The Islamic Mary

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...

I am super excited to announce that my book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries is now available for pre-order!  This book has been several years in the making so it is surreal to reach this milestone.  In this episode, I read the book's introduction and speak about its personal origins.  I also outline the content of the book such as Maryam in the Qur'an, prophetic reports (h...

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...

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...

Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast as we explore the chapter of Mary or Maryam!  In our second season, we will examine how the chapter (sura) has a unique rhyme scheme, emerges from an era of hopelessness and desperation, and emphasizes the themes of love and mercy.  Over 20 episodes have been published along with various interviews that relate to the chapter and Maryam in general.   Send me a...

In the Chapter of Mary (Maryam), Zechariah/Zakariyya foreshadows the coming of Maryam.  I sit down with Maria Barga to discuss her article "Redeeming Zachariah" which uses the Qur'an to understand the Biblical narrative and to argue that Zachariah should be seen more in a positive light.  Along the way, we discuss issues related to silence, suffering and divine questioning.   Send m...

We now have reached the climax of the story where Maryam is about to give birth to her son Jesus.  However, she begins to experience pain and retreats to a trunk of a palm tree.  The Qur'an signals that relief comes after hardship and that the image of the palm tree is unique to Maryam.   Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast whic...

Join me for one of the most popular episodes of 2024 where I interview Martin Nguyen on his edited book "An American Muslim Guide to the Art and Life of Preaching" by Sohaib Sultan.  We discuss how the book was conceived, how he worked with Sohaib on the book before he passed away, and the work's major lessons and takeaways.  Along the way, we discuss the ideas of friendship, commun...

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...

Before she gives birth to Jesus/'Isa, Maryam withdraws for a second time.  The word that is used for "withdrawal" is a hapax or a word that is only used in the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam).  The Qur'an is highlighting that something important and significant is about to occur.  The verse also brings up stories that relate to comparing Jesus/'Isa to that of Yahya/John and...

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 lay audiences.  This episode provides valuable insights into a foun...

Join me in one of the most popular episodes of 2024.  While writing my book the Islamic Mary, I came across various works on Christian-Muslim relations, in particular the groundbreaking Catholic document of Nostra Aetate which speaks about positive relations with Muslims.  However, the document is silent on core issues of Muslim faith such as the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad.  This led me...

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...

After Maryam asks how she will have a child when no man has touched her, the Angel Gabriel/Jibril responds that this is a decree from God and the Jesus/'Isa will be a sign from God and a mercy.  Maryam is then silent, accepting God's decree, which is different than Zechariah/Zakariyya who asks for a sign.   Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the I...

Join me for this throwback interview with Asma Afsaruddin , which was one of our most popular episodes of 2024.  When writing my forthcoming book the Islamic Mary , I had the opportunity to engage her edited volume The Oxford Handbook on Islam and Women , in particular her article  "Modern Rereadings of the Qur'an through a Gendered Lens".  I discuss with her how she compiled the ar...