Episode 1Abdal Hakim Murad – Understanding Islam Series: Muslim Theology and Islamic MysticismAfter thoroughly addressing the first dimension of Islam in his first four lectures of this series, Abdal Hakim uniquely explores the final two dimensions in Islam of iman and ihsan. This talk, which consists of two parts, is another highly intellectual discourse about a vast religious science. The speaker begins by providing a historical background in an effort to identify the processes that brought this science about. This lecture effectively paints a colorful picture of the nature of the spiritual life in Islam and examines its foundation. What does the Qur’an say about these two types of higher knowledges, imam and ihsan? How does the Muslim come to know God if He cannot be seen? And what about the early Islamic controversies of free will vs. predestination and the existence or “problem” of evil? How does Islam answer the age-old philosophical questions of why the world exists and what the purpose of life is? (Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute seminar). Other topics discussed: Emanuel Kant, the 99 names of God, the film “Barakah”, the volition of God to create the universe, heedlessness, thikr (meditation or contemplation), and the absence of symbols for God in Islam.
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Episode 2Abdal Hakim Murad – Understanding Islam Series: Muslim-Christian Views of One AnotherIn this talk the speaker engages the audience in a discussion of traditional as well as contemporary Christian understandings of Islam and vice-versa. A highly detailed and scholarly look into this very complex subject. Murad’s firm command of the English language, his structured presentation, and his vast knowledge and resources cited make this lecture unparalleled by any of its kind. He concludes this talk by revealing his own observant views of Muslim-Christian relations and the need to move forward in mutual tolerance and respect. (Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute seminar). Other topics discussed: the black stone, St. Thomas Aquinas’ harsh views of Islam, Ivan The Terrible, William Montgomery Watt, Catholic views, women’s views of a gender-specific God, God as love, and the hajj.
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Episode 3Abdal Hakim Murad – Understanding Islam Series: Scriptural Links: Judaism, Christianity and IslamAbdal Hakim Murad looks at Islam as part of a wider family of faiths and analyzes what it shares and what it doesn’t share with its two great predecessors. This comparison is made on several fronts namely salvation history, Islamic law vs. Jewish law, scriptural overlap between the Hebrew Bible and the Qur’an, the figures of Jesus (P) and the Virgin Mary (P), and Muslim-Christian interaction throughout history. This lecture is part of a series which is great for both Muslims and non-Muslims as Abdal Hakim approaches the subject from a highly intellectual perspective. (Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute seminar). Other topics discussed: God’s covenant, the “chosen” people, prophecy, ancient Christian antisemitism, the Kaaba, and circumcision.
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Episode 4Abdal Hakim Murad – Understanding Islam Series: Sunnah, Shari’ah, Sectarianism & IjtihadIn his second lecture to non-Muslim middle school and high school teachers, Murad moves on to the more outward manifestations of the Islamic tradition. He explains the sunnah as being the “backbone” of a Muslim’s daily life and provides a brief and simple explanation of it’s vital role in Islam. He then focuses the remainder of his time on the Islamic law, its various sources, and its history. And in closing, the speaker looks at a few case studies of the practice of ijtihad in the Muslim world. (Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute seminar). Other topics discussed: dua (supplication), Salman Rushdie, medhabs (schools of thought), tabacco and smoking, AIDS, abortion, contraception, and artificial insemination.
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Episode 5Abdal Hakim Murad – Understanding Islam Series: The Five Pillars of IslamThe first in a series of classroom-style lectures held at the world famous Abiquiu Madressa in New Mexico. The primary objective of this series was to educate non-Muslim teachers about the fundamental Islamic beliefs and practices within the context of an interactive and intensive spiritual retreat. In introducing this ambitious topic, Abdal Hakim Murad, a lecturer in theology at Cambridge University in England, asks two very engaging questions: What happens when you try to grasp the meaning and reality of another faith and why is Islam worth studying? After providing a more than adequate answer, he proceeds on to the much anticipated overview of the five pillars of Islam. Murad provides a highly intellectual perspective that is useful for non-Muslims as well as Muslims. (Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute seminar). Other topics discussed: Islamic “clergy”, humility in studying another religion, the modern Muslim resurgence, Islamic “fundamentalism”, “Muhammadanism”, the Hadith of Gabriel, the idea of original sin, mosque architecture, and wudu (ablution).
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Episode 6Abdal Hakim Murad – Understanding Islam Series: The Muslim Influence on Europe and the WestIn his final address to the non-Muslim participants of the New Mexico educational retreat, Abdal Hakim looks at the other aspects of the long-standing historical interaction of the three Abrahamic faiths, such as the transmission of science, technology, and philosophical ideas from the Islamic world to the Western world. Islam in the middle ages was a very successful commercial and material civilization and this fact combined with the Muslim’s strategic geographic positions allowed for such a profound influence and contribution. The speaker looks at the economic/cultural/scientific contributions in the areas of maritine navigation and exploration, agriculture, music, poetry, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, and much more. (Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute seminar).
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