Often, today’s interpretation of religion comes at the expense of beauty, compassion, and truth. As a result, many Muslim women find themselves caught in a troubling dichotomy. Their faith, rooted in divine mercy and wisdom, has been shaped by decades of cultural and political interpretations that limit their rights and, more subtly, their sense of self. Guilt, fear, and misrepresentation build barriers to the very God described as being closer than one’s jugular vein. So, how did we get here? And more importantly, how do we reclaim the divine beauty that has been lost?
In this episode of The Jamali Bridge Podcast, Eram Saeed is joined by Leena El-Ali, author, researcher, and advocate for a spiritually resonant approach to Islam. Leena’s new book, No Truth Without Beauty, is more than a study of religious texts. It is a humanist call to action; it’s a call for a humane, uplifting, and intellectually honest interpretation of Islam for the modern era. Leena shares her journey of rediscovery, one rooted in scholarship, self-inquiry, and an unwavering pursuit of divine beauty.
Together, they delve into the intersection of Islamic spirituality and women’s rights. Leena offers insights on how to reconnect with divine wisdom and reclaim the beauty inherent in Islam. Now is the time to challenge old narratives, embrace our true spiritual path, and rediscover divine truth. Faith in modern times is not about conforming to external expectations, but about empowering oneself as a woman of faith, aligned with purpose and balance.
Islamic spirituality and the role of women in faith have been central to ongoing discussions in modern times. The intersection of these topics reveals how faith, often rooted in divine wisdom and mercy, has become distorted by cultural and political interpretations. Leena El-Ali, author of No Truth Without Beauty, brings a fresh perspective, encouraging a return to the core values of beauty, compassion, and intellectual honesty within Islam. Through her own journey of rediscovery, Leena challenges the misinterpretations that have restricted women’s rights and, more subtly, their spiritual identities.
This conversation highlights the need for an empowering and truthful understanding of Islam—one that elevates the divine beauty inherent in both faith and practice. By learning the correct teachings of Islam, we can reconnect with a faith that inspires beauty and purpose rather than guilt and restriction.
When discussing the shifts in Muslim culture, Leena highlights the profound impact of the Iranian Revolution and Saudi Arabia’s response in shaping modern religious practices. This geopolitical shift led to the homogenization of cultural and spiritual norms, particularly in terms of women's roles. Women’s traditional attire, once colorful and diverse in places like the Maldives, was replaced with more uniform, conservative clothing, which reflected a shift in the cultural landscape.
This change wasn’t only visual; it carried deeper implications for how women’s identities were shaped by these altered traditions. Beauty has always been important in Islamic practices; for centuries, women’s roles were more inclusive, integrated, and reflective of their spiritual identities. Reclaiming this balance is critical to restoring the original wisdom of Islam.
When it comes to spirituality, beauty is often an overlooked but essential element; beauty serves as a litmus test for truth, offering a way to assess whether a spiritual practice aligns with divine wisdom. Here, we can reflect on the idea that beauty in faith is not superficial but deeply connected to the essence of God’s presence in the world.
For Eram, beauty in spiritual practices is a powerful indicator of authenticity. She shares how, throughout her own journey, she has used beauty as a benchmark to determine whether her faith practices feel aligned with divine truth. This emphasis on beauty has helped her reconnect with a deeper understanding of her faith.
There is a balance between God’s transcendence and closeness to us. This duality of grandeur and immanence has been lost in contemporary interpretations of Islam, which often emphasize the transcendent aspects of God. Unfortunately, they also neglect His closeness and intimate relationship with believers.
Chris adds to the conversation with his perspective on the light of God. He explains how moving closer to God’s light brings joy and clarity, while straying from it leads to suffering. This metaphor reinforces the need to stay connected to God, understanding that both light and beauty are inherent in the divine.
Leena and the hosts discuss various misinterpretations of Islamic teachings, particularly around women’s roles and how the religion has been practiced over time.
