Journal of Razavi Culture

Abstract The rise of the Safavids and the subsequent formalization of the Shiism in Iran created a lot of cultural changes that still remains to this day. The Safavid kings used several tools in this way, one of which was the development of Shi'i religious sites. Undoubtedly, the most important religious place in Iran was the holy shrine of Imam Riḍā (as). 
The shrine of ‘Alī ibn Mūsā al-Riḍā (as), considering that it was within the borders of the Safavid realm, and the Safavids attributed themselves to the Prophet (pbuh) through Imam Mūsā Kāzim (as), therefore, the shrine of Imam Riḍā has faced with a special position in relation to the other Imams’ graves (as). Hence, the Safavid kings paid much attention to this sacred threshold and took advantage of the capacities of that place to promote Shiism.
This study attempts to explain the role of Raḍavī shrine in the context of the Safavid religious policy to promote Shiism, as a case study of the functions of this place in the development of Shiism.
In this paper, the position of this place in the historiography of Safavid era will be reviewed in order to achieve a good understanding of this issue. Historical reports indicate the great attention of the Safavid kings to this holy shrine, and pilgrimage, entreat (tawassul), worship and retreat (’Itikaf) and burial in the shrine, etc. are among the issues that are of interest to the historians.

Abstract At present, the increasing spread of human tendency to divine beliefs and religion has led various communities to show more willingness to attend religious sites and pilgrimage. On the other hand, the phenomenon of aging in the modern world, and especially in Iran, is increasing due to the demographic factors of the population due to the decrease in births and mortality. Iran is known as a religious country. The ever-increasing presence of pilgrims and elderly worshipers in religious places of the country, and the requirement for accountability and service tailored to this category, requires special attention to the needs of the elderly in these places.
This study uses data from interviews with selected elites in Āstān Quds Raḍavī, and the qualitative method of data theorizing, and using the software "Max Q D A" seeks to provide a conceptual model to meet the needs of the elderly in twelve categories corresponding to the five basic human needs in William Glasser’s choice theory.
This study has provided models for increasing security of life, and physical and mental needs of the elderly in terms of the need to survive; and the sense of belonging and emotional attachment, the physical contact in terms of the need for love and a sense of belonging and success; and the desired behavior and respect for the elderly in terms of the need for power; and gentleness of conduct and non-disturbance with regard to the pilgrim and the freedom to choose and creativity for the elderly in terms of the need for freedom; and finally, being with others for worship, staying in religious places and repeating pilgrimage in terms of the need to have fun.

Abstract Although Raḍavī's Holy Shrine is itself the source of the emergence of Raḍavī's culture, as well as the continuation of the culture of affection of the Ahl al-Bayt (as), and throughout the history and at critical levels, it has been a very influential religious movement in the stability as well as the spread of Shī'a culture, but the greatness and dignity of this holy place has not been considered as good as it is. Meanwhile, what is most evident is the lack of cultural education and the pilgrimage rituals to the shrine of the Infallible Imams (as). Every year, the enthusiasts of the pilgrimage of the shrine of Imam Riḍā (as) offer a great opportunity to the authorities and cultural custodians of the country, which, on one hand, the love and affection of the Shiites create a very favorable context for the pure Qur'ānic and Ahl al-Bayt culture, that the attention, planning and necessary and inclusive training, lead to the cultural development and consent of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) and achieve divine satisfaction and success; and, on the other hand, neglecting this very important issue is the violation of the right of infallible Imams and disrespect to the sanctity of these magnanimities, deprivation of dignity and lack of enjoyment of divine success.
This research, based on the Qur'ānic verses and sayings of infallibles Imams (as), and analytical method, in the first stage, intends to explain the necessity of recognizing the infallible Imam (as), and the serious need to provide higher education and knowledge about the status of Ahl al-Bayt (as), and examine the various aspects of pilgrimage anthropology, and pilgrimage impact on general culture and social cohesion; and it reviews in particular, the need to pay attention to "cultural and social requirements", and observing the pilgrimage rituals of the Holy Shrine of Imam Riḍā (as).

Abstract Recognizing the status of man and studying his various dimensions and characteristics is one of the central issues in the teachings of divine religions, especially Islam and human schools, and many efforts and strategies have been made to reach him for his ultimate bliss based on dignity and esteem. Dignity means honor, esteem and venerable, that is the subject of discussion and confrontation  between Islam and human sciences. The aim of this study was to review the dimensions and effects of human dignity from Imam Riḍā's viewpoint and psychology, using library documents and resources and descriptive-analytic method of content analysis type, to examine the human dignity from the standpoint of both perspectives.
 The results of this study shows that from Imam Reza’s viewpoint, the origin of human dignity is inherent and dependent on the divine spirit and has a spiritual and transcendent orientation, and its aim is to reach the Divine proximity and be the caliph of Allah on the earth, which through the centrality of God's servants, comes from potentiality to actuality. But in psychology, self-esteem is derived from inward and outward factors, its origins are needs (shortcomings), and its purpose is to meet the needs of the material environment and to flourish the human capacity for success and progress.

Abstract Explaining the quality of divine knowledge, especially the knowledge before creation, is one of the most important and difficult issues of divine wisdom. The most valuable narrations of the infallible Imams (as) in each period represent this profound knowledge, which, due to the miraculous nature of its system, has led to a disagreement among scholars in meaning, ranging from low to deep levels. Ṣadr al-Muta'lihīn is the founder of a new and innovative way of describing the traditions of monotheistic theology from the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt (as), as he causes the opponents and supporters to challenge, and influenced by him, describing on "Uṣūl Kāfī" continues. The explanation of narratives about divine knowledge, especially the quality of "knowledge before the creation", has many difficulties. Some explanations are not based on any firm basis, but they are established on elimination of the problem itself instead of solving the problem. In this regard, the separatists, in their explanation, have taken the principle of existence to be eliminated, and they have referred to it as "Knowledge without Known Object", and they considered it as the exact phrase in the traditions: “knowledgeable when there is no known object ". This phrase has been quoted first from Amīr al-Mu'minīn, and then Imam Bāqir and Imam Ṣādiq, and finally from Imam Riḍā (peace be upon them). The separatists effort in rejecting and delivering attitude is summarized by the explanation of Ṣadr al-Muta'lihīn and the magnification of their views. Their imitators, in the same way, have promoted their opinion and criticized the rival theory. In order to find out and benefit from the content of these narratives, the separatists’ claims in this regