The World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics (Amine Tais)

This episode discusses some elements related to the transition from the first dynasty of the world of Islam, the Banu Umayya, to the highly influential ruling dynasty of the Banu al-Abbas, bringing Muhammad's clan of Banu Hashim back to a leadership role. 

This episode presents some of the major Rai singers of the 1990's. We encounter Cheb Mami, Cheb Sahraoui, Chebba Fadela, Chebba Zahouania, Cheb Nasro, and Cheb Bilal. We pay particular attention to Cheb Hasni who was considered the King of Love Rai and who was assassinated in Oran during the Civil War of the 1990's. The episode contains musical excerpts from the singers above in addition to short selections from Cheb El Hindi and Cheb Abbes.

Sources and further reading:

Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï

Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa

Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds

Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï

Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale

We continue looking at Rai Music. This episode presents the career of Khaled Hadj Brahim as emblematic in the way Pop-Rai develops from the 1970's to today. Cheb Khaled is arguably the best Rai singer of his generation. His impact on the direction and the success of this musical style cannot be underestimated. He is known as the King of Rai.

Sources and further reading:

Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï

Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa

Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds

Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï

Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale

We continue our journey through the history of Rai Music. After considering the streams of music from which modern Rai music emerges in a previous episode, we take a brief look at less direct, yet significant musical influences on modern Rai like Andalusian Jewish music and modern French Chansons. The episode also highlights the impact of French colonialism on the Algerian environment in which Rai would eventually develop. Included are excerpts of songs by Cheb Hasni, Cheb Khaled, Reinette L’Oranaise, Edith Piaf, and Raina Rai.

Sources and further reading:

Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï

Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa

Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds

Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï

Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale

This is the first episode in a multiple-episode series on a musical style from North Africa that came to be a strong player on the World Music scene in the last two decades. It is called Rai. This series will consider the development of Rai music within the complex Algerian cultural and socio-political settings of the twentieth century. Throughout the series, we will listen to short musical excerpts from the repertoire of the major Rai performers. Today, we highlight the birthplace and possible origins of Rai and take a look at some precursors of this genre, including the Bedouin Malhun, the Sheikhat, the Meddahat, and al-Wahrani style. This episode includes excerpts from songs by Cheikh Hamada, Ahmed Wahby, Blaoui Houari, Cheb Khaled, and Chebba Zahouania.

Sources and further reading:

Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï

Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa

Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds

Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï

Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale

This episode takes a look at the history of Rai music outside Oran and its region. We pay particular attention to the Moroccan and French Rai musical scenes. The episode contains musical excerpts from Chebba Maria, Cheb Akil, Mohamed Lamine, Cheb Hassen, Reda Taliani, Cheb Mimoun, Rachid Berrieh, Cheb Kamal, Bouchnak Brothers, Talbi One, Cheb Kader, Faudel, Rachid Taha, and Cheb Hasni.

Sources and further reading:

Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï

Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa

Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds

Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï

Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale

We continue discussing the story of Rai Music. Among the topics of this episode are the influence of Algerian independence on the development of Rai, the rise of Pop-Rai in Wahrane in the 1970's, and the clash between the Islamist vision and the Rai scene during the civil war of the 1990's. The episode includes musical excerpts from Cheb Kader, Cheikha Remitti, Bouteldja Belkacem, Chebba Fadela, Cheikh Fethi, Chebba Zahouania, Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami, Cheb Hasni, Cheb Zahouani, Cheb Bilal, and Cheikh Boutaiba Sghir.

Sources and further reading:

Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï

Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa

Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds

Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï

Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale

This episode discusses the interaction with Greek philosophy in the early Islamic period. We encounter Plotinus, Neoplatonism, and the important Christian translators of Greek knowledge to Arabic which opened the door to the rise of major Muslim philosophers in later times.  

Sources and further readings:A History of Islamic Philosophy           by Majid FakhryIslamic Philosophy A-Z                          by Peter S. Groff

Islamic Philosophy: an Introduction   by Oliver Leaman

The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy   Edited by P. Adamson/R.C. Taylor  

This episode highlights two perspectives in early philosophy within Muslim contexts. Al-Kindi (d. 860s) viewed philosophy and religion as compatible and important whereas al-Razi (d.925) was skeptical of revelation and prophets.  Sources and further readings: A History of Islamic Philosophy           by Majid FakhryIslamic Philosophy A-Z                          by Peter S. GroffIslamic Philosophy: an Introduction   by Oliver LeamanThe Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy   Edited by P. Adamson/R.C. Taylor

Al-Farabi (d.950) was one of the most important philosophers of the world of early Islam. This episode briefly introduces part of his contribution to metaphysics and political philosophy. 

