What is Religion?

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Discover the mysteries of Picatrix (Ghayat al-Hakim), one of the most influential books of magic ever written. This ancient Arabic text has fascinated mystics, scholars, and occultists for centuries with its unique blend of astrology, alchemy, and Hermetic philosophy. In this episode, we explore its origins, history, and the themes it contains.Thank you to Dr. Saif for appearing in, and helping out with, this video. Check out her excellent work (some of which is listed in the sources below).Find me and my music here:https://linktr.ee/filipholmSupport Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonateAlso check out the Let's Talk Religion Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ih4sqtWv0wRIhS6HFgerb?si=95b07d83d0254bMusic by:Filip HolmSources/Recomended Reading:Attrell, Dan & David Porreca (translated by) (2019). “Picatrix: A Medieval Treatise on Astral Magic”. Pennsylvania State University Press. Fierro, Maribel (1996). “Batinism in al-Andalus: Maslama b. Qasim al-Qurtubi, author of the Rutbat al-Hakim and the Ghayat al-Hakim (Picatrix)”. In “Studia Islamica, 1996/2, 84”. Brill.Melvin-Koushki, Matthew & Noah Gardner (2017). "Islamicate Occultism: New Perspectives". Brill.Pingree, David (1981). “Between the Ghaya and the Pixatrix”. In “Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, Volume 44, 1981”. University of Chicago Press.Saif, Liana (2015). "The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy". Palgrave Macmillan.Saif, Liana; Francesca Leoni; Matthew Melvin-Koushki & Farouk Yahya (2021). "Islamicate Occult Sciences in Theory and Practice". Brill.Savage-Smith, Emily (ed.) (2004). "Magic & Divination in Early Islam". Ashgate Publishing.#Picatrix #magic #occultism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find me and my music here:https://linktr.ee/filipholmSupport Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonateAlso check out the Let's Talk Religion Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ih4sqtWv0wRIhS6HFgerb?si=95b07d83d0254bTranslations of Tahawi from Arabic to Swedish by Khuder. Translation from Swedish to English by me (Filip Holm).Sources/Recomended Reading:Bedir, Murteza (2002). "An Early Response to Shafi'i: Isa b. Aban on the Prophetic Report (Khabar)". Islamic Law and Society. https://doi.org/10.1163/156851902320901170.Clarke, Abdussamad (translated by) (2021). "The Kitab al-Athar of Abu Hanifah". Turath Publishing.El Shamsy, Ahmed (2013). "The Canonization of Islamic Law: A Social and Intellectual History". Cambridge University Press.Gohlman, William E. (translated by) (1974). "The Life of Ibn Sina: A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation". State University of New York Press.Haider, Najam (2012). "The Origins of the Shi'a: Identity, Ritual and Sacred Space in Eighth Century Kufa". Cambridge University Press.Haider, Najam (2013). "Contesting Intoxication: Early Juristic Debates over the Lawfulness of Alcoholic Beverages". In Islamic Law and Society 20 (2013) 48-89. Brill. Hallaq, Wael (2004). "The Origins and Evolution of Islamic Law". Cambridge University Press. Hallaq, Wael (2009). "Sharia: Theory, Practice, Transformations". Cambridge University Press. Khan Nyazee, Imran Ahsan (translated by) (2000). "The Distinguished Jurist's Primer: Bidayat Al-Mujtahid Wa Nihayat Al-Muqtasid." Vol. 1-2. Garnet Publishing.Wyman-Landgraf, Umar F. Abd-Allah (2013). "Malik and Medina: Islamic Reasoning in the Formative Period". Brill.al-Tahawi's "al-Mukhtasar". Arabic version.Arabic citations:"محمد قال: أخْرنا ابو حنيفة عن حمّاد عنْ إبراهيم قال: (ما أَسْكر كَثِيرُه فقليله حرامٌ) خَطَأٌ من الناس، إنما أرَادوا السّكرُ حَرامٌ من كلِّ شراب" (Shaybani's Kitab al-Athar, section 843)"محمد قال: أخْرنا ابو حنيفة عن حمّاد قال: كنت أتقي النبيذ، فدخلْت على إبراهيم وهو يطعم، فطعمت معه، فاوتي قدحا من نبيذ، فلما رأى إبطائي عنه قال: حدّثني علقمة ، عن عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه أنه كان ربما طعم عنده ، ثم دعا نبيذ له تنبذه سيرين أم ولد عبد الله، فشرب وسقاني "(Shaybani's Kitab al-Athar, section 832)"محمد قال: أخْرنا ابو حنيفة عن حمّاد عنْ إبراهيم: أن عمر رضي الله عنه أتي بأعرابي قد سكر، فطلب له عذرا، فلمّا أعياه(لذهاب عقل) قال: احبسوه ، فإذا صحا فاجلدوه، ودعا بفضلة فضلت في إداوته، فذاقها فإذا نبيذ شديد تمنع ، فدعا بماء فكسره، (و كان عمر رضي الله عنه يحب الشراب الشديد) فشرب ، و سقى جلساءه، ثم قال: هذا اكسروه بالماء إذا غلبكم شيطانه.قال محمد: وبه نأخذ ، وهو قول أبي حنيفة رحمه الله تعالى."(Shaybani's Kitab al-Athar, section 835) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find me and my music here:https://linktr.ee/filipholmSupport Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonateAlso check out the Let's Talk Religion Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ih4sqtWv0wRIhS6HFgerb?si=95b07d83d0254b Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who were the Sabians (Ṣābi’ūn) mentioned in the Quran? Were they a mysterious religious community, early monotheists, Mandaeans, star-worshippers, or something else entirely? In this video, we explore the fascinating question of the identity of the Sabians, drawing on Islamic sources, Quranic references, historical accounts, and scholarly debates.Music by Filip Holm (me)Find me and my music here:https://linktr.ee/filipholmSupport Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonateAlso check out the Let's Talk Religion Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ih4sqtWv0wRIhS6HFgerb?si=95b07d83d0254bSources/Recommended Reading:Gunduz, Sinasi (1994). "The Knowledge of Life: The Origins and Early History of the Mandaeans and Their Relation to the Sabians of the Qur'an and to the Harranians". Oxford University Press.Van Bladel, Kevin (2009). "The Arabic Hermes: From Pagan Sage to Prophet of Science". OUP USA.Van Bladel, Kevin (2017). "From Sasanian Mandaeans to Sabians of the Marshes". Brill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices