SHIITE STUDIES
Year:2009 | Volume:7 | Issue:1 (25)|Papers Count:8

This paper attempts to provide readers with a collection of Islamic and Shi'ite hādith on human social life in a systematic and logical order, as required by the modem literature on sociology and social philosophy. It helps students and graduates of sociology and related subjects to be able to use the rich sources of hadith.

Ibn Abi al-Hadid, commenting on Nahj al-Balgha, has devoted a large part of his Sharh-i Nahj al-Balgha to historical debates. As Islamic society lost a significant part of its cultural heritage due to the Mogul invasion, ibn Abi al-Hadid's book played an important role in conveying historical accounts of the previous Islamic periods to the next era of Muslim civilization. Hence, an examination of his rationalist approach to historiography is of paramount importance. This article is a review of ibn Abi al- Hadid's historiography, his method and approach.

The Islamic Revolution of Iran, under the leadership of Imam Khomeini, has been one of the most important events of the second half of the Twentieth Century, whose impacts have not been confined to the national boundaries of Iran. The Islamic Revolution has promoted self-awareness among Muslim, and particularly Shi'ite communities, especially those in the Middle East. The Revolution has introduced the Shi'ite faith to the world. As a result, Shi'ite communities in various parts of the Middle East formed their own political parties and organizations to play a part in the political lives of their own societies. In this paper, the authors assess various aspects of the politicization of Shi'ite communities from a geopolitical point of view.

Imam 'Ali's personality, virtues and piety has been acknowledged by all Muslim denominations, as his attributes have been mentioned in most hadith collection by various Muslim schools. This paper is an attempt to shed a light on Imam 'Ali's virtues on the basis of Sunni authorities of hadith. This article consists of three parts in each different aspects of Iman 'Ali's personality have be considered; first, the Qur'anic sura on 'Ali; second, virtues attributed to him; and finally, his deeds.

The issue of child custody has been debated among Muslim faqihs and jurists for a long period of time. In this paper, the author argues that child custody is a type of guardianship that God Almighty has conferred upon parents, fathers and then mothers. It is not a "right", which can be waived, but it is an "obligation" that parents must fulfill. There are, however, specific parental duties that can be waived, as mothers can refrain from breastfeeding their children. Also, under certain circumstance, the Shari'a allows the abrogation of custodianship duties. It has been proved that natural parents, and not the Islamic state or society as a whole, are responsible for the custody of their illegitimate children. Such children ought to be treated as legitimate children, thought they do not inherit any property from their parents.

In this article, the authors provide an analytical assessment of the 'Ashura event, without focusing on the details. For this purpose, four elements of devotion to God, revolution, defense, and reform are considered, while the attention has been paid to the social and cultural background of Imam's uprising and the rationality behind it. A rationalistic approach to the 'Ashura uprising has been followed in this paper, emphasizing doctrinal and kalami viewpoints.

With the coming to power of the Qājārs, Shi'ite 'ulamā's political thought has developed significantly, as cooperation between the osuli 'ulamā and the early kings of the Qajars expanded, aiming at resisting the foreign invaders and the spread of the Akhbāri, the Sufi and the Shaykhi beliefs. The Qajars not only had a religious tendency, but also needed the support of the 'ulamli in order to provide themselves with legitimacy. Mirzā-i Qomi, known as Mohaqiq-i Qomi and the author of al-Qawānin, was respected by Aqā Mohammad Khān and Fath 'Ali Shah, the first two rulers of the Qajar dynasty. Qomi sent several letters to the kings, requesting them to observe the Shari'a and the principles of justice. His political thought and his account of the Islamic state can be traced in these letters. In this paper, Mirzā-i Qomi's political activities and writings are considered.