The World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics

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

• 06.15.2020

  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...

  
• 02.06.2017

  EP.55-The Non-Muslims of the Early Islamic Period (Part II)

  This episode continues discussing the non-Muslim communities of the early Islamic period. The focus shifts to Christian communities after the Arab conquests.

  
• 04.21.2016

  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...

  
• 12.31.2015

  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.

  
• 12.14.2015

  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...

  
• 07.28.2015

  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          ...

  
• 07.10.2015

  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    ...

  
• 07.09.2015

  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    ...

  
• 06.12.2015

  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...

  
• 02.03.2015

  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,...

  
• 02.03.2015

  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,...

  
• 12.19.2014

  EP.47--Religion: From Asceticism to Mysticism

  This episode discusses a further step in the later rise of full-fledged Sufi orientations within the world of Islam. We encounter the concepts of ma`rifa (intuitive knowledge), fana' (annihilation in God), and baqa' (subsistence), as well as the important figures...

  
• 12.19.2014

  EP.47–Religion: From Asceticism to Mysticism

  This episode discusses a further step in the later rise of full-fledged Sufi orientations within the world of Islam. We encounter the concepts of ma`rifa (intuitive knowledge), fana' (annihilation in God), and baqa' (subsistence), as well as the important figures...

  
• 11.15.2014

  EP.46--Religion: Early Sufism and Asceticism

  This episode introduces the tradition of Sufism that some also call Islamic mysticism. We are concerned today with the early period and the practice of zuhd (asceticism).

  
• 11.15.2014

  EP.46–Religion: Early Sufism and Asceticism

  This episode introduces the tradition of Sufism that some also call Islamic mysticism. We are concerned today with the early period and the practice of zuhd (asceticism). 

  
• 10.07.2014

  EP.45--History: Jihad in the Modern World

  This episode discusses the struggles of modern Muslims to make sense of the concept of Jihad. We consider the impact of European colonialism and attempt to map a number of ways in which Muslims in the modern world have perceived...

  
• 10.07.2014

  EP.45–History: Jihad in the Modern World

  This episode discusses the struggles of modern Muslims to make sense of the concept of Jihad. We consider the impact of European colonialism and attempt to map a number of ways in which Muslims in the modern world have perceived...

  
• 09.26.2014

  EP.44--History: The Jihad Movements

  This episode briefly discusses the worldview of the Jihad movements that appeared on the Muslim scene around the 17th and 18th centuries AD. Can we view these movements as, in some ways, precursors to contemporary Jihad movements? The episode particularly...

  
• 09.26.2014

  EP.44–History: The Jihad Movements

  This episode briefly discusses the worldview of the Jihad movements that appeared on the Muslim scene around the 17th and 18th centuries AD. Can we view these movements as, in some ways, precursors to contemporary Jihad movements? The episode particularly...

  
• 09.06.2014

  EP.43--Religion: Jihad, War, and Peace

  What exactly is Jihad? This episode discusses the traditional doctrine of Jihad that Muslim Jurists developed and takes a brief look at related issues of conflict, peace, and pluralism in the Qur'an and some premodern Muslim legal discourses.

  
• 09.06.2014

  EP.43–Religion: Jihad, War, and Peace

  What exactly is Jihad? This episode discusses the traditional doctrine of Jihad that Muslim Jurists developed and takes a brief look at related issues of conflict, peace, and pluralism in the Qur'an and some premodern Muslim legal discourses.  

  
• 07.31.2014

  EP.42--Religion: Ijma' (Consensus) between the Legal and the Political in Islamic Discourses

  What does Ijmāʿ (consensus) mean? How does it function within traditional Islamic Law? In what way do the Sunni concept of “ijmāʿ” and the Shīʿī concept of “imām” parallel each other? What are the political dynamics of ijmāʿ?

