Abstract:
The Qur’an describes the Prophet as سِرَاجًا مُنِيرًا (an “illuminating lamp”). But what is prophetic illumination? If the Prophet is described through the language of light, what can light itself teach us about his mission?

Over the past century, modern physics has transformed our understanding of light. Could those discoveries offer a fresh way to reflect on the Qur’an’s greatest metaphor of guidance, نُورٌ عَلَى نُورٍ (“Light upon Light”)?

On the shared birth anniversary of the Prophet and Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq, we will explore what it means to be illuminated rather than merely informed, awakened rather than merely persuaded, and ultimately, what it means to live in the light of the Prophet.

In previous lectures of The Religious Landscape of Pre-Islamic Arabia, we analyzed the presence of Judaism and Christianity, drawing primarily on epigraphic evidence, pre-Islamic Arabic poetry, and early literary fragments.

Building on that foundation, we now turn to the non-Jewish and non-Christian populations of Arabia, commonly categorized as polytheists, idolaters, or Gentiles. Our discussion also encompasses indigenous monotheistic currents, such as the Ḥanīfs highlighted in the Qur'anic text.

Methodologically, we will continue grounding our inquiry in epigraphy and pre-Islamic poetry, while incorporating the Qur'an as a central primary source. Although we omitted the Qur'an from earlier discussions to maintain a tighter focus, it offers vital contemporary testimony regarding polytheistic doctrines and practices. To complement these primary records, we will evaluate secondary literary materials—including historical chronicles, sīrah, and ḥadīth literature—while addressing the historiographical challenges they present.

Throughout this discussion, we will have an eye on the ongoing scholarly debate surrounding late pre-Islamic Arabian religion. Specifically, we will examine the tension between modern critical models—pioneered by some western scholars who argue for an overarching monotheistic environment based on their reading of the primary sources—and traditional Islamic literary accounts that depict a landscape of rampant polytheism. Ultimately, we will explore whether this scholarly tension can be resolved.

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/boston?iso=20260828

Lunar Eclipse — Boston, MA, USA

Begins: Thu, Aug 27, 2026 at 9:23 pm
Maximum: Fri, Aug 28, 2026 at 12:12 am
Ends: Fri, Aug 28, 2026 at 3:01 am

Special Event, Dedicated to the Birth Anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) & Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (p)

🌐 Hybrid, EN Lecture

Speaker: Dr. Sadik Kassim
Lecture: "Nūrun ʿAlā Nūr: From Madina to Microchips"

Date
Friday August 28th, 2026
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm (Eastern Time)

Location
MIT Tang Center, E51-395, 2 Amherst St, Cambridge, MA 02142

Schedule
7:30-7:40 Quran Recitation
7:43-8:00 Prayer
8:00-8:45 Lecture and Q&A, in English
8:45-9:00 Ziyarat
9:00-9:30 Dinner

Zoom Participation (hybrid):
https://mit.zoom.us/j/95948516788

- About Speaker (Bio)

https://sites.mit.edu/zekrmit/
@zekrMIT

🔻Lectures 1-3

🔸Lec01:
In the first session, we examined the religious, theological, and intellectual conditions during the first two centuries of Islam, with particular emphasis on the era of Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him). We also presented a brief overview of the history of thought during this period.

🔸Lec02:
In the second session, we presented a brief overview of the history of theological thought during the time of Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), as well as the contributions of the Imam and his students to the development of theology during that period.

🔸Lec03:
In the third session, we examined the legal thought of the various schools of jurisprudence during the time of Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), as well as how Islamic jurisprudence and the class of jurists developed during that period. We also discussed the most important characteristics of Imam al-Sadiq’s school of jurisprudence and the issue of legal authority.

@azbarresihayetarikhi
https://sites.mit.edu/zekrmit/
@zekrMIT

🌿17 Rabi al-Awwal (Aug. 31): Birth Anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp), 53 B.H.

🌿17 Rabi al-Awwal (Aug. 31): Birth Anniversary of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (p), 83 A.H.

upcoming events, 2026-2027

🔸Hybrid
Our biweekly programs (hybrid) for 2026-2027 will begin on Friday, September 11 with Quran Study, followed by Dua Kumayl & Lecture on Thursday, September 17, inshaAllah.

