History of Shia Islam

Head On History

#Islamic #Religion #CurrentlyNerdy.com #History #Society

30:55

A secret field that summons lightning. A massive spiral that disappears into a salt lake. A celestial observatory carved into a volcano. Meet the wild—and sometimes explosive—world of land art, where artists craft masterpieces with dynamite and bulldozers. In our Season 2 premiere, guest Dylan Thuras, cofounder of Atlas Obscura, takes us off road and into the minds of the artists who literally reshaped parts of the Southwest. These works aren’t meant to be easy to reach—or to explain—but they just might change how you see the world. Land art you’ll visit in this episode: - Double Negative and City by Michael Heizer (Garden Valley, Nevada) - Spiral Jetty by Robert Smithson (Great Salt Lake, Utah) - Sun Tunnels by Nancy Holt (Great Basin Desert, Utah) - Lightning Field by Walter De Maria (Catron County, New Mexico) - Roden Crater by James Turrell (Painted Desert, Arizona) Via Podcast is a production of AAA Mountain West Group.…

7 years ago 42:03

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This episode traces the early developments of Shi’ism. In it we discuss the original schism of authority, how the Shiatul Ali form and the compromise that is reached by the community. We talk about how the divisions between the different tribes reflect the alignments of Pre-Islamic Arabia. We explore the developing relationship of the Shia to the Caliphate and the effect the experience of Ali’s death and the Battle Karbala has the early theology of Shi’ism. We trace the idea of successor and lineage in Shi’ism and how it becomes an enduring attribute of the denomination. Finally we discuss the rise of the Abbasid revolt.

56 episodes

History of Shia Islam

Head On History

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published 7 years ago

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Archived series ("Inactive feed" status)

When? This feed was archived on April 21, 2022 17:29 (3y ago). Last successful fetch was on July 13, 2021 07:55 (4y ago)

Why? Inactive feed status. Our servers were unable to retrieve a valid podcast feed for a sustained period.

56 episodes

#Islamic #Religion #CurrentlyNerdy.com #History #Society

All episodes

1
Transgender and Non Binary in Islamic History 32:40

4 years ago32:40

32:40

Continuing our exploration of gender and sexuality in Islamic history we turn to the figure of the mukhannathun, a third gender category in early Islam. We trace ideas of gender as a fluid spectrum through the lives of these individuals examining their existence in the life of Muhammad and the nascent Muslim community, the Umayyads, and their eventual status in Abbasid society. We analyze the way in which they intersect with ideas of sexuality and theories of sex which fuse Islamic and Hellenistic models. Finally, we explore the legal discourse around intersex bodies and how these then make room for local expressions of gender in Indonesia and South Asia.…

1
Homosexuality and Gay Love in Islamic History 30:55

4 years ago30:55

30:55

In this episode we dive into the history of homosexuality, same-sex desire, and gay love in Islamic societies. We examine the realm of religion, scripture, literature, and medicine and what they tell us about same-sex desire. We recount the lives of famous gay and lesbian figures from the early Muslim community through the Abbasid Caliphate, Al Andalus, and the Indo-Persian world. We discuss the formulation of the concept of “liwat” while pushing back on the reductive attempt to project modern definitions on to it. We analyze the nuances in religious discourse arguing liwat is more accurately understood as sodomy and sexual violation. To the contrary we examine the way in which homoerotic poetry was praised in Islamic societies.…

1
Sex and Pleasure in Islamic Society 33:07

4 years ago33:07

33:07

How did early Muslims define sex? In this episode we examine the role of pleasure and specifically mutual pleasure as a key definition of sex in Islamic society. We trace the role of pleasure from the Qur’anic ethos to the subsequent development of Islamic law, literature, and medicine. We argue Muslims did not define sex as predominantly procreative, but treated pleasure as good in its own right. We examine erotic manuals on mutual orgasm, advice literature on sexual satisfaction of partners, and religious guidance on sex partners. From this we can see a society which viewed sex in mostly positive terms and what this means for broader understandings of relationships, sexuality, and gender.…

