Imanwire Podcast

In part 1 of this double episode, Dr. Denise Spellberg, author of "Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an: Islam and the Founders" discusses how conceptions of Muslims played a crucial role in the religious pluralism in the early republic, anxieties over a Muslim president, and the clash between principles and prejudice that continues today. In part 2, the ImanWire hosts get together for a round table discussion on Muslims and the 2024 election. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 2:50 - Conceptions of Islam at the Time of the Founders 11:16 - Jefferson's Qur'an 15:55 - John Locke, Jefferson and Religious Freedom 23:51 - A Muslim President? 30:48 - Imaginary Vs Real Muslims 32:22 - Slavery and Racial Hypocrisy 37:06 - Omar bin Said and the Legacy of Islam in the United States 41:19 - Participating in a Flawed Political System 48:40 - A Critique of the Judeo-Christian Construct 52:20 - Retelling Islam in American History 58:30 - Round Table Discussion on Muslims and the 2024 Election 1:05:18 - The Moral Obligation of America

"Those whom your right hands possess", a Qur'anic descriptor for female slaves, can evoke a number of charged emotions and thoughts that can be difficult to reconcile with our modern sensibilities today. What does slave-concubinage mean? How was it understood in the formative years of Islam? In the final part of our series on slavery, Ustadha Zaynab Ansari, a resident scholar and instructor at Tayseer Seminary, reflects on this challenging topic. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:44 - A Review Culture: Framing the Discussion 3:44 - An Overview of Slavery and Islam 6:50 - Those Whom Your Right Hands Possess: An Ethical Framework 23:52 - Insights Into the Qur'anic Pairing of Wives and Slave-Concubines 25:42 - On the Context of Surah Nisaa 33:34 - Was Slave-Concubinage Discouraged? 49:18 - The Issue of Consent 54:56 - The Battle of Hunain and Conduct of Armies 1:04:38 - A Moral Imperative For Consent? 1:12:28 - Legal Applications of Harm Vs Modern Notions of Consent 1:19:14 - On Coercive Relations 1:22:07 - T

In part 3 of our series on slavery, Imam Dawud Walid considers the aftereffects of slavery on our current condition, its historical role in contributing to anti-blackness in the community today, and how it affects our understanding of Qur'anic language and theological concepts such as 'ubudiyyah (being a slave to God). Imam Dawud Walid is the Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) and member of the Imams Council of Michigan. He is the author of several books, including Blackness and Islam, Towards Sacred Activism, and Centering Black Narrative: Black Muslim Nobles Among the Early Pious Muslims. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 5:39 - The Conflation of Slavery and Anti-Blackness 11:50 - Racialization in Language During the Abbasids & The Zanj Rebellion 16:20 - The Fabrication of Anti-Black Narrations 17:50 - Deployment of Racially-Specific Language 21:00 - Blackness and Arabness 21:56 - A Story of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Rida 24:54 - Effects of Slavery on Fomenting Anti-Blacknes

Our series on slavery continues as Dr. Bilal Ware joins the podcast to explore the Islamic tradition and the abolition of slavery, debunk the myths of the "Arab-Islamic" slave trade and reflect on how these histories impact our lives today. Dr. Bilal Ware is a historian of Africa and Islam and is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at UC-Santa Barbara. He is the author of several books including, "The Walking Qur'an: Islamic Education, Embodied Knowledge & History in West Africa", which details the intellectual and spiritual tradition in West Africa and tells the story of African Muslims in the 18th century abolishing slavery and monarchy. Link to previous episode with Dr. Ware: https://www.almadina.org/studio/podcasts/ep-9-walking-qurans-of-africa-scholarship-liberty-the-abolition-of-slavery-dr-rudolph-ware CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 5:54 - Was Slavery Uncontested in Islamic Law? 6:50 - The Single Most Misunderstood Aspect of the Sunnah 12:30 - Freedom: The Fundamental Principle of Hu

Slavery might be considered a thing of the past, but the position of slavery in Islam continues to be an issue that many Muslims grapple with today. In this special four-part series of the ImanWire podcast, we approach this complex topic from several perspectives, beginning with a discussion with Dr. Jonathan Brown on the moral question of slavery, its place in Islamic law, and the diverse practices of it in Muslim history. Dr. Jonathan Brown is the Alwaleed bin Talal Chair of Islamic Civilization in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and author of several books, including "Slavery and Islam". CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 4:51 - Why Discuss Slavery Now? 14:35 - Challenges in Defining Slavery 18:06 - The Problem of Talking About Slavery in World History 21:59 - Projecting Assumptions On Others 27:53 - The Ubiquity of Slavery in the Pre-Modern World 31:32 - Slavery in 7th Century Arabia 34:40 - Closing the Doors to Enslavement 37:31 - The Emphasis on Emancipation 40:50 - Female Slaves a

Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui discusses the importance of freeing oneself from attachments and dedicating the heart to worshiping Allah. This episode delves into the art of cleansing one's soul in pursuit of divine love. CHAPTERS: 23:28 - Divine Connection: Ultimate Relationship 25:20 - Divine Edicts: Understanding The Command 29:40 - Spiritual Conditions: The Conditional Clause 32:40 - Inner Freedom: Liberated Heart vs Life's Challenges

Shaykh Hatem El Haj and Imam Dawud Walid join the ImanWire podcast to offer words of encouragement and advice in staying true to Prophetic etiquettes for Muslims engaged in protests and activism for the Palestinian cause. Link to article discussed in the podcast: https://muslimmatters.org/2024/05/30/holding-onto-prophetic-etiquettes-when-protesting-encouragement-and-advice-for-muslim-human-rights-advocates/

Embark on a profound journey through Ibrahim's ultimate test, a tale of unwavering faith and the epitome of a father's sacrifice. This episode delves into the heart-wrenching story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son—a narrative that continues to inspire spiritual guidance and reverence towards Allah. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Invocation 3:50 - Forbearing Son Tidings 11:00 - Ibrahim Ismael Vision 21:45 - Ibrahim Ultimate Test 25:50 - Shaytan Temptations 29:50 - Sacrifice Act 36:15 - Dua Prophet Ibrahim 40:05 - Ibrahim Divine Ransom 45:38 - Qurbani Significance

“Whoever imitates a people becomes one of them." This well-known hadith on tashabbuh (imitation), debated by scholars over centuries, continues to play a role in how Muslims see both themselves and others. Dr. Youshaa Patel, author of the book, “The Muslim Difference: Defining the Line between Believers and Unbelievers from Early Islam to the Present”, joins the podcast to explore the many different layers of tashabbuh, weaving through scholarly commentaries, psychology, history, style and culture. CHAPTERS: 1:18 - What is Tashabbuh? 11:08 - Tashabbuh in Early Islam 14:50 - Parting the Hair 17:12 - Changing the Qibla: A Distinctive Community 18:58 - Projecting Identity in the Public Space 20:59 - The Scale of Style: Small or Stark Differences? 27:55 - Imitation and Hierarchy in the Age of Empire 33:88 - More Than Just Imitating Non-Muslims 36:12 - Reinforcing Hierarchies in Empire 39:57 - Prioritizing Order in Society 41:36 - Ibn Taymiyyah Weighs In 44:08 - Bad Imitators: Festivals and Muslims Blurring Into

Dr. Bara Zuhaili shares stories from his time in Gaza, highlighting the humanity, resilience, and heroism of its people.

Shaykh Hassan Lachheb joins Moutasem Atiya to discuss topics close to their hearts and delve into global events.

Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui talks about the internal struggles and choices faced by individuals. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's drives and inclinations with the divine, attaining serenity and freedom from worldly attachments. He draws inspiration from the story of Prophet Ibrahim and highlights the significance of steadfastness and faith in delivering the divine message. This enlightening discourse encourages Muslims to strive for spiritual growth and live a life dedicated to pleasing the Divine. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Opening Prayer Invocation 6:37 - Struggle for Freedom: Understanding Nafs 18:50 - Followers of Prophet Ibrahim 21:00 - Spiritual Connection with Allah 23:00 - Attaining Inner Peace: Becoming Salim 40:55 - Prophet Ibrahim's Deliverance 41:05 - Journeying to Allah: Ibrahim's Quest

In this dialogue, Moutasem Atiya and Firas Zahabi discuss the situation in Palestine and Muslims worldwide and explore a range of topics in arriving to genuine faith in God. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 1:48 - Palestine Issue Discussion 5:36 - Proof Importance Analysis 11:56 - Psychology of Oppression Insights 14:35 - Radicalization Process Explained 19:15 - Historical Irony Explored 26:44 - Rabbi Shmuley 27:50 - Humanity 28:44 - Black Slave Rebellion Justification 30:00 - Gaza Cultural Impact 34:44 - Wikipedia Page Controversies 35:30 - Faith Journey Reflections 39:40 - Islamic Golden Age Highlights 43:30 - Born Muslim Concept 48:41 - Ma’rifah Concept Importance 52:08 - Divine Concept Projection Refutation 56:00 - Key Historical Events 59:10 - Historical Facts Overview 1:02:00 - Quran Interpretation Discussion 1:03:00 - Quran and Divine Existence 1:04:30 - Royce Gracie: My Hero 1:08:02 - Journey into MMA 1:13:17 - Secrets to Greatness 1:15:49 - Excellence Importance 1:20:10 - Peace Treaties and Coexistence 1:21

Who is the Islamic Mary? Was she a Prophet? Dr. Younus Mirza reflects on what her Qur'anic story means for us today, and how it connects us to deeper spiritual realities in Ramadan. CHAPTERS: 0:05 - Introduction 3:04 - The Origin Story [Aal-Imran 3:35-37] 7:52 - The Male Is Not Like the Female 14:47 - Learning From Female Saints 19:15 - The Name of Maryam 20:42 - Unique Features of Surah Maryam 24:17 - The Womb and Ar-Rahmaan 25:24 - Prophet Zakariya, Najashi and Interfaith Dialogue 30:57 - Seclusion and the News of Prophet Isa 33:35 - Labor and Complaining to God 37:25 - Spiritual Tests 39:11 - Divine Reassurance and the Fasting of Maryam 43:16 - Speech and Silence 44:26 - Connecting to the Deeper Realties of Fasting 47:01 - The Gifts of Silence and Ramadan 51:55 - Prophet Isa Speaking From Cradle 54:29 - Was Maryam a Prophet? 1:02:56 - Getting Lost in Qur'anic Commentary Please subscribe to the podcast and visit almadina.org for the latest episodes.