🔹Virtual
We will also be hosting virtual Lecture Series, on Sundays, from September 13.

visit us:
https://sites.mit.edu/zekrmit/
@zekrMIT

upcoming events, Sep 11, 2026

🔸Hybrid
▫️Fri, Sep 11, 7:30-9:30 pm
Quran Study, Surah Ta-Ha.

visit us:
https://sites.mit.edu/zekrmit/
@zekrMIT

Quran Study, Surah Ta-Ha [20:99-112], Part III

🌐 Hybrid, EN Lecture

Date
Friday September 11th, 2026
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm (US Eastern Time)

Location
MIT Tang Center, E51-376, 2 Amherst St, Cambridge, MA 02142

Schedule
7:30-7:40 Ziyarat Ale-Yasin
7:40-8:45 Exegesis (Tafsir), in English, Dr. Taghi Sahraeian
Topic: "Chapter 20, Surah Ta-Ha, Verses 99-112," Part III
8:45-9:00 Q&A
9:00-9:30 Dinner
(prayer will be performed at Maghrib)

Zoom Participation (hybrid):
https://mit.zoom.us/j/95948516788

- About Speaker (Bio)

https://sites.mit.edu/zekrmit/
@zekrMIT

upcoming events, Sep 13-17, 2026

🔹Virtual
▫️Sun, Sep 13, 11:15 am-1:00 pm
Lecture Series, 02, "The Just God and the Human Moral Agent," Hassan Ansari, IAS, Princeton.

▫️Sun, Sep 13, 7:15-8:45 pm
Special Topics, 07, "Religious Landscape of Pre-Islamic Arabia," Farhad Ghoddoussi, Wayne State University, Michigan.

🔸Hybrid
▫️Thu, Sep 17, 7:15-9:30 pm
Dua Kumayl & Lecture.

visit us:
https://sites.mit.edu/zekrmit/
@zekrMIT

درس گفتارهای تاریخ اندیشه و تمدن اسلامی

🌐 بصورت مجازی، به فارسی

«خدای عادل و انسان مکلف از ديدگاه متکلمان (بازخوانی بخش هایی از کتاب جمل العلم تأليف شريف مرتضی)»
توسط دکتر حسن انصاری

جلسه دوم، یکشنبه ۱۳ سپتامبر، ۱۱:۱۵ صبح تا ۱:۰۰ بعد از ظهر (به وقت شرق آمریکا)

Zoom Participation (webinar):
https://mit.zoom.us/j/93933325521

در باره سخنران:
https://www.ias.edu/hs/ansari

#الهیات_اسلامی_ساختار_عدل
@azbarresihayetarikhi
https://sites.mit.edu/zekrmit/
@zekrMIT

Special Topic Lecture Series, Lec07

🌐 Virtual, EN Lecture

🔻Topic: Gentiles — Review, Introduction and Methodological Considerations

Date
Sunday September 13th, 2026
7:15 pm to 8:45 pm (US Eastern Time)

Location
Online, Detail Below

Schedule
7:15-7:20 Login to Zoom
7:20-8:30 Lecture, in English, Dr. Farhad Ghoddoussi
Topic: "Religious Landscape of Pre-Islamic Arabia: An Analysis Based on Primary (Epigraphic) and Contemporary Sources," Lec07
8:30-8:45 Q&A

Zoom Participation (virtual):
https://mit.zoom.us/j/92377466698

- About Speaker (Bio)

#pre_islamic_arabia
https://sites.mit.edu/zekrmit/
@zekrMIT

The Crescent Moon of the Month of Rabi al-Akhir 1448 A.H.
From the Moon-Sighting Committee of The Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America - Read more here:
https://ow.ly/1SQg50ZMEsH

8 Rabi al-Akhir (Sept. 20th): Birth of Imam Hasan al-Askari (p), 232 A.H.
10 Rabi al-Akhir (Sept. 22nd): Death of Lady Masooma, sister of Imam al-Rida (p), in Qom (Year 201 A.H.)

Dua Kumayl & Lecture

🌐 Hybrid, EN Lecture

Date
Thursday September 17th, 2026
7:15 pm to 9:30 pm (US Eastern Time)

Location
MIT Tang Center, E51-395, 2 Amherst St, Cambridge, MA 02142

Schedule
7:15-7:25 Quran Recitation
7:25-8:00 Dua Kumayl
8:00-8:45 Lecture, in English, Dr. Muhammad Ali Radhawi (joining by zoom)
Title: "Spiritual Significance of Pilgrimage"
8:45-8:50 Q&A
8:50-9:00 Ziyarat Warith
9:00-9:30 Dinner
(prayer will be performed at Maghrib)

Zoom Participation (hybrid):
https://mit.zoom.us/j/95948516788

- About Speaker (Bio)

https://sites.mit.edu/zekrmit/
@zekrMIT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItI0JL0nr3E&list=PLRagz8v-1fF6KN1zX99EBH80W56NN-TFL&t=1s

🔻"Religious Landscape of Pre-Islamic Arabia: An Analysis Based on Primary (Epigraphic) and Contemporary Sources," Lec07
speaker: Dr. Farhad Ghoddoussi
Sep 13, 2026

Topic: Gentiles — Review, Introduction and Methodological Considerations

summary:
In the previous lectures of this series, we discussed the presence of Judaism and Christianity in pre-Islamic Arabia, drawing primarily on epigraphic evidence, pre-Islamic Arabic poetry, and early literary fragments.

