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    Elijah Audio Lectures

    Authority in Islam

    Marcia Hermansen

    In her lecture, Marcia Hermansen discusses the various sources of authority in Islam. While Islam is diverse in regional, sectarian, interpretative, and historical traditions, the main source of authority in Islam is Allah, whose message is known through His revelation, or the Koran. The Koran is therefore a top authority in Islam. The Koran also suggests using Muhammad and his life as an authoritative example. It also speaks of, The Seal of the Prophets, which marks Muhammad as the final prophe... More>>


    Religious Sources for Sainthood in Islam

    Abdul Aziz Satchedina

    This lecture provides an introduction to the definition and role of the saint in the Islamic tradition.  It explores the topic linguistically, historically, as well as phenomenologically.  The very concept of sainthood as it is seen in other traditions, namely a spiritual elite which has a special relationship to God and, in some cases, possesses supernatural powers, is a relatively late development is Islam.  The terminology for such a relationship does not even exist in any of... More>>


    From Prophethood (Nubowwa) to Sainthood (Wilaya)

    Aziz Sachedina

    This lecture is an historical and phenomenological analysis of the evolution of the concept of sainthood within Islam.  It is clear that originally Mohammed was not seen as a mystical teacher.  His human aspect was emphasized, and any distinction between Mohammed and other human beings is denied except in the area of divine revelation. The primary purpose of divine revelation is the religious law, and not the revelation of divine secrets or the ability to predict the future.  The ... More>>


    Sainthood (Wilaya) in the Mystical Dimension of Islam

    Aziz Sachedina

    The spiritual journey of the Sufi mystic is described in terms of practices, such as Koranic recitation, piety, virtue, and conceptual analysis.  The status of the wali is given to a holy person by the general public and is manifest in the relationship between a wali and his students. The tension between the "ulama", or Muslim jurist, and the "sheik", as Sufi mystic is also discussed.  Aziz Sachedina... More>>


    Sainthood (Wilaya) in Shi'ite Islam

    Aziz Sachedina

    In contrast to their legal status, women's spirituality plays an important part in Shi'te and Sufi cultures, and women pilgrims are most closely connected with shrines.  Women are venerated as saints, especially Fatima (with other members of the Prophet's family). Shi'ite beliefs about saints are very similar to those of Catholic Christians: Saints are associated with miracles, and are available for intercession.  The moving personal story of the lecturer, his spiritual path, and the e... More>>


    Sufi Mystical Approaches

    Jamal Elias

         The topic of this lecture was the Sufi approach to God. The main injunction the Sufis take on is the call to always remember God. For the Sufis this is a call for continuous mystic prayer and awareness. This was first taken by the early Sufis to be achieved through asceticism and continuous prayer. Abandonment and ascetic practice were undertaken with the intention of cultivating deep devotion to God and of relying totally on God for everything.    &nbs... More>>


    Sufi Poetry

    Jamal Elias

         This lecture discusses Sufi poetry as a form of mystical connection with God.  The mystical exercise called dhikir was explained, which is the attempt to know God by immersing oneself in one of the names or qualities of God. The mantra like quality of dhikir recitation provides certain parallels with Buddhist practices.      Sufi poetry is considered a form of mystical prayer, both in its writing and in the hearing or reading of it. Poetry has... More>>


    Sufi Music

    Jamal Elias

       This lecture continues with the theme of religious poetry in the Sufi tradition as it is applied to music. As poetry became part of the mainstream religious culture in the Islamic world it was very often set to music. Such musical compositions are regarded as tools with which to uplift one's spiritual states. Though participatory and often trance-like listening, the audience accesses spiritual states.      The Whirling Dirvish form of Turkish sufi dancing and ... More>>


