Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Islamic Thought (Ma‘arif Islami) Book One

This text is the first book presented surrounding Islamic thought and theological topics and the concept of resurrection.

Author(s): Muhammad Sa‘idi-Mihr & Amir Divani

Translator(s): Abuzar Ahmadi

Publisher(s): ABWA Publishing and Printing Center

Table of Contents

Publisher’s Foreword. 6

Foreword. 8

Reference 10

Introduction: Religion in the Modern World  11

Rationalism. 12

Empiricism. 12

Scienticism. 13

Humanism. 13

Cognition Crisis 14

Moral Crises 16

Mental Crises 17

Technology. 18

The Role of Religion in Solving Crises 19

Religion and the Knowledge Crisis 20

Religion and Moral Crises 21

Religion and Mental Crises 21

Religion and the Technology Crisis 22

References 24

Chapter One: God, Humanity And The World

Section One: In Search of the Object of Devotion  27

History of Worship. 27

The Perfection and Excellence of Islamic Theology. 27

A Glimpse of Mundane Religious Theology. 28

Why Theology? 31

The Methods of Realizing God. 31

1. The Way of the Heart 32

2. The Way of Experience 36

3. The Way of Intellect 38

References 43

Section Two:The Path to “Him”. 47

Understanding the Nature of God and His Attributes 48

The Methods of Understanding God. 48

1. Intellect 48

2. Nature 49

3. Investigation of the Natural World. 49

4. Mystical Revelation. 49

5. Referral to the Qur’an and Traditions 49

Understanding Divine Attributes 49

The First Perspective 50

The Second Perspective 50

The Third Perspective 50

Purity and Understandability of Divine Attributes in the Qur’an. 51

1. Unity. 52

2. Divine Knowledge 53

3. Divine Power 55

4. Divine Life 58

5. Past and Future Eternality. 59

6. Divine Wisdom. 60

7. Divine Justice 66

The Definition of Justice 66

General Categorization of Divine Justice 66

Divine Justice in the Holy Qur’an. 67

Several Questions and Answers regarding Theodicy. 67

a) Difference or Discrimination? 67

b) Death and Nonexistence 68

c) Commensurability of Sins with Retribution. 68

d) Divine Justice and Human Suffering. 69

Apophatic Attributes [sifat al-salbi] 70

1. Negation of Corporeality. 70

2. Transcendence of Space and Direction. 70

3. Negation of Incarnation. 70

4. Negation of Unity with Others 70

5. Negation of Visual Perception. 71

References 72

Section Three: Anthropology. 75

Various Branches of Anthropology. 75

The Importance of Anthropology. 75

The Creation of the Human Race 76

Aspects of Humanity’s Being. 76

Humans and Animals 77

1. The Aspiration for Knowledge 78

2. The Aspiration for Beauty. 78

3. Moral Aspiration. 78

4. Aspiration to Worship. 78

The Elect of Creation. 79

1. God’s Vicegerent [Khalifah] upon the Earth. 79

2. The Highest Capacity for Knowledge 79

3. Divine Trusteeship. 80

4. The World as Humankind’s Instrument 80

5. Obeisance of the Angels 80

6. Humanity’s Inherent Honor 80

The Other Side of the Coin. 81

Compulsion or Free Will 82

An Ancient Question. 82

Islamic Theology and Free Will 83

a. Unity in Creation. 83

b. God’s Past Eternal Knowledge 83

c. Generality of the Divine Will 84

Qur’an and Free Will 85

Human Perfection (Teleology) 86

Worship and the Complete Human. 88

Ṣalāt, the Most Beautiful Aspect of Worshiping the Divine 89

Secrets of Ṣalāt 90

1. Wuḍū. 90

2. Call to Prayer [Adhān wa Iqāmah] 90

3. Standing Motionless [qīyām] 91

4. Intention [nīyyat] 92

5. Recitation [qirā’at] 92

6. Bowing [rukū‘] 93

7. Prostration [sajdah] 93

8. Testimony [tashahud] 94

9. Salaam. 94

References 95

Section Four: Cosmology [jahān shināsī] 100

Religious and Scientific Cosmology. 100

The Invisible [ghayb] and the Manifest [shahādat] 101

The Justness [haqq madārī] of the World. 102

Finality of Creation. 103

Best Possible System. 103

Intrinsic Consciousness and Universal Praise [tasbīh al-‘umūmī] 104

God and the Universe 105

Unity in Action. 106

The Natural World. 106

Creation of the Natural World. 107

The Supernatural World. 109

1. Angels 109

2. Jinn. 111

3. Satan [shaytān] 112

References 115

Chapter Two: The Resurrection (Eschatology)

