The World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics

This episode discusses the rule of Ali ibn Abi Talib (656-661), which is also the time of the First Civil War, a traumatic event in the life of the early Muslim community. Sources and Further Reading:The History of al-TabariThe Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. HodgsonThe Early Islamic Conquests       by  Fred M. Donner

This episode discusses the rule of Ali ibn Abi Talib (656-661), which is also the time of the First Civil War, a traumatic event in the life of the early Muslim community.Sources and Further Reading:The History of al-TabariThe Venture of Islam by Marshall G.S. HodgsonThe Early Islamic Conquests by Fred M. Donner

This episode discusses the rule of Uthman ibn Affan (644-656). While continuing to be successful on the external front, Uthman faced dissent and rebellion on the internal side. Sources and Further Reading: The History of al-Tabari The Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. Hodgson The Early Islamic Conquests       by  Fred M. Donner

This episode discusses the rule of Uthman ibn Affan (644-656). While continuing to be successful on the external front, Uthman faced dissent and rebellion on the internal side. Sources and Further Reading: The History of al-TabariThe Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. HodgsonThe Early Islamic Conquests       by  Fred M. Donner

This episode discusses the rule of Uthman ibn Affan (644-656). While continuing to be successful on the external front, Uthman faced dissent and rebellion on the internal side. Sources and Further Reading: The History of al-TabariThe Venture of Islam by Marshall G.S. HodgsonThe Early Islamic Conquests by Fred M. Donner

After Muhammad's death in 632 CE, the question of the leadership of the community will prove to be a serious challenge for Muhammad's followers. Nevertheless, within a few decades, the Arab armies will be in control of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Egypt, North Africa, Spain, Central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent, and will establish a large empire. Sources and Further Reading:The History of al-TabariThe Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. HodgsonThe Early Islamic Conquests       by  Fred M. Donner

After Muhammad's death in 632 CE, the question of the leadership of the community will prove to be a serious challenge for Muhammad's followers. Nevertheless, within a few decades, the Arab armies will be in control of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Egypt, North Africa, Spain, Central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent, and will establish a large empire. Sources and Further Reading:The History of al-TabariThe Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. HodgsonThe Early Islamic Conquests       by  Fred M. Donner

After Muhammad's death in 632 CE, the question of the leadership of the community will prove to be a serious challenge for Muhammad's followers. Nevertheless, within a few decades, the Arab armies will be in control of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Egypt, North Africa, Spain, Central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent, and will establish a large empire. Sources and Further Reading:The History of al-TabariThe Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. HodgsonThe Early Islamic Conquests       by  Fred M. Donner

After introducing the Qur'an, its contents, and its formation in previous episodes, the podcast discusses the transition from Qur'anic discourse to various Islamic discourses, a process that can be termed, "the construction of Islam."

After introducing the Qur'an, its contents, and its formation in previous episodes, the podcast discusses the transition from Qur'anic discourse to various Islamic discourses, a process that can be termed, "the construction of Islam."

After introducing the Qur'an, its contents, and its formation in previous episodes, the podcast discusses the transition from Qur'anic discourse to various Islamic discourses, a process that can be termed, "the construction of Islam."

Jesus is a significant figure in the Qur'an. How does the Qur'anic Jesus differ from the Jesus Christ of orthodox forms of Christianity? And what does the Qur'anic Jesus tell us about the worldview of the Qur'an and about the environment in which Qur'anic discourse developed? Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael SellsChrist in Islam and Christianity    by Neal Robinson 

Jesus is a significant figure in the Qur'an. How does the Qur'anic Jesus differ from the Jesus Christ of orthodox forms of Christianity? And what does the Qur'anic Jesus tell us about the worldview of the Qur'an and about the environment in which Qur'anic discourse developed? Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael SellsChrist in Islam and Christianity    by Neal Robinson 

Jesus is a significant figure in the Qur'an. How does the Qur'anic Jesus differ from the Jesus Christ of orthodox forms of Christianity? And what does the Qur'anic Jesus tell us about the worldview of the Qur'an and about the environment in which Qur'anic discourse developed? Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells Christ in Islam and Christianity    by Neal Robinson 

Today's podcast briefly discusses the transition of the Qur'an from an oral message into a closed codex through political decisions of the community leaders after Muhammad's death. The episode also quickly highlights the difficulties that face modern historians who are trying to make sense of the history of the formation of the Qur'an.  Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells La Pensée Arabe        by Mohammed Arkoun