1
Gender and Sexuality in Islam 22:56

6 years ago22:56

22:56

The theme for season 5 is gender and sexuality in Islam. In our first episode we provide the framework for understanding gender, sex, and sexuality in the Islamic world. We discuss three influences on the framework: cultural beliefs, the Qur’an, and the philosophical tradition of the high Abbasid period. We discuss how Muhammad strove to reform Arabian tribal society and the ways in which the Qu’ran reflects this mission as well as codifies certain social differences and structures. We talk about the vast cultural variations and how the process of Islamizing a region included adopting some cultural norms. We then discuss the Hellenic concept of the humors and their adoption into Islam and relation to understanding gender and sexuality. Finally we bring it all together to help us understand the way in which Islam views gender, sex, and sexuality on a fluid spectrum that allows for variation. This episode sets up the framework for our future conversations.…

1
Special: Islamophobia 20:34

6 years ago20:34

20:34

In this special we cover the history of Islamophobia and the way it intersects with other forms of bigotry like antisemitism and its connection with Orientalism. We try to put the tragedy of the Christchuch, New Zealand shooting into a broader context by examining the discourse on Muslims. We start by examining Orientalism and its imagining of the Middle East and the racialization of Europeans and Semites. We explore how this forms the backdrop of the imagined community of the nation state as well as the civilizing mission of colonialism. We then discuss how some of this was deployed in the rise of contemporary Islamophobia which we link to the Cold War. We talk about the framework of “good Muslims, bad Muslims” and the massive industry that produces and profits from Islamophobia.…

1
Byzantines, Sassanians, and Holy Emperors 52:48

6 years ago52:48

52:48

In our final episode of the season, we wrap up our theme of Empires of Faith. We start out with some shout outs and then present a brief timeline of the Roman and Byzantine Empire. We discuss the Romanization of Christianity and the Christianization of the Roman Empire. We talk about Constantine with the imperial intervention into theology through the Council of Nicea. We examine how the intersection of empire and religion produces an orthodoxy enforced by force. We link this to the transformation of the “martyr” from one who faces violence to soldiers to carry out violence. We explore the relationship between orthodoxy, heresy, and violence in the creation of an imperial religious identity. When then discuss the emergence of the Sassanian Empire and the establishment of Zoroastrianism as the official religion of the empire. We mention Mani and Manichaeism briefly before focusing on the relationship between the monarchy and the Zoroastrian clergy in producing legitimacy. Finally we explore how the imperial orthodoxy at the heart of both the Byzantine Empire and Sassanian Empire is deployed in the territorial Byzantine-Sassanid War.…

1
Judaism, Christianity, and Messianic Kings 46:31

6 years ago46:31

46:31

In this episode we explore the history of Israelite religion under Hellenism and the Roman empire. We examine the ways in which Judeans responded to, absorbed, and resisted Hellenic culture resulting in messianic movements, the Sadducee sect, Pharisee sect, and Essene sect. We investigate the cosmopolitan culture of Judea under the Seleucid Empire and later the Roman Empire. We examine the changing relationship of various Israelite groups to the Temple and with their imperial overlords. We discuss the cultural milieu from which the Jesus movement emerges. Then we link the early followers of Christ to the broader debates and movements in Jerusalem. This leads us to examine the competing ideas of messianism in Judaism and the intervention of Paul. Finally we discuss the partition and separation of the Jesus movement and the Roman influence on conceptions of Late Antique religion. From this we see the use of heresy and orthodoxy in the division of Christianity from Rabbinic Judaism.…

1
The Roman Empire & The Cult of the Emperor 54:41

6 years ago54:41

54:41

In this episode we explore Roman religion and how it was shaped by the empire. We begin with a brief chronology of Roman history from its early days through the republic until the empire. We sketch out the structure of Roman society and some of the features of it’s politics. We spend the bulk of our time examining Roman religion, cults, and the way of the ancestors. We discuss the gods, the integration of foreign gods, the religious function of the state, and the priestly class. We talk about auguries and divining the will of the gods. Finally we discuss the cult of the emperor, its clash with mystery religions, and the consequences for the imperial project of Rome.…

1
The Greeks and the Philosopher Kings 42:58

6 years ago42:58

42:58

This episode provides a brief sketch of the history of the Greeks. We start with a short discussion on the Minoans and the Mycenaean invasion. We talk about the emergence of a common culture within Homer’s epic of the Iliad and Odyssey while noting that “Greek” was a single, unified people, but rather autonomous and warring city-states that shared some common characteristics. We compare and contrast Spartan and Athenian society and trace the rise of democracy. We then explore the Greco-Persian wars, linking with our last episode on the Achaemenid Empire. We discuss the consequences of the Persian invasion and the conditions for the rise of the pan-Hellenic empire of Alexander the Great. We discuss the philosophical underpinnings of the empire from Socrates and Plato to Aristotle and dissect Hellenism as a culture produced from the dialogical process of Greeks encountering local cultures. We conclude with a brief exploration of Greco-Buddhist culture and the break up of the Hellenic Empire.…

1
Achaemenid Empire and Universal Kingship 38:13

6 years ago38:13

38:13

In this episode we pick up with the Babylonian Captivity. We discuss the rise of Cyrus the Great and the Achaemenid empire. We examine the origins of the Persians and their consolidation into an empire that conquers the Neo-Babylonians. We talk about the policy of religious pluralism instituted by Cyrus the Great and its links to Zoroastrianism. We discuss the ideals of universal kingship espoused in the Cyrus Cylinder and its consequences for world history. We examine the major tenets of faith of Zoroastrianism and its adoption into the Achaemenid empire. Finally we conclude with how the ideology of Zoroastrianism shaped the imperial structure and programs.…

1
Ancient Israelite Religion and Monotheistic Kingship 37:42

6 years ago37:42

37:42

In this episode we examine the complexities of ancient Israelite religion by placing it within the historical context. We put forth theories about the origins of the religions while situating it within the broader ancient near east and Mediterranean religious traditions. We talk about the establishment of temple religion and the historical experience of empires that shaped Israelite religion and set the conditions for the emergence of monotheism. We explore the history and evolution of monotheism and the role of centralized kingship in spreading it. We also examine how monotheism is shaped by and attempts to explain the experience of exile via the Babylonian Captivity.…

1
The Assyrians and Heroic Kingship 39:51

6 years ago39:51

39:51

Today we discuss the rise of the Assyrian empire. From the Old Assyrian Empire to the Neo Assyrians we discuss how the technological developments of the Iron Age radically transformed the empire-building powers of the ancient world and the ways it impacted the religious ideologies of the Assyrians. We dissect the militaristic culture and its consequences for gender relations, sexuality, and concepts of law. We discuss the imperial tactics of the Assyrians and how kingship and religion intersect to produce the visage of the heroic or imperial king who demonstrates his divine right through conquest and great hunts. We analyze the text of Ashurbanipal and the adoption of law back by the threat of violence. Finally we conclude by setting the stage of the ancient near east divided between the Hittites, Egyptians, and the Neo-Assyrians and the context for ancient Israelite religion.…

1
Ancient Egypt and the Pharaohs 41:16

6 years ago41:16

41:16

In this episode we dive into the world of ancient Egypt. We start with a discussion on religion in the ancient world and the difference between our modern assumptions of religion. We discuss the impact of the Nile as a stable irrigation system on Egyptian society and religion. We compare and contrast the Pharaohs with the Mesopotamian counterparts and relate the myth of Osiris and Set from the Pyramid Text. We analyze the mythology of ancient Egyptians and the way it intersects with their notions of government and kingship. We discuss the deities of Isis, Hathor, Horus, and the concept of Egyptian afterlife.…

1
Hammurabi and Babylonian Kingship 32:59

6 years ago32:59

32:59

Today we take a look at the Babylonian empire and the rise of Hammurabi. We analyze the way kingship and religion worked hand-in-hand to justify rule. We take a close look at the Code of Hammurabi and what it tells us about Babylonian religion. We examine the cosmology of the Enuma Elish and the Babylonian pantheon and how in turn it impacted the formation of the empire. We discuss the way in which the Babylonian empire built on what can before and the ways it built ideological structures that would be borrowed by later empires and religions. We discuss the connections of Babylonian religion to the Hebrew Bible and explore the ordained just kingship at the heart of Babylon. Finally we conclude with a brief discussion of ancient magic and the role of demons.…