Introduction. 120

In Quest for an Answer 121

1. The Results of Scientific Research and Investigation. 121

2. Revelation. 122

Dependency of these teachings upon objective scientific arguments 123

References 125

Section One: The Human Essence 126

Duality of Humans and Our Rationale 127

Incorporeality of the Soul 128

Aspects of Human Existence in the Qur’an. 129

Commentary and Interpretation. 130

References 132

Section Two: Death. 133

Nature of Death. 133

Death as stated by the Qur’an and Hadith. 135

Fear of Death. 136

Religion and Fear of Death. 137

References 140

Section Three: Philosophical Approaches to Human Immortality  141

1. Corporal Reanimation. 141

2. Subtle or Ethereal Body. 141

a. The Unincorporated [nāmutajassid] Soul 142

B. Metempsychosis (Reincarnation) 143

C. Life in the Barzakh and Qīyāmat (Resurrection) 145

The Quality of Immortality according to Islam. 146

Barzakh. 146

Barzakh Body. 147

Ākhirat Life 148

Ākhirat Body. 149

References 151

Section Four: Life in the Hereafter as stated by the Qur’an  152

The Possibility and Necessity of Resurrection. 152

A. Possibility of the Resurrection. 152

B. Necessity of the Resurrection. 154

Depiction of the Ākhirat in the Qur’an. 156

1. The Events Prior to the Resurrection. 157

2. Winding the Horn. 157

3. Advent of Ākhirat Life 157

4. The Reckoning of Deeds 157

5. Witnesses of Deeds 159

6. Retribution. 160

7. Hell [jahannam] 161

8. Paradise 162

References 163

Publisher’s Foreword

In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful

The invaluable legacy of the Household [Ahl al-Bayt] of the Prophet (may peace be upon them all), as preserved by their followers, is a comprehensive school of thought that embraces all branches of Islamic knowledge. This school has produced many brilliant scholars who have drawn inspiration from this rich and pure resource. It has given many scholars to the Muslim ummah who, following in the footsteps of Imāms of the Prophet’s Household (‘a), have done their best to clear up the doubts raised by various creeds and currents within and without Muslim society and to answer their questions. Throughout the past centuries, they have given well-reasoned answers and clarifications concerning these questions and doubts.

To meet the responsibilities assigned to it, the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly (ABWA) has embarked on a defence of the sanctity of the Islamic message and its verities, often obscured by the partisans of various sects and creeds as well as by currents hostile to Islam. The Assembly follows in the footsteps of the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) and the disciples of their school of thought in its readiness to confront these challenges and tries to be on the frontline in consonance with the demands of every age.

The arguments contained in the works of the scholars belonging to the School of the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) are of unique significance. That is because they are based on genuine scholarship and appeal to reason, and avoid prejudice and bias. These arguments address scholars and thinkers in a manner that appeals to healthy minds and wholesome human nature.

To assist the seekers of truth, the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly has endeavored to present a new phase of these arguments contained in the studies and translations of the works of contemporary Shī‘ah writers and those who have embraced this sublime school of thought through divine blessing.

The Assembly is also engaged in edition and publication of the valuable works of leading Shī‘ah scholars of earlier ages to assist the seekers of the truth in discovering the truths which the School of the Prophet’s Household (‘a) has offered to the entire world.

The Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly looks forward to benefit from the opinions of the readers and their suggestions and constructive criticism in this area.

We also invite scholars, translators and other institutions to assist us in propagating the genuine Islamic teachings as preached by the Prophet Muhammad (S).

