Al-Mahdi Institute Podcasts

In this episode, Dr Attar explores how two major theologians — al-Ghazālī and Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī — challenged the idea that miracles serve as proof of prophethood. Drawing on their engagement with the occult sciences, Dr Attar shows how both thinkers believed that extraordinary acts could be imitated by magicians and thaumaturges, raising new questions about what truly verifies a prophet. He concludes by proposing an Avicennian reinterpretation of miracles as signs of an elevated prophetic soul rather than evidentiary proofs.

Dr Calis introduces listeners to the rich metaphysical world of Ibn al-‘Arabī and the Akbarī tradition, where revelation is seen as an ontological process rather than a historical event. He explains how divine speech unfolds through the hierarchical realms of existence and clarifies the misunderstood distinction between risāla (messengership) and wilāya (sainthood). The discussion connects classical Sufi metaphysics to contemporary debates on divine communication.

Dr Nazir Khan presents Ibn Taymiyya's comprehensive rethinking of prophetic evidence. Rather than relying solely on miracles, Ibn Taymiyya integrates moral integrity, rational coherence, and alignment with human nature into a broader epistemology of prophethood. The episode examines his critique of kalām theologians, his distinction between angelic and jinn-assisted feats, and his preference for Qur'anic terminology such as āyāt and barāhīn.

In this presentation, Professor Aijaz revisits David Hume's famous critique of miracles and argues that it has major — and often overlooked — implications for Muslim philosophy of religion. He explains why arguments for prophecy based on miracle reports fail under Hume's analysis and calls for Muslim philosophers to rethink the epistemological foundations of belief in prophecy and revelation.

Dr Jamie Turner brings the medieval philosophy of al-Fārābī into conversation with the modern thought of John Hick. He proposes that both thinkers offer a “bottom-up” model of prophecy that emphasises human intellectual and moral refinement. This model opens possibilities for religious pluralism and offers new ways to respond to epistemic and moral challenges in Islam, while still preserving much of the traditional narrative.

Dr Saemi tackles the tension between revelation and independent moral judgment. He argues that when a believer perceives a moral conflict, it is rational to follow their moral reasoning — but this does not render revelation redundant. Instead, revelation provides new moral reasons, including coordination solutions and relationship-based reasons tied to one's bond with God.

Professor Naraghi examines Fazlur Rahman's influential theory of revelation, focusing on its psychological dimension — how divine meaning becomes prophetic language. Drawing on the work of Iqbal and the philosophy of Charles Sanders Peirce, he clarifies Rahman's view on how “feeling,” “idea,” and “word” interact in the Prophet's heart to generate revelation.

Professor Kadivar surveys major models of revelation in Judaism and Christianity before proposing a distinctly Islamic alternative. He critiques six well-known non-propositional models and argues that Islam affirms a primarily propositional model grounded in the Qur'an and Sunnah — yet one that still differs significantly from classical Christian and Jewish formulations.

Dr Wahid Amin applies modern speech act theory to classical Shīʿī legal debates on divine commands. How do Qur'anic addresses to specific audiences apply to later generations? By engaging thinkers such as Mīrzā Qummī, Ākhund Khurāsānī, and Nāʾinī, he explores how divine speech maintains normative force across time and context.

Dr Ibrahim examines the role of Maryam in the Qur'an and asks why, despite her exceptional status and extensive interactions with divine messengers, most exegetical traditions exclude women from prophethood. Through a careful intra-textual reading, she highlights inconsistencies in classical arguments and proposes paths for reducing gender bias in Muslim prophetology.

Dr Asghari explores how the Qur'an pairs the Book (al-kitāb) with wisdom (ḥikma) as twin components of prophetic guidance. He shows how wisdom enables ethical interpretation, universal moral language, and interreligious dialogue — positioning prophetic wisdom as a bridge between divine revelation and human ethical reasoning.

Shaykh Arif re-examines key Qur'anic terms to propose that the Qur'an is not a pre-fixed text but an articulation of formless meanings (Umm al-Kitāb) unveiled in the moment. He distinguishes between God and the agent of revelation speaking within the Qur'an, offering a nuanced linguistic and theological model rooted in inter-Qur'anic analysis.