1
Sargon of Akkad and the First Empire 44:09

6 years ago44:09

44:09

Welcome to season 4 of Head on History: Empires of Faith. This season we are going to discuss the ancient world up to the arrival of Islam through an examination of the intersection of empire and religion. In this episode we establish the basic outline of complex societies, the common characteristics of the early civilizations, and introduce the Akkadian Empire and Sargon of Akkad. We discuss the likely theories for how civilizations emerge, the environmental influence of early Sumerian religion. We analyze the myth of Inanna and Damuzi and the Epic of Gilgamesh, setting the stage for the coming of the Hammurabi.…

Head On History

1
Special: Saudi Arabia and the US 59:16

7 years ago59:16

59:16

With the recent tragic news of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder likely at the hands of Saudi officials, it is imperative we take a look at the long history of Saudi Arabia’s troubled past and its relationship with the United States. In this episode we examine the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the alliance between the House of Saud and Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab to its rebellion against the Ottomans. We discuss the relationship of Saudi Arabia with Great Britain and the United States and the oil and military interests in the region. We examine the contours and shifts of relationships from the Suez Crisis to the first gulf war and the invasion of Kuwait. We discuss the exportation of Wahhabism abroad and the consequences for Middle East history and international relations. Finally we conclude with the take over of the Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Salman and his changing relationship with Wahhabism, his encouragement of Saudi nationalism, the war in Yemen, his close ties to the Trump administration and its impact on the region.…

Head On History

1
Special: Muharram, Ashura, and Karbala 29:52

7 years ago29:52

29:52

**Apologies for the incorrect outro music, will correct**In this special episode of Head On History we discuss the history, origin, and practices of Muharram and Ashura. We start with the Battle of Karbala and the lead up to the schism in the nascent Muslim community. We talk about the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali and the consequences for the community. We then explore how mourning and commemorating the tragedy emerged as a practice from the Buyids to the Safavids. We examine how Muharram and Ashura become pivotal in shaping communal identity. We discuss some of the major practices like pilgrimages and Taziyeh plays and the way in which Muahharm and Ashura historically was a point of commonality between Shia and Sunni groups, but how that history has been forgotten.…

Head On History

1
Male Revolt 30:46

7 years ago30:46

30:46

In the last episode of season 3 we look at the Male Revolt and dig deeper into the history of Islam in South America. We look at the slave trade to Brazil and the formation of Muslim communities. We examine the unique rituals and authority African Muslims were able to forge and how they secretly continued their faith. We look at the backdrop to the revolt and the interpersonal relationships that endangered it. Finally we conclude with the consequences of the event for the remaining communities. We conclude season 3 and we’ll be back in winter…

Head On History

1
Islam and America 49:37

7 years ago49:37

49:37

From colonial America to 20th century, Islam has a long history in the United States. We start with the transatlantic slave trade and tracing some of the demographics that made up the colonial US. We examine material evidence, paintings, and written sources to uncover the lives of African Muslims living the United States. We talk about Muhammad Bilali who left behind religious treatise and became the forefather of the Sapelo Islands. We discuss Yarrow Mamout who as a freeman became a black Muslim entrepreneur in DC. We spend some time with Omar ibn Said, the great religious scholar who left behind a body of work including his biography and texts of Islam. We look at these lives as evidence of how Muslims in America forged a new life for themselves. We also examine the relationship between the United States and Muslim countries, the debate on religious liberty and religious freedom, and trace the history of Muslim migration. From Muslims in the Civil War to the famous Hot Tamale Louis. This is a story of Islam in America.…

Head On History

1
Special: Islam and China 39:36

7 years ago39:36

39:36

In light of the ongoing crackdowns in Xinjiang, this special episode explores the history of Islam in China. Pushing back against some of the narratives that imagine Islam as a foreign threat, we look at the premodern history of Islam and how it arrived in China. We talk about the early connections between the Rashidun Caliphate and the Tang Dynasty. We explore how Islam was localized over several centuries, the impact on Chinese society, and in turn how Islam itself was shaped by merchants and traders in China. We talk about the cultural renaissance under the Yuan dynasty and how the premodern history complicates the contemporary politics. Recommended Books: Peterson, Kristian. Interpreting Islam in China: Pilgrimage, Scripture, and Language in Han Kitab . Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2017. Thum, Rian. The Sacred Routes of Uyghur History. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2014.…

Head On History

1
Malay and Javanese Islam 41:25

7 years ago41:25

41:25

Continuing from last week’s episode on Islam in Southeast Asia, in this podcast we take a closer look at the melding of Islam and folk religion in Javanese and Malay practices. We start with the story of famed Sufi saints like Sheikh Siti Jenar then examine the slametan feast as a ceremony that fuses Islam with local customs. We look at kejewen and the healing and mystical traditions that incorporate Sufism with the folk traditions and lore of Java. This leads us to an exploration of the cosmology and spiritualism of healing rituals. We spend some time on the spirits and ghosts of the land that endure and even the sex shrine of Mount Kemukas. Finally we talk about Malay folk stories like that of the mouse deer and crocodile as well as the shamans who fuse Islam with Malay folk remedies.…

Head On History

1
Islam and Southeast Asia 35:44

7 years ago35:44

35:44

Heading East from our last episode this podcast examines the entrance of Islam into Southeast Asia. Following the naval trade of the Indian Ocean we trace Islam to the port cities of Java, Sumatra, and the islands of Indonesia and Malaysia. We discuss the rise of the Malacca Sultanate and travel to Samudera Pasai as we relate the story of Islam through merchants, kings, mystics, and scholars. We explore how Islam was integrated into the administration of rulers, how Muslim scholars undertook conversion missions, and how the rural healers fused Islam with indigenous Javanese spirituality. Book recommendations: Chaudhuri, K. N. Trade and Civilization in Indian Ocean: An Economic History From the Rise of Islam to 1750 . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985. Ricci, Ronit. Islam Translated: Literature, Conversion, and the Arabic Cosmopolis of South and Southeast Asia . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2016. Tagliacozza, Eric. Southeast Asia and the Middle East: Islam, Movement, and the Longue Duree . Palo Alto, Stanford University Press, 2009.…

Head On History

1
Al Khidr 29:08

7 years ago29:08

29:08

Who is Al Khidr and what can he tell us about Islam? In this episode we examine the enigmatic figure of Al Khidr, recording his appearance in the Qur’an, the Hadith, and Al Tabari’s Tarikh . We explore his connections to other figures in world religions through a study of his name and his associations. We study his connections to Zoroastrianism’s Anahita and Ugartic deities and Jewish mysticism. By examining Al Khidr we place Islam within a specific cultural-religious milieu that tells us about the history of the religion and the way it developed over time.…

Head On History

1
Islam and Europe 35:35

7 years ago35:35

35:35

Concluding our mini series within the season on Islam and the Maghrib this episode looks at the history of Islam and Europe’s relationship. Arguing that while Islam and Europe imagine one another as oppositional civilization identities, the history reveals a much more entangled and intertwined reality. We talk about the diplalomatic alliances between Christian Kings and Muslim governors, the embassies between the Carolingian dynasty and the Abbasid Caliphate. We talk about the famed Abul Abbas the elephant and the impact of Muslim scholarship on Europe. We trace trade routes and intellectual routes from the influence of Timbuktu on geography and map-making in Europe to the Ibn Rushd as the forefather of the Renaissance and Enlightenment. Finally we end with the story of the famous Mansa Musa of Mali.…

Head On History

1
Special: AP World History Controversy 36:30

7 years ago36:30

36:30

In a break with our regularly scheduled podcast, this Head on History Special peaks behind the curtain of professional history to covers the latest controversy with AP World History. Starting with a brief coverage of the news that College Board will restructured AP World History to only cover and test history post-1450, we dive into the deeper history of the field of world history. We go over the rough historiography of world history, the rise of the new discipline, it’s relationship to Western Civilization courses, and why it matters a field. We discuss the importance of history as identity-shaping and why changes in World History are problematic. We also present the background of College Board. Join us for a historiography and discussion about the debate and controversy behind world history as a field and in our public education system.…

Head On History

1
Maghreb and Islam in Africa 39:56

7 years ago39:56

39:56

Islam expanded first into Africa before anywhere else. In this episode we trace the history of Islam in Africa. Starting with the hijra to Axum/Aksum by the early Muslim community, we trace the political conquests of the Rashidun and the Umayyad. We examine the importance of trade routes to the bringing of wealth, books, and preachers into the Maghreb and the partnership with Berbers to Islam. We dig deep into the scholarly tradition of Islamic Africa from Abdallah ibn Yasin to the University Al Qaraouiyine, taking a short detour to discuss the impact of the world’s oldest degree-granting university on Europe. We spend some time with the Almoravids and their bridging of Morocco to Al Andalus. Finally we conclude with a look at how Islam was shaped by African traditions, the development of Sufism, and the poetry of Al Burda by Al Busiri.…

Head On History

1
Al Andalus and Islamic Spain 1:00:24

7 years ago1:00:24

1:00:24

What is Al Andalus and the history of Islam in the Iberian Peninsula? Join us as we take a closer look at the Muslim expansions into Portugal and Spain. In part one of two of discussing Islam in the Maghreb, we examine the Berber and Moorish influences on art, architecture, culture, cuisine, and even music. After we establish the political history of the region with a brief chronology of events and dynasties we then dig deeper into the intellectual and cultural contribution of Al Andalus to world history. We pay particular attention to the way Muslims, Jews, and Christians created a society who influence is still felt in western Europe. From the philosophies of Ibn Rush (Averroes) and Ibn Sina (Avicenna) to the contribution of Ibn Haytham, we look at how Muslim thought carries over into the Renaissance and Enlightenment. We conclude with the Reconquista…

Head On History

1
History of Ramadan 43:49

7 years ago43:49

43:49

With the arrival of Ramadan, faithful Muslims around the world partake in fasting and prayer. In this episode of Head on History we discuss the origins of the practice. We start with the Qur’anic and theological explanation for Ramadan and then work towards historicizing the practice within the context of the Hijra and the religious climate of Arabia. We then discuss the major religious practices associated with Ramadan from fasting to prayer and alms-giving. We cover some of the cultural practices associated with Ramadan as Islam spread and incorporated different traditions. Finally we discuss the seemingly eternal debate over moon-sighting and the beginning and end of Ramadan.…

Head On History

1
Special: Iran Deal 43:47

7 years ago43:47

43:47

In our special episode of Head on History we examine the history of US-Iran relations. In light of the increased tension on the Golan Heights and Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran Deal we look at the historical context. We examine the source of the hostility and mistrust between the two nations, going back to CIA backed coup in the 1950s through the Iranian Revolution, the hostage crisis, and even the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980’s. We take a close look at how the built up resentment has formed an orthodoxy within American foreign policy and it’s crippling effect on diplomacy. We then look at the origin of the Iran Deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and its implications for stability in the region.…

Head On History

1
Islam and Afghanistan 43:10

7 years ago43:10

43:10

We are back for Season 3, called “Other Islams.” Ten episodes dedicated to the history of Islam at the margins and the stuff they don’t teach you in school. In our first episode we explore how Islam arrived to Afghanistan and how the borders of the Islamic world provide a unique snapshot into the process of conversion itself. From Rashidun expansion to cultural renaissance, we explore Afghanistan with its unique history of Sufism, music, monuments, and scholarship. We discuss the Saffarids, the Samanids, the Ghazanavids, the Ghorids, and take a closer look at figures like Muhammad al-Balami with his translation of the Qur’an, Mahmud Ghazni unifying the region, Amr Khusrow with his Qawwali and Fatima Samarqandi the great Hanafi scholar. This is a history of Sufi monasteries, fierce warriors, passionate poets, and of an Islam that fit in alongside Buddhism, Hinduism, and Zoroastrianism.…

Head On History

1
Al Ghazali and Ibn Taymiyyah 51:27

7 years ago51:27

51:27

In our last episode of the season we wrap up the intellectual history of Islam by examining how the orthodoxies that we discussed in the previous episode were popularized. We talk about the emerging class of legal scholars called the ulema, the madhabs of Hanafi, Maliki, Shaif, and Hanbali and their main differences, and how Sufism helped to spread the scholarly brand of Islam throughout the Islamic heartlands. We talk about the contributions of the Seljuks, namely under the patronage of Nizam al Mulk and his network of schools that shifted the heart of Islam from the Caliph to scholarship and was a main force in preserving Islam post-Mongol invasion. We talk about the efforts of Fatima al Samarqandi in spreading Hanafi Islam and the writings of Al Ghazali as they consolidate and reconcile the debates of the ahl al Hadith and the Mutazila. Finally we discuss Ibn Taymiyyah as a product of the anxiety over conservation post-Mongol invasion and set the state for the other Islams and contemporary debates for next season.…

