Life: The Islamic Answer

In a world full of information, Islam teaches a quieter, deeper question: Which knowledge is worth your life? This episode explores the Islamic principles that guide what we should learn—and why—revealing foundational rules for prioritizing knowledge, shaping the heart, and aligning learning with action. Simple yet profound, these insights challenge how we think about education, purpose, and the pursuit of knowledge.

This episode marks the beginning of our new topic— the types of knowledge in Islam. Join us in this series as we explore the deeper value of knowledge in our faith—why it’s more than just learning facts, and how it shapes who we become. The discussion then turns to a powerful question: how do we decide what’s truly worth learning? Finally, we uncover a timeless insight from Imām ʿAlī (a): the surprising value of becoming a generalist before a specialist. Each idea builds toward a richer understanding of how Islam guides our pursuit of knowledge—intentionally, wisely, and with purpose.Drawing from Qur’anic insights and sayings of the Ahlulbayt, the series explores how genuine learning leads to wisdom, social healing, and nearness to God.

In this latest lecture of the “Life, the Islamic Answer” series—now over 107 lessons strong—we resume with reflection, revisiting and building upon everything covered so far to highlight how each topic connects within the broader vision of the course. The session explores how lessons on knowledge, reason, community, and the purpose of learning in Islam all fit together to form a unified understanding of life through the Qur’an and hadith, and empowering Muslims to apply divine principles in everyday life. The lecture also introduces the next part in this series: What are the types of knowledge that Islam instructs to study and acquire, including broader fields such as history, science, and societal development. A perfect continuation for long-time students and a meaningful entry point for newcomers.

In this is the final episode of our 13-part series on the intellectual's role in the Islamic community, we summarize the vital role of the intellectual within the Islamic community of knowledge, particularly for Muslims in the West and the broader Islamic world. We delve into the historical emergence, challenges, and responsibilities of this crucial figure, highlighting how they drive revival, reform, and societal progress. We examine how the Islamic perspective emphasizes deep understanding of the Quran and Islamic teachings, reclaiming the spiritual dimension, and the critical need for educational reform and the Islamization of knowledge. Discover the shared responsibilities of both the community and the intellectual in fostering an environment where knowledge, reason, and faith unite to build a resilient, vibrant Islamic civilization.

This episode explores how key Muslim thinkers have shaped Islamic revival in response to the deep crises of colonization, modernity, and civilizational decline. We journey through the thought of influential Shia figures such as Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, a reformist who championed Islamic revival and modernization; Ali Shariati, an Iranian intellectual who fused Islamic thought with western scholarship and revolutionary activism; and Shaheed Murtadha Mutahhari, a scholar who bridged classical philosophy and academic studies with modern social challenges. It also features Sayyid Muhammad Sadiq al-Sadr, known for his role in religious reform and grassroots Shia revival, and Abdolkarim Soroush, who critically explores the relationship between intellectuals and clerics, as well as the roles of universities and religious seminaries. Finally, it examines the legacy of Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, a foundational figure in Islamic in numerous fields, including economics and philosophy, who envisioned Islam as a comprehensive framework for justice and societal transformation, with a visionary approach to bring the intellectual and the cleric closer to each other.This series provides a roadmap for Muslim intellectuals and communities today—balancing tradition and modernity to build resilient, values-driven realities.

Explore the evolving role of Muslim intellectuals in shaping modern Islamic thought — from the fall of the Ottoman Empire to post-colonial struggles. This video highlights key figures like Aliya Izetbegović, the Bosnian leader who integrated Islamic values with political action; Ismail al-Faruqi, the Palestinian-American scholar who pioneered the Islamization of knowledge; and Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, the Malaysian philosopher who championed an Islamic worldview rooted in ethics, spirituality, and decolonization. Dive into the vital debate on reclaiming Islamic epistemology today. Perfect for those interested in Islamic philosophy, decolonial theory, intellectual revival, or navigating Muslim identity in the modern world.

[Life:103] : Knowledge & Reason in Islam 102 (the community 24): The intellectual between East & West [10]This thought-provoking video, part of an ongoing series on the role of intellectuals, examines how leading Muslim thinkers have reimagined the purpose of knowledge and activism in the face of colonialism, modernity, and cultural transformation. It explores Malcolm X on identity and resistance through lived experience, Fazlur Rahman on ethical Quranic reinterpretation and modern education reform, Muhammad Arkoun on breaking dogma with pluralistic, critical thought, Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd on modern hermeneutics and challenging clerical monopoly, and Tariq Ramadan on integrating Islamic tradition, avoiding cultural ghettos with civic engagement in the West. These voices illuminate a dynamic struggle to bridge heritage with contemporary realities. Together, these thinkers reveal the intellectual struggle to revive a fallen civilization while balancing tradition and modern challenges. Whether you're a student of Islamic studies, history, or modern thought, this episode is essential for understanding how Islamic intellectuals have grappled with the crisis of civilization and the path forward.This is part of the "Life: The Islamic Answer" series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to rebuild ourselves Islamically, as individuals and communities who contribute positively to society and the world, by understanding our relationships with ourselves, with others, with nature and with God, based on the original teachings of Islam through its primary sources. It serves as an Islamic life coaching program. Delivered September 2024by Dr. Sayid Jafar al Hasany

[Life:102] : Knowledge & Reason in Islam 101 (the community 23): The intellectual between East & West [ 9]Join us as we explore the revival of Islamic intellectual tradition in the modern era through the lens of influential Muslim and Arab thinkers—each offering a unique response to the crises of identity, modernity, and inherited norms. We examine Muhammad Abbid al-Jabiri on the need to replace metaphor with rationalism, George Tarabishi on freedom of expression and the critique of cultural conformity, Adonis on secularism and the call to break from inherited ideologies, Ali Harb on elitism and the ethical responsibilities of intellectuals, Abdel Wahab El-Messiri on Islamic modernity and resistance to Western materialism, Hassan Hanafi on decolonizing knowledge through occidentalism, and Edward Said on Orientalism and the power of representation. Together, their ideas form a rich and urgent conversation about reclaiming intellectual agency in the Islamic world. Perfect for viewers interested in contemporary Islamic thought, decolonial theory, and the intersection of tradition and reform.This is part of the "Life: The Islamic Answer" series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to rebuild ourselves Islamically, as individuals and communities who contribute positively to society and the world, by understanding our relationships with ourselves, with others, with nature and with God, based on the original teachings of Islam through its primary sources. It serves as an Islamic life coaching program. Delivered September 2024by Dr. Sayid Jafar al Hasany

The intellectual between East & West 8In this lecture we continue providing an overview of how some of the major Islamic thinkers addressed the issue of Islam and modernity. We briefly reminded of the sociopolitical context of Nahda, Nakba and Naksa in shaping the reactions of these thinkers. Some of the mechanisms and approaches they proposed are explained including unity, the Arabic language, and educational reform. We address the proposals of Rifa'ah al-Tahtawi, Jalal al-Deen al Afhgani, Muhammad Abduh, Sayyid Qutb, Mohammad Iqbal and Malek Bennab. This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to rebuild ourselves Islamically, as individuals and communities who contribute positively to society and the world, by understanding our relationships with ourselves, with others, with nature and with God, based on the original teachings of Islam through its primary sources. It serves as an Islamic life coaching program. Do not hesitate to comment or ask questions in the comments section below.Delivered December 2024by Dr. Sayid Jafar al Hasany