    Mystical Practices in the Kubraye Tradition of Islam

    Jamal Elias

      This lecture looks at some of the Sufi practices of the Kubraye school of thought, as well as giving an overview of some of the common features of two major Sufi and mystical practices in Islam. The overall goal in the Sufi meditations presented in this lecture is to make oneself a mirror for the image of God. More specifically, it is the forging of the heart into a perfect mirror, and in this total clarity the divine "I" becomes manifest. One does not lose oneself in this,... More>>


    The Mystic Part 1

    Father Benedict, Sheikh Abdelsalam Mennasrah and Rabbi David Seidenberg

    This two part series discusses the relationship between mysticism and religious leadership. The three monotheistic faiths are each represented by their respective leaders. Is mysticism a good quality for religious leadership and what are the tensions between the mystical dimension and other dimensions of authority in religion? Father Benedict relates how in Christianity, G-d reveals himself, but does it veiled. Christ's hidden truth or reality is experienced through mystical practices. This ex... More>>


    The Mystic Part 2

    Father Benedict, Sheikh Abdelsalam Mennasrah and Rabbi David Seidenberg

    Continuation of "The Mystic Part 1"

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    Authority in Islam 2

    Marcia Hermansen

    In the second of a series of related lectures, Marcia Hermansen continues her discussion on the authority in Islam. She focuses on reformist movements in Islam and also discusses the topic of charismatic authority. Is it still possible to change or add to Islamic law? What is the scope of reform, or ijtihad available in Islam today? Some Sunni scholars believe that the conversation on reform continues. There are two schools of fairly modern reformers who call for a new ijtihad. The first are the... More>>


    Modernity and Islam

    Marcia Hermansen

    In this lecture, Marcia Hermansen speaks of the impact modernity has had on religious identity and authority. Modernity is often seen as a challenge to spirituality. It brings up questions and challenges to preconceived religious traditions. For example, how do we address gender inequalities and shifts in authoritative knowledge? Where does truth come from? How and where do we find it? Is it in science or in religious tradition? Must modernity pose a challenge, however, or can certain aspects en... More>>


    Mapping Religious and Civil Society

    Maria Hermansen

    In this session, Professor Hermansen discusses a new model developed for American society, which maps out the religious and civic inclinations from a sociologic perspective.  After presenting the grid in its original intent, she embarks on plugging in Muslim groups throughout history using this model.  Mentioning the Ismaeli sect of the Shiite, mainstream Sunnis, Sufis, modern-day political-Islamic movements (Muslim Brotherhood), progressives and more, Professor Hermansen finds a fasci... More>>


    Conversion in Early Islam

    Akbar Hyder

    In the first of a series of related lectures, Hyder embarks upon an examination of the nature of conversion in Islam.  Using a personal example, he flushes out some of the problems with modern conversion.  He then reviews conversion as represented in early Muslim texts, examining each of Islam's earliest converts case by case. 

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    Muslim Conversion: How Did South Asia Become Muslim?

    Akbar Hyder

    In examining how South Asia became Muslim, Akbar Hyder investigates four causal theories: the theory of the sword, political patronage, the chance to escape the Caste System, and migration.  Hyder rejects the preeminence of any one factor and claims that a combination of all four gave rise to South Asia's Muslim population's conversion.  ... More>>


    The Conversion Experience in Sufism

    Akbar Hyder

    In this lecture Akbar Hyder first defines the identity of mystical Islam within the context of larger Islam and then discusses mystical attitudes towards conversion and other religions in general.  Hyder uses the verses of Rumi to demonstrate both the mystics' love of God and the privileged place of verse and music within mystical Islam.  In his discussion of conversion, Hyder argues that mystical Islam is characterized by a tolerant and accommodating stance towards other religions.&nb... More>>


    Conversion to Islam among African Americas

    Akbar Hyder

    In this lecture Akbar Hyder gives an account of the development of Islam within the United States, discussing both the organizational history of the Islamic movement and the ideological relationship of African Americans to the religion of Islam.  Hyder also discusses African American motivations for conversion, using the double conversion of Malcolm X to demonstrate two different motivations.     ... More>>