The World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics

The World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics

By Amine TaisReligion & SpiritualityIslam
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The World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics episodes

  • EP.56--History: From the Umayyads to the Abbasids

    This episode discusses some elements related to the transition from the first dynasty of the world of Islam, the Banu Umayya, to the highly influential ruling dynasty of the Banu al-Abbas, bringing Muhammad's clan of Banu Hashim back to a leadership role. 

    8 min
  • EP.54-The Non-Muslims of the Early Islamic Period (Part I)
    This episode of the World of Islam briefly discusses the non-Muslim communities of the early Islamic period, particularly after the Arab conquests of the Near East and the establishment of an Islamic empire. The focus of this first part is on Judaism and the Jewish communities.
    10 min
  • Ep.53-Religion: Popular Islam
    This episode seeks to correct a major misconception concerning Islam and Muslim life. The Islam of the masses is not simply a reflection of the intellectual discourses that we have covered so far in the podcast.
    11 min
  • Ep.52-The Brethren of Purity
    This episode of the World of Islam introduces the so-called Ikhwan al-Safa (The Brethren of Purity), a group of mysterious thinkers that produced a major encyclopedic philosophical work. We touch on Ismailism and the attempt to unify various forms of knowledge in classical Islam.  
    A History of Islamic Philosophy           by Majid FakhryIslamic Philosophy A-Z                          by Peter S. GroffIslamic Philosophy: an Introduction   by Oliver LeamanThe Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy   Edited by P. Adamson/R.C. Taylor
    10 min
  • Ep.51-Al-Farabi and his Philosophy

    Al-Farabi (d.950) was one of the most important philosophers of the world of early Islam. This episode briefly introduces part of his contribution to metaphysics and political philosophy. 


    Sources and further readings:
    A History of Islamic Philosophy           by Majid FakhryIslamic Philosophy A-Z                          by Peter S. GroffIslamic Philosophy: an Introduction   by Oliver LeamanThe Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy   Edited by P. Adamson/R.C. Taylor
    11 min
  • EP.50-Philosophy and Religion between al-Kindi and al-Razi
    This episode highlights two perspectives in early philosophy within Muslim contexts. Al-Kindi (d. 860s) viewed philosophy and religion as compatible and important whereas al-Razi (d.925) was skeptical of revelation and prophets. 
    Sources and further readings:
    A History of Islamic Philosophy           by Majid FakhryIslamic Philosophy A-Z                          by Peter S. GroffIslamic Philosophy: an Introduction   by Oliver LeamanThe Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy   Edited by P. Adamson/R.C. Taylor
    9 min
  • EP.50-Philosophy and Religion between al-Kindi and al-Razi
    This episode highlights two perspectives in early philosophy within Muslim contexts. Al-Kindi (d. 860s) viewed philosophy and religion as compatible and important whereas al-Razi (d.925) was skeptical of revelation and prophets. 
    Sources and further readings:
    A History of Islamic Philosophy           by Majid FakhryIslamic Philosophy A-Z                          by Peter S. GroffIslamic Philosophy: an Introduction   by Oliver LeamanThe Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy   Edited by P. Adamson/R.C. Taylor
    9 min
  • EP.49-Philosophy in Early Islamic Contexts

    This episode discusses the interaction with Greek philosophy in the early Islamic period. We encounter Plotinus, Neoplatonism, and the important Christian translators of Greek knowledge to Arabic which opened the door to the rise of major Muslim philosophers in later times.  


    Sources and further readings:
    A History of Islamic Philosophy           by Majid FakhryIslamic Philosophy A-Z                          by Peter S. Groff

    Islamic Philosophy: an Introduction   by Oliver Leaman

    The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy   Edited by P. Adamson/R.C. Taylor  

    8 min
  • EP.48--Religion: The Sufi Worldview
    Today's episode seeks to present a general picture of the Sufi worldview. Some of the questions we briefly deal with include: How do Sufis interpret revelation? And what is the Sufi "Way" or "Path" (tariqa)? We also encounter the terms kashf, haqiqa, maqamat, and ahwal.
    13 min

About The World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics

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Historical surveys and current discussions surrounding religion, culture, and politics in Muslim settings