Let's Talk Religion

In this episode, we explore the history and key features of the movement known as Salafism, which has become a significant force in modern Islam.Sources/Suggested Reading:Crawford, Michael (2014). "Ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab". Oneworld Academic.Hamid, Sadek (2016). "Sufis, Salafism and Islamists: The Contested Ground of British Islamic Activism". I.B. Tauris.Hoover, Jon (2019). "Ibn Taymiyya". Oneworld Academic.Meijer, Roel (ed.) (2009). "Global Salafism: Islam's New Religious Movement". C Hurst & Co Publishers LtdWinter, Tim (ed.) (2008). "The Cambridge Companion to Islamic Theology". Cambridge University Press.#Salafism #Islam #Religion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore whether or not we can find the conception of a single, absolute god in ancient Egyptian theology.Sources/Suggested Reading:Assmann, Jan (2001). "The Seach for God in Ancient Egypt". Translated by David Lorton. Cornell University Press.Copenhaver, Brian P. (ed.) (1995). "Hermetica: The Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin Asclepius in a New English Translation, with Notes and Introduction". Cambridge University Press.Hornung, Erik (1982). "Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many". Translated by John Baines. Cornell University Press.Hornung, Erik (2001). "Akhenaten and the Religion of Light". Translated by David Lorton. Cornell University Press.Simpson, William Kelley (ed.) (2003). "The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry". Yale University Press.Teeter Emily (2011). "Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt". Cambridge University Press.#Egypt #Antiquity #Religion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the life and movement of Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans, and discover that the common image of him as an ancient mathematician isn't entirely supported by the evidence.Sources/Suggested Reading:Huffman, Carl A. (2008). "Philolaus of Croton: A Commentary on the Fragments and Testimonia with Interprative Essays". Cambridge University Press.Huffman, Carl A. (ed.) (2017). "A History of Pythagoreanism". Cambridge University Press.Kirk, G.S., J.E. Raven & M. Schofield (1983). "The Presocratic Philosophers". Second Edition. Cambridge University Press.Zhmud, Leonid (2012). "Pythagoras and the Early Pythagoreans". Translated by Kevin Windle & Rosh Ireland. OUP Oxford.#Pythagoras #Pythagoreanism #Philosophy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the life, teachings and movement of Abraham Maimonides, the son of the much more famous Jewish philosopher Moses Maimonides (d. 1204).Sources/Suggested Reading:Idel, Moshe (1987). "The Mystical Experience in Abraham Abulafia". State University of New York PressKraemer, Joel L. (2010). "Maimonides: The Life and World of one of Civilization's Greatest Minds". Doubleday & Co Inc.Lobel, Diana (2021). "Moses and Abraham Maimonides: Encountering the Divine". Academic Studies Press.Russ-Fishbane, Elisha (2015). "Judaism, Sufism, and the Pietists of Medieval Egypt: A study of Abraham Maimonides and his times". Oxford University Press#Judaism #Mysticism #Sufism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I attempt to give you an overview of the vast and complex Twelver school of Shi'ism across history.Sources/Suggested Reading:Abdulsater, Hussein Ali (2017). "Shi'i Doctrine, Mu'tazili Theology: Al-Sharif al-Murtada and Imami Discourse". Edinburgh University Press.Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (1994). "The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism: The Sources of Esotericism in Islam". Translated by David Streight. State University of New York Press.Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (2011). "The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam: Beliefs and Practices". I.B. Tauris.Bayhoum-Daou, Tamima (2005). "Shaykh Mufid". Makers of the Muslim World Series. Oneworld Academic.Daftary, Farhad (2007). "The Isma'ilis: Their history and doctrines". Cambridge University Press.Knysh, Alexander (2017). "Sufism: A New History of Islamic Mysticism". Princeton University Press.Meisami, Sayeh (2013). "Mulla Sadra". Makers of the Muslim World Series. Oneworld Academic.Tabataba'i, Hossein Modarressi (1984). "An Introduction to Shi'i Law: a bibliographical study". Ithaca Press London.#Shia #Islam #Religion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: This episode contains depictions of violence, references to sexual acts and mild nudity.In this episode, we explore the often misunderstood tradition of Tantra or Tantrism.Sources/Suggested Reading:Bharati, Agehananda (1965). "The Tantric Tradition". B.I. Publications.Bhattacharyya, N.N. (2005). "History of the Tantric Religion". Second Revised Edition. Manohar.Dyczkowski, Mark S.G. (1987). "The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism". State University of New York Press.Einoo, Shingo (ed.) (2009). "Genesis and Development of Tantrism". University of Tokyo.Harper, Katherine Anne & Robert L. Brown (2002). "The Roots of Tantra". State University of New York Press.Muller-Ortega, Paul Eduardo (1989). "The Triadic Heart of Siva: Kaula Tantricism of Abhinavagupta in the Non-Dual Shaivism of Kashmir". State University of New York Press.Wallis, Christopher D. (2013). "Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History and Practice of a Timeless Tradition". Mattamayura.White, David Gordon (2000). "Tantra in Practice". Princeton University Press.