Sources and further readings:A History of Islamic Philosophy           by Majid FakhryIslamic Philosophy A-Z                          by Peter S. GroffIslamic Philosophy: an Introduction   by Oliver LeamanThe Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy   Edited by P. Adamson/R.C. Taylor

This episode seeks to correct a major misconception concerning Islam and Muslim life. The Islam of the masses is not simply a reflection of the intellectual discourses that we have covered so far in the podcast. 

This episode of the World of Islam introduces the so-called Ikhwan al-Safa (The Brethren of Purity), a group of mysterious thinkers that produced a major encyclopedic philosophical work. We touch on Ismailism and the attempt to unify various forms of knowledge in classical Islam.   A History of Islamic Philosophy           by Majid FakhryIslamic Philosophy A-Z                          by Peter S. GroffIslamic Philosophy: an Introduction   by Oliver LeamanThe Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy   Edited by P. Adamson/R.C. Taylor

This episode of the World of Islam briefly discusses the non-Muslim communities of the early Islamic period, particularly after the Arab conquests of the Near East and the establishment of an Islamic empire. The focus of this first part is on Judaism and the Jewish communities.  

This episode continues discussing the non-Muslim communities of the early Islamic period. The focus shifts to Christian communities after the Arab conquests. 

This episode discusses a further step in the later rise of full-fledged Sufi orientations within the world of Islam. We encounter the concepts of ma`rifa (intuitive knowledge), fana' (annihilation in God), and baqa' (subsistence), as well as the important figures of Bistami (d.875), al-Junayd (d.910), and al-Hallaj (d.922). 

This episode discusses the rule of Ali ibn Abi Talib (656-661), which is also the time of the First Civil War, a traumatic event in the life of the early Muslim community. Sources and Further Reading:

The History of al-TabariThe Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. HodgsonThe Early Islamic Conquests       by  Fred M. Donner

Today, we briefly highlight the fall of the Umayyad dynasty and rise of the Abbasids in 750 CE. The focus of the episode will be on the development of early Shi`ism. We introduce the Imamis (Twelvers), the Isma`ilis (Seveners), and the Zaydis (Fivers). We also come across the notions of "Imam" and "Taqiyya."

This episode highlights another round of internal strife within the early community (680-692). Umayyad rule is challenged from many corners. The grandson of Muhammad, Husayn and a number of his followers are massacred at Karbala, the Kharijites dominate central Arabia, and Abdullah Ibn al-Zubayr establishes himself as a serious alternative to the Umayyads. 

This episode discusses the struggles of modern Muslims to make sense of the concept of Jihad. We consider the impact of European colonialism and attempt to map a number of ways in which Muslims in the modern world have perceived Jihad up to the present. 

This episode briefly discusses the worldview of the Jihad movements that appeared on the Muslim scene around the 17th and 18th centuries AD. Can we view these movements as, in some ways, precursors to contemporary Jihad movements? The episode particularly highlights the attitude of these movements towards the religious practice of their time and also their drive to establish a "caliphate."   

This episode discusses the rule of Uthman ibn Affan (644-656). While continuing to be successful on the external front, Uthman faced dissent and rebellion on the internal side. Sources and Further Reading:

The History of al-Tabari The Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. Hodgson The Early Islamic Conquests       by  Fred M. Donner

This week marks the anniversary of the passing of Mohammed Arkoun (1928-2010) who was a professor of the history of Islamic thought at the Sorbonne in Paris. This is a tribute to this unique thinker and scholar. 

This is my introduction to the World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics podcast. Why a podcast on this subject? Why now?

Jesus is a significant figure in the Qur'an. How does the Qur'anic Jesus differ from the Jesus Christ of orthodox forms of Christianity? And what does the Qur'anic Jesus tell us about the worldview of the Qur'an and about the environment in which Qur'anic discourse developed?

Sources and Recommended Readings:

The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack

Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman

The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook

The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor)

The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor)

The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi

The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed

The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor)

Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells

Christ in Islam and Christianity    by Neal Robinson 

Today's podcast provides an English translation of part of a conversation with the late professor Mohammed Arkoun (d. 2010) on Belgian TV*.  For most of his prestigious academic career, Mohammed Arkoun was professor of the history of Islamic thought at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France. He also held teaching positions at a number of universities around the world. The following is a stimulating discussion about a variety of topics, having to do with religion, politics, and culture.

