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
Witnessing God - An Interview with Alexander Massad (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:34
I sit down with Alexander Massad to discuss his new book "Witnessing God: Christians, Muslims, and the Comparative Theology of Missions". Alex is a strong proponent of Evangelical and Muslim dialogue and with wrestling w…
Maryam and the Clash of Civilizations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:49
I speak about a recent keynote address that I gave at the Pacific Northeast Virtual Exchange conference where I connect my research on the Islamic Mary or Maraym to COIL Virtual Exchange. Growing up in the 90s, there was…
Interreligious Studies - An Interview with Rachel Mikva (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:13
One of the reason I have been drawn to the Islamic Mary or Maryam is the idea of a shared figure between various religious traditions and the interactions between them. This led me to the emerging field of Interreligious…
Sister of Aaron - Verse 28 of the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:59
As part of the slander against Maryam, her people reference her family. They say that she comes from a noble lineage and her father was a decent man and her mother was not unchaste. The verse connects Maryam once again t…
The Slander - Verse 27 of the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:04
After Maryam has her child Jesus/'Isa, she has to return to her people and face their judgement and criticism. Maryam "carries" her child which echoes how Noah was "carried" in the ark. Also, Maryam is attacked for her p…
One God and Two Religions - An Interview with Amir Hussain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:12
When I was writing The Islamic Mary, I became further interested in the field of Christian and Muslim dialogue and its relevancy today and in the future. This led me to various books published on the topic, such as Amir…
The Vow of Silence - Verse 26 of the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:24
After Maryam is told to eat, drink and be glad, she told to take a vow of silence and not speak to anyone for an entire day. The second half of verse 19:26 sets up the themes of God being the most merciful and the themes…
Top 5 Podcasts of 2024 (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:15
As we are six months into 2025, we revisit the top 5 podcasts of 2024. The Islamic Mary podcast now has over 50 episodes and a library of different interviews, reflections and commentaries. A common theme is to give voic…