We beseech God, the Most High, to accept our humble efforts and to enable us to enhance them under the auspices of Imām al-Mahdī, His vicegerent on the earth (may Allah expedite his advent).

We express our gratitude to Muhammad Sa‘idi-Mehr and Amir Divani, the authors of the present book, and Abuzar Ahmadi, its translator. We also thank our colleagues who have participated in producing this work, especially the staff of the Translation Office.

Cultural Affairs Department

Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) World Assembly

Foreword

We are thankful towards God, the Beneficent, that merely two terms after the first publication of the “Islamic Thought” textbook, the second edition of this book has been completed and thus we present it to our esteemed professors and students.

During this time, various gatherings of experts and professors of the Islamic sciences were formed in order to critique, analyze, and receive corrective and complementary opinions on the concepts and curriculum of the book. Additionally, opinion forms were given out to professors to gather their views and make necessary corrections.

Below is a summary of the proposed changes regarding the first edition:

Correction of the structure of the introduction and coordination of the introduction with the curriculum

Balancing the proportions of the first and second book

Consolidation of the proofs of monotheism (tawhīd) in Book One

Addition of various contemporary Kalām1 discussions related to the curriculum and the subjective concerns of students

Broadening the topic of religious administration and religious vicegerency [wilāyah]

In due regard to those who have graced us with their opinions, the Department of Research and Compilation of Textbooks of the Administration of Professors has made practical corrections to this series. Some of these corrections include:

Publication of the book in two separate volumes: The first volume, entitled “Islamic Thought: Book One”, consists of topics concerning God, humanity, the world, and the afterworld. The second collection, entitled “Islamic Thought: Book Two”, is comprised of the subjects of prophethood [nubuwah], Imamate, religious authority [marja’īah], and religious vicegerency [wilāyah]. The proportions of these books have been adapted to two study units each.

The structure of the introduction has been adapted to conform to the curriculum suggested by the Administration. This modified chapter has been named “Religion in the Modern World” which investigates the crises of modern humanity and related causes and factors and explains the function of religion in resolving these crises.

In the discussion concerning theology, while elucidating the methods of realizing God, the “Kalām Cosmological Argument” has been discussed in detail in the section entitled “The Way of Intellect”

The policy of the Administration regarding introduction of contemporary Kalām discussions into the book was to do so gradually while simultaneously observing the necessary symmetry of the topics. Therefore, issues such as religious experience, benefits of religion, science and religion, and polytheism [kithrat girā’ī] have been introduced and existing materials have been enhanced in the second edition.

In this edition, the discussions concerning eschatology [ma’ād] and Imamate have been revised and the discussions on Imamate have been broadened. Additionally, discussions on religious authority [marja’īah] and religious vicegerency [wilāyah] have been revised in order to increase

content accuracy and adjust the volume of this discussion. Furthermore, we have endeavored to answer all questions concerning these topics.

In spite of all these changes, we believe that not everything required in a study book has been compiled within this series. Although addition of details such as context questions, explanation of important terms, and research topics and references for students was kept in mind, due to timetable issues we have deferred greater detail to a later date.

We hope that, with the help of God, we may soon rewrite this book with improved content and also include current academic debates and better align this book with the characteristics of standard textbooks. Forwarding the opinions of professors, students, and experts will greatly help in quickly and easily creating a more favorable and exemplary book.

Finally, we wish to thank the esteemed authors of this book, Hujjat ul-Islām wa l-Muslimīn Alī Riḍā Amīnī, Doctor Muhsin Javādī, Hujjat ul-Islām wa al-Muslimīn Amīr Dīvānī, and Doctor Muhammad Sa’īdī-Mihr. We also wish to express our thanks to the respected editor Mr. Riḍā Bābā’ī and all those who helped type, correct, and prepare this compilation.

Textbook Writing and Research Unit

Islamic Studies Professors and Courses Affairs Department

Office of the Supreme Leader in the Universities

Reference

1. - Kalam is one of the religious sciences of Islam similar to dialectic theology. [trans.]