Grief as a Sacred Opening – Zeyneb Sayilgan

Grief as a Sacred Opening – Zeyneb Sayilgan

Author: Meli Solomon, the Talking with God Project May 8, 2025 Duration: 44:26
Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life
ReligionReligion & SpiritualityIslamJudaismSpirituality

Episode 97.  

Burying a child is an unimaginable trauma that no parent should have to face. My guest today, Zeyneb Sayilgan, has sadly needed to endure that pain and grief twice. Through it all, her Muslim faith has sustained her and provided a path for healing. She has joined me to talk about her experience of loss and subsequent growth, as well as the related Islamic beliefs about death and the afterlife. We also touch on where the beliefs are similar to those in Judaism. Zeyneb brings both personal experience and knowledge to this complex topic. 


Highlights: 

  • Zeyneb’s personal religious and cultural background
  • Engagement with death in the Muslim community
  • Comparison of death practices and attitudes in different countries
  • Parallels and differences with Jewish and Christian practices
  • Detailed overview of Islamic funeral practices
  • Community healing through grief
  • Life's value: time and eternity


Bio:   

Zeyneb Sayilgan, Ph.D., is the Muslim Scholar at ICJS, The Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, where her research focuses on Islamic theology and spirituality as articulated in the writings of Muslim scholar Bediüzzaman Said Nursi (1876-1960). She is the host of the Podcast On Being Muslim. You can read her publications on her blog.


References:

 

Social Media and other links for Zeyneb:  


Suggested episodes on Living Our Beliefs:

  • Elissa Felder episode 
  • Bonus episode on Tahara


Transcript on Buzzsprout


Social Media and other links for Méli:


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The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. 


Hosted by Meli Solomon of the Talking with God Project, Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life is a conversation about the practical realities of spiritual life. This podcast moves beyond abstract theology to examine how ancient traditions from Judaism, Islam, and other spiritual paths actually inform our modern routines, decisions, and relationships. Each episode delves into the nuanced spaces where belief meets action, exploring the challenges and rewards of aligning deeply held values with everyday behavior. You'll hear from a variety of voices discussing how they navigate this integration, whether through ritual, ethical choices, or community engagement. The discussions are grounded in real-life experience, focusing on the tangible ways faith provides meaning, fosters connection, and shapes identity in a contemporary context. Rather than offering simple answers, this series invites reflection on the ongoing, personal work of weaving spiritual principles into the fabric of daily existence. It’s for anyone curious about how others live out their convictions and seeking inspiration for their own journey toward a more coherent and purposeful life, all through thoughtful, accessible dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 101

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