Prophets often report vivid perceptual experiences — seeing angels, hearing recited verses — but what makes these experiences veridical? Professor Morvarid surveys classical explanations from al-Fārābī, Ibn Sīnā, Suhrawardī, and Mullā Ṣadrā, before offering a new account inspired by philosopher David Chalmers. He argues that prophetic visions can be veridical in their “imperfect content,” even when their sensory details are not literally present in the physical world.

What does solidarity look like from the stands of a football stadium? How do sport, identity, and politics intertwine in the struggle for justice and belonging? And what does it mean to grow up displaced yet deeply rooted in a homeland carried through memory and resistance? In this episode of Thinking Islam, we explore these profound questions with Dr Kholoud Al-Ajarma, anthropologist and award-winning filmmaker at the University of Edinburgh.This captivating conversation traces Dr Al-Ajarma's personal and intellectual journey—from life in Palestinian refugee camps to becoming an acclaimed scholar of migration, identity, and activism. Drawing on her ethnographic research into pro-Palestinian solidarity among football fans in Scotland, she discusses the power and limits of public protest, the challenges of representing a cause across cultural boundaries, and what forms of hope persist amid displacement.Dr Kholoud Al-Ajarma is a social anthropologist whose work bridges scholarship and lived experience. Her award-winning films and academic research explore themes of exile, belonging, and social justice across Palestine and the diaspora. She has worked with numerous international organisations and universities, and her recent research examines how global solidarity movements express political empathy and resistance through everyday cultural practices.

In this talk, Professor Seyyed Mohaghegh Damad and Hossein Mousavi explore ʿAllāmah Ṭabāṭabāʾī's theory of idrākāt-i iʿtibārī — or mentally-posited conceptions — and its transformative implications for Islamic legal reasoning. They discuss how human constructs of obligation, action, and morality, though mentally posited, shape Sharīʿa's adaptability to evolving human needs. Their conversation invites listeners to consider how Islamic law distinguishes between immutable divine principles and flexible human conventions in a changing world.

Professor Abdolkarim Soroush reflects on how Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) must continually evolve to remain relevant. He contrasts its practical and theoretical dimensions, arguing that true renewal depends on deeper engagement with theology, philosophy, and anthropology. Through thought-provoking examples—from modern bioethics to cosmic prayer—Soroush demonstrates that shifts in how we understand God, duty, and knowledge can revolutionise Islamic law itself.

In this talk, Professor Oliver Leaman cautions against overstating rationalism's place in Islamic law. Drawing on Qurʾānic narratives like Moses and Khidr, he argues that divine wisdom often transcends human reasoning. Leaman challenges the assumption that Islam fully aligns with modern liberal rationality, urging listeners to rethink how theological humility can coexist with intellectual inquiry in today's discourse on religion and law.

Shaykh Arif Abdul Hussain explores how the metaphysical insights of Ṣadrāian philosophy can reshape our understanding of rationality in Islamic law. He revisits the tension between reason and Sharīʿa through concepts like aṣālat al-wujūd (the principiality of existence), proposing a dynamic vision of evolving legal norms aligned with human growth and existential purpose. This episode bridges classical metaphysics and contemporary reform.

Dr Imranali Panjwani identifies a major gap in Shīʿī legal theory—the neglect of human experience in understanding legal subjects. He argues that jurisprudence must account for the intellectual, moral, and psychological dimensions of the individual (mukallaf). This episode presents a compelling call for rethinking Sharīʿa as a lived moral framework responsive to human reality.

Dr Mariam al-Attar examines how modern Muslim scholars balance revelation, reason, and science in forming ethical and legal judgments. By contrasting theological voluntarism with rational moral inquiry, she highlights how approaches to emerging issues—like AI and genetics—reflect enduring debates about divine authority and human intellect in Islamic ethics.

Dr Haidar Hobballah and Ali R. Khaki discuss the principle of sad al-dharāʾiʿ (blocking the means) and how Shīʿī legal thought approaches causal reasoning. They unpack the logic behind preventive rulings and explore their modern implications—from bioethics to environmental ethics—offering a rational framework for ethical decision-making in contemporary Islamic contexts.