*The video of the whole interview in French can be found at http://www.rtbf.be/video/detail_noms-de-dieux?id=602121

After Muhammad's death in 632 CE, the question of the leadership of the community will prove to be a serious challenge for Muhammad's followers. Nevertheless, within a few decades, the Arab armies will be in control of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Egypt, North Africa, Spain, Central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent, and will establish a large empire. Sources and Further Reading: The History of al-Tabari The Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. Hodgson The Early Islamic Conquests       by  Fred M. Donner

In this episode of the World of Islam, we continue our survey of the history of Islamic thought, by looking at some of the difficulties inherent in approaching the life and career of Muhammad. We consider what Muslim sources tell a modern historian about the Prophet of Islam.

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Sources and Recommended Readings:

Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Jonathan A.C. Brown

Muhammad (Past Masters) by Michael Cook

Images of Muhammad: Narratives of the Prophet in Islam Across the Centuries by Tarif Khalidi

The Life of Muhammad by I. Ishaq

Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters by Omid Safi

The Cambridge Companion to Muhammad (Cambridge Companions to Religion) by Jonathan E. Brockopp

Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam by Fred M. Donner

Episode 8 of the World of Islam Podcast takes a look at some seemingly controversial elements contained in the Sira literature. The elements that are briefly discussed include the so-called Satanic Verses, the marriages of Muhammad to Aisha and Zaynab, the assassination of some poets, and the fate of the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza in Medina.

This episode introduces the tradition of Sufism that some also call Islamic mysticism. We are concerned today with the early period and the practice of zuhd (asceticism). 

This episode starts introducing some early theological debates within Islam. What can these debates tell us about early Islam?  And how should we look at the relation between "orthodox" views and "heretical" ones? 

Hadith reports attributing sayings and actions to Muhammad came to play a major role in the shaping of the religion of Islam. This episode will discuss some of the classifications of Hadith that Muslim scholars came to adopt after the success of what can be termed the Hadith movement.  

The episode introduces some of the different types of Hadith collections that arose in the world of Islam over the centuries. We discuss the role of Hadith in the transition from Qur'anic discourse to Islamic discourses and learn about sahifas, musannafs, musnads, and the Sahih movement.

What does Ijmāʿ (consensus) mean? How does it function within traditional Islamic Law? In what way do the Sunni concept of “ijmāʿ” and the Shīʿī concept of “imām” parallel each other? What are the political dynamics of ijmāʿ?

 The episode discusses the concept of ijtihad that has been used by Muslim jurists to derive legal rulings. We particularly focus on what is known as qiyas and that came to be the most dominant interpretative tool that a mujtahid utilizes in this process.   

What is Sharia? What is Fiqh? Is there a relation between law and theology?

What exactly is Jihad? This episode discusses the traditional doctrine of Jihad that Muslim Jurists developed and takes a brief look at related issues of conflict, peace, and pluralism in the Qur'an and some premodern Muslim legal discourses.  

This episode introduces the early frames of Islamic law before its more sophisticated stages. We discuss, among other things, law in the Qur'an and the early conceptions of Sunna and Ra'y.

This episode elaborates on three early theological debates in early Islam, namely the leadership of the religious community, the relation of sinful actions to faith, and free will vs. determinism. Among other things, we encounter the Murji'a, the Jabriyya, the Qadariyya, and the Mu`tazila. 

We continue talking about the Qur'an. We take a look at how Professor Mohammed Arkoun defined the Qur'an, at the way that most Muslims have related to the Qur'an, and at what the attributes of God in the Qur'an can tell us about its message. Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells La Pensée Arabe        by Mohammed Arkoun

This episode briefly introduces the concept of prophecy, its history in the Near East (including the well-developed tradition of Biblical prophets), and the way the Qur'an positions itself vis-à-vis this history. We also discuss the terms nabi and rasul as well as the prominent figures of Abraham and Moses.

Sources and Recommended Readings:

The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells La Pensée Arabe        by Mohammed Arkoun

Today, we highlight the tenets of Mu`tazilism and the Ash`arite response to it. Ash`arism would grow to become the dominant theological school in Sunni Islam.

