The Islamic Mary

One of the questions regarding the Qur'an is whether it is a scripture that supports gender hierarchy or equality.  I examine a new article that touches on the meaning of "devout" (qanitat) in the Quran and how it could help answer this question.  In particular, Mary/Maryam is described as being among the "devout" and as a model for all believers.  Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questionsSubscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Order my new book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries Take my quiz on the Islamic Mary which is based on my research and teaching Visit my website to learn more about my bio, research, and blogs.Join my listserve to be updated about my research, speaking and publications, especially my book on the Islamic Mary.Thanks for listening to The Islamic Mary Podcast!

Modern Qur'anic Studies often focuses on "echos" or phrases that connect particular stories, figures and prophets.  In this episode, I look at the phrase "you were not there" and how it relates to the story of Moses/Musa and emphasizes certain parts of the story, such as when he became a law giver, lived in Midian, and spoke to God.  This episode builds off the previous episode "You Were Not There - Echos Between Biblical and Qur'anic Figures."Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questionsSubscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Order my new book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries Take my quiz on the Islamic Mary which is based on my research and teaching Visit my website to learn more about my bio, research, and blogs.Join my listserve to be updated about my research, speaking and publications, especially my book on the Islamic Mary.Thanks for listening to The Islamic Mary Podcast!

9-11 had a tremendous impact on my life and career, as I was a sophomore in college, and it led me to a life of researching, teaching and understanding.  I recently read the Substack of Jordan Denari Duffner who speaks about how the event impacted her, her community and views of Islamophobia.  I sit down with Jordan to better understand what 9-11 meant to her, how Islamophobia has evolved over the last 25 years and her future work and trajectories.  Jordan was on the previous episode of Fruits of the SpiritSend me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questionsSubscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Order my new book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries Take my quiz on the Islamic Mary which is based on my research and teaching Visit my website to learn more about my bio, research, and blogs.Join my listserve to be updated about my research, speaking and publications, especially my book on the Islamic Mary.Thanks for listening to The Islamic Mary Podcast!

 In the Chapter of Constellations (Surat al-Buruj), there is a debate on who it refers to: the Christians of Najran, the Disbelievers in the Hellfire or the Biblical story in Daniel.  I go through recent scholarship on the topic and agree with Walid Saleh that it refers to the Christians of Najran.  The Christians of Najran were persecuted for their faith and were models of resilience and fortitude to the early Muslim community.  Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questionsSubscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Order my new book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries Take my quiz on the Islamic Mary which is based on my research and teaching Visit my website to learn more about my bio, research, and blogs.Join my listserve to be updated about my research, speaking and publications, especially my book on the Islamic Mary.Thanks for listening to The Islamic Mary Podcast!

 In many Biblical and Qur'anic stories, the protagonist isolates themselves and, at times, even go to prison.  In this interview, I chat with Walaa' Qusaiy about her new book "When Only God Can See: The Faith of Muslim Political Prisoners".  Walaa' discusses how faith and spirituality of Muslim prisoners merge with that of prophetic ones, and how they find inspiration and hope in their stories.   The prison experience is pervasive in Muslim society and Islamic scholarship and we need to study that space to better understand the lives of the various Muslim scholars and activists.     Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questionsSubscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Order my new book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries Take my quiz on the Islamic Mary which is based on my research and teaching Visit my website to learn more about my bio, research, and blogs.Join my listserve to be updated about my research, speaking and publications, especially my book on the Islamic Mary.Thanks for listening to The Islamic Mary Podcast!

Modern Qur'anic Studies often focuses on "echos" or phrases that connect particular stories, figures and prophets.  In this episode, I look at the phrase "you were not there" and how it connects certain Biblical and Qur'anic figures and how it emphasizes certain parts of the stories.  Specifically, it emphasizes the plotting against Joseph/Yusuf and the caretaking of Mary/Maryam.  Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questionsSubscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Order my new book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries Take my quiz on the Islamic Mary which is based on my research and teaching Visit my website to learn more about my bio, research, and blogs.Join my listserve to be updated about my research, speaking and publications, especially my book on the Islamic Mary.Thanks for listening to The Islamic Mary Podcast!

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.Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questionsSubscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Order my new book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries Take my quiz on the Islamic Mary which is based on my research and teaching Visit my website to learn more about my bio, research, and blogs.Join my listserve to be updated about my research, speaking and publications, especially my book on the Islamic Mary.Thanks for listening to The Islamic Mary Podcast!

This month marks the 25 year anniversary of 9/11, an event that had a profound impact on global politics, religion and relations.  I reflect on the anniversary and its impact on me and my career as well as go over a pew poll regarding Americans perceptions of Islam.  Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questionsSubscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Order my new book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries Take my quiz on the Islamic Mary which is based on my research and teaching Visit my website to learn more about my bio, research, and blogs.Join my listserve to be updated about my research, speaking and publications, especially my book on the Islamic Mary.Thanks for listening to The Islamic Mary Podcast!

As I write the second edition of my book "The Bible and the Qur'an: Biblical Figures in the Islamic Tradition", I came across an article by Shawkat Toorawa which tries to turn the story of Joseph/Yusuf into a play.  I discuss the article, the challenges of depicting prophets and read some of the play.  Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questionsSubscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Order my new book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries Take my quiz on the Islamic Mary which is based on my research and teaching Visit my website to learn more about my bio, research, and blogs.Join my listserve to be updated about my research, speaking and publications, especially my book on the Islamic Mary.Thanks for listening to The Islamic Mary Podcast!

I discuss how the Qur'an presents Maryam as a model, not just for women and the wives of the Prophet Muhammad but for men as well.  She also plays an important role in discussions regarding gender egalitarianism in the Qur'an.Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questionsSubscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Order my new book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries Take my quiz on the Islamic Mary which is based on my research and teaching Visit my website to learn more about my bio, research, and blogs.Join my listserve to be updated about my research, speaking and publications, especially my book on the Islamic Mary.Thanks for listening to The Islamic Mary Podcast!