Head On History

1
History of Shia Orthodoxy and Sufism 42:55

7 years ago42:55

42:55

In this episode we discuss the formation of Shia orthodoxy. Picking up from our earlier episode on early Shi’ism we explore how the experience of persecution under the Umayyads and Abbasid shaped Shia thought and doctrine. We discuss the Muhammad al Baqir and Jaffar as Sadiq and their contributions to the theological principles of Shi’ism. We explore the concept of the hidden meaning of the Qu’ran and the much misunderstood idea of taqiyaa. Finally we trace the genealogy of Sufism, discussing their interaction with Buddhism and how they developed not as a sect, but set of approaches within Sunnism.…

Head On History

1
History of Islamic Theology 43:35

7 years ago43:35

43:35

This episode we trace the emergence of orthodoxy in Islamic thought. Starting with the debates about predestination and the nature of the Qu’ran we mark the development of Islamic theology from the writings of Hasan i Basri and the Qadarites or Qadiriyyah to the formation of the ahl al-Hadith and Mutazila movements. We discuss the influence of translation projects and Greek philosophy in the development of kalam or Islamic theology. We explore the contributions of Al Kindi and the the influence of the Abbasid civil war in shaping the minha of Al Ma’mun. We conclude with a discussion of the Ash’ari and the coalescing of Sunni orthodoxy and Shariah.…

Head On History

1
Special: Iran, Ayatollahs, and Protest 1:02:25

7 years ago1:02:25

1:02:25

In an exciting special episode we talk about the history behind the current Iran protests. Starting with the formation of Iran from the Safavid era we chart the introduction of Shia Islam to the region, the project of conversion, the the social structure shaped by the relationship between religious clergy and the government. We examine how that relationship creates a unique dynamic in Iranian history under the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasty and how it feeds into various protest movements from the the Tobacco Protests to the Persian Constitutional Revolution. We examine the lives of Ali Shariati and Ayatollah Khomeini. Finally we analyze how this deeper history is the prologue for the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and how the ethos of those movements along with economic tensions form the backdrop of the current protests.…

Head On History

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Head On History Special: Muslims and Christmas 31:05

7 years ago31:05

31:05

In a holiday Head on History Special, we come to you with a fun episode on the history of Muslims and Christmas. In light of both the fictitious “war on Christmas” and the ongoing debate in Muslim social media about whether Muslims can or should celebrate Christmas, this episode traces the history of shared holidays and festivals in Islamic history. From pilgrimages and festivals, to mosques and holidays, we take a closer look at how Muslim and Christians have participated in one another holy days from ancient times to more contemporary moments.…

Head On History

1
History of Shia Islam 42:03

7 years ago42:03

42:03

Head On History

1
History of Sunnism 38:55

7 years ago38:55

38:55

What is Sunni Islam? In this episode we trace the origins of one of the largest denominations of Islam. We look to the period after the death of Muhammad and how the disagreement between Muslims on the issue of authority set in motion a process that would eventually lead to Sunni Islam. We discuss the early movement that a specific vision of leadership and community and how that early movement was shaped by its experience with the Umayyad Caliphate. We also talk about the gathering of the sunnah and hadith and how both became part of the beginnings of sharia.…

Head On History

1
Special: Jerusalem 47:36

7 years ago47:36

47:36

A special podcast to contextualize the breaking news of Donald Trump recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving the US embassy. In this episode we discuss the history of Jerusalem from Biblical times until modern. We talk about how the city came to be perceived as holy and sacred in the minds of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. We detail the way in which the history of Jerusalem is shared, entangled, and varied through time. We push back on nationalist discourses which try to imagine Jerusalem only so far as it serves the purpose of fixed identities without thought of its shared heritage. We note the tension and violence, but also highlight the history of co-existence.…