Mohammad Amin Hessami reinterprets the philosophical legacy of Nāṣir al-Dīn Ṭūsī, uncovering a subtle balance between reason and revelation. Through close reading of Tajrīd al-Iʿtiqād and Akhlaq-i Nāṣirī, he reveals how Ṭūsī navigated competing rationalist and traditionalist schools. The discussion highlights how a medieval thinker's nuanced model of harmony between intellect and faith remains deeply relevant for modern theological discourse.

Professor Mahmoud Morvarid brings philosophical precision to a core principle of Shīʿī jurisprudence: the authority (ḥujjiyyah) of certainty. Questioning traditional formulations, he argues for a more nuanced approach informed by contemporary epistemology. Listeners will encounter a rigorous exploration of how knowledge, belief, and rational justification shape accountability in Islamic legal thought.

Professor Seyed Mohammad Ghari S. Fatemi examines the very being of reason within Islamic legal theory. Engaging classical Sunni and Shīʿī perspectives, he asks: Is reason a substance, an accident, or a kind of knowledge? This discussion unpacks how uṣūlī scholars understood the nature, scope, and variability of rational faculties, illuminating how metaphysics, epistemology, and theology converge in defining ʿaql.

Professor Devin J. Stewart delves into early Islamic legal thought, tracing how reason (ʿaql) evolved as a recognised source of law among Muʿtazilī and Twelver Shīʿī scholars. Through a historical journey from al-Jaṣṣāṣ to al-Ṭūsī, Prof. Stewart shows how theological debates on rational investigation shaped the very foundations of Islamic jurisprudence, revealing a vibrant intellectual culture negotiating between divine command and human judgment.

Professor Ali Fanaei compares the logic of juristic reasoning with everyday rationality, arguing that misunderstanding this relationship leads to flawed religious verdicts. He proposes a reconstruction of fiqh grounded in a more accurate model of how humans reason and justify beliefs. This talk bridges analytic philosophy and Islamic jurisprudence to advocate for rational legal reform.

Dr Yaser Mirdamadi reinterprets the Shīʿī legal maxim “accept what contradicts the majority” through the framework of epistemic justice. Rather than a sectarian bias, he argues it functions as an early form of epistemic resistance—amplifying marginalised voices within Islamic tradition. This episode reframes classical jurisprudence as a site for contemporary reflection on inclusion and fairness.

Farzaneh Hosseini Hejazi analyses the clash of three rationalities—religious, revolutionary, and modern state reason—in the legal structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Through this critical lens, she explains how philosophical and constitutional contradictions have undermined coherent legal authority, giving rise to a system where mystical authority, clerical rationality, and state pragmatism uneasily coexist.

Professor Mohammad Rasekh investigates a classical theological problem: do divine laws derive from inherent benefits and harms, or from pure command? Engaging Shaykh Anṣārī and the principle of maṣāliḥ wa mafāsid wāqiʿīyya, he dissects the tension between reason and revelation in determining moral reality. His discussion challenges listeners to consider whether religious law is descriptive of truth or prescriptive of obedience.

Dr Karen Bauer examines how the Qurʾān unites intellect, emotion, and moral behaviour in a single vision of human virtue. Rejecting the modern separation between thought and feeling, she shows that Qurʾānic rationality is profoundly moral: to think rightly is to feel rightly and act justly. This podcast invites reflection on how the heart, mind, and ethics intertwine in Qurʾānic spirituality.

What happens when the language of love transcends religious boundaries?In this thought-provoking seminar, Dr Ankur Barua (University of Cambridge) explores the deep intersections between Hindu Bhakti (devotional love) and Islamic Sufism (taṣawwuf) in premodern South Asia.Through figures like Dārā Shukōh, Ras Khān, and Kazi Nazrul Islam, Dr Barua reveals how devotional poetry, music, and theology became a shared language of divine love that crossed cultural and religious lines. This talk challenges both the narrative of conflict and the illusion of perfect harmony, offering a balanced view of how Hindus and Muslims have expressed love for God—and for each other—through shared traditions of beauty and longing.