This episode of the podcast presents a summary of what the traditional sira tells us about Muhammad's life in Mecca, including his early life, the start of his mission as a prophet, and the difficulties he encounters in this environment. Twitter: Follow The World of Islam Podcast on Twitter

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Sources and Recommended Readings:

Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Jonathan A.C. Brown

Muhammad (Past Masters) by Michael Cook

Images of Muhammad: Narratives of the Prophet in Islam Across the Centuries by Tarif Khalidi

The Life of Muhammad by I. Ishaq

Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters by Omid Safi

The Cambridge Companion to Muhammad (Cambridge Companions to Religion) by Jonathan E. Brockopp

Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam by Fred M. Donner

Episode 7 of the podcast considers what the traditional sira literature says about Muhammad's life and career after the hijra from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. Among the topics discussed are the military conflicts between Muhammad's followers and their Meccan enemies, the clashes with the Jewish tribes of Medina, the conquest of Mecca, and the unification of Arabia under Muhammad's leadership right before his death in 632 CE. Twitter: Follow The World of Islam Podcast on Twitter

Facebook:

Like The World of Islam Podcast Facebook page

Sources and Recommended Readings:

Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Jonathan A.C. Brown

Muhammad (Past Masters) by Michael Cook

Images of Muhammad: Narratives of the Prophet in Islam Across the Centuries by Tarif Khalidi

The Life of Muhammad by I. Ishaq

Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters by Omid Safi

The Cambridge Companion to Muhammad (Cambridge Companions to Religion) by Jonathan E. Brockopp

Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam by Fred M. Donner

This episode further discusses the debate between the Ahl al-Ra'y and Ahl al-Hadith as well as the compromise initiated by al-Shafiʿi, who will make the case for hadith as vehicle for Sunna and will establish a rudimentary base of Usul al-Fiqh (Sources/Principles of Jurisprudence). 

After introducing the Qur'an, its contents, and its formation in previous episodes, the podcast discusses the transition from Qur'anic discourse to various Islamic discourses, a process that can be termed, "the construction of Islam."

Today, we take a brief look at the important theological debate in early Islam over whether the Qur'an was created in history or rather eternal and uncreated. In our presentation, we discuss important contextual elements and encounter the early Abbasid Caliphs, the Rationalist Mu'tazilite theologians, and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal.

This episode discusses what could be described with some reservations as the first sectarian group to rise within Islam. The Kharijites are often presented as a radical and violent group that terrorized the early community. What do we make of this image? This short introduction to the Kharijites gives some initial guidance in trying to answer this question.  Sources and Additional Readings: Kitab al-milal wal-nihal          by al-Shahrastani     Les schismes dans l'Islam      by Henri Laoust

This episode discusses the rise of legal study circles in early Islam. We encounter Ahl al-Ra'y (Partisans of reason), Ahl al-Hadith (Partisans of prophetic reports), Abu Hanifa (d.767) and Malik (d.795).

This episode of the World of Islam starts a historical survey of Islamic thought by looking into the world in which the religion of Islam would eventually develop. We will briefly discuss the Near East in late antiquity in general as well as introduce Judaism and some of the Jewish communities of the time.

This episode of the World of Islam continues looking into the world in which the religion of Islam would eventually develop. We will take a brief look at Christianity and Zoroastrianism in the Near East of late antiquity.

This episode of the World of Islam provides a short introduction to Arabia on the eve of the movement of Muhammad. Among other things, we discuss the problem of sources for the modern historian, the characteristics of Arab life, the religious perspectives of the Arabs, and the relation of Arabia to the two major empires of the time.

Today's podcast briefly discusses the transition of the Qur'an from an oral message into a closed codex through political decisions of the community leaders after Muhammad's death. The episode also quickly highlights the difficulties that face modern historians who are trying to make sense of the history of the formation of the Qur'an. 

Sources and Recommended Readings:

The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack

Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman

The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook

The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor)

The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor)

The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi

The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed

The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor)

Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells

La Pensée Arabe        by Mohammed Arkoun 

This episode deals with the institutionalization of the legal field in Sunni Islam and the rise of the four "orthodox" legal schools or madhabs (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafiʿi, and Hanbali).

Today's episode seeks to present a general picture of the Sufi worldview. Some of the questions we briefly deal with include: How do Sufis interpret revelation? And what is the Sufi "Way" or "Path" (tariqa)? We also encounter the terms kashf, haqiqa, maqamat, and ahwal.  

This episode of the podcast is the first part of a short introduction to the scripture of Islam known as the Qur'an (Koran). Where does the term Qur'an come from?  What is a Mus-haf? How is the Qur'an organized? What are the contents of the Qur'an? Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells

The period in which Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan ruled the early Arab empire (685-705) was an important moment in the cementing of a unique Muslim identity. Among the many significant actions taken at this time was the establishment of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.  Sources and Additional Readings: The History of al-TabariThe First Dynasty of Islam       by G.R. HawtingThe Venture of Islam         by Marshall G.S. HodgsonThe Early Islamic Conquests       by  Fred M. Donner