Islam and the Possibility of Peace | Mohammed Hijab | EP 209

This episode was recorded on November 10th, 2021.

In this episode, philosopher Mohammed Hijab joined me to discuss a wide array of topics, such as the traditionalist interpretation of Islam, its metanarrative, the story of the prophet Muhammad, and some common ground among monotheistic Abrahamic religions.

Mohammed Hijab is an author and philosopher whose main interests lie in political philosophy, philosophy of religion, and comparative religion. He seeks to spread a better understanding of traditionalist Islam while engaging with prominent thinkers and philosophers worldwide.

Find more from Mohammed Hijab on Twitter:

[00:00] Intro
[01:48] What beliefs and practices are central to Islam?
[04:12] Islam’s unmoved mover argument for God and the universe
[07:30] “Things made of parts... must be contingent on being created by something else, a sorting mechanism [that] doesn’t necessitate [creation itself].” Mohammed Hijab
[08:25] “It is problematic, through the lens of Islam... for there to be a god of a triune nature like [in] Christianity.” MH
[08:58] “Islam does not believe that there’s an element of divinity... in human beings.” MH
[10:09] “The word Islam does not mean peace; it means submission. Islam believes that everything in the universe submits to God.” MH
[10:57] The metanarrative of Islam
[12:12] Mohammed’s view of worship and belief
[12:48] “We believe in... the inherent belief in God implanted in humans.” MH
[15:20] What’s the purpose of belief?
[17:00] The instinct for God arguments vs new atheists
[18:27] The Muslim ideal for worship, compared
[24:36] Muslims and Christians as followers of Jesus Christ
[27:59] How does Dr. Peterson envision the spark of divinity?
[28:25] “The divine spark is embodied virtue... reflective of the highest value, operating at a local scale.” JP
[29:42] How are the attributes of God knowable to a Muslim? The importance of the original version of the Quran
[35:07] “Islam is an evangelizing religion... we want everyone to embrace it.” MH
[35:31] Bridges to Islam
[38:50] “I’m speaking from the perspective of someone who’s a traditionalist Muslim and not a liberal or enlightened Muslim.” MH
[40:47] An abridged story of the prophet Muhammad. The Mecca and Medina periods. Rationalizing the warrior emphasis of many Muslim teachings
[44:10] Muhammad’s warrior traits and Hijab’s interpretation
[49:20] Exploring the terms “warlord” and “defensive wars.”
[50:54] In Hijab’s opinion, what’s the central driving force behind the expansion of Islam?
[52:10] “Islam has the capability of being expansive through war... and of making peace treaties. It does and should do whatever’s in its best interest, just like every country.” MH
[55:39] Against totalitarianism
[58:46] “Evangelising isn’t the same as compelling.” MH
[58:56] “Let the best story win. I would say that the proper mode of conversion is something like a shining example.” JP
[01:00:28] M.Hijab on western misconceptions of Islam
[01:03:20] Other seldom-discussed aspects of Islam
[01:08:53] M.Hijab’s take on the war in Serbia
[01:11:05] The economic output of Islamic countries
[01:15:18] M.Hijab on why the traditionalist view is superior to a liberal one
[01:21:34] The struggles of belief. How can we check our own views?
[01:23:44] Wrapping up

#Islam #Christianity #God #Quran #Jesus

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[smiletojannah]

Thank you Jordan for speaking to a mainstream Muslim and giving us the courtesy to express our views, also much love for learning and retracting your previous mis-statements. I hope others also speak TO Muslims rather than AT us.

[TalkIslam]

Respect to Jordan Peterson for hosting this important discussion. Bridges need to be built and this was a constructive start. Your sincerity is noted and you are definitely welcome in our community. May Allah continue to show you the light of Islam 🤲🏼

[jovanm.]

I’m so thankful for Jordan Peterson. He was tearing up at the end when Mohammad said he was accepted in the Muslim community. It speaks volumes of his heart, not that I ever doubted it was in the wrong place. This was very enlightening and I think it really did wonders between these two cultures. I love how he is fighting for love and peace. I’m just so thankful to be alive the same time Jordan Peterson is truly.Thank you Jordan Peterson we’re glad you’re here.

