Life and culture: Author of 'Why I am not a Muslim' and 'The Origins of the Koran' speaks

In this May 2021 interview, Dr. Brubaker asks well-known author Ibn Warraq about his life and experiences. Warraq shares reflections upon a wide range of topics, including his own departure from Islam as a young man, and the development of his thought on matters of political philosophy over the years, which have been shaped by his life experiences and reading.

00:00 Introducion
02:26 Channel update
03:27 Interview start
04:26 Ibn Warraq's general summary of his life and writings
07:39 A crisis of identity
09:07 On writing "Why I am not a Muslim"
10:55 On family and subsequent books
12:05 September 11
14:01 On his interests beyond the Islam-related topics
15:35 Next steps
17:00 The "clash of civilizations," cancel culture, political correctness, etc.
18:36 The role of honor and shame
21:55 Ibn Warraq's developing views about secularism, secular humanism, and Christianity
23:21 "What becomes really important is truth"
24:17 The importance of unquestioned premises, and the importance of free inquiry
25:44 Reflections on the (American) political left and right
27:14 On slavery and abolition as an example of the West's capacity for self-criticism
30:22 Similar with the rights of women and sexual minorities in the West
31:08 The power of words, the importance of the Declaration of Independence, and the danger of allowing self-criticism turn into its opposite: self-hatred

[jungjunk]

Such a polite and intelligent conversation. We need more people like these gentlemen

[John-qofs]

Dr Daniel Brubaker you are highly respected over the world. Your work is much appreciated.

[nathandurant]

'Unlike the secular humanists I had experienced reality' - just about sums it up.

[Oldwhiteguy]

Do you receive a horrendous amount of hateful emails? I imagine that your life has changed quite a bit this last year. Thank you for your work and being so thorough in presenting the facts.

[islamicclarity]

Thank you for this conversation. Talking and thinking about the meta conversation around what can be said about Islam is important.

[YamamotoJennifer]

Good to see you back!! I wish you have another longer session with Ibn Warraq. Thank you 🙏

[riyadhfrdausehh]

wow this is mindblowing and worthy of a lot of views!

[davidmelander]

This conversation touched on some very important, high level ideas. I will try and get Ibn Warraq's books and learn more.

[benwest]

Fascinating conversation. I’ll be keeping an eye out for Ibn Warraq’s work.

[theowlabovethefox]

Ibn Warraq is great. The interview was too short. Looking forward to a more in-depth interview

[jamalkhan]

Good to see you back, this is an other great video, thank you for sharing 🙏

[aberhan]

I have Ibn Warraq’s book, Why I am not a Muslim. It’s a great book, starts with some difficult reading but gets much easier further in.

[Chandransingham]

Very interesting and a good introduction to an author of several books on Quran and Islam. I will look out for these books.

[justapedophetwithoutamustache]

I love how your videos full of subtitles.

[lahleholivia]

(b. Mas’ud) reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: "When Allah, the exalted, speaks to send revelation, the inhabitants of heaven hear the clanging of a Bell from the heavens - Sahih Abu Dawud 4738.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The Bell is the musical instrument of the Satan - Sahih Muslim 2114

[eugeniorobinson]

Great stuff, thanks for the scholarship.

[majeedm]

I'm busy with Warraqs Origins of the Koran, which is a tough but fascinating read asking the right questions.
How much longer are muslims going to accept the lies?

[maherkhalil]

Great honest conversation. Keep up the good work.

[MrMazin]

I read Ibn Warraq’s book on Why I am not a Muslim about fifteen years ago. It gave me the reasons why I should leave Islam.
Many years later discussing his book with a Muslim apologist, he denounced the book and told me to look for the counter challenges posted on the internet 😩

[warandpeacewithahintofasaf]

One month and Dr Brubaker drops a banger of a video. Wish I could subscribe twice to your wonderful channel.