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
A Devotional Qur'an - An Interview with Shawkat Toorawa [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…
Shake the Palm Tree - Verse 25 of the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:36
After Maryam calls out in pain and anguish, a voice calls telling her to shake a palm tree and ripe dates will fall upon her. This is similar to other Qur'anic figures, such as Moses/Musa, who are told to act when they a…
My Response - 2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lecture Number 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:28
Happy to share the third and final installment of the 2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lectures where I respond to Rachel S. Mikva's lecture "What Does it Mean to Be Human?" I do a retelling of the Islamic creation story with an…
2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lecture Number 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:34
Happy to share the second of the 2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lectures where Rachel S. Mikva discusses "What Does it Mean to Be Human?" She touches on issues relating to AI, climate change and abortion. I respond to her pres…
2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lecture Number 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:52
Happy to share the first of the 2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lectures where Rachel S. Mikva discusses "What Does it Mean to Be Human?" She touches on issues relating to AI, climate change and abortion. I respond to her prese…
The Call From Below - Verse 24 of the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:54
After Maryam laments and wishes she was dead and long forgotten, she hears a call from below. This voice guides her on what to do next and informs her that she should not worry or be sad. This "call" connects her to Zech…
2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lecture Conversation Event [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:59
Happy to share this 2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lecture Conversation Event where Rachel S. Mikva, Heather Miller Rubens and myself sit down and discuss "What Does it Mean to Be Human?" We discuss issues related to scripture…
The Islamic Mary Book Available for Pre-Order! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:46
I am super excited to announce that my book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries is now available for pre-order! This book has been several years in the making so it is surreal to reach this milestone. In this…
The Lament - Verse 23 in the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:48
In the climax of the story, Maryam makes a remarkable statement: "I wish I had died before this and been a thing forgotten". Qur'anic commentators understood this statement as part of the pain and suffering of the righte…