The Islamic Mary

In the climax of the story, Maryam makes a remarkable statement: "I wish I had died before this and been a thing forgotten".  Qur'anic commentators understood this statement as part of the pain and suffering of the righteous and that when trials became too difficult believers would some times wish that they did not exist.  The statement also connects with the larger theme of life an...

Here I present a short commentary on Nostra Aetate, a Catholic document on the church's relationship with other religions.  Specifically, I focus on the paragraphs on Muslims and how it open up modern possibilities for Christian-Muslim relations, such as shared spirituality, figures and social justice.  Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Ma...

When I was writing The Islamic Mary , I became further interested in the field of Christian and Muslim dialogue and its relevancy today and in the future.  This led me to various books published on the topic, such as Amir Hussain's new book One God and Two Religions: Christians and Muslims as Neighbors .  Amir's book is unique in that it speaks about Christians and Muslim worshipping the...

Today, we revisit the first episode of my commentary of the chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam).  I have now done commentaries of over 30 of the first verses of the chapter that you can follow on the podcast archives.  The Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam) is unique with a special rhyme scheme, opening letters and emphasis on love and mercy.  I speak about its context, relationship with other Qur'ani...

I had the opportunity to speak at Georgetown University on the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, a Catholic document on the church's relationship with other religions.  Specifically, I spoke on the panel on Christian-Muslim relations and how Nostra Aetate continues to be relevant in terms of prayer and spirituality, social justice and moral welfare and shared figures such as Abraham and Mary...

When I started writing my book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries , I was drawn to the Qur'anic chapter of Mary or Surat Maryam.  As I started to research the chapter, I came across the work of Shawkat Toorawa who focuses on the sound, rhyme and rhythm of the Qur'an and points out some of Surat Maryam's unique qualities and characteristics.  I was thus excited to see tha...

One of the reasons I became interested in Biblical and Qur'anic figures is because I did my dissertation and initial research on the medieval Ibn Kathir (d. 774/1373) and Ibn Taymiyya (d. 728/1328).  Both Ibn Kathir and Ibn Taymiyya engaged the Arabic Bible and wrote on Biblical literature and its relationship to the Qur'an.  These figures today would be understood as "salafis"...

When I started my career, I was interested in the figure of Abraham/Ibrahim and how he could be a bridge figure between Christians, Jews and Muslims.  However, as I wrote my book on "The Bible and the Qur'an: Biblical Figures in the Islamic Tradition," I became more interested in the figure of Mary and how she could bring Christians and Muslims together.  This led me to the work of...

When Maryam returns to her people, she mocked and told that she come from a righteous family, her father was a good man and her mother was chaste.  In response, she points to her child leading the people to once again criticize her saying "how can we speak to an infant"?  The verse speaks once again to the idea of speech and silence in the Qur'an and how God is the ultimate speaker....

I sit down with Alexander Massad to discuss his new book " Witnessing God: Christians, Muslims, and the Comparative Theology of Missions" .  Alex is a strong proponent of Evangelical and Muslim dialogue and with wrestling with the claims of each religion.  In the interview, we discuss his spiritual biography, interest in Christian-Muslim dialogue, program at Wheaton College and theologic...

I speak about a recent keynote address that I gave at the Pacific Northeast Virtual Exchange conference where I connect my research on the Islamic Mary or Maraym to COIL Virtual Exchange.  Growing up in the 90s, there was a strong push for the "Clash of Civilizations" thesis, or that the "West" was in an intrinsic conflict with "Orient" and "Islam".  It was...

One of the reason I have been drawn to the Islamic Mary or Maryam is the idea of a shared figure between various religious traditions and the interactions between them.  This led me to the emerging field of Interreligious Studies and to the new book Interreligious Studies: An Introduction by Rachel Mikva.  I sit down with Rachel to talk about defining Interreligious Studies, how it is different fr...

As part of the slander against Maryam, her people reference her family.  They say that she comes from a noble lineage and her father was a decent man and her mother was not unchaste.  The verse connects Maryam once again to Moses/Musa and his mother and speaks to the idea of criticism and family expectations.   Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic...

After Maryam has her child Jesus/'Isa, she has to return to her people and face their judgement and criticism.  Maryam "carries" her child which echoes how Noah was "carried" in the ark.  Also, Maryam is attacked for her perceived sexual immorality which is similar to other figures in the life of the Prophet Muhammad, such as his wife 'Aisha.  The slander, accusations...

When I was writing The Islamic Mary , I became further interested in the field of Christian and Muslim dialogue and its relevancy today and in the future.  This led me to various books published on the topic, such as Amir Hussain's new book One God and Two Religions: Christians and Muslims as Neighbors .  Amir's book is unique in that it speaks about Christians and Muslim worshipping the...

After Maryam is told to eat, drink and be glad, she told to take a vow of silence and not speak to anyone for an entire day.  The second half of verse 19:26 sets up the themes of God being the most merciful and the themes of silence and speech.  Maryam's silence leads to the speech of Jesus/'Isa.   Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Ma...

As we are six months into 2025, we revisit the top 5 podcasts of 2024.  The Islamic Mary podcast now has over 50 episodes and a library of different interviews, reflections and commentaries.  A common theme is to give voice to overlooked figures and shed light on groundbreaking research.   Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is...

After Maryam shakes the palm tree, she is told "to eat, drink, and be glad".  This phrase connects her with other Qur'anic mothers, such as the mother of Moses/Musa, and a larger Qur'anic theme of finding joy with your family.  Muslims frequently make a prayer that God should bestow upon them spouses and children who bring happiness to their heart.   Send me a text regarding yo...

When I started writing my book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries , I was drawn to the Qur'anic chapter of Mary or Surat Maryam.  As I started to research the chapter, I came across the work of Shawkat Toorawa who focuses on the sound, rhyme and rhythm of the Qur'an and points out some of Surat Maryam's unique qualities and characteristics.  I was thus excited to see tha...

After Maryam calls out in pain and anguish, a voice calls telling her to shake a palm tree and ripe dates will fall upon her.  This is similar to other Qur'anic figures, such as Moses/Musa, who are told to act when they are in trying and difficult situation, such as when he was in front of the Red Sea.  The lesson is to act rather than allow the pain and sorrow overtake you.   Send me a text...

Happy to share the third and final installment of the 2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lectures where I respond to Rachel S. Mikva 's lecture "What Does it Mean to Be Human?" I do a retelling of the Islamic creation story with an emphasis on the body, repentance and redemption.  Super impressed with ICJS and their work of spreading religious literacy and interreligious and interfaith cooper...

Happy to share the second of the 2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lectures where Rachel S. Mikva discusses "What Does it Mean to Be Human?" She touches on issues relating to AI, climate change and abortion. I respond to her presentation in lecture number 3.  Super impressed with ICJS and their work of spreading religious literacy and interreligious and interfaith cooperation.  You can check out...

Happy to share the first of the 2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lectures where Rachel S. Mikva discusses "What Does it Mean to Be Human?" She touches on issues relating to AI, climate change and abortion. I respond to her presentation in lecture number 3.  Super impressed with ICJS and their work of spreading religious literacy and interreligious and interfaith cooperation.  You can check out t...

After Maryam laments and wishes she was dead and long forgotten, she hears a call from below.  This voice guides her on what to do next and informs her that she should not worry or be sad.  This "call" connects her to Zechariah/Zakariyya as well as Moses/Musa who discussed later in the chapter.  The verse further connects Maryam to the Mother of Moses/Musa who is also instructed to trust...

Happy to share this 2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lecture Conversation Event where Rachel S. Mikva , Heather Miller Rubens and myself sit down and discuss "What Does it Mean to Be Human?" We discuss issues related to scripture, AI and climate change and attempt to excavate the influence of religion on society. Super impressed with ICJS and their work of spreading religious literacy and interr...