Biblical Women in the Quran: A Retelling
FALL 2026 Lecture Series
Hadia Mubarak
Biblical Women in the Quran: A Retelling
October 21, 2026 - 12:00PM (EST) - 1 hour
Description
From first mothers and queens to saints and temptresses, the female figures of the Hebrew Bible, New Testament and Qur’an are represented in complex and multifaceted ways, reflecting a spectrum of human experiences and struggles. Centering the female figures of the scriptural narratives that formulate the sacred history of the Abrahamic faith communities, this lecture will explore both the Qur’an and its interpretive tradition’s retelling of three significant figures: the mother of Moses; Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ; and Hagar, the wife of Abraham and mother of Ishmael. In doing so, we explore the question, what are the broader implications of the Qur’an’s retelling of these narratives?
A working command of the vocabulary of Islamic metaphysics — wujūd, māhiyya, the gradation of being — used precisely, not loosely.
The capacity to read primary texts of Ibn Sīnā and Mullā Ṣadrā with comprehension rather than reverence alone.
An understanding of why the tradition treats metaphysics as the science of realities — and what that claim asks of the knower.
Direct exchange with Professor Nasr in open Q&A after every session — the part no book can replace.
