The Islamic Mary

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 hope…

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 th…

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 t…

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 t…

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 dialogu…

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 Qu…

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…

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 docu…

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…

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.  Mary…

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 …

When Maryam hears the news that she will have a child, she immediately asks a question: "How can I have a child when no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?"  Here question represents a t…

After Maryam is initially scared of Gabriel/Jibril, he responds and explains that he is a divine messenger and that he is there to bestow upon her a son.    Gabriel/Jibril speaks directly to Maryam a…

When the Angel first approaches Maryam, she is afraid and seeks refuge.  This is similar to how other Qur'anic and Biblical figures, such as Abraham/Ibrahim, react to Angels in that they don't immedi…

I speak about the Top 5 Podcasts of 2024.  They were a mix of individual session and interviews that all speak about topics related to the Islamic Mary.  A common theme is to give voice to overlooked…

After Maryam withdraws from her family and is in a state of seclusion, an angel appears in the form of a man.  Angels frequently appear in the Islamic tradition in human form and are not initially re…

We have finally reached the section of Maryam!  I speak about how the Qur'an introduces Maryam, connecting her with other Biblical and Qur'anic figures and emphasizing how she withdrew before the rev…

While silence and speech are major themes in Surat Maryam, so are life and death.  After Zechariah/Zakariyya's impassioned plea, the divine voice introduces his son John/Yahya who is forerunner to Je…

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 th…

When Zechariah/Zakariyya is granted his wish of having a child, he asks for a sign and that sign is to be silent.  I speak in this episode on how the silence of Zakariyya sets the stage for Maryam an…