Head On History

1
The Historical Muhammad 58:59

7 years ago58:59

58:59

Who is Muhammad? Did he even exist? In this podcast, we try to uncover the historical Muhammad. We start with the major debates and controversies among historians. Then we move to looking at the difference sources and evidence for the existence of Muhammad and what it tells us about his life. We look at Muslim sources like the Qur’an, Hadith, and Sira as well as non-Muslim sources like documents written by local Christians and other officials. We examine both religious and non-religious sources and follow the traces of history to reconstruct the historical Muhammad. As usual we conclude with book recommendation for further reading.…

Head On History

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History of the Qur’an 53:21

7 years ago53:21

53:21

The holy book of Islam is the Qur’an but its history remains shrouded in mystery. What are the historical origins of the book and how did it develop. In this podcast we present the major theories about the origins of the Qur’an, from those that attribute it to Muhammad, to those that argue for a later date and longer period of development. We talk about the recent manuscript findings and carbon dating and its significance for the history. We talk about how the Qur’an was complied, transcribed, and then commented on. We explore the development of commentary literature or tafsir and the major theological debates about the Qur’an’s nature. And finally conclude with the history of how the Qur’an comes to us today.…

Head On History

1
History of the Hijab 55:17

7 years ago55:17

55:17

In this episode we trace the history of the hijab and religious garb. We start by examining the Qur’an on the subject, historicizing the verses and providing context. We then look at the broader tradition of veiling and headscarves in the near east in Late Antiquity. Tracing the tradition from Jewish, Christian, Byzantine, and Persian roots we look at how the headscarf and veil took shape within Islamic society and its intersection with class in the early Muslim empires. We discuss how the current manifestation of the hijab was shaped by cultural practices of the Turko-Persian world and conclude with a discussion on how the hijab and religious garb in general became major symbols in the debates about modernity. We discuss the rise of secular nationalists and their attempt to create national character against the religious garb and the backlash from the religious movements that followed. Finally we conclude by noting how the hijab has become an identity-forming act.…

Head On History

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History of Jihad pt 2 56:13

8 years ago56:13

56:13

After summarizing the history in part 1, this episode focuses on how the concept of jihad was transformed in the modern world. We examine the major thinkers of the time period and how they defined jihad according to their historical experiences. We discuss Emir Abdulkadir in Algeria and his use of jihad against the French colonizers. We explore the thinking of Jamal ad-Din Al Afghani and his formation of a sort of Islamic nationalism. Then we look at how the ideas of a political Islam are fused with new interpretations of jihad by Abul A’la Maududi and Sayyid Qutb. This episode digs deep into the intellectual history behind jihad and provides the foundation to then explore whether or not the jihad mainstream Islam is related to the jihad espoused in the terrorism of Al Qaeda or ISIS.…

Head On History

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History of Jihad 39:13

8 years ago39:13

39:13

We’re back for season 2 of Head on History and diving into the deep end. Building on the chronology established in last season, we are going to focus now on important themes in Islam and how they’ve been shaped by history. In our first episode trace the history of the concept of “jihad” in the premodern Islamic world. We explore the various ideas of fighting and conflict in Islam and how they were shaped by the experience of imperial wars in Late Antiquity and communal violence. We take a look at the various words used in the Qur’an to express fighting and how over time all of these ideas were gathered under the umbrella of “jihad” as theologians began to expand the idea and codify it in Sharia or Islamic Law. We trace the development of jihad from the early Muslim community through the Crusades, setting the stage for a part two which will cover jihad in the colonial and modern world.…

Head On History

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Special: Charlottesville, Race, and Nazi America 34:51

8 years ago34:51

34:51

In this Head On History Special we move away from our season outline and discuss the current events of Charlottesville, Virgina. We use history to help explain how we got to this moment with Nazi’s and white supremacist marching in the streets. In this podcast we talk about the historical connection between America’s race project and Nazism, we discuss the connection between American race legislation and the Nuremberg Laws. We dispel the myth about the Confederacy being about state’s right providing evidence that at its heart was the institution of slavery. We explore how race has always been at the heart of citizenship in America and how laws like the Racial Integrity Act and anti-immigrant sentiment weren’t just part of American Nazism, but mainstream politics. Finally, we talk about the history of Confederate statues, dispelling the myth that they were merely about heritage. We end with a discussion on historical amnesia and America’s failure to critically engage it’s dark past.…

Head On History

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Wahhabism, Modernism, & Political Islam 55:20

8 years ago55:20