The World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics

Jun 15 2020 56 ep. 17 mins 2.7k

The World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics Podcast artwork

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

Religion & Spirituality

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

Jun 15 2020 7 mins

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.

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

Feb 06 2017 8 mins

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

EP.54-The Non-Muslims of the Early Islamic Period (Part I)

Apr 21 2016 9 mins

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.

Ep.53-Religion: Popular Islam

Dec 31 2015 10 mins

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.

Ep.52-The Brethren of Purity

Dec 14 2015 9 mins

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 Philosop

Ep.51-Al-Farabi and his Philosophy

Jul 28 2015 10 mins

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 A

EP.50-Philosophy and Religion between al-Kindi and al-Razi

Jul 09 2015 8 mins

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

EP.49-Philosophy in Early Islamic Contexts

Jun 12 2015 7 mins

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

EP.48--Religion: The Sufi Worldview

Feb 03 2015 12 mins

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.

EP.47--Religion: From Asceticism to Mysticism

Dec 19 2014 9 mins

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 of Bistami (d.875), al-Junayd (d.910), and al-Hallaj (d.922).