Is the Qur'an truly the word of God, or does it reflect the creative imagination of Prophet Muhammad (s)? How do we understand revelation in a world governed by reason and science? In this episode of Thinking Islam, we grapple with these fundamental questions with Dr Abdolkarim Soroush, one of the most influential voices in contemporary Islamic intellectual reform.This wide-ranging conversation explores Dr Soroush's groundbreaking theory of the expansion and contraction of religious knowledge, his views on revelation and prophetic experience, and the controversial notion that the Qur'an might be better understood as "Kalam Muhammad" rather than literal divine speech. From essentials and accidentals of the Qur'an to the paradoxical nature of Prophetic life, we examine how prophetic experience can be understood in our post-prophetic age.Dr Soroush is a distinguished philosopher of religion and a leading voice in Islamic intellectual reform. A Visiting Scholar at the University of Maryland and former Professor at the University of Tehran, he has also held visiting positions at Harvard, Princeton, and Yale Universities. Dr Soroush is renowned for his influential work "The Expansion of Prophetic Experience" and his contributions to contemporary Islamic thought and hermeneutics.Audio Chapters:0:00 – Highlights1:34 – Understanding the Phenomena of Revelation4:40 – Expansion & Contraction of Islamic Interpretation10:42 – Expectations from Religion13:12 – Between Maximalization & Infallibility17:22 – Is Revelation like Poetry or a Dream?24:49 – Revelation as Creative Imagination28:32 – Kalam e Muhammad or Kalamullah35:58 – God is Also Sad When You're Sad39:17 – The Speech of God is Metaphorical47:18 – Essentials and Accidentals of the Qur'an49:17 – Prophetic Experience & Its Expansion53:15 – Prophetic Paradox56:36 – Finality of Prophethood59:00 – Imamate & Finality1:03:45 – Thinking Islam Question

Was the Qur'an revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) through divine speech, imagination, divine inspiration, or visions? In this seminar, Professor Mahmoud Morvarid, a Researcher at the Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, examines four key models within the Islamic intellectual tradition that attempt to describe the mystery of divine revelation.Drawing on theology, philosophy, and mysticism, the presentation reflects on how revelation has been understood across centuries, the challenges these interpretations face, and why the debate remains relevant for contemporary thought.In this seminar, you will learn:– How revelation has been approached in classical Islamic thought– Why different disciplines (theology, philosophy, Sufism) offer contrasting perspectives– The continuing significance of these debates for understanding the Qur'an todayAudio Chapters:0:00 – Setting the Context: Revelation in Islam4:15 – The Mutakallimūn Model10:30 – The Fārābī–Ibn Sīnā Model33:08 – The Ghazālī Model42:40 – The Suhrawardī Model46:56 – Comparative Analysis of the Models

Does the Qur'an only invite us to think, or does its message also create an emotional state? In this episode of Thinking Islam, we explore the profound emotional trajectories within the Quranic paradigm with leading scholar Dr. Karen Bauer. From the roles of fear and hope in religious experience to the surprising emotional vulnerability of the prophets, we unpack how the Qur'anic text masterfully orchestrates human feelings to create lasting inner transformation. This conversation explores Dr. Bauer's groundbreaking research on emotional plots in Islamic texts. It delves into the emotional trajectories within Quranic narratives, examining how the heart serves as both the seat of perception and feeling, and how emotions are portrayed throughout scripture.Together, we explore how the Quran aims to evoke emotional responses in its listeners. We examine the connection between emotions and both internal and external orientations, and how this shapes the Quranic understanding of what it means to be human. Dr. Karen Bauer is an Associate Professor in Quranic Studies at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London. She earned her PhD from Princeton University and is widely recognised for her work on gender and emotional rhetoric in the Quran. Her recent publications include Women, Households, and the Hereafter in the Qur'an (2023) and Gender Hierarchy in the Qur'an (2015). Dr. Bauer bridges medieval scholarship with contemporary understanding through rigorous textual analysis and extensive fieldwork.

