ImanWire Podcast Al-Madina

“Whoever imitates a people becomes one of them." This well-known hadith on tashabbuh (imitation), debated by scholars over centuries, continues to play a role in how Muslims see both themselves and others. Dr. Youshaa Patel, author of the book, “The Muslim Difference: Defining the Line between Believers and Unbelievers from Early Islam to the Present”, joins the podcast to explore the many different layers of tashabbuh, weaving through scholarly commentaries, psychology, history, style and culture.

CHAPTERS:

1:18 - What is Tashabbuh?
11:08 - Tashabbuh in Early Islam
14:50 - Parting the Hair
17:12 - Changing the Qibla: A Distinctive Community
18:58 - Projecting Identity in the Public Space
20:59 - The Scale of Style: Small or Stark Differences?
27:55 - Imitation and Hierarchy in the Age of Empire
33:88 - More Than Just Imitating Non-Muslims
36:12 - Reinforcing Hierarchies in Empire
39:57 - Prioritizing Order in Society
41:36 - Ibn Taymiyyah Weighs In
44:08 - Bad Imitators: Festivals and Muslims Blurring Into Non-Muslims
49:32 - Can the Hadith of Imitation Go Both Ways?
50:53 - Tracing Anxieties Over the Ummah Through Tashabbuh
54:22 - Ibn Taymiyyah and Tashabbuh in Non-Muslim Lands
55:46 - Coffee, Controversy & Najm-ud-Din al-Ghazi
1:01:23 - Aligning Fiqh With Beauty
1:04:19 - The Coffeehouse: The Devil's Lair
1:06:09 - Good Imitation and the Path to Piety
1:09:43 - A Transformative Technology of the Self
1:10:33 - Animals as Role Models?
1:11:57 - Wearing European Hats
1:13:00 - The Most Controversial Fatwa in the History of Islam
1:19:46 - Power of Symbols in Shaping Communal Identity
1:22:57 - Tashabbuh Today: How Do Muslims Be Different Now?
1:33:21 - Internal Imitation: The Intellectual Onslaught on the Muslim Psyche
1:41:36 - Muslim Pride: Me Against Them?
1:44:56 - Figuring Out How to Be Muslim
1:47:01 - Elevating Ourselves and the Other

Dr. Bara Zuhaili shares stories from his time in Gaza, highlighting the humanity, resilience, and heroism of its people.

Shaykh Hassan Lachheb joins Moutasem Atiya to discuss topics close to their hearts and delve into global events.

Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui talks about the internal struggles and choices faced by individuals. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's drives and inclinations with the divine, attaining serenity and freedom from worldly attachments. He draws inspiration from the story of Prophet Ibrahim and highlights the significance of steadfastness and faith in delivering the divine message. This enlightening discourse encourages Muslims to strive for spiritual growth and live a life dedicated to pleasing the Divine.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Opening Prayer Invocation
6:37 - Struggle for Freedom: Understanding Nafs
18:50 - Followers of Prophet Ibrahim
21:00 - Spiritual Connection with Allah
23:00 - Attaining Inner Peace: Becoming Salim
40:55 - Prophet Ibrahim's Deliverance
41:05 - Journeying to Allah: Ibrahim's Quest

In this dialogue, Moutasem Atiya and Firas Zahabi discuss the situation in Palestine and Muslims worldwide and explore a range of topics in arriving to genuine faith in God.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
1:48 - Palestine Issue Discussion
5:36 - Proof Importance Analysis
11:56 - Psychology of Oppression Insights
14:35 - Radicalization Process Explained
19:15 - Historical Irony Explored
26:44 - Rabbi Shmuley
27:50 - Humanity
28:44 - Black Slave Rebellion Justification
30:00 - Gaza Cultural Impact
34:44 - Wikipedia Page Controversies
35:30 - Faith Journey Reflections
39:40 - Islamic Golden Age Highlights
43:30 - Born Muslim Concept
48:41 - Ma’rifah Concept Importance
52:08 - Divine Concept Projection Refutation
56:00 - Key Historical Events
59:10 - Historical Facts Overview
1:02:00 - Quran Interpretation Discussion
1:03:00 - Quran and Divine Existence
1:04:30 - Royce Gracie: My Hero
1:08:02 - Journey into MMA
1:13:17 - Secrets to Greatness
1:15:49 - Excellence Importance
1:20:10 - Peace Treaties and Coexistence
1:21:51 - International Law and War Crimes
1:26:32 - Israel Democracy Debate
1:31:04 - Future Predictions
1:35:25 - Conflict Duration Speculation

Video version of this episode is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLwc52V2tuE

Who is the Islamic Mary? Was she a Prophet? Dr. Younus Mirza reflects on what her Qur'anic story means for us today, and how it connects us to deeper spiritual realities in Ramadan.

CHAPTERS:

0:05 - Introduction
3:04 - The Origin Story [Aal-Imran 3:35-37]
7:52 - The Male Is Not Like the Female
14:47 - Learning From Female Saints
19:15 - The Name of Maryam
20:42 - Unique Features of Surah Maryam
24:17 - The Womb and Ar-Rahmaan
25:24 - Prophet Zakariya, Najashi and Interfaith Dialogue
30:57 - Seclusion and the News of Prophet Isa
33:35 - Labor and Complaining to God
37:25 - Spiritual Tests
39:11 - Divine Reassurance and the Fasting of Maryam
43:16 - Speech and Silence
44:26 - Connecting to the Deeper Realties of Fasting
47:01 - The Gifts of Silence and Ramadan
51:55 - Prophet Isa Speaking From Cradle
54:29 - Was Maryam a Prophet?
1:02:56 - Getting Lost in Qur'anic Commentary

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