In continuation of the Purification of the soul series, Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui discusses the importance of seeking knowledge and acting upon it, emphasizing the spiritual benefits of studying the Quran and coming together for religious gatherings. As we traverse the landscape of spiritual guidance, our guide expounds upon the tranquility that descends upon a gathering engrossed in the recitation and study of Allah's Book. This session illuminates the path to inner peace and the embracing of divine merciful love or rahma, enveloping the heart of the seeker in a celestial bubble of protection. The discussion further highlights the significance of sincere action, revealing how every step taken in the pursuit of beneficial knowledge is a step programmed towards Jannah, Paradise. Prepare to be inspired by practical advice on purifying the nafs (self) to align one's desires and will with the Divine. The narrative provides insights into the importance of acting upon knowledge, emphasizing that one's deeds are th

What is the Shama'il and how does it cultivate love for the Prophet? Shaykh Hassan Lachheb joins the podcast to discuss how the Shama'il is essential to building community and how we can learn from the fasting of the Prophet as we approach Ramadan. 0:47 - Building a Prophetic Community 5:38 - Balancing Service and Worship 8:00 - "Don't Make Me Lose My Prophet!" 14:05 - What is the Shama'il? 24:30 - Reviving the Shama'il as a Spiritual Exercise 30:52 - The Spiritual Chain of Transmission 33:58 - Connecting to the Prophet on a Deeper Level 41:53 - The Messenger is the Message 44:55 - Why Emphasize the Physical Qualities of the Messenger? 54:40 - The Habits of the Greats Are the Greatest Habits 56:03 - Are We Uncomfortable With Reverence? 1:00:10 - We Need the Love of the Prophet 1:06:29 - The Fasting of the Prophet 1:17:10 - Jihad and Liberation Theology of the Prophet 1:24:19 - Gaza is a Mirror 1:26:49 - A Gift of Salawat Please subscribe to the podcast and visit almadina.org for the latest episodes.

In this series, Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui teaches us the importance of spiritual development and shares the tools needed for continued growth. In the first episode, Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui guides us through the profound Hadith and the virtues of companionship—Suhba. Learn how to cultivate reverence towards Allah and embrace the subtle, often overlooked, blessings that shape our lives. This episode serves as a communal supplication, beckoning us to reflect, learn, and grow together in faith and understanding. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Cultivating Gratitude 9:35 - Embracing Truthfulness 21:53 - Seeking Good Company 26:35 - Quranic Insights on Companionship 32:50 - Hadith Teachings on Good Company 38:10 - Choosing Righteous Companions 42:10 - Avoiding Capricious Desires 49:20 - Understanding Divine Knowledge 53:40 - Recognizing Allah & Life's Purpose 55:48 - Distinguishing Beneficial Knowledge 57:50 - Exploring Ibadah's Significance 58:35 - Concluding with Dua

Join Ustadh Moutasem Atiya and Shaykh Yasir Fahmy, two close friends, in their weekly series, where they openly discuss topics close to their hearts and delve into global events. In this captivating episode, Ustadh Moutasem Atiya and Shaykh Yasir Fahmy navigate through a myriad of emotive and spiritually charged topics, offering insights that bridge the realms of Islamic teachings and contemporary challenges. From the heartwarming tales of unity and companionship in Madina to the stark realities of loneliness among men and the harrowing conditions in Gaza, this episode serves as a beacon of hope, guiding us towards spiritual resilience and communal harmony. 0:10 - Goat Story: Lessons & Insights 11:42 - Character of Prophet Muhammad (saw) 12:38 - Journey to Al-Madina: MJ Mahfood's Experience 18:44 - Prophet Muhammad: Unity & Leadership 24:25 - Quran Reading: Significance & Benefits 27:46 - Rise of Satanism: A Modern Concern | Hazbin Hotel 40:06 - Navigating Society: Challenges & Solutions 42:30 - Righteous

There will always be challenges in our lives, but hardships are never meant to break us. Ustadha Muslema Purmul, co-founder and Religious Director of the Majlis, joins the ImanWire podcast to discuss the process of readying ourselves by refining our spiritual states and avoiding the "D's" of the devil and our lower self.

What can we learn about ourselves from the daily flood of images of horror in Gaza? In this episode, we reflect on thankfulness and the heartwork that is required for us to positively impact the current global crisis.