The Islamic Moses: Jewish-Muslim Relations Through Historical Lens

Mustafa EOL's book reveals how Moses serves as a vital link fostering cooperation and understanding between Jews and Muslims.

### The Islamic Moses: Uncovering the Shared Legacy of Jews and Muslims
* 📖 Mustafa EOL, a prominent opinion writer for the New York Times, discusses his recently published book, "**The Islamic Moses: How the Prophet Inspired Jews and Muslims to Flourish Together and Change the World**," focusing on the significance of Moses in both **Islam and Judaism**.
* 🕌 The book highlights that **Moses is mentioned 137 times** in the Quran, making him a **central figure**, while Muhammad is mentioned only **four times**, emphasizing the **importance of Moses as a role model for Muslims**.
* 🤝 EOL argues that Islam shares a **deep connection with Judaism**, often overlooked due to modern geopolitical conflicts, and suggests that there exists a **Judeo-Islamic tradition** that reflects **mutual respect and cooperation**.
* 📜 The narrative of Moses in the Quran serves as a **source of inspiration for Muslims**, particularly during their **persecution in Mecca**, illustrating the historical parallels between their struggles and those faced by Moses and the Israelites.
* 🌍 EOL addresses the complexity of Jewish-Muslim relations throughout history, noting that the current conflicts are often mischaracterized as **ancient hatreds**, when in fact they stem from **modern nationalist ideologies**.
* 🕊 In his epilogue titled "The Darkest Hour," EOL reflects on the painful context of writing the book during the Gaza War, emphasizing the **need for understanding and cooperation between Jews and Muslims** rather than division.
* 📚 He urges readers to recognize the historical moments of friendship and collaboration between Jews and Muslims, advocating for a narrative that **transcends current tensions and highlights a shared heritage**.
* ⚖ EOL's exploration of the historical relationship between Judaism and Islam challenges readers to **rethink the dynamics of their interactions**, suggesting that a **deeper understanding of their common roots** can pave the way for **future coexistence**.

### Exploring the Connections Between Judaism and Islam: Law, History, and Modernity
* 📚 The discussion highlights the complexities of teaching Islamic law and its role in students' understanding of Islam, particularly in the context of **American discourse surrounding Sharia**.
* 🤝 The speaker emphasizes the similarities between Halakha in Judaism and Sharia in Islam, noting that both legal traditions encompass **daily practices and community life** rather than merely punitive measures.
* 🔍 Acknowledging historical influences, the speaker references scholars who have described Islam as an **extension of Judaism**, suggesting that both religions share foundational aspects of **law as a means to express devotion to God**.
* 📜 The evolution of Jewish law, particularly through figures like Maimonides, illustrates a **rationalist approach** that seeks to **understand the intentions behind the law**, a concept that resonates with **contemporary discussions in Islamic thought**.
* 🌍 The speaker contrasts the historical experiences of Jews and Muslims, noting that Jews have navigated minority status without a theocratic state, which has fostered a **diversity of thought and practice** within Judaism.
* 🕌 The narrative of Jewish scholars in the 19th century who engaged with Islamic studies reflects a broader intellectual trend of **admiration for Islamic civilization**, showcasing a nuanced relationship between the two faiths.
* 🇹🇷 The conversation also touches on the complexities of Jewish life in the Ottoman Empire, suggesting that historical contexts can inform present-day discussions about **pluralism and coexistence** in Turkey.
* 💭 Ultimately, the speaker expresses hope for a future in Turkey that embraces both its **Ottoman heritage** and a **modern pluralistic identity**, advocating for a society that values both **religious and cultural diversity**.

Mustafa Akyol [II]: The Islamic Moses | The Biblical Prophet Through Muslim Eyes

Exploring the Quran and the Bible

The Islamic Moses: A Distinct Role in Islam

Moses is the most mentioned figure in the Quran, with his name appearing 137 times, while Muhammad's name is mentioned only four times.

The struggle between Moses and the Pharaoh dominates many Meccan chapters, reflecting the oppression faced by early Muslims.

The book explores the deep connection between Islam and Judaism, highlighting a shared tradition and the role of Moses as a paradigmatic figure for Muhammad.

The Theocratic Experience: Parallels and Tensions

The conquests of Canaan and the Islamic empire draw parallels, raising questions for Jews and Muslims about the theocratic experience.

Moses and Muhammad are seen as great men with political missions, while Jesus's role is different, marked by earthly defeat.

