The World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics

This episode discusses the rise of legal study circles in early Islam. We encounter Ahl al-Ra'y (Partisans of reason), Ahl al-Hadith (Partisans of prophetic reports), Abu Hanifa (d.767) and Malik (d.795).

This episode introduces the early frames of Islamic law before its more sophisticated stages. We discuss, among other things, law in the Qur'an and the early conceptions of Sunna and Ra'y.

What is Sharia? What is Fiqh? Is there a relation between law and theology?

Today, we highlight the tenets of Mu`tazilism and the Ash`arite response to it. Ash`arism would grow to become the dominant theological school in Sunni Islam.

Today, we take a brief look at the important theological debate in early Islam over whether the Qur'an was created in history or rather eternal and uncreated. In our presentation, we discuss important contextual elements and encounter the early Abbasid Caliphs, the Rationalist Mu'tazilite theologians, and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal.

This episode elaborates on three early theological debates in early Islam, namely the leadership of the religious community, the relation of sinful actions to faith, and free will vs. determinism. Among other things, we encounter the Murji'a, the Jabriyya, the Qadariyya, and the Mu`tazila. 

This episode starts introducing some early theological debates within Islam. What can these debates tell us about early Islam?  And how should we look at the relation between "orthodox" views and "heretical" ones? 

Today, we briefly highlight the fall of the Umayyad dynasty and rise of the Abbasids in 750 CE. The focus of the episode will be on the development of early Shi`ism. We introduce the Imamis (Twelvers), the Isma`ilis (Seveners), and the Zaydis (Fivers). We also come across the notions of "Imam" and "Taqiyya."

The period in which Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan ruled the early Arab empire (685-705) was an important moment in the cementing of a unique Muslim identity. Among the many significant actions taken at this time was the establishment of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. 

Sources and Additional Readings:

The History of al-Tabari

The First Dynasty of Islam       by G.R. Hawting

The Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. Hodgson
The Early Islamic Conquests       by  Fred M. Donner

This episode highlights another round of internal strife within the early community (680-692). Umayyad rule is challenged from many corners. The grandson of Muhammad, Husayn and a number of his followers are massacred at Karbala, the Kharijites dominate central Arabia, and Abdullah Ibn al-Zubayr establishes himself as a serious alternative to the Umayyads. 

This episode discusses what could be described with some reservations as the first sectarian group to rise within Islam. The Kharijites are often presented as a radical and violent group that terrorized the early community. What do we make of this image? This short introduction to the Kharijites gives some initial guidance in trying to answer this question. 

Sources and Additional Readings:

Kitab al-milal wal-nihal          by al-Shahrastani    

Les schismes dans l'Islam      by Henri Laoust

This week marks the anniversary of the passing of Mohammed Arkoun (1928-2010) who was a professor of the history of Islamic thought at the Sorbonne in Paris. This is a tribute to this unique thinker and scholar. 

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-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-Tabari
The Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. Hodgson
The 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-Tabari
The Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. Hodgson
The 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."

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 

Today's podcast provides an English translation of part of a conversation with the late professor Mohammed Arkoun (d. 2010) on Belgian TV*.  For most of his prestigious academic career, Mohammed Arkoun was professor of the history of Islamic thought at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France. He also held teaching positions at a number of universities around the world. The following is a stimulating discussion about a variety of topics, having to do with religion, politics, and culture.

*The video of the whole interview in French can be found at http://www.rtbf.be/video/detail_noms-de-dieux?id=602121

This episode takes a look at the history of Rai music outside Oran and its region. We pay particular attention to the Moroccan and French Rai musical scenes. The episode contains musical excerpts from Chebba Maria, Cheb Akil, Mohamed Lamine, Cheb Hassen, Reda Taliani, Cheb Mimoun, Rachid Berrieh, Cheb Kamal, Bouchnak Brothers, Talbi One, Cheb Kader, Faudel, Rachid Taha, and Cheb Hasni.

Sources and further reading:

Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï

Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa

Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds

Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï

Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale