Talking With Teachers With Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali Talking With Teachers Season 6 Episode 5: Dr. Joseph Lumbard
Dec 29, 2025
Dr. Joseph Lumbard, an esteemed Associate Professor of Quranic Studies and editor of The Study Quran, dives deep into his academic journey and the significance of Sufism and Islamic philosophy in the modern world. He discusses how colonialism and modernity shape Muslim societies today. Lumbard emphasizes the importance of sacred knowledge amid cultural uncertainties and critiques Sufi elitism. The conversation also touches on the need for pragmatic political alliances for Muslims and the vital task of rebuilding intellectual life in the Muslim world.
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From High School Failure To Yale And Fez
- Joseph Lumbard describes being an "accidental academic" who failed high school then later entered Yale and pursued Islamic studies.
- He recounts summers studying in Morocco, Iran, and Yemen with traditional teachers while completing his PhD at Yale.
Religion As An Epistemological Resource
- A single course shifted Joseph Lumbard's worldview by revealing religion's epistemological value.
- He argues religion can supply deep intellectual foundations, not just personal consolation.
Perennialism Is Often Misunderstood
- Perennialism is a plastic term often misused to label anyone seen as insufficiently exclusivist.
- Lumbard defines Muslim perennialism as recognizing earlier revelations' origin while maintaining Islam's corrective role.