The Chapter of Constellations and the Christians of Najran

The Chapter of Constellations and the Christians of Najran

Author: Younus Y. Mirza April 16, 2026 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 topic and agree with Walid Saleh that it refers to the Christians of Najran. The Christians of Najran were persecuted for their faith and were models of resilience and fortitude to the early Muslim community. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments...

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: 95

The Islamic Mary
Podcast Episodes
Bilqis - The Queen of Sheeba [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…
Why is Maryam Silent? Analyzing Maryam's Speech in the Qur'an [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:47
One of the questions I received in presenting on The Islamic Mary is why is Maryam silent? This question is connected to a larger question about women and religion and their speech, agency, and power in various scripture…
Nostra Aetate and Islam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:05
I had the opportunity to speak at Georgetown University on the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, a Catholic document on the church's relationship with other religions. Specifically, I spoke on the panel on Christian-Mus…
A Devotional Qur'an - An Interview with Shawkat Toorawa (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Understanding Salafism - An Interview with Yasir Qadhi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:55
One of the reasons I became interested in Biblical and Qur'anic figures is because I did my dissertation and initial research on the medieval Ibn Kathir (d. 774/1373) and Ibn Taymiyya (d. 728/1328). Both Ibn Kathir and I…