With verses like qiwamah and the so-called “wife beating” verse, does the Qur'an truly promote equality and egalitarian ideals, or does it embed a vision of hierarchy and male-dominance? In this episode of Thinking Islam, Dr. Asma Barlas joins us to rigorously interrogate whether God, described as supremely just in the Qur'an, could be seen as biased towards men. We explore how anti-patriarchal readings of the Qur'an challenge dominant interpretations, reexamine controversial passages, and ask what it means to practice critical scholarship while navigating the realities of the Muslim community.This wide-ranging conversation delves into the heart of Dr. Barlas's influential book, "Believing Women in Islam," unpacking her approach to Qur'anic exegesis, her critiques of both traditionalist and secular-feminist readings, and her arguments for divine justice and mutual guardianship in Qur'anic gender discourse. Together, we reflect on the historical legacy of patriarchy in Islamic interpretation, the distinct difference between biblical and Qur'anic accounts of Abraham, and rethinking family structures and gender roles in light of the Qur'an's holistic teachings. Our discussion journeys through scholarly debates, personal experiences of dissent within the Muslim community, and the challenges of staying faithful to both faith and reason.Dr. Asma Barlas is a renowned scholar of Islamic intellectual history, Qur'anic hermeneutics, and gender politics. She is the author of the landmark work "Believing Women in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an," which argues for the anti-patriarchal essence of the Qur'an and continues to shape contemporary conversations about gender, faith, and justice.

In this podcast, Dr Doaa M. Baumi explores how the Muʿtazilite scholar al-Zamakhshari dealt with biblical narratives (Israʾiliyyāt) in his tafsīr. She shows how his rational framework allowed for careful inclusion and critical filtering of these sources.

In this podcast, Dr Haidar Hobbollah analyses the Atharī tradition in Shīʿī tafsīr, tracing its roots in the Akhbārī movement and contrasting it with the Uṣūlī approach. He unpacks the epistemological and theological tensions between the two.

In this podcast, Dr Farhad Shafti provides a critical overview of the Farahi school, highlighting its focus on Qurʾānic coherence and its call to prioritise the Qurʾān over ḥadīth in legal reasoning—an area he believes warrants further attention.

In this podcast, Professor Mohammad Saeedimehr delves into Shah Wali Allah Dihlawi's use of the imaginal world (ʿālam al-mithāl) as a tool for symbolic exegesis, offering a visionary yet controversial approach to understanding prophetic narratives.

In this podcast, Dr Sohaib Saeed introduces the idea of meaningful ambiguity in the Qurʾān. Drawing on Ibn ʿĀshūr, he suggests that ambiguity in certain verses may itself be intentional and meaningful, offering layered or simultaneous truths.

In this podcast, Dr Vahid Sohrabifar explores how the Qurʾān addresses today's crisis of meaning, focusing on ḥayāt ṭayyiba—a meaningful, God-centred life. He reflects on the Qurʾān's concern with existential themes like freedom, death, and human purpose.

In this podcast, Dr Imranali Panjwani critiques the rationalist paradigm in modern tafsīr, noting inconsistencies between inclusive interpretations and limited applications. He calls for a coherent framework that bridges modern values and Qurʾānic integrity.

In this podcast, Dr Morteza Karimi-Nia uncovers the contributions of al-Wazīr al-Maghribī, a 10th-century Shīʿī exegete whose work bridged tradition and rational critique, paving the way for the more systematic approaches of al-Ṭūsī and al-Ṭabrisī.

In this podcast, Professor Asma Barlas critiques patriarchal interpretations of the Qurʾān, especially those that assert male authority over women. She argues that such readings distort the text's message and project a masculinised image of God.

In this podcast, Professor Liyakat Takim explores the tafsīr of al-Ṭabrisī, showing how it incorporates Sunni exegetical methods while affirming Shīʿī theology. He presents it as a rare moment of scholarly exchange across sectarian lines.

In this podcast, Shaykh Arif Abdulhussain discusses the Qurʾān as an existential phenomenon, proposing a hermeneutic that links revelation to the Prophet's lived experience and the evolving consciousness of its first audience. He argues for an interpretation that is both historically aware and universally resonant.

In this episode of Thinking Islam, Dr Zoheir Esmail is joined by Dr Muhammed Reza. Tajri to explore the complex intersection between Shi'a Muslim identity and LGB experiences through the lens of sociology. Drawing from his unique position as an insider-researcher, Dr Tajri unpacks the lived realities of Shia Muslims grappling with non-normative sexualities, revealing critical tensions between religious belonging, psychological wellbeing, and community silence. Through deep discussion, the episode highlights the pressing need for more awareness, empathy, and informed pastoral care in Shia communities. From spiritual suffering and domestic rejection to the jurisprudential discourse on homosexuality, Dr Tajri's research brings fresh insight into one of the most underexplored yet urgent conversations in contemporary Islamic studies. Dr Tajri is a lecturer and head of the Department of Islamic Sociology and Contemporary Studies (DISCS). With a background in both traditional seminary studies and academic research, his work focuses on Muslims in the UK, contemporary Shi'ism, gender, and religious authority.

