Zulaykha - Seducing Joseph and the Repentance (Throwback)

Zulaykha - Seducing Joseph and the Repentance (Throwback)

Author: Younus Y. Mirza July 9, 2026 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 seeks the mercy and forgiveness of God. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Order my new book The Islamic...

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
Zechariah - The Caretaker Prophet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:57
In this episode, I do a deep dive into the Stories of the Prophets literature on Zechariah/Zakariyya. The commentators focus on his Qur'anic prayer, birth of his son John/Yahya and caretaking of Mary/Maryam. Along the wa…
Maryam and Intimacy (Throwback) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:11
I speak about how the Qur'an speaks directly to Maryam as well as other Qur'anic women and addresses their hopes, aspirations and fears. The direct communication leads to the discussion of the importance of intimacy with…
On the Passing of John Esposito [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:30
I reflect on the Passing on John Esposito, who was a scholar, academic, friend and mentor. I met him when I was an undergraduate at Georgetown University, and kept in touch with him through graduate school and when I sta…
Emotions In Islam - An Interview with Paul Heck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Joseph's Dream Between the Qur'an and Bible [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:20
As I work on the second edition of my book The Bible and Qur'an: Biblical Figures in the Islamic Tradition, I am look at new sources, from modern scholarship to medieval chronicles. In this episode, I speak about how med…
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…