I have seen the power and influence of Islam in the region and how it interacts with other religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.  I sit down with one of the foremost experts in Islam in Southeast Asia, Khairudin Aljunied, to better understand the region and Islam's relationship with other faiths.  

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My father passed away this week so I reshare an older episode of Zechariah/Zakariyya who resembled my father in his age, spirituality and caretaking.  

Verse 3 and 4 of the chapter of Mary (surat Maryam) captures about the private call of Zechariah/Zakariyya as he prays to have a child.  Before he makes his please, he speaks about his weakness - his brittle bones and white hair - and emphasizes his unique relationship with God.  Zechariah's/Zakariyya's call is similar to other calls of vulnerability in the Qur'an, such as that of Jonah/Yunus.  

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As I revise my second edition of my book "The Bible and the Qur'an: Biblical Figures in the Islamic Tradition", I continue to read new articles and research regarding the various prophetic and righteous figures.  One argues that Adam is connected to Maryam in that Adam was taught "all of the names" of his future progeny which included that of Maryam.  

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One of the questions that Maryam raises is the level of agency and power of women in religion, especially within scriptures such as the Qur'an and Bible.  In this episode, I speak about the Queen of Sheeba, known as Bilqis in the Islamic tradition, and how she is seen as a wise, sensible and pious ruler.  I also speak about the various stories and traditions that developed around the Bilqis, such as her getting married to Solomon/Sulyaman and her hairy legs.      

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Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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One of the questions I received in presenting on The Islamic Mary is why is Maryam silent?  This question is connected to a larger question about women and religion and their speech, agency, and power in various scriptures.  I analyze Maryam's speech in the Qur'an and contend that it represents spirituality, vulnerability and agency.   

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