An opportunity to deep-dive into Islam and Muslim civilisations, history and spirituality through the ages, accompanied by some of the best experts and academics in their field. Join us as we discover how Muslim societies and individuals have lived, thought about, and expressed their faith in their own ways as a pathway to the divine. We explore the far-flung lands that Muslims have lived in, the traditions – scientific, artistic, religious and cultural – they’ve contributed to, and the revelation itself, the Qur’an. Our guests have devoted their professional lives to producing robust scholarship about the rich heritage of Islam. Our mission is to bring that knowledge to our listeners – Muslim and non-Muslim alike – so as to better understand the world and address some of the biggest questions about life and meaning. This podcast is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about Islam and its contributions to the world. Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/muslimfootprints/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/muslim-footprints https://x.com/MFootprintsPod https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557285590197 http://www.youtube.com/@MuslimFootprints https://www.threads.net/@muslimfootprints
Episodes
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Ep 7: The treasures of ginans with Professor Ali Asani
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Ismailis from South Asia find their origins in Gujarat, Sindh and Punjab. Their ancestors belonged to various castes such as the Lohana and Bhatia communities, who found themselves drawn to the teachings of Muslim saints, known as pirs or sayyids.
According to community tradition, Ismaili pirs were sent from Persia by the Imams – or spiritual leaders – to spread knowledge of who the Ismaili Imams are, and the notion of the Imam as the guide to spiritual enlightenment. The pirs did this through ginans, one thousand or more religious hymns that are assumed to date as far back as the thirteenth century. The people that accepted these teachings came to be known as Satpanthis: those who followed Satpanth, or the True Path.
On this episode, Ali Asani, professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic Religion and Cultures at Harvard University, speaks to us about ginans, and the fascinating evolution of this particular Ismaili tradition over the past 800 years.
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Ep 6: Sound and meaning in the Qur’an with Professor Michael Sells
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
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.
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Bonus episode: Illuminating history through poetry, imagery, and stories
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
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.
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
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.
Listen now to this episode, and subscribe to Muslim Footprints.
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Ep 4: The Fatimids: Founders of Cairo, with Dr Shainool Jiwa
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
The Fatimids were an Ismaili dynasty that reigned over a diverse religious and ethnic population for about 200 years, emerging from the vibrant 10th 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.
Listen now to this episode, and subscribe to Muslim Footprints.
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Ep 3: The spirituality of Imam Ali with Dr Reza Shah Kazemi
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
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.
Listen now to this episode, and subscribe to Muslim Footprints.
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Ep 2: The life and message of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) with Dr Stephen Burge
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
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.
Listen now to this episode, and subscribe to Muslim Footprints.
Friday Jun 09, 2023
Ep 1: Nasir Khusraw’s travels and spirituality with Dr Alice Hunsberger
Friday Jun 09, 2023
Friday Jun 09, 2023
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.