Talking With Teachers: Season 6 Episode 3: Dr. Zachary Wright

In this powerful episode of Talking With Teachers, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali sits down with Dr. Zachary Wright, an esteemed scholar of Islam and African Muslim intellectual history, for a rich and illuminating conversation on spirituality, scholarship, and tradition.

Dr. Wright reflects on his early influences in Islam, the scholars and teachers who shaped his spiritual and intellectual journey, and his path within the Tijani Tariqah. The discussion explores the importance of maintaining the wird, its role in spiritual discipline, and how structured remembrance of Allah cultivates consistency, humility, and presence of heart.

This episode also highlights the often-overlooked legacy of African Islamic scholarship, emphasizing Africa’s central role in preserving, transmitting, and enriching Islamic knowledge across generations. Dr. Wright sheds light on the depth of West African scholarly traditions, Sufi lineages, and the enduring relevance of African Muslim contributions to global Islam.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into:

• The spiritual foundations of the Tijani Sufi path

• The significance of regular dhikr and wird

• The continuity of African Muslim scholarship

• The relationship between spiritual practice and intellectual rigor

• Lessons for contemporary Muslims seeking rooted, authentic tradition

This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in Islamic spirituality, Sufism, African Islamic history, and living scholarly traditions.

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Dr. Zachary Wright, Talking With Teachers Podcast, Tijani Tariqah, Wird in Islam, African Islamic Scholarship, Sufism, Islamic Spirituality, West African Islam, Dhikr, Sufi Orders, Lamppost Education Initiative