Muslim Footprints

The early suras of the Qur’an are the short, hymnic passages associated with the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him and his progeny). They reveal many of the central values of Islam: generosity, kindness, prayer, and good deeds – in other words, a vision of a just and meaningful life. They also often refer to nature - the moon, sun, and stars; the sky and sea; night and day – highlighting the inextricable link between people and the environment.

Michael Sells, a renowned expert on the Qur’an, joins us for this episode of Muslim Footprints to discuss what he describes as “some of the most powerful prophetic and revelatory passages in religious history.” Dr Sells is the John Barrows Professor of Islamic History and Literature at the University of Chicago. He has studied and taught in the areas of Qur’anic studies; Sufism; Arabic and Islamic love poetry; and mystical literature.

Welcome to a bonus episode of Muslim Footprints!

This week, we’re reflecting back on the stories we’ve covered so far in our journey, and sharing additional insights from our guests. From the founders of the faith to empire builders, from Islam’s spiritual underpinnings to its enduring contributions to culture, we've covered a lot of ground - let's dive in and hear more!

As always, thanks for listening and sharing.

Muslims governed Sicily for about 200 years starting around 830 CE. A thousand years later, the influence of Muslim civilization remains. You can find it in the language, in local place names, and even in its cakes and sweets!

If you visit Sicily you also still see Muslim influence in its built environment – churches with domes and Arabic inscriptions, irrigation systems still in operation. And of course, Palermo itself, which recalls the urban design of North Africa’s historic cities.

The influence of Islam may extend beyond these tangible items - to culture as we understand it today. In this episode we hear from Bill Granara, research professor of Arabic at Harvard University, who talks about the Sicilian poet Ibn Hamdis, among the island’s most famous Muslims. We are also joined by Nicola Carpentieri, Professor of Arabic at the University of Padua, who researches Muslim Sicily - including the link between its Arabic poetry and European culture at large.

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The Fatimids were an Ismaili dynasty that reigned over a diverse religious and ethnic population for about 200 years, emerging from the vibrant 10^th century world of the Mediterranean. At its height, the Fatimid Empire stretched across the length of the southern Mediterranean and down the Red Sea coast – what we know as Algeria today all the way to the Levant, and along the west coast of Arabia – and included the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, as well as Jerusalem, Damascus, and even Sicily. The authority of its Imam-Caliphs was recognised as far as present-day Iran, Central Asia, Yemen, and India.

The story of how the dynasty came about, is as remarkable as some of its achievements. 

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Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib is one of the most important spiritual and intellectual authorities in Islam after the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He was the son-in-law and cousin of the Prophet, the fourth of the four ‘rightly guided caliphs’ who led the nascent Muslim community, and the first Shi’i spiritual leader, or Imam.

Considering his importance in the elaboration of intellectual, ethical, spiritual, legal and political traditions in Islam, there is a dearth of literature in Western languages on his life and thought. In this episode, author and researcher Dr Reza Shah Kazemi tells us about Imam Ali's life, his spirituality, and his guidance for behaving justly.

Reza Shah-Kazemi is a research associate at The Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, where he specialises in Sufism, Shi'ism, and comparative mysticism. 

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Prophets serve as intermediaries between the human and divine worlds. For Muslims, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) represents the last of the monotheistic prophets, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus. In his own lifetime, Prophet Muhammad overcame opposition and brought reforms, establishing a thriving community of believers which would become a major world civilisation. 

On this episode we’re joined by Dr Stephen Burge, a specialist in Qur'anic interpretation. Dr Stephen is also an ordained priest of the Church of England. He talks to us about the challenges and triumphs of prophecy, and examines how prophets have inspired people’s relationship with the Divine, and with one another.

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Nasir Khusraw’s turning point could be described as a midlife crisis. He was a senior bureaucrat in Central Asia, enjoying a life of travel and socialising. But a more urgent current ran under the delights of the world, namely his aching desire to have some purpose, some answer to the question of why all this exists. A powerful dream shocked him out of his ‘forty years’ sleep’, and he became convinced that he must change his life completely, and use this truth to change the world.  

Dr Alice Hunsberger, an expert on the 11th century sage, scholar and traveller, joins us on this first episode of Muslim Footprints to talk about Nasir Khusraw’s marvellous journey - a literal journey, from the ancient city of Marv to the Mediterranean via Jerusalem and Jeddah, as well as a spiritual one - in search of meaning. 

Listen now to this episode, and subscribe to Muslim Footprints.

We're delighted to announce the launch of our brand new podcast, Muslim Footprints! 🎙️ 🎉

Join us on a captivating journey as we explore the rich heritage, remarkable stories, and diverse experiences of the Muslim community. Get ready to deep dive into engaging discussions and inspiring tales that celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Muslims to our world. 🌍

Look out for our first episode - coming soon! Find us on your favourite podcast platform, and make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes. Get ready to discover the beautiful footprints left by Muslims around the world. Let's listen, learn, and explore together! 🎧