Emotions In Islam - An Interview with Paul Heck

Emotions In Islam - An Interview with Paul Heck

Author: Younus Y. Mirza July 30, 2026 Duration: 57:31
As I look closely at Qur'anic figures, I am struck in how they speak about their emotions. They are open about their fears, upfront about their sadness and share their joy and grief. This led me to the work of Paul Heck on "Emotions In Islam" where he details how Muslims have thought about emotions throughout their history. I speak with Paul about his spiritual biography, how he became interested in the topic and how emotions are connected to the ultimate goal of becoming ri...

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: 50

The Islamic Mary
Podcast Episodes
Zulaykha - Seducing Joseph and the Repentance (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:00
Zulaykha is often seen in the Islamic tradition as a temptress and someone who tries to seduce the prophet Joseph/Yusuf. However, minority readings focus on her repentance and how she eventually speaks the truth and seek…
Islamic Mary Book Panel in Bosnia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:27
In my recent trip to Sarajevo, I was honored to be part of a panel of Christian and Muslim scholars who discussed the new translation of my book “The Islamic Mary” into Bosnian. Various scholars discussed the book, what…
Islamic Mary Book Talk at George Mason University (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:40
I got the opportunity to do a book talk at the AbuSulayman Center at George Mason University. The Center focuses on Global Islamic Studies and is a leader in digital Islamic studies and humanities. I also got to interact…
David and Bathsheba (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:59
David/Dawud is represented in the Islamic tradition as a righteous ruler who combines worship and kingship, piety and authority. One story that emerges in the Biblical and Qur'anic literature is that David/Dawud sees Bat…
Top 5 of 2025: Reflecting on the Last Year of Podcasting (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:44
I go through the Top 5 episodes of 2025. The top 5 were a mix of interviews, reflections and commentary and touched on various subjects from Christian-Muslim relations to a devotional Qur'an. I discuss plans for the futu…
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…