The AMI Podcast

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.

Dr. Muhammed Reza Tajri, a lecturer and head of the Department of Islamic Sociology, dives into the intersections of Shi'a Muslim identity and LGBTQ+ experiences. He shares personal stories reflecting the struggles of Shia Muslims reconciling faith and non-normative sexualities. The conversation highlights the importance of compassion, mental health, and the need for open dialogue within communities. Dr. Tajri advocates for greater awareness and pastoral care, addressing the nuances of identity and belonging in contemporary Islamic studies.

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:🔍 The manuscript’s origin and movement from Medina to Khurāsān📜 It's orthographic anomalies and copyist features📖 Variations in the order of sūras and links to Ibn Masʿūd’s recension🌍 Regional readings and their implications for Qurʾānic standardisation

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.

In this episode of Thinking Islam, we set out on a journey to explore the deeper mysteries of fasting and its connection to the month of Ramadhan with Shaykh Arif Abdulhussain. Beyond its physical form, fasting is a journey of spiritual refinement, mental discipline, and self-actualisation—but what does that truly mean in today's world? We discuss how fasting can free the mind, the spiritual benefits of the Laylatul Qadr nights, the challenges of moon sighting, and the evolution of the outward form of fasting and the realisation of its essence in the modern era.Shaykh Arif Abdul Hussain, founder and director of the Al-Mahdi Institute , is a Senior Lecturer in Legal Theory and Philosophy. A prolific author and speaker, he has extensively written and translated works on Islamic philosophy and legal theory, including the Islam and God-Centricity series and a translation of Durūs fī ʿilm al-uṣūl.