  
• 07.30.2014

  EP.42--Religion: Ijma' (Consensus) between the Legal and the Political in Islamic Discourses

  What does Ijmāʿ (consensus) mean? How does it function within traditional Islamic Law? In what way do the Sunni concept of “ijmāʿ” and the Shīʿī concept of “imām” parallel each other? What are the political dynamics of ijmāʿ?

  
• 07.30.2014

  EP.42–Religion: Ijma’ (Consensus) between the Legal and the Political in Islamic Discourses

  What does Ijmāʿ (consensus) mean? How does it function within traditional Islamic Law? In what way do the Sunni concept of “ijmāʿ” and the Shīʿī concept of “imām” parallel each other? What are the political dynamics of ijmāʿ?

  
• 07.23.2014

  EP.41--Religion: Ijtihad and the Intellectual Struggle to Find God's Law in Islam

  The episode discusses the concept of ijtihad that has been used by Muslim jurists to derive legal rulings. We particularly focus on what is known as qiyas and that came to be the most dominant interpretative tool that a mujtahid utilizes in this...

  
• 07.23.2014

  EP.41–Religion: Ijtihad and the Intellectual Struggle to Find God’s Law in Islam

   The episode discusses the concept of ijtihad that has been used by Muslim jurists to derive legal rulings. We particularly focus on what is known as qiyas and that came to be the most dominant interpretative tool that a mujtahid utilizes in this...

  
• 07.07.2014

  EP.40--Religion: Hadith Collections

  The episode introduces some of the different types of Hadith collections that arose in the world of Islam over the centuries. We discuss the role of Hadith in the transition from Qur'anic discourse to Islamic discourses and learn about sahifas,...

  
• 07.07.2014

  EP.40–Religion: Hadith Collections

  The episode introduces some of the different types of Hadith collections that arose in the world of Islam over the centuries. We discuss the role of Hadith in the transition from Qur'anic discourse to Islamic discourses and learn about sahifas,...

  
• 06.07.2014

  EP.39--Religion: Hadith and Sunna

  Hadith reports attributing sayings and actions to Muhammad came to play a major role in the shaping of the religion of Islam. This episode will discuss some of the classifications of Hadith that Muslim scholars came to adopt after the...

  
• 06.06.2014

  EP.39--Religion: Hadith and Sunna

  Hadith reports attributing sayings and actions to Muhammad came to play a major role in the shaping of the religion of Islam. This episode will discuss some of the classifications of Hadith that Muslim scholars came to adopt after the...

  
• 06.06.2014

  EP.39–Religion: Hadith and Sunna

  Hadith reports attributing sayings and actions to Muhammad came to play a major role in the shaping of the religion of Islam. This episode will discuss some of the classifications of Hadith that Muslim scholars came to adopt after the...

  
• 05.20.2014

  EP.38--Religion: The Solidification of Sunni Legal Schools

  This episode deals with the institutionalization of the legal field in Sunni Islam and the rise of the four "orthodox" legal schools or madhabs (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafiʿi, and Hanbali).

  
• 05.20.2014

  EP.38–Religion: The Solidification of Sunni Legal Schools

  This episode deals with the institutionalization of the legal field in Sunni Islam and the rise of the four "orthodox" legal schools or madhabs (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafiʿi, and Hanbali).

  
• 05.08.2014

  EP.37--Religion: The Compromise of al-Shafiʿi and the Slow Birth of Usul al-Fiqh

  This episode further discusses the debate between the Ahl al-Ra'y and Ahl al-Hadith as well as the compromise initiated by al-Shafiʿi, who will make the case for hadith as vehicle for Sunna and will establish a rudimentary base of Usul al-Fiqh...

  
• 05.08.2014

  EP.37–Religion: The Compromise of al-Shafiʿi and the Slow Birth of Usul al-Fiqh

  This episode further discusses the debate between the Ahl al-Ra'y and Ahl al-Hadith as well as the compromise initiated by al-Shafiʿi, who will make the case for hadith as vehicle for Sunna and will establish a rudimentary base of Usul al-Fiqh...

