Mohammad Hassan Khalil

khalilmo@msu.edu
(517) 884-4463

731 Wells Hall
619 Red Cedar Rd
East Lansing, MI 48824

FacultyReligious Studies

Professor
Director of Muslim Studies

Islamic Thought; Interreligious Relations; Qur’anic Studies; Islamic Historiography; US Muslim Communities

Biography

Mohammad Hassan Khalil is a Professor of Religious Studies, an adjunct Professor of Law, and the Director of the Muslim Studies Program. Before returning to his hometown of East Lansing, Michigan, he was an Assistant Professor of Religion and visiting professor of Law at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He specializes in Islamic thought and is author of Islam and the Fate of Others: The Salvation Question (Oxford University Press, 2012; Indonesian translation published in 2016; Albanian translation forthcoming) and Jihad, Radicalism, and the New Atheism (Cambridge University Press, 2017); and editor of Between Heaven and Hell: Islam, Salvation, and the Fate of Others (Oxford University Press, 2013) and Muslims and US Politics Today: A Defining Moment (ILEX and Harvard University Press, 2019). He is also the lead investigator of the Muslims of the Midwest digital archive (muslimsofthemidwest.org); coproducer, codirector, and cowriter of the documentary film, American Jedi: The Salman Hamdani Story (Alexander Street, 2023); and co-PI of a project funded by Templeton Religion Trust entitled “Science, Art and Faith: Architectural Heritage and Islam.” He has presented papers at various national and international conferences and has published peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on various topics, from early Islamic historiography to bioethics. In 2024, he received the William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award, which recognizes excellence across the mission of the university.

Education

Ph.D., University of Michigan 2007

M.A., University of Michigan 2004

B.A. with High Distinction, University of Michigan 2001

Principal Scholarly Interests

Islamic Thought, Interreligious Relations, Qur’anic Studies, Islamic Historiography, US Muslim Communities

Courses

REL 330 Islam

REL 430 The Qur’an and Its Interpreters

REL 432 Modern Muslim Thought

LAW 545F Introduction to Islamic Law

University News

Faculty Award Winners Recognized for Outstanding Achievement
Published September 19, 2023 in College of Arts & Letters
A composite photo of three different head shots.
The College of Arts & Letters honored its 2023 Faculty Award winners at the College’s Faculty and Staff Welcome Reception on Sept. 18 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.The four…Read now »
Muslim American 9/11 Hero Subject of Film by MSU Religious Studies Professor
Published September 8, 2023 in College of Arts & Letters
It has been 22 years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. As we reflect upon the events from that day and mourn the tragic loss of life, we also remember the heroes. The story of one…Read now »
Religious Studies Major Goes Above and Beyond to Volunteer
Published May 3, 2023 in College of Arts & Letters
Michigan State University senior Rana Omar believes in giving back to the community. For four straight years, the Honors College student, who will graduate with a B.A. in…Read now »
MSU Receives Templeton Religion Trust Grant for Islamic Architecture, Science, and Interreligious Relations Project
Published April 18, 2022 in College of Arts & Letters
Michigan State University has received a $228,000 grant from the Templeton Religion Trust to fund a multi-year, multi-national, multi-faceted research project on “Science, Art and Faith:…Read now »
Campus Partners Collaborate to Combat Islamophobia and Antisemitism
Published April 18, 2022 in College of Arts & Letters
The rise in anti-Muslim and antisemitic attacks over the last several years has prompted two campus leaders and faculty members to join forces to educate the Spartan community about the harm caused…Read now »
How Religions Around the World Are Keeping the Faith During COVID-19
Published April 6, 2020 in College of Arts & Letters
a person praying
COVID-19 has rocked everyday life for people around the world, requiring religious communities to shift worship at a time that many consider the most holiest of the year. Daily and weekly…Read now »
Four Faculty Members Promoted to Full Professor
Published November 20, 2019 in College of Arts & Letters
Brown brick building surrounded by green and red trees in front of blue sky
The College of Arts & Letters is pleased to honor Kristie Dotson, Christopher Frilingos, Mohammad Khalil, and Kyle Whyte who each have been promoted to full professor. They were recognized…Read now »
2018 College of Arts & Letters Alumni Board Awards Presented
Published April 17, 2018 in College of Arts & Letters
close-up of flowers with a blue sky and brick building in the background
The College of Arts & Letters celebrated its outstanding faculty, staff, and students for their accomplishments in teaching, research, and community impact at the 2018 MSU College of Arts &…Read now »
2017 Excellence in Diversity Awards
Published February 7, 2017 in College of Arts & Letters
Michigan State University sign in the winter
MSU faculty, staff and students who have demonstrated their efforts toward a more diverse and inclusive community will be honored at the 2017 All-University Excellence in Diversity Recognition…Read now »
All-University Faculty Award Recipients 2014-2015
Published July 11, 2016 in College of Arts & Letters
a arched window with vines growing on it
Congratulations to the three College of Arts & Letters faculty members that were announced as 2014-2015 All-University Award Recipients! See the full list of recipients. Recipients…Read now »
Examining Social and Cultural Unrest
Published April 18, 2016 in College of Arts & Letters
Mohammad Khalil lecturing
Many people assume Osama bin Laden killed Americans on Sept. 11 because most Americans are non-Muslim, but his primary motivation was actually a warped eye-for-an-eye…Read now »
Global Digital Humanities Symposium
Published March 9, 2016 in College of Arts & Letters
global digital humanities symposium poster
MSU Hosting First Global Digital Humanities Symposium MSU’s Digital Humanities Program is hosting its first symposium on global digital humanities with a focus on the Global South on April…Read now »
Exploring the History of Muslims
Published November 3, 2015 in College of Arts & Letters
a man giving a presentation with his hands making gestures
“You can’t really understand the world without understanding religion,” says Dr. Mohammad Khalil, Director of the Muslim Studies Program and associate professor in the Department of Religious…Read now »
MSU College of Arts & Letters Dean Chris Long: Offering a Holistic Understanding of the Human Condition
Published October 28, 2015 in College of Arts & Letters
picture of a red brick building with trees around
“The arts and humanities really saturate everything we do here on campus,” MSU College of Arts & Letters dean Chris Long tells Michigan State University…Read now »