Building on that foundation, from this lecture onward, we will focus on the religious beliefs and practices of the non-Jewish and non-Christian populations of Arabia. These groups are commonly categorized as polytheists, idolaters, and monotheistic ḥanīfs, and for simplicity, we refer to them as "gentiles."

Methodologically, we will continue grounding our inquiry in epigraphy and pre-Islamic poetry while incorporating the Qur'an as a central primary source. Although we omitted the Qur'an from earlier discussions to maintain a narrower focus, it offers vital contemporary testimony regarding polytheistic doctrines and practices. Our goal is to examine the religious beliefs, rituals, customs, and deities (idols) worshipped by these gentiles.

After reviewing and discussing several methodological concerns, we turned to one of the most prominent classical Islamic sources on the idols of pre-Islamic Arabia: Ibn al-Kalbi's Kitāb al-Aṣnām (The Book of Idols). We read the introduction to his text, in which he explains how—following the initial monotheism of Ishmael (ع) and his descendants—polytheism and idol worship spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula, ultimately turning Mecca into a pagan city with idols housed inside the Ka'ba shrine.

There are nine specific idols named in the Qur'an by their proper individual names. Five of these are mentioned in Surah Nuh (71:23):

"And they said, 'Do not abandon your gods. Do not abandon Wadd (وَدّ), nor Suwā‘ (سُوَاع), nor Yaghūth (يَغُوث), Ya‘ūq (يَعُوق), or Nasr (نَسْر).'"

This raises an important question: why does the Qur'an, which is typically concise when mentioning proper names, explicitly list the names of five idols belonging to the people of Noah, who lived in the distant past and were destroyed in the Flood?

Interestingly, Ibn al-Kalbi and other classical writers list these exact five figures among the idols and divinities worshipped by pre-Islamic Arabian gentiles living contemporary with or close to the time of Prophet Muhammad (ص). According these writers the details of their forms and worshippers are as follows:
Wadd: Shaped like a man; worshipped by the tribe of Kalb.
Suwā‘: Shaped like a woman; worshipped by the tribe of Hudhayl and Hamdān.
Yaghūth: Shaped like a lion; worshipped by the tribe of Madh'hij.
Ya‘ūq: Shaped like a horse; worshipped by the tribe of Hamdān.
Nasr: Shaped like a bird (eagle or vulture); worshipped by the tribe of Ḥimyar.

This leads to a second question: How did these five idols survive Noah's Flood and spread into Arabia, particularly its southern region? Regarding Ya‘ūq and Nasr, Ibn al-Kalbi notes that he found no record of anyone from Hamdān, Ḥimyar, or other tribes naming their children after these two deities, nor did he find mention of them in pre-Islamic Arabic poetry. He suggests this may be because Ḥimyar relinquished idolatry to embrace Judaism in the 4th and 5th centuries CE, with Hamdān following suit in the early 6th century due to integration with them. This observation aligns with the view of several modern scholars that polytheism was already in decline on the eve of Islam.

We will inshallah try to address the above two questions in the next lecture.

#pre_islamic_arabia

upcoming events, Sep 20-25, 2026

🔹Virtual
▫️Sun, Sep 20, 11:15 am-1:00 pm
Lecture Series, 03, "The Just God and the Human Moral Agent," Hassan Ansari, IAS, Princeton.

▫️Sun, Sep 20, 7:15-8:45 pm
Special Topics, 08, "Religious Landscape of Pre-Islamic Arabia," Farhad Ghoddoussi, Wayne State University, Michigan.

🔸Hybrid
▫️Fri, Sep 25, 7:30-9:30 pm
Quran Study, Surah Ta-Ha.

visit us:
https://sites.mit.edu/zekrmit/
@zekrMIT

درس گفتارهای تاریخ اندیشه و تمدن اسلامی

🌐 بصورت مجازی، به فارسی

«خدای عادل و انسان مکلف از ديدگاه متکلمان (بازخوانی بخش هایی از کتاب جمل العلم تأليف شريف مرتضی)»
توسط دکتر حسن انصاری

جلسه سوم، یکشنبه ۲۰ سپتامبر، ۱۱:۱۵ صبح تا ۱:۰۰ بعد از ظهر (به وقت شرق آمریکا)

Zoom Participation (webinar):
https://mit.zoom.us/j/93933325521

در باره سخنران:
https://www.ias.edu/hs/ansari

#الهیات_اسلامی_ساختار_عدل
@azbarresihayetarikhi
https://sites.mit.edu/zekrmit/
@zekrMIT