[ibrahimalbarwani]

I hope that everyone could engage in conversations as wholesome as this one, where both talking and listening are done with genuine care and respect

[baadimh]

Respect for both, for showing true signs of intelligence. Mad respect.
This is why I also respect Jordan Peterson. He’s all facts and learning everyday like a normal man no huge ego or ignorant mannerisms, and willing to correct himself.

[MuhammadAlichannel]

Thank you doctor Peterson for being an excellent source of honesty and knowledge online for millions of people. I Personally learnt very valuable things from you in the domain of self help. Moreover your genuine concern to make this world a better place and talking about welfare of all is much appreciated. My prayers and best wishes are with you. A soft hearted wise intellectual is very very rare in our era. I pray to God Almighty to always be your guide and keep guiding you to goodness.

[adelinghanayem]

I love how Dr. Peterson acknowledges when he doesn’t know something or have a hard time understanding something what a strong man!

[DMD]

Man what a civil conversation. Thank both of you gentlemen.

[BrandonDanilition]

I’m a Catholic and agree with Islam on this issue of fitra as an instinct to believing in God. I wasn’t raised religious, yet always believed and prayed to the Most High. Incredible video!

[rio-diamante]

By investing just 1.5hrs of their time, these 2 gentlemen will end up changing the opinion of millions of people about each other... This only happen's when there is an absolute cannoning sincerity to want love and peace for the sake of the creator 🙏🏼. To both PJ & MH, thank you for such an egoless genuine discussion...

[tokiralam]

"It's really difficult to understand a culture from outside. You have no idea about how much you don't know"
Mr. Peterson...hats off to you. I wish everyone thought like that.

[mooshamarie]

This is the FIRST interview I have ever seen Mr. Jahid not become militant and overly dominating. It's also the first interview where I've seen such a GOOD and full figured digestion and processing of information coming to such a peaceful and hopeful conclusion with Dr. Peterson becoming emotional at the end of the stressful session and Mr. Jahid actually softening and being very generous and endearing. THIS is a brilliant stride toward finding peaceful common ground between two very powerful men AND their ideologies. Magnificent.

[naiibot]

i don't often leave comments but there was such respect, candid exchange, challenge, and beauty here. thank you to both Mohammed and Jordan for this. commendations (at the time of my reading) to the comment section here as well. we all have the capacity for love, glad to see it in action all around.

[larisat]

"Giving you something to taste, rather than telling you what it's taste like" was very well formulated 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[TheGoharr]

You were already held in high regard by the Muslim community Dr. Peterson. But to be one of the very few people who would have a conversation with mainstream Muslims instead of conversations about them multiplied the respect we have for you.

[kevinodriscoll]

A wonderful discussion. You could see how much mutual respect was evident between the two men…especially at the end where you could see the tears in Jordan’s eyes and hear it in his voice, where I believe he was feeling the gratitude and appreciation from Mohammed and the Muslim community as a whole his works. I learned much from this discussion and thank you both for the display of respect and civility you offered each other.

[jasonsangwin]

This proves to be another example of when you approach a topic in good faith, you can ask any question and learning becomes possible.

[cadnanb]

"O people, spread peace, feed the hungry, and pray at night when people are sleeping and you will enter Paradise in peace."- Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

Thank you Jordan Peterson for bringing on a Muslim to learn about Islam and give the world the opportunity to understand Islam. In times where the world and propaganda train would have everyone believe otherwise, you really have tried to bridge the gap and spread peace. We thank you. Peace

[dobrindobrev]

Jordan Peterson is a true educator. Its so enlightening and informative to listen to his podcasts.
The whole conversation Mohammed Hijab was conducted in the spirit of mutual respect regardless of some disagreement.

[julielynn]

Jesus said, "I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No man comes to the Father except through Me." Much respect and admiration for you both. 💜🔥💜