The Quran's perspective on Jesus's crucifixion engages in a polemic with Medan Jews, highlighting the complex historical relationships between Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

The Painful Experience of Writing During the Gaza War

The author's book, completed in September 2023, aimed to contribute to peaceful efforts between Muslims and Jews but was overshadowed by the October 7 terrorist attacks and the subsequent devastation in Gaza.

The author argues that the conflict is not rooted in ancient hatreds but is a product of modern nationalism, calling for a shared approach to the land between Israelis and Palestinians.

Despite facing criticism for promoting solidarity and friendship, the author emphasizes the importance of understanding each other's anxieties and building alliances to end the violence.

The Ottoman Empire's Role in Jewish History

The Ottoman Empire provided refuge and a safe haven for Jews fleeing persecution in Europe, particularly after 1492.

The empire was home to a diverse population, including Jews, Arabs, and Greeks, and played a significant role in protecting Jews from anti-Semitism.

The narrative of Jewish contributions to the Ottoman Empire and the mutual coexistence of Muslims and Jews challenges the modern perception of their relationship and offers a more nuanced understanding of history.

The Historical Encounter Between Muslims and Jews in Medina

The relationship between Muslims and Jews in Medina began with a political covenant, allowing both groups to practice their religions under Muhammad's leadership.

However, tensions arose due to perceived betrayal and alliances with Muhammad's enemies, leading to the expulsion and execution of some Jewish tribes.

The conflict was primarily political, influenced by the broader geostrategic struggle between the Byzantines and the Sasanids, rather than purely religious.

Jewish beliefs have at times elevated Enoch to a semi-Divine figure, a view considered heretical by mainstream Judaism.

The Quran acknowledges the diversity within the Jewish community, suggesting that not all are the same.

The relationship between law and religion is a significant aspect of both Islam and Judaism, with Sharia often misunderstood in American discourse.

The Connection Between Jewish and Islamic Law

Jewish and Islamic laws, Halakha and Sharia, are similar in their content and purpose, focusing on daily practices and communal codes.

Both religions share common dietary laws, making it easy for Jews and Muslims to coexist.

The evolution of Halakha in Judaism and its comparison with Sharia raises questions about the role of religious law in modern democracy and individual freedom of conscience.

The Interplay of Law and God's Will in Judaism and Islam

The law in both Judaism and Islam is rooted in the desire to understand and follow God's will, but the approach to its application differs.

While Jewish law tends to be more theoretical, with a focus on studying and understanding, Islamic law is often applied to practical, everyday situations.

The diversity within both religions is significant, with different interpretations and practices, but the absence of a state imposing one view in Judaism has led to a more tolerant coexistence compared to the more rigid legalism observed in some Muslim communities.

The Influence of German-Jewish Scholars on Islamic Studies

German-speaking Jews in the 19th century developed a unique admiration for Islam and Islamic societies, playing a significant role in the intellectual trends of the time.

The construction of synagogues in a Moorish style in Europe and the US reflected this admiration and the idea of Jews belonging to the East.

German-Jewish Orientalists, motivated by a shared Semitic heritage and anti-Semitic sentiments in Europe, offered sympathetic and respectful depictions of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, challenging the dominant narratives of Orientalism.

Leopold Weiss, a Jewish scholar, converted to Islam and became a prominent Quran commentator and translator.

His modernist perspective on Hadiths highlighted the intra-sectarian divisions in Islam.

The Ottoman Empire offered a complex but often favorable environment for Jews, in contrast to the Christians, due to the latter's association with major opposing powers.

The Ottoman Empire was a diverse mosaic of peoples, and despite its collapse and violent suppressions, Jews never rebelled against the Ottomans and often sided with them.

This unique relationship led to Jews being exempt from Turkish nationalism and persecution.

The narrative of Jewish conspiracy is challenged, highlighting the complex dynamics of minority survival and strategic alliances throughout history.

The Legacy of the Ottoman Empire and Its Impact on Pluralism

The Ottoman Empire's Tanzimat period saw reforms like equal citizenship for Jews and Christians, the abolition of apostasy laws, and a focus on women's education.

The author's work emphasizes the importance of pluralism and the positive aspects of Ottoman history, while also acknowledging its darker moments.

The author has written several books advocating for rationalism, religious liberty, and the commonalities between Jews and Muslims, with a vision for a more inclusive future.