Dr Karen Bauer recently joined Dr Gabriel Reynolds (University of Notre Dame) on his channel to discuss happiness in the Qur’an.
Exploring the Quran and the Bible
What does the Qur’anMuslims believe that the Holy Qur’an contains divine revelations to the Prophet Muhammed received in Mecca and Medina over a period of 23 years in the early 7th century CE. More say about the purpose of life, the nature of happiness, and the emotional life of believers? In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Karen Bauer, Associate Professor in the Qur’anic Studies Unit at the Institute of Ismaili Studies, joins Dr. Gabriel Reynolds to explore key themes from her recent research and publications.
Dr Karen Bauer and Dr Gabriel Reynolds delve into the Qur’an’s portrayal of life as a test, examining how it addresses the concept of asceticism alongside household spirituality. They explore the Qur’an’s perspectives on physical pleasures, gender roles, and the ethics surrounding polygamy. The discussion further illuminates the Qur’anic conception of happiness and virtue, focusing on attributes such as taqwa (piety), temperance, and justice. Additionally, they analyze the emotional dimensions within the Qur’an, including expressions of weeping, anger, and divine love, and consider how the text addresses various types of moral agents.
Please note: promotion of this podcast is for educational purposes only and not an endorsement from The Institute of Ismaili Studies, the Ismaili community, or its leadership.
Women, Households, and the Hereafter in the Qur’an
This book offers a fresh perspective by undertaking the first historical-critical study of all the Qur’an’s verses on women, who were integral to this transformation, and by offering an initial overview of households and patronage – late antique social structures that took the place of formal state structures in the Qur’an’s tribal milieu.
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