The role of women in Islamic society, according to Leena, has been one of the most misinterpreted aspects of the faith. She reflects on how her personal journey shifted when she began to study women’s rights in Islam more deeply, discovering how the Quran elevated women’s roles in society—something that has been overshadowed by patriarchal interpretations.
Leena discusses the Quran’s revolutionary stance on women’s rights, highlighting how it advocated for women to have the same rights as men, including inheritance, education, and participation in community life. She stresses that the original message of Islam empowers women, recognizing them as equals and active contributors to society.
The Quran’s treatment of women was groundbreaking for its time, particularly in how it addressed women’s involvement in commerce, legal matters, and social contributions. Leena emphasizes that Islam was not just about spiritual equality but also about creating a balanced society where both men and women could thrive.
Leena’s spiritual journey is deeply intertwined with her approach to writing and understanding God. She reflects on how she approached writing about God with deep humility, recognizing the responsibility that comes with such a task. Leena shares her experience of prayer and meditation, which have played key roles in helping her stay grounded and aligned with divine wisdom.
Leena also speaks about the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who, in the Quran, is regarded as the highest of all female creations. Her presence has guided Leena in her spiritual practice, serving as a source of strength and inspiration throughout her writing process. This connection with the divine feminine has influenced her approach to both her personal and professional life, reminding her of the importance of trust, surrender, and divine guidance.
It is important to remember that within Islam is the need to reclaim divine beauty and truth. Equally critical to this reclamation is that it must be done through action. Through this conversation, listeners are invited to challenge the misinterpretations that have limited their understanding of faith and to embrace a deeper, more inclusive spiritual journey.
Leena’s insights remind us that Islam, in its truest form, is beautiful, compassionate, and empowering. By reconnecting with the divine beauty of faith, we can restore balance and spiritual alignment in our lives.
Leena El-Ali’s spiritual journey is rooted in her upbringing in Lebanon during the 1970s and 1980s, a time when faith and cultural identity were deeply intertwined. Raised in a Muslim family, Leena was naturally drawn to the beauty and wisdom of her faith. However, as geopolitical events like the Iranian Revolution and the rise of conservative religious movements began reshaping the cultural landscape, Leena started to feel a disconnect between the faith she had grown up with and the increasingly rigid interpretations of Islam that followed.
Determined to reclaim the divine beauty she once felt in her spirituality, Leena embarked on a journey of self-inquiry and intellectual exploration. Her quest led her to challenge the traditional, often restrictive, interpretations of Islamic teachings. Through extensive study and reflection, she came to understand that true Islam, at its core, is rooted in beauty, wisdom, and compassion—elements that had been overshadowed by political and cultural forces over time.
Leena’s transformation culminated in her book, No Truth Without Beauty, where she passionately advocates for a more humane and intellectually honest interpretation of the Quran. Her work calls for a return to the essence of Islam, one that honors both divine beauty and the rights of women. Today, Leena continues to inspire others to reconnect with the true spirit of Islam, encouraging them to reclaim their spiritual identities and embrace the beauty that lies at the heart of their faith.
To learn more about Leena’s work and dive deeper into these powerful insights, check out her book No Truth Without Beauty. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to explore Islam through the lens of compassion, beauty, and spiritual empowerment.“If it's ugly and harsh and cruel … and it makes me fearful all the time, and makes me feel guilty all the time and what not then, surely, it cannot come from God.”
“What I discovered is that when you write about God, you cannot– you have to actually approach it as part of your spiritual practice. You cannot approach it as just another task or just another job.”
“When something creates separation, when you’re feeling separate from God, either you're not understanding the Scripture correctly or something else is going on and your understanding of what's being said is different.”
“Surrender is difficult and it's an ongoing effort.”
“God is integrating women into every aspect of social and economic life.”
Divine beauty has been overshadowed by cultural misinterpretations and rigid practices in modern times. Leena El-Ali shares how reclaiming this beauty was central to her spiritual transformation. As a result, she emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with the true essence of Islam, which is rooted in compassion, wisdom, and balance.
Healing begins when we confront resistance and open ourselves to a deeper understanding of faith. Trust that your journey toward reclaiming your true self has already begun.
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