Dr. Bilal Ansari Contributes to Book on Divine Revelation and Communication

Dr. Bilal Ansari, Director of the Islamic Chaplaincy Program and Co-Director of the Master of Arts in Chaplaincy, has contributed a chapter on Muslim pastoral theology to the newly released book Divine Revelation and Communication: Contemporary Muslim Theological Approaches. This volume is the first publication from the International Foundation for Muslim Theology (IFMT).

Established in 2018, the IFMT was born out of a pressing concern: the diminishing presence of discussions about God—the Creator-created relationship—in both Muslim public discourse and academic circles. Dedicated to revitalizing theological engagement, the IFMT fosters excellence in the study and teaching of Muslim theology, encompassing both speculative and pastoral dimensions. 

This collection of essays recenters “God-talk” in Muslim thought and daily life, addressing one of the most essential yet overlooked questions of our time: How does God speak to us, and how do we speak of and to Him? Designed for scholars, students, and spiritual seekers alike, the book is now available for free download. 

“This project explored issues about one of humankind’s central psycho-spiritual concerns, namely the notion of Divine communication,” Dr. Bilal said.

Reflecting on his contribution, he added, “At Hartford International University, I teach Muslim Pastoral Theology, and it was an honor to be invited to share what I teach in such an important book.”

Dr. Bilal expressed gratitude to Dr. Tubanur Y. Ozkan of Germany, Head of Operations at the IFMT and an alum of Hartford Seminary, now Hartford International University, for extending the invitation to participate.

Through his chapter, Dr. Bilal hopes readers will engage with his response to a pivotal question: “How can our prophetic figures be understood as sources of pastoral theology and practical wisdom?”

Encouraging deeper exploration, he said, “So, I encourage you to study more deeply at HIU to discover your answer.”

Congratulations, Dr. Bilal!