  
• 04.09.2014

  EP.36--Religion: The Partisans of Reason and the Partisans of Prophetic Reports

  This episode discusses the rise of legal study circles in early Islam. We encounter Ahl al-Ra'y (Partisans of reason), Ahl al-Hadith (Partisans of prophetic reports), Abu Hanifa (d.767) and Malik (d.795).

  
• 04.08.2014

  EP.36--Religion: The Partisans of Reason and the Partisans of Prophetic Reports

  This episode discusses the rise of legal study circles in early Islam. We encounter Ahl al-Ra'y (Partisans of reason), Ahl al-Hadith (Partisans of prophetic reports), Abu Hanifa (d.767) and Malik (d.795).

  
• 04.08.2014

  EP.36–Religion: The Partisans of Reason and the Partisans of Prophetic Reports

  This episode discusses the rise of legal study circles in early Islam. We encounter Ahl al-Ra'y (Partisans of reason), Ahl al-Hadith (Partisans of prophetic reports), Abu Hanifa (d.767) and Malik (d.795).

  
• 03.21.2014

  EP.35--Religion: Law in Early Islam

  This episode introduces the early frames of Islamic law before its more sophisticated stages. We discuss, among other things, law in the Qur'an and the early conceptions of Sunna and Ra'y.

  
• 03.21.2014

  EP.35–Religion: Law in Early Islam

  This episode introduces the early frames of Islamic law before its more sophisticated stages. We discuss, among other things, law in the Qur'an and the early conceptions of Sunna and Ra'y.

  
• 03.03.2014

  EP.34--Religion: Introduction to Islamic Law

  What is Sharia? What is Fiqh? Is there a relation between law and theology?

  
• 03.02.2014

  EP.34--Religion: Introduction to Islamic Law

  What is Sharia? What is Fiqh? Is there a relation between law and theology?

  
• 03.02.2014

  EP.34–Religion: Introduction to Islamic Law

  What is Sharia? What is Fiqh? Is there a relation between law and theology?

  
• 02.08.2014

  EP.33--Religion: Rationalist Theology between the Mu`tazilites and the Ash`arites

  Today, we highlight the tenets of Mu`tazilism and the Ash`arite response to it. Ash`arism would grow to become the dominant theological school in Sunni Islam.

  
• 02.08.2014

  EP.33–Religion: Rationalist Theology between the Mu`tazilites and the Ash`arites

  Today, we highlight the tenets of Mu`tazilism and the Ash`arite response to it. Ash`arism would grow to become the dominant theological school in Sunni Islam.

  
• 01.22.2014

  EP.32--Religion: The Created Qur'an

  Today, we take a brief look at the important theological debate in early Islam over whether the Qur'an was created in history or rather eternal and uncreated. In our presentation, we discuss important contextual elements and encounter the early Abbasid...

  
• 01.22.2014

  EP.32–Religion: The Created Qur’an

  Today, we take a brief look at the important theological debate in early Islam over whether the Qur'an was created in history or rather eternal and uncreated. In our presentation, we discuss important contextual elements and encounter the early Abbasid...

  
• 01.10.2014

  EP.31--Religion: Leadership, Faith, and Free Will

  This episode elaborates on three early theological debates in early Islam, namely the leadership of the religious community, the relation of sinful actions to faith, and free will vs. determinism. Among other things, we encounter the Murji'a, the Jabriyya, the...

  
• 01.10.2014

  EP.31–Religion: Leadership, Faith, and Free Will

  This episode elaborates on three early theological debates in early Islam, namely the leadership of the religious community, the relation of sinful actions to faith, and free will vs. determinism. Among other things, we encounter the Murji'a, the Jabriyya, the...

  
• 12.21.2013

  EP.30--Religion: Early Theological Debates in Islam

  This episode starts introducing some early theological debates within Islam. What can these debates tell us about early Islam?  And how should we look at the relation between "orthodox" views and "heretical" ones?