The Islamic Mary

Zulaykha is often seen in the Islamic tradition as a temptress and someone who tries to seduce the prophet Joseph/Yusuf.  However, minority readings focus on her repentance and how she eventually speaks the truth and seeks the mercy and forgiveness of God. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast st...

In my recent trip to Sarajevo, I was honored to be part of a panel of Christian and Muslim scholars who discussed the new translation of my book “The Islamic Mary” into Bosnian.  Various scholars discussed the book, what they found relevant in it, and how it could contribute to interreligious dialogue.  I share some of the points that resonated with me regarding the panel, specifically the comment...

I got the opportunity to do a book talk at the AbuSulayman Center at George Mason University .  The Center focuses on Global Islamic Studies and is a leader in digital Islamic studies and humanities.  I also got to interact with my good friend Professor Maria Dakake who influenced my work on the Quran and the Islamic Mary.   Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe...

David/Dawud is represented in the Islamic tradition as a righteous ruler who combines worship and kingship, piety and authority.  One story that emerges in the Biblical and Qur'anic literature is that David/Dawud sees Bathsheba bathing, leading him to have an affair with her, kill her husband and then marrying her.  Various Muslim commentators struggled with this story, with some saying that...

I go through the Top 5 episodes of 2025.  The top 5 were a mix of interviews, reflections and commentary and touched on various subjects from Christian-Muslim relations to a devotional Qur'an.  I discuss plans for the future, such as a new series on the stories of the prophets and more interviews on different books, from emotions in the Qur'an to prison faith and scripture.   Send me a t...

As I revise my second edition of my book "The Bible and the Qur'an: Biblical Figures in the Islamic Tradition" , I continue to read new articles and research regarding the various prophetic and righteous figures.  One argues that Adam is connected to Maryam in that Adam was taught "all of the names" of his future progeny which included that of Maryam.   Send me a text rega...

At a recent book talk, somebody asked me: Is Maryam more Christian or Jewish?  I discuss how this question is connected to a larger debate about whether Islam is more similar to Judaism and Christianity and how it speaks to questions of law, ethics, and spirituality.   Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the maj...

One of the questions that Maryam raises is the level of agency and power of women in religion, especially within scriptures such as the Qur'an and Bible.  In this episode, I speak about the Queen of Sheeba, known as Bilqis in the Islamic tradition, and how she is seen as a wise, sensible and pious ruler.  I also speak about the various stories and traditions that developed around the Bilqis,...

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 regardin...

When I first started my graduate education, I was attracted to the framework of Abrahamic Religions or the idea that Jews, Christians and Muslims should return back to their founder, Abraham, to better understand their faiths and move beyond contemporary differences.  In the last several years, I have been traveling to Southeast Asia through the Barzinji Institute for Global Virtual Learning at Sh...

We had a great book talk at Shenandoah University's library on my book "The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries"!   I enjoyed speaking about the origins of my book, Mary/Maryam in the Qur'an and why she matters today.  I came of age in an era of the "Clash of Civilizations" and shared figures allow us to think of what relationships, bridges and partnerships are...

Various Biblical and Qur'anic prophets play different roles, ranging from parents to children.  Aaron/Harun plays the role of a sibling, helping his brother Moses/Musa on his mission against Pharaoh and being a loyal aid and companion.  Moses/Musa specifically asks God for Aaron/Harun's help because he trusts him and is more articulate and eloquent.    Send me a text regarding your feedb...

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...

In this podcast, we go back into time and share the first podcast of the show.  I discuss why I am starting the Islamic Mary podcast, my personal connection to the topic and the potential that Maryam provides.   Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts , Sp...

When we think of fathers, the stereotypical image of somebody who is stern, domineering and even coercive may come up.  In the stereotypical image of Islam, fathers are simply breadwinners and maintainers and arrange their daughters into unhappy and unloving marriages.  Today, we explore the image of Luqman who is seen in the Qur'an as wise and teaches his son morals and etiquette.  Luqman pr...

Muslims around the world are celebrating "Eid", in particular "the Eid of the Breaking of the Fast".  I examine how the word "Eid" is used in the Qur'an, particularly in the words of Jesus/'Isa.  Based on the request of his Disciples, Jesus/'Isa makes a prayer to God asking for a celebration and feast.  He emphasizes the idea of inclusivity, divine sign...

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...

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...

I have been thinking about fathers recently: what do they do? What is their function?  How are they effectively?  Today, I dive into the Biblical and Qur'anic Jacob/Yaqub and explore how the Qur'an understands fathers, especially in terms of their spiritual and mentorship role.  Jacob/Yaqub is open about his emotions, complains to God, and encourages his sons to have belief or hope.   Se...

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"...

In this episode , I join Roshan Iqbal, Celene Ibrahim, and Oludamini Ogunnaike to explore distinct fasting practices and their inner and outer dimensions in Islamic scholarship, especially focusing on Al-Ghazali’s seminal book, "Inner Dimensions of Islamic Practice." Part of a series designed as a classroom resource and a primer for general audiences.  This episode provides valuable insi...

As the month of Ramadan approaches, I wanted to explore the word "fasting" (sawm) in the story of Maryam.  While most Muslims understand the word "fasting" as abstaining from food and drink, the word "fasting" is used in the Chapter of Maryam in reference silence.  The use of the word in the Story allows us to better understanding "fasting" as abstaining fro...

Zulaykha is often seen in the Islamic tradition as a temptress and someone who tries to seduce the prophet Joseph/Yusuf.  However, minority readings focus on her repentance and how she eventually speaks the truth and seeks the mercy and forgiveness of God.   Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast...

I have always wondered about the roots of modern day Islamophobia?  When did it start?  How did it develop?  How was it formed?  In this interview, Deanna Womack takes us into her new book "Re-inventing Islam: Gender and the Protestant Roots of American Islamophobia" where she examines the connection between the history of missions and contemporary Islamophobia.  Along the way, she provi...

I go through the Top 5 episodes of 2025.  The top 5 were a mix of interviews, reflections and commentary and touched on various subjects from Christian-Muslim relations to a devotional Qur'an.  I discuss plans for the future, such as a new series on the stories of the prophets and more interviews on different books, from emotions in the Qur'an to prison faith and scripture.   Send me a t...