What does a rare Qurʾānic manuscript from the 1st century AH reveal about the early history of Islam?In this seminar, Dr Morteza Karimi-Nia, a leading scholar in Qurʾānic manuscript studies, presents his research on Codex Mashhad, a nearly complete Qurʾān written in ḥijāzī script and preserved in the Āstān-i Quds Library in Mashhad. Comprising 252 folios, this codex offers unique insights into the transmission, orthography, and arrangement of the Qurʾānic text during Islam's formative period.Key themes include:

Is being depressed a sign of kufr? Is my anxiety due to sinning? In this episode of Thinking Islam, we explore how Islamic approaches towards mental health challenge traditional stigmas and modern psychological frameworks with Dr Zoheir Esmail. From examining the concepts of qalb, nafs, and ruh to investigating whether depression could indicate spiritual disconnection, this conversation unpacks the complex relationship between faith, Eurocentric reason, and mental wellness.We delve into the history of Islamic approaches towards mental wellness, their developments, from early medieval scholars to contemporary applications in modern therapeutic practice. The conversation tackles the stigma surrounding mental health in Muslim communities, examining fears around hellfire and spiritual disconnection, whilst investigating the fascinating realm of occult sciences, jinn, and evil eye, questioning whether these should be taken seriously as therapeutic tools or understood as sophisticated placebo mechanisms that nonetheless offer genuine healing benefits. Dr Esmail reveals how Islamic psychology creates mental health wellbeing through understanding the human self as naturally anxious by creation, whilst offering spiritually integrated therapy that addresses religiosity and faith to achieve holistic healing that secular approaches often overlook. Dr Zoheir Ali Esmail is a Lecturer in Islamic Mysticism and Head of the Department of Mysticism and Spirituality. After qualifying as a chartered accountant, he pursued full-time studies in the seminaries of Syria and Qum for 12 years, earning a doctorate focusing on the philosophy and mysticism of Mullā Ṣadrā from the University of Exeter. His research spans mysticism, spiritual psychology, transcendental philosophy, and Quranic exegesis, bringing academic rigour and traditional Islamic scholarship to contemporary discussions on mental health and spirituality.

In this thought-provoking seminar, Prof. Kristin Aune and Dr Hafza Iqbal from Coventry University present their research on interfaith learning in Christian and Muslim higher education colleges in the UK.The study, involving two Christian and two Muslim higher education institutions, examined how to foster positive college climates for interfaith engagement among students, staff, and faculty. Through a mixed-methods approach combining rich quantitative data and in-depth qualitative insights, the researchers identified key enablers and barriers to fostering religious and worldview diversity in academic settings.✅ Key topics covered:Creating inclusive environments in theological educationStudent and staff perspectives on interfaith engagementChallenges and opportunities in Muslim and Christian collegesActionable recommendations for religious institutions and belief-based organisations

How can hadith scholarship navigate modern challenges of authenticity while preserving its theological integrity? In this episode of Thinking Islam, we critically examine the journey of hadith from the Prophet to the present day with Dr Haidar Hobballah.From transmission methodologies to contemporary debates, this discussion unpacks the complexities of separating fact from fiction in a legacy spanning over 1,400 years. We discuss the science of hadith criticism, the shift from oral to written transmission, debates over canonical texts like Kutub al-Arbaʿa, the reliability of narrators, and the impact of theological bias and identity on the Shi'a tradition.Dr Haidar Hobballah brings decades of scholarly expertise, with advanced studies in hawza and a PhD in Comparative Religions and Christian Theology. As the author of more than two dozen books and numerous articles spanning jurisprudence, theology, philosophy, and hadith studies, Dr Hobballah has taught and supervised students at leading seminaries and universities, and served as editor-in-chief for several academic journals.