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
Trailer for the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:56
Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast as we explore the chapter of Mary or Maryam! In our second season, we will examine how the chapter (sura) has a unique rhyme scheme, emerges from an era of hopelessness and desperati…
Redeeming Zachariah - Interview with Maria Barga (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:57
In the Chapter of Mary (Maryam), Zechariah/Zakariyya foreshadows the coming of Maryam. I sit down with Maria Barga to discuss her article "Redeeming Zachariah" which uses the Qur'an to understand the Biblical narrative a…
The Pain - Verse 23 of the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:14
We now have reached the climax of the story where Maryam is about to give birth to her son Jesus. However, she begins to experience pain and retreats to a trunk of a palm tree. The Qur'an signals that relief comes after…
Witnessing God - An Interview with Alexander Massad [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…
Withdrawal II - Verse 22 in the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:18
Before she gives birth to Jesus/'Isa, Maryam withdraws for a second time. The word that is used for "withdrawal" is a hapax or a word that is only used in the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam). The Qur'an is highlighting th…
Inner Dimensions of Fasting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58
In this episode, I join Roshan Iqbal, Celene Ibrahim, and Oludamini Ogunnaike to explore distinct fasting practices and their inner and outer dimensions in Islamic scholarship, especially focusing on Al-Ghazali’s seminal…
Maryam's Fast - Silence, Spirituality and Miracles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:30
As the month of Ramadan approaches, I wanted to explore the word "fasting" (sawm) in the story of Maryam. While most Muslims understand the word "fasting" as abstaining from food and drink, the word "fasting" is used in…