A Devotional Qur'an - An Interview with Shawkat Toorawa

A Devotional Qur'an - An Interview with Shawkat Toorawa

Author: Younus Y. Mirza June 27, 2025 Duration: 54:43
When I started writing my book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries, I was drawn to the Qur'anic chapter of Mary or Surat Maryam. As I started to research the chapter, I came across the work of Shawkat Toorawa who focuses on the sound, rhyme and rhythm of the Qur'an and points out some of Surat Maryam's unique qualities and characteristics. I was thus excited to see that he has come out with a new book entitled The Devotional Qur'an which translates key chapters and vers...

In The Islamic Mary, Younus Y. Mirza guides us through a nuanced exploration of Maryam, a figure revered across faiths yet understood in uniquely profound ways within Islam. This isn't a lecture series, but a thoughtful conversation that delves into her significant presence in the Qur'an and the rich tapestry of Islamic tradition that has contemplated her life and meaning for centuries. The discussions naturally extend into the vital realm of Christian-Muslim relations, using Maryam as a focal point for understanding shared heritage and respectful dialogue. Mirza frames this podcast as an intellectual and spiritual journey, one that intertwines with his own scholarly work on a forthcoming book. Listeners will find themselves immersed in episodes that examine Biblical and Qur'anic figures, drawing connections and distinctions through the lens of Interreligious Studies. The result is a deeply engaging series that appeals to anyone curious about spirituality, comparative religion, or the powerful stories that shape our world. By focusing on this singular, pivotal woman, the podcast opens up expansive questions about faith, history, and the possibilities for mutual understanding.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 102

The Islamic Mary
Podcast Episodes
Adam's Connection to Maryam (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:10
As I revise my second edition of my book "The Bible and the Qur'an: Biblical Figures in the Islamic Tradition", I continue to read new articles and research regarding the various prophetic and righteous figures. One argu…
Is Maryam More Jewish or Christian? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:53
At a recent book talk, somebody asked me: Is Maryam more Christian or Jewish? I discuss how this question is connected to a larger debate about whether Islam is more similar to Judaism and Christianity and how it speaks…
Bilqis - The Queen of Sheeba (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:09
One of the questions that Maryam raises is the level of agency and power of women in religion, especially within scriptures such as the Qur'an and Bible. In this episode, I speak about the Queen of Sheeba, known as Bilqi…
Maryam the Devout and Gender Equity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:56
One of the questions regarding the Qur'an is whether it is a scripture that supports gender hierarchy or equality. I examine a new article that touches on the meaning of "devout" (qanitat) in the Quran and how it could h…
Islamic Mary Book Talk at Shenandoah University [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:45
We had a great book talk at Shenandoah University's library on my book "The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries"! I enjoyed speaking about the origins of my book, Mary/Maryam in the Qur'an and why she matters toda…
Aaron - The Helper and Sibling Prophet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:21
Various Biblical and Qur'anic prophets play different roles, ranging from parents to children. Aaron/Harun plays the role of a sibling, helping his brother Moses/Musa on his mission against Pharaoh and being a loyal aid…
The Chapter of Constellations and the Christians of Najran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:30
In the Chapter of Constellations (Surat al-Buruj), there is a debate on who it refers to: the Christians of Najran, the Disbelievers in the Hellfire or the Biblical story in Daniel. I go through recent scholarship on the…
Why I am Starting This Podcast? (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:10
In this podcast, we go back into time and share the first podcast of the show. I discuss why I am starting the Islamic Mary podcast, my personal connection to the topic and the potential that Maryam provides. Send me a t…
Luqman - The Wise Father [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:09
When we think of fathers, the stereotypical image of somebody who is stern, domineering and even coercive may come up. In the stereotypical image of Islam, fathers are simply breadwinners and maintainers and arrange thei…