What is Jihad?

What is Jihad?

Author: Filip Holm June 9, 2025 Duration: 1:02:09

In this episode, we given an academic, historical overview of the concept of Jihad in Islam, dispelling some misconceptions and nuancing an otherwise thorny topic.


Sources/Recomended Reading:


Al-Dawoody, Ahmed Mohsen (2009). "War in Islamic Law: Justifications and Regulations". PhD Thesis. University of Birmingham.


Bashir, Khaled Ramadan (2018). "Islamic International Law: Historical Foundations and Al-Shaybani's Siyar". Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.


Bonner, Michael (2008). “Jihad in Islamic History: Doctrines and Practice”. Princeton University Press.


Brown, Jonathan A.C. (2019). "Slavery and Islam". Oneworld.


Ghazi, Mahmood Ahmad (translated by) (1998). "Kitab al-Siyar al-Saghir" by Muhammad al-Shaybani. Islamic Research Institute.


Hallaq, Wael (2004). "The Origins and Evolution of Islamic Law". Cambridge University Press.


Hallaq, Wael (2009). "Sharia: Theory, Practice, Transformations". Cambridge University Press.


Judd, Steven C. (2009). "al-Awza'i and Sufyan al-Thawri: The Umayyad Madhhab". In Bearman, Peri; Rudolph Peters & Frank E. Vogel (ed.), "The Islamic School of Law: Evolution, Devolution & Progress". Brill.


Judd, Steven C. (2019). "'Abd al-Rahman b. Amr al-Awza'i". In the "Makers of the Muslim World" Series. Oneworld.


Khan Nyazee, Imran Ahsan (translated by) (2000). "The Distinguished Jurist's Primer: Bidayat Al-Mujtahid Wa Nihayat Al-Muqtasid." Vol. 1-2. Garnet Publishing.


Kimball, Michelle R. (2018). "Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba: A Peacemaker for Our Time". The Other Press Sdn. Bhd.


Kiser, John W (2015). "Commander of the Faithful: The Life and Times of Emir Abd El-Kader". Monkfish Book Publishing Company.


Urban, Elizabeth (2020). "Conquered Populations in Early Islam: Non-Arabs, Slaves and the Sons of Slave Mothers". Edinburgh University Press.


Zawati, Hilmi M. (2015). "Theory of War in Islamic and Public International Law". In "Is Jihad Just War? War, Peace and Human Rights under Islamic and Public International Law", (Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, 2001) 9-47, reprinted in Niaz A. Shah, ed., Islam and the Law of Armed Conflict (Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar,

2015) 249-287.


Zemmali, Ameur (1990). "Imam al-Awza'i and his humanitarian ideas". In International Review of the Red Cross (1961 - 1997) , Volume 30 , Issue 275 , April 1990 , pp. 115 - 123. International Committee of the Red Cross.




Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Hosted by Filip Holm, Let's Talk Religion is a deep, accessible exploration of belief systems that have shaped human history and continue to define cultures. This isn't about preaching or debate; it's a thoughtful journey grounded in academic rigor and genuine curiosity. Each episode serves as a guided conversation, peeling back the layers of major world religions and lesser-known spiritual paths to examine their core tenets, historical development, and cultural impact. You'll hear detailed profiles of pivotal figures, from foundational prophets and philosophers to mystical poets and reformers, all placed within their rich historical context. The goal is to build a foundation of understanding, moving beyond headlines and stereotypes to appreciate the complex narratives and lived experiences within each tradition. By approaching religion as a multifaceted subject worthy of serious study, this podcast creates a space for listeners to reflect on the profound questions and diverse answers humanity has offered. Tune in for a consistently enlightening experience that treats religious thought with the depth and nuance it deserves, making each topic resonate with both intellectual and personal significance. This is a podcast for anyone who wants to listen and learn, to find connections and contrasts in the stories we tell about the divine, the sacred, and our place in the world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Let's Talk Religion
Podcast Episodes
Mulla Sadra & Islamic Existentialism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:26
This has been one of the most requested subjects, it is finally time to talk about Mulla Sadra.Sources/Recommended Reading:Adamson, Peter (ed.) (2005). “The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy”. Cambridge University…
Yunus Emre - The Sufi Poet Who Shaped the Turkish Language [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:58
We continue our exploration of Sufi poetry by looking at one of the greatest poets to write in the Turkish language.Sources/Suggested Reading:Smith, Grace Martin (1993). "The Poetry of Yunus Emre: A Turkish Sufi Poet". U…
Christmas according to Meister Eckhart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:48
The translation of this sermon is taken from:Walshe, Maurice O'C (ed.) (2009). "The Complete Mystical Works of Meister Eckhart". The Crossroad Publishing Company.For more information about Eckhart, suggested reading incl…
Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:54
In this episode, we finally explore the vast and important religious tradition of ancient Mesopotamia!Sources/Suggested Reading:Bottéro, Jean (2004). "Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia". Translated by Teresa Lavender Fagan…
Music in Jewish Mysticism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:34
In this episode, we explore the history of music in Jewish mysticism, from the ancient prophets to the Hasidim of today.Sources/Suggested Reading:Idel, Moshe (1987). "The Mystical Experience in Abraham Abulafia". State U…
Ahmadou Bamba & The Mouridiyya [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:24
In this episode, we explore the life and teachings of the Senegalese Sufi saint and social reformer Ahmadou Bamba (d. 1927), who led a movement of resistence against French colonialism through nonviolence.Thank you to Br…
The Eleusinian Mysteries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:16
A healthy level of speculation is required this time as we dive into the fascinating Eleusinian mysteries and its transformative rituals of consciousness-alteration.Sources/Suggested reading.Bowden, Hugh (2010). "Mystery…
Are all things empty? - Nagarjuna & The Buddhist Middle Way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:20
We're finally doing Buddhism! In this episode, we explore the teachings of the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna and his school, known as Madhyamika, or "The Middle Way".Sources/Suggested Reading:Siderits, Mark & Shoryu Kat…
Attar's "Conference of the Birds" - The Greatest Sufi Masterpiece? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:42
In this episode, we explore the famous persian sufi poem "Mantiq al-Tayr" or The Conference of the Birds, written by Fariduddin Attar.Sources/Suggested Reading:'Attar, Fariduddin. "The Conference of the Birds". Translate…

«1...678910