#Tantra #Shaivism #Buddhism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we continue our explorations of Daoism by studying its later developments into organized movements and the fascinating practice of Neidan, or "Internal Alchemy".Sources/Suggested Reading:Graham, A.C. (1999). "Disputers of the Tao: Philosophical Argument in Ancient China". Open Court.Kohn, Livia (1991). "Early Chinese Mysticism: Philosophy and Soteriology in the Taoist Tradition". Princeton University Press.Kohn, Livia (1993). "The Taoist Experience: An Anthology". State University of New York Press.Komjathy, Louis (2013). "The Daoist Tradition: An Introduction". Bloombury academic.Komjathy, Louis (2016). "Comtemplative Literature: A Comparative Sourcebook on Meditation and Contemplative Prayer". State University of New York Press.Ziporyn, Brook (Translated by) (2020). Zhuangzi: The Complete Writings". Hackett Publishing Company.#Daoism #China #Alchemy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the most (in)famous book of occult sciences in the history of the Islamicate World: the Shams al-Ma’arif (Sun of Knowledge).WARNING: I am quoting from the book in this episode. Those concerned about its dangers might want to avoid listening to this episode.Sources/Recomended Reading:Al-Buni, Ahmad ibn ‘Ali. “The Sun of Knowledge (Shams al-Ma’arif): An Arabic Grimoire in Selected Translation”. Translated by Amina Inloes & Illustrated by J.M. Hamade. Revelore Press, 2021.Coulon, Jean-Charles (2022). “Amulets and Talismans in the Earliest Works of the Corpus Bunianum”. In “Amulets and Talismans of the Middle East and North Africa in Context” (Edited by Marcela A. Garcia & Petra M. Sijpesteijn). Brill.Gardiner, Noah (2012). “Forbidden Knowledge? Notes on the production, transmission, and reception of the major works of Ahmad al-Buni”. Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies 12 (2012). University of Michigan.Gardiner, Noah (2014). “Esotericism in a manuscript culture: Aḥmad al-Būnī and his readers through the Mamlūk period”. Doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan.Gardiner, Noah (2017). “Esotericist Reading Communities and the Early Circulation of the Sufi Occultist Aḥmad al-Būnī’s Works”. Arabica 64 (2017) 405-441. Brill.Gardiner, Noah (2017). “Stars and Saints: The Esotericist Astrology of the Sufi Occultist Ahmad al-Buni”. Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft (Spring 2017). University of Pennsylvania Press.Melvin-Koushki, Matthew & Noah Gardner (2017). "Islamicate Occultism: New Perspectives". Brill. Saif, Liana (2015). "The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy". Palgrave Macmillan. Saif, Liana; Francesca Leoni; Matthew Melvin-Koushki & Farouk Yahya (2021). "Islamicate Occult Sciences in Theory and Practice". Brill. Saif, Liana (2022). “Narratives of Danger: The Sun of Knowledge in Arabic Occulture”. Article: https://www.leidenislamblog.nl/articles/narratives-of-danger-the-sun-of-knowledge-in-arabic-occultureSavage-Smith, Emily (ed.) (2004). "Magic & Divination in Early Islam". Ashgate Publishing. Van Bladel, Kevin (2009). "The Arabic Hermes: From Pagan Sage to Prophet of Science". Oxford University Press.Varisco, Daniel Martin (2017). “Illuminating the Lunar Mansions (manazil al-qamar) in Sams al-Ma’arif”. Arabica 64 (2017), 487-530. Qatar University."The Openings Revealed in Makka", al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya by Ibn 'Arabi. Translated by Eric Shu'ayb Winkel. Vol. 1. Pir Press.“Shams al-Ma’arif al-Kubra”. Arabic Printed Edition by Dar al-Mizan. #occult #magic #middleeast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We continue this year's Shocktober with an exploration of demons and exorcism in Ancient Mesopotamia.Sources/Recomended Reading:Abusch, I. Tzvi (2020). "Babylonian witchcraft literature: case studies". Brown Judaic Studies. Scholars Press, Atlanta, Georgia.Abusch, I. Tzvi (2020). "Mesopotamian Religion". In Essays on Babylonian and Biblical Literature and Religion, Vol. 65: 5-23. Brill.Abusch, Tzvi & Daniel Schwemer (ed.) (2011). "Corpus of Mesopotamian Anti-Witchcraft Rituals". Brill.Bottéro, Jean (2004). "Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia". Translated by Teresa Lavender Fagan. University of Chicago Press.Johnston, Sarah Iles (ed.) (2004). "Religions of the Ancient World: a guide". The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.Konstantopoulos, Gina (2020). "Demons and exorcism in ancient Mesopotamia". Article. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.Kotansky, Roy D. (2019). "Textual Amulets and Writing Traditions in the Ancient World". In "Guide to the Study of Ancient Magic" (edited by David Frankfurter). Brill.Van Buylaere, Greta; Mikko Luukko; Daniel Schwemer & Avigail Mertens-Wagschal (2018). "Sources of Evil: Studies in Mesopotamian Exorcistic Lore". Brill.Van De Mieroop, Marc (2015). A History of the Ancient Near East, ca. 3000-323 BC. Wiley-Blackwell.#mesopotamia #demons #ghost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Shocktober 2022, we explore the creature(s) known as "Mare" in Northern European folklore.#mare #folklore #halloween Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We continue our exploration of the Occult Sciences by taking a look at some of the earliest theories and practices surrounding astrology in the Islamicate World.Sources/Suggested Reading:Adamson, Peter & Richard C. Taylor (ed) (2004). "The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy". Cambridge University Press.Adamson, Peter & Peter E. Pormann (ed) (2012). "The Philosophical Works of al-Kindi". Oxford University Press.Melvin-Koushki, Matthew & Noah Gardner (2017). "Islamicate Occultism: New Perspectives". Brill.Saif, Liana (2015). "The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy". Palgrave Macmillan.Saif, Liana; Francesca Leoni; Matthew Melvin-Koushki & Farouk Yahya (2021). "Islamicate Occult Sciences in Theory and Practice". Brill.Savage-Smith, Emily (ed.) (2004). "Magic & Divination in Early Islam". Ashgate Publishing.Van Bladel, Kevin (2009). "The Arabic Hermes: From Pagan Sage to Prophet of Science". Oxford University Press.#Astrology #Occultism #Esotericism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We continue our exploration of the Occult Sciences by looking at the theory and use of Talismans in the Islamicate World.Sources/Suggested Reading:Melvin-Koushki, Matthew & Noah Gardner (2017). "Islamicate Occultism: New Perspectives". Brill.Saif, Liana (2015). "The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy". Palgrave Macmillan.Saif, Liana; Francesca Leoni; Matthew Melvin-Koushki & Farouk Yahya (2021). "Islamicate Occult Sciences in Theory and Practice". Brill.Savage-Smith, Emily (ed.) (2004). "Magic & Divination in Early Islam". Ashgate Publishing.Van Bladel, Kevin (2009). "The Arabic Hermes: From Pagan Sage to Prophet of Science". Oxford University Press."The Openings Revealed in Makka", al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya by Ibn 'Arabi. Translated by Eric Shu'ayb Winkel. Vol. 1. Pir Press.#Occultism #Religion #Esotericism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the first in a series of episodes exploring the world of Occult Sciences in the Islamicate World, including such topics as Alchemy, Astrology, Talismanic Magic & the Science of Letters.Sources/Suggested Reading:Melvin-Koushki, Matthew & Noah Gardner (2017). "Islamicate Occultism: New Perspectives". Brill.Saif, Liana (2015). "The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy". Palgrave Macmillan.Saif, Liana; Francesca Leoni; Matthew Melvin-Koushki & Farouk Yahya (2021). "Islamicate Occult Sciences in Theory and Practice". Brill.Savage-Smith, Emily (ed.) (2004). "Magic & Divination in Early Islam". Ashgate Publishing.Van Bladel, Kevin (2009). "The Arabic Hermes: From Pagan Sage to Prophet of Science". Oxford University Press."The Openings Revealed in Makka", al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya by Ibn 'Arabi. Translated by Eric Shu'ayb Winkel. Vol. 1. Pir Press.#Occultism #Religion #Esotericism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this second episode in our Shocktober 2020 series, we explore the king of mythical creatures in the middle east - the Jinn. What are some of the misconceptions about these creatures, and what different kinds are there out there?Sources/Further Reading:Lebling, Robert & Tahir Shah (2014). "Legends of the Fire Spirits: Jinn and Genies from Arabia to Zanzibar. I.B. Tauris.Henninger, Joseph (2004). "Beliefs in Spirits among the Pre-Islamic Arabs". In "Magic and Divination in Early Islam". Edited by Emile Savage-Smith. Ashgate Publishing Company.#Jinn #Arabia #Genie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally recorded and released in 2020 on the Let's Talk Religion Youtube channel.In this first Shocktober-special we dive into the world of Middle eastern folklore and talk about some of the mythical creatures that we can find in places like the Arabian Nights.#Mythology #Arabia #MiddleEast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we finally dive into one of my favorite topics - Sufi Music. We discuss its history, practical uses as well as theoretical, philosophical perspectives on the role and power of music to affect the human soul, all from the perspective of Muslim Sufi writers.Sources/Suggested Reading:Abu Nasr Abdallah b. Ali al-Sarraj al-Tusi - "Kitab al-Luma' fi al-Tasawwuf". Translated & summarized by Reynold A. Nicholson. E.J. Brill. 1914.Adamson, Peter (ed.) (2005). "The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy". Cambridge University Press.Addas, Claude (1993). "Quest for the Red Sulphur: The Life of Ibn 'Arabi". The Islamic Texts Society."Al-Qushayri's Epistle on Sufism - Al-Risala Al Qushayriyya Fi 'ilm Al-Tasawwuf". Translated by Alexander Knysh. 2020. The Center for Muslim Contribution to Civilization.Alvarez, Lourdes Maria (2009). "Abu-l Hasan al-Shushtari: Songs of Love and Devotion". In the "Classics of Western Spirituality" series. Paulist Press.Alvarez, Lourdes Maria (2005). "The Mystical Language of Everyday Life": Vernacular Sufi Poetry and the Songs of Abu Al-Hasan Al-Shustari". Exemplaria. 17:1, 1-32, DOI: 10.1179/exm.2005.17.1.1.Avery, Kenneth S. (2004). "A Psychology of Early Sufi Sama: Listening and altered states". Routledge.Chishti, Muhammad Tanveer Jamal & Dr. Abdul Zahoor Khan (2015). "Approaches of The Early Sufis From 10th Century to 12th Century Towards 'SAMA'". Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. 6, 5:51.Cornell, Vincent J. (transl.) (1996). "The Way of Abu Madyan: The Works of Abu Madyan Shu'ayb". The Islamic Texts Society.Ernst, Carl W. & Bruce B. Lawrence (2003). "Sufi Martyrs of Love: The Chishti Order in South Asia and beyond". Palgrave Macmillan.Hammarlund, Anders; Tord Olsson & Elisabeth Özdalga (1997). "Sufism, Music and Society - In Turkey and the Middle East". Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul. Transactions Vol. 10.Homerin, Th. Emil (2011). "Passion Before Me, My Fate Behind: Ibn al-Farid And the Poetry of Recollection". SUNY Press.Homerin, Th. Emil (2001). "From Arab Poet to Muslim Saint: Ibn al-Farid, His Verse, and His Shrine". The American University in Cairo Press.Ibn Sina - "A Treatise on Love". Translated by Emil L. Fackenheim. Medieval Studies.Khan, Inayat (1991). "The Mysticism of Sound and Music". Revised Edition. Shambala Dragon Editions.Lewis, Franklin D. (2000). "Rumi: Past and Present, East and West". Oneworld publications.Ibn 'Arabi - "The Ringstones of Wisdom (Fusus al-Hikam)". Translation by Caner K. Dagli. Great Books of the Islamic World.Qureshi, Regula Burckhardt (1995). "Sufi Music of India and Pakistan: Sound, Context and Meaning in Qawwali". The University of Chicago Press.Ridgeon, Lloyd (ed.) (2015). "The Cambridge Companion to Sufism". Cambridge University Press. Shehadi, Fadlou (1995). "Philosophies of Music in Medieval Islam". E.J. Brill.Wright, Owen (translated and edited by) (2010). "Epistles of the Brethren of Purity: On Music. An Arabic Critical Edition and English Translation of Epistle 5. Oxford University Press.#Sufism #Music #Islam Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this last part in the trilogy about Vedanta, we explore the life and teachings of Madhvacharya - the founder of the school of Dvaita (dualistic) Vedanta.Sources/Suggested Reading:Bartley, C.J. (2002). "The Theology of Ramanuja - Realism and Religion". Routledge.Deutsch, Eliot (1973). “Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction”. University of Hawai’i Press.Deutsch, Eliot & Rohit Dalvi (2005). “Essential Vedanta: A New Source Book of Advaita Vedanta”. World Wisdoms Books.Flood, Gavin (ed.) (2003). "The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism". Blackwell publishing.Sarma, Deepak (2003). "An Introduction to Madhva Vedanta". Ashgate World Philosophy Series. Routledge.Sarma, Deepak (2018). "Epistemologies and the Limitations of Philosophical Inquiry: Doctrine in Madhva Vedanta". Routledge.Thibaut, George (translated by) (2006). "The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Ramanuja". The Echo Library.#Madhva #Vedanta #Hinduism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we talk about a scholar who represents the very opposite tendency compared to many other figures we have discussed on this channel. Ibn Taymiyya is a controversial thinker, but one that has had a major impact on the contemporary Islamic world.Sources/Suggested Reading:Abrahamov, Binyamin (1998). "Islamic Theology: Traditionalism and Rationalism. Edinburgh University Press.El-Rouayheb, Khaled & Sabine Schmidtke (2019). "The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Theology". Oxford University Press.Hoover, Jon (2019). "Ibn Taymiyya". In the Makers of the Muslim World Series. OneWorld.Moustafa, Mohamed A. (2017). "Upholding God's Essence: Ibn Taymiyya on the Createdness of the Spirit". Journal for the History of Islamic Philosophy and Sciences. 3(2): 1-43.Skeikh, Mustafa (2007). "Ibn Taymiyya, Analogy and the Attributes of God". Faculty of Theology, University of Oxford.#IbnTaymiyya #Islam #Salafism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we keep exploring the world of Sufism through one of the oldest and most important orders in history - the Shadhiliyya.Sources/Suggested Reading:Abu-n Nasr, Jamil M. (2007). "Muslim Communities of Grace: The Sufi Brotherhoods in Islamic Religious Life". C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd.Cornell, Vincent J. (1998). "Realm of the Saint: Power and Authority in Moroccan Sufism". University of Texas Press.Cornell, Vincent J. (Tranlated by) (1996). "The Way of Abu Madyan: The Works of Abu Madyan Shu'ayb". The Islamic Text Society.Lings, Martin (1993). "A Sufi Saint of the Twentieth Century: Shaikh Ahmad Al-'Alawi, his spiritual heritage and legacy". The Islamic Texts Society.Michon, Jean-Louis (ed.) (2010). "Ibn Ajiba: Two Treatises on the Oneness of Existence". Translated by David Streight. Archetype; Bilingual edition.#Sufism #Islam #Mysticism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's finally time to talk about Suhrawardi, one of the most fascinating philosophers of the middle ages.Sources/Suggested Reading:Suhrawardi (1187). "The Philosophy of Illumination". Translated by John Walbridge & Hossein Ziai. Islamic Translation Series. University of Chicago Press.Walbridge, John (2005). "Suhrawardi & Illuminationism". In "The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy" (ed. Peter Adamson & Richard C. Taylor). Cambridge University Press.#Suhrawardi #Philosophy #Islam Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we discuss the famous medieval "heretics" known as the Cathars, and the Albigensian crusade which tried to wipe them out.Sources/Suggested Reading:Barber, Malcolm, The Cathars: Dualist heretics in Languedoc in the High Middle Ages, Second edition (Harlow, United Kingdom: Pearson, 2013).Sennis, Antonio (ed.), Cathars in Question (York: York Medieval Press, 2016).Moore, R. I., The War on Heresy (Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2012). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the life and teachings of the Mughal prince and Sufi teacher Dara Shikoh.Sources/Suggested Reading:Gandhi, Supriya (2020). "The Emperor who never was: Dara Shukoh in Mughal India". Belknap Press.Eaton, Richard M. (2020). "India in the Persianate Age: 1000-1765". Penguin.Moovsi, Shireen (2002). "The Mughal Encounter with Vedanta: Recovering the biography of 'Jadrup'". Social scientist, Vol. 30, Nos. 7-8.Nair, Shankar (2020). "Translating Wisdom: Hindu-Muslim Intellectual Interactions in Early Modern South Asia". University of California Press.Kugle, Scott (ed.) (2012). "Sufi Meditation and Contemplation: Timeless Wisdom from Mughal India". Omega Publications. (Includes a translation of the "Risala-i Haqqnuma"/Compass of Truth.#Islam #Hinduism #Mughal54 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we explore the religious ideas and explorations of the Mughal empire's most famous emperor.Sources/Suggested Reading:Eaton, Richard M. (2020). "India in the Persianate Age: 1000-1765". Penguin.Wink, André (2012). "Akbar". In the "Makers of the Muslim World" Series. Oneworld Academic.Moosvi, Shireen (2002). "The Mughal Encounter With Vedanta: Recovering the biography of 'Jadrup'.Nair, Shankar (2020). "Translating Wisdom: Hindu-Muslim Intellectual Interactions in Early Modern South Asia". University of California Press.#Akbar #India #Mughal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the history and development of the Arabic language, as well as its connection to religion.Check out this excellent lecture by Ahmad al-Jallad on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHRbuu8c8nw&t=2836sSources/Suggested Reading:Al-Jallad, Ahmad (2019). "Safaitic". Article.Al-Jallad, Ahmad (?). "The Earliest Stages of Arabic and its Linguitic Classification". Article.Al-Jallad, Ahmad (2019). "The Linguistic Landscape of Pre-Islamic Arabia: Context for the Qur'an". Article, first proof.Macdonald, Michael C.A. (2004). "Ancient North Arabian". In "the Cambridge Encyclopedia of the World's Ancient Languages". Cambridge University Press.Macdonald, Michael C.A. (2010). "The Development of Arabic as a Written Language". Seminar for Arabian Studies, v. 40. Archaeopress, Oxford.Macdonald, Michael C.A. (2003). "Languages, Scripts, and the uses of Language among the Nabataeans". In "Petra Rediscovered" (Edited by Elaine M. Stainton). Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers.#Arabic #Arabia #Language Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we talk about the mystical tradition called "Hesychasm" in the Eastern Orthodox Church.Sources/Suggested Reading:Lossky, Vladimir (1944). "The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church". James Clarke & Co.Ware, Timothy (2015). "The Orthodox Church: An introduction to Eastern Christianity". New Edition. Penguin Books."Gregory Palamas: The Triads". Translated by Nicholas Gendle. In the "Classics of Western Spirituality Series". 1982.#Hesychasm #Mysticism #Christianity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we talk about the fascinating writer & possibly beguine Marguerite Porete (d. 1310).Sources/Suggested Reading:"The Mirror of Simple Souls (From the 15th century translation of the French manuscript)". Edited by C. Kirchberger. First printed in 1927. Soul Care Publishing, Vancover, Canada.(This is the primary source I used for the quotes in the video, it is a very old translation so I edited the quotes myself to make more sense in modern english).For a more modern translation I suggest:"Marguerite Porete: The Mirror of Simple Souls". In the "Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press.McGinn, Bernard (2001). "The Mystical Thought of Meister Eckhart". The Crossroad Publishing Company.Tobin, Frank (Tranlsated & edited by) (1989). "Henry Suso: The Exemplar, with two German Sermons". In the "Classics of Western Spirituality Series". Paulist Press.#Mysticism #Christianity #Religion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we discuss the Tayyibi Isma'ilis, including the Dawwodi Bohras, Alavi Bohras & Sulaymanis and their history.Don't forget to check out Hikma History: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsaViv1SDQy2FcRFHrf_DkwSources/Suggested Reading:Daftary, Farhad (2007). "The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines". Cambridge University.Daftary, Farhad & Shainool Jiwa (ed.) (2017). "The Fatimid Caliphate: Diversity of Traditions". I.B. Tauris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sources/Suggested Reading:al-Jallad, Ahmad (forthcoming) "The Religion and Rituals of the Nomads of Pre-Islamic Arabia: A reconstruction based on the Safaitic Inscriptions". Pre-Print Darft (Version 2: April 3, 2021).al-Jallad, Ahmad (2019). "The 'One' God in a Safaitic Inscription". Draft. The Ohio State University.al-Jallad, Ahmad (2020). "The pre-Islamic basmala: reflections on its first epigraphic attestation and its original significance". Draft. The Ohio State University.Bowersock, G.W. (2017) "The Crucible of Islam". Harvard University Press.Hoyland, Robert G. (2001). "Arabia and the Arabs: From the Bronze Age to the Coming of Islam". Routledge.Also check out these two great resources for ancient Arabic inscriptions:DASI: http://dasi.cnr.it/Ociana: http://krcfm.orient.ox.ac.uk/fmi/webd/OCIANA#Arabia #Religion #Paganism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we talk about an often asked question - what is the relatioship between Sufism and Islam? Are they the same thing or is there some difference?Sources/Suggested Reading:Karamustafa, Ahmet T. (2007). "Sufism: The Formative Period". Edinburgh University Press.Knysh, Alexander (2017). "Sufism : A New History of Islamic Mysticism". Princeton University Press.Malik, Jamal & John Hinnells (ed.) (2006). "Sufism in the West". Routledge.Ridgeon, Lloyd (ed.) (2014). "The Cambridge Companion to Sufism". Cambridge University Press.Van Bruinessen, Martin & Julia Day Howell (ed). (2007). "Sufism and the Modern in Islam". I.B. Tauris.#Sufism #Islam #Mysticism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spinoza is one of the most controversial and debated philosophers in the last few centuries. This episode attempts to give a very general overview of his perspective on God as well as some ways that it can be interpreted.Sources/Suggested Reading:Garrett, Don (1996). "The Cambridge Companion to Spinoza". Cambridge University Press.Nadler, Steven (2018). "Spinoza: A Life". Cambridge University Press.Wolfson, Harry Austryn (2014). "The Philosophy of Spinoza: Unfolding the Latent Processes of His Reasoning". Harvard University Press.#Spinoza #Pantheism #Philosophy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the historical and religious context of the first Assassin's Creed Game.The episode uses sound taken from gameplay footage from No Copyrightgfg Gameplaykj.Link to their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3k2CfOK74c&list=UUMcIQ4ZIKaYC6YescDoyw2w&index=663Sources/Suggested Reading:Daftary, Farhad (2007). "The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines". Cambridge University Press.#AssassinsCreed #Islam #History Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Abraham Abulafia (d. 1291) is one of the most fascinating jewish mystics of all time, who is credited with founding the "Ecstatic/Prophetic Kabbalah".Sources/Suggested Reading:Hames, Harvey J. (2007). “Like Angels on Jacob’s Ladder”. State University of New York Press.Ide, Moshe (1988). “The Mystical Experience in Abraham Abulafia”. Translated from the Hebrew by Jonathan Chipman. State University of New York Press.Idel, Moshe (1988). “Studies in Ecstatic Kabbalah”. State University of New York Press.Wolfson, Eliot R. (2011). “Abraham ben Samuel Abulafia and the Prophetic Kabbalah”. In Jewish Mysticism & Kabbalah (ed. Frederick E. Greenspahn). New York University Press.#Abulafia #Kabbalah #Mysticism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we talk about Jesus, who is was and if he even existed.Sources/Suggested Reading:Chilton, Bruce & Craig A. Evans (ed.) (1998). Studying the historical Jesus: Evaluations of the state of Current Research. Brill.Ehrman, Bart D. (2013). Did Jesus Exist?: The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth. HarperOne.Holmén, Tom & Stanley E. Porter (ed.) (2011). Handbook for the study of the historical Jesus. Volume 1. Brill.Levine, Amy-Jill; Dale C. Allison Jr. & John Dominic Crossan (2006). The Historical Jesus in Context. Princeton University Press.#Jesus #History #ProjectHistoricity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we talk about the great 14th-15th century saint Shah Ni'matullah Wali and the order that carries his name.Sources/Further Reading:Dahlén, Ashk (2001). "Sufismen i det moderna Iran". In Levande Sufism. Edited by David Westerlund.Graham, Terry (1999) "Shah Ni'matullah Wali: Founder of the Ni'matullahi Sufi Order". In The Heritage of Sufism: Legacy of Medieval Persian Sufism (Volume 2). Edited by Leonard Lewisohn.Herman, Denis & Mathieu Terrier (2020). "Shi'i Islam and Sufism: classical views and modern perspectives". I.B. Tauris.Nurbakhsh, Javad (1980). "Masters of the Path: a history of the masters of the Nimatullahi sufi order". Khaniqahi-Nimatullahi Publications: New York.Pourjavady, Nasrollah (?). "Shah Nematollah Vali: an Heir to Two Mystical Literary Traditions". Article.Various (2002). "Celebrating a Sufi Master: A collection of works on the occasion of the First (& Second) international symposium on Shah Nematollah Vali". San Jose State University. Volumes 1 & 2.#Nimatullahi #Sufism #Islam Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is one that leans heavily on the academic side. Here we talk about the effects that religion and migration have on each other.Sources/Further Reading:Levitt, Peggy (2009). "God Needs No Passport: Immigrants and the Changing American Landscape". The New Press.Frederiks, Martha (2014). "Religion, Migration & Identity: A conceptual and theoretical exploration". In "Religion, Migration & Identity: A conceptual and theoretical exploration". Edited by Martha Frederiks & Dorottya Nagy. Brill.#Religion #Migration #Immigration Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meister Eckhart is an influential, and often surprising, Christian theologian/philosopher/mystics whose writings & sermons have both inspired future thinkers in the catholic church, but also been condemned by the pope as heretical.Sources/Further Reading:McGinn, Bernard (2003). "The Mystical Thought of Meister Eckhart: The Man from Whom God Hid Nothing". Independent Publishers Group.McGinn, Bernard (1992). "Meister Eckhart: Teacher and Preacher". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press International, U.S.McGinn, Bernard (1981). "Meister Eckhart: The Essential Sermons, Commentaries, Treatises and Defense". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press International, U.S.#Eckhart #Mysticism #Christianity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this video, we talk about one of the most central texts and figures in Daoism.Sources/Further Reading:Komjathy, Louis (2013). "The Daoist Tradition: An Introduction". Bloomsbury Academic.Lao Tzu (2013). "Tao Te Ching - A New Translation. Translated by William Scott Wilson. Shambala Publications. Hackett Publishing Co, Inc.Zhuangzi (2008). "Zhuangzi - The Essential Texts: With Translations from Traditional Commentaries". Translated by Brook Ziporyn.#Zhuangzi #Daoism #Philosophy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We follow up the last episode on Shankara & Advaita Vedanta by talking about the most influential response to that school.Sources/Suggested Reading:Bartley, C.J. (2002). "The Theology of Ramanuja - Realism and Religion". Routledge.Flood, Gavin (ed.) (2003). "The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism". Blackwell Publishing. "Sri Ramanuja Gita Bhashya - with text in Devangari & English rendering". Translated by Swami Adidevananda. Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math.Thibaut, George (translated by) (2006). "The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Ramanuja". The Echo Library.#Vedanta #Ramanuja #Hinduism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The much requested episode about Shankara is finally here.Sources/Suggeested Reading:Deutsch, Eliot (1973). “Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction”. University of Hawai’i Press.Deutsch, Eliot & Rohit Dalvi (2005). “Essential Vedanta: A New Source Book of Advaita Vedanta”. World Wisdoms Books.Suthren Hirst, J.G. (2005). “Samkara’s Advaita Vedanta: a way of teaching”. Routledge.“The Mandukya Upanishad with Gaudapada’s Karika and Sankara’s Commentary”. Translated by Swami Nikhilananda. 1987. Advaita Ashrama.“Brahma Sutra Bhasya of Sankaracarya”. Translated by Swami Gambhirananda.1972. Advaita Ashrama.#Shankara​ #Vedanta​ #Advaita Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talk about the Hindu philosophical school(s) of "Vedanta".Sources/Further Reading:Brahma Sutra Basya by Shankaracharya. Published by Advaita Ashrama, India; New edition (1 Jan. 2000).The Mandukya Upanishad with Gaudapada's Karika & Sankara's Commentary. Published by Vedanta Press.Deutsch, Eliot (1986). "Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction". University of Hawaii Press.Deutsch, Eliot & Rohit Dalvi (2005). "Essential Vedanta: A New Source Book of Advaita Vedanta". World Wisdom Books.Flood, Gavin (2003). "The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism". Blackwell publishing.Jacobsen, Knut A. (2003). "Hinduismen: Historia, tradition, mångfald". Kultur och Natur.Sri Ramanuja Gita Basya (Translation by Swami Adidevananda). Published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai.#Vedanta #Hinduism #Advaita Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The earliest and most sacred scriptures of Hinduism - The Vedas - is some of the oldest surviving religious literature in the world, and simultaneously some of the best preserved. In this episode, we talk about these fascinating texts as the first part in a new series on religion in India. Sources/Further Reading: Flood, Gavin (2003). "The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism". Blackwell publishing.Jacobsen, Knut A. (2003). "Hinduismen: Historia, tradition, mångfald". Kultur och Natur. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we talk about the famous Andalusian philosopher Ibn Rushd.Sources/Further Reading:Kennedy, Hugh (1996). "Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus". Routledge.Genequand, Charles (1986). "Ibn Rushd's Methaphysics". Brill."Bidayat al-Mujtahid wa nihayat al-Muqtasid" (The Distinguished Jurist's Primer) Vol. 1 by Ibn Rushd. Translated by Professor Imran Ahsan Khan Niazee. Garnet Publishing.Taylor, Richard C. (2005). "Averroes: religious dialectic and Aristotelian philosophical thought". in "The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy". Edited by Peter Adamson and Richard C. Taylor."The Decisive Treatise" by Ibn Rushd (Averroes). Translated by Charles E. Butterworth. Islamic Translation Series. Bringham Young University Press. 2008."Tahafut al-Tahafut (The Incoherence of the Philosophers)" by Ibn Rushd (Averroes). Translated by Simon Van den Bergh. Gibb Memorial Trust Arabic Studies. 2008. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perhaps the most requested figure here - al-Ghazali - is finally getting a treatment!I talk about his life, some of his teachings, ideas and legacy and discuss some common misconceptions and opinions about him today.Sources/Further Reading:Al-Ghazali - "Deliverance from Error" (al-Munqidh min al-Dalal). Translated by Richard J. McCarthy. American University of Beirut.al-Ghazali - "The Incoherence of the Philosophers". Translated by Michael E. Marmura. Islamic Translations Series. University of Chicago Press.al-Ghazali - "The Niche of Lights". Translated by David Buchman. Islamic Translations Series. University of Chicago Press.Leaman, Oliver (2008). "The developed kalam tradition". In "The Cambridge Companion to Islamic Theology". Edited by Tim Winter. Cambridge University Press.Lumbard, Joseph E.B. (2016). "Ahmad al-Ghazali, Remembrance, and the Metaphysics of Love". Suny Press.Mamura, Michael E. (2005). "Al-Ghazali". In "The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy". Edited by Peter Adamson & Richard C. Taylor. Cambridge University Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I will do my first deep dive into one of the many Sufi orders - the Naqshbandiyya.Sources/Further Reading:Abun-Nasr, Jamil (2007). "Muslim Communities of Grace - The sufi brotherhoods in Islamic religious life". Hurst & Company, LondonMalik, Jamal & John Hinnells (2006). "Sufism in the West". Routledge.Sorgenfrei, Simon (2016). "Sufism i Sverige". Nämnden för statligt stöd till trossamfund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this unusual episode, we explore the history of coffee and its connection to Sufism, as well as the similar origins of tea.Good to remember: While this episode is still based on the most widely accepted views by historians, research on the matter is somewhat lacking and this light-hearted episode should not be taken as gospel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The long awaited second part of my series about music in the Islamic world!Sources/Further Reading:Hammarlund, Anders, Tord Olsson & Elizabeth Özdalga (1997). "Sufism, Music and Society in Turkey and the Middle East". Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul. Saeed, Yousuf. "Amir Khusrau and the Indo-Muslim Identity in the Art Music Practices of Pakistan". Schofield, Katherine Ruth (2003). "Hindustani music in the time of Aurangzeb". King's college London.Sharma, Sunil (2005). "Amir Khusraw: the Poet of Sultans and Sufis". In "Makers of the Muslim World" Series. Oneworld.Soydaş, M. Emin (2011). "Musical performance at the Ottoman court in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries". SOAS (University of London).Wright, Owen (1994). "'Abd al-Qādir al-Marāghī and 'Alī B. Muḥammad Binā'ī: Two Fifteenth-Century Examples of Notation (Part 1 & 2)". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol. 57, No. 3 (1994), pp. 475-515. Cambridge University Press.Wright, Owen (1996). "On the Concept of a 'Timurid Music'". Wright, Owen (1978). "The Modal System of Arabic and Persian Music A.D. 1250-1300". Oxford University Press.Wright, Owen (2018). "Music Theory in the Safavid Era: The taqsīm al-naġamāt". Routledge; 1st edition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this first part of a new series, we talk about the earliest centuries of Islamic civilization - Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid caliphates - and the different forms of music that flourished at this time.Sources/Suggested Reading:al-Faruqi, Louis Ibsen (1985). "Music, Musicians and Muslim Law". Asian Music, Vol. 17, No. 17, p. 3-36.Avery, Kenneth S. (2004). "A Psychology of Early Sufi Sama': Listening and altered states". Routledge.Davila, Carl (2009). "Fixing a Misbegotten Biography: Ziryab in the Mediterranean World". Al-Masaq, Vol. 21, No. 2, August 2009.Jenkins, Jean & Paul Rovsing Olsen (1976). "Music and Musical Instruments in the World of Islam". World of Islam Festival Publishing Company Ltd.Shiloah, Amnon (1995). "Music in the World of Islam: a Socio-cultural study". Scolar Press.Shiloah, Amnon (1997). "Music and Religion in Islam". Acta Musicologica, Vol. 69.The Brethren of Purity. "On Music: An Arabic Critical Edition and Translation of Epistle 5". Edited and Translated by Owen Wright. Oxford University Press.Wright, Owen (1978). "The Modal System Of Arab and Persian Music a.d. 1250-1300". Oxford University Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we talk about the short-lived religion founded by the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten.Sources/Further Reading:Hornung, Erik (2001) "Akhenaten and the Religion of Light". Cornell University Press.Hoffmeier, James K. (2015). "Akhenaten and the Origins of Monotheism". Oxford University Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As requested by the audience, in this episode we talk about the very early development of Speculative Islamic theology, or "Kalam".Support me on Patreon if you so wish: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligionSources/Suggested reading:Winter, Tim (2008). "The Cambridge Companion to Islamic Theology". Cambridge University Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we continue our series on some of the less known (and sometimes controversial) Sufis of the Middle Ages, we reach the Andalusian poet Abu-l Hasan al-Shushtari. He was a student of Ibn Sab'in but is also famous as a master-poet and Sufi master in his own right.Sources/Suggested Reading:Alvarez, Lourdes Maria (2009). "Abu-l Hasan al-Shushtari: Songs of Love and Devotion". In the "Classics of Western Spirituality" series. Paulist Press.Alvarez, Lourdes Maria (2005). "The Mystical Language of Everyday Life": Vernacular Sufi Poetry and the Songs of Abu Al-Hasan Al-Shustari". Exemplaria. 17:1, 1-32, DOI: 10.1179/exm.2005.17.1.1.Johnson. N. Scott (1995). "Ocean and Pearls: Ibn Sab'in, Shustari and the Doctrine of Absolute Unity". In "Sufi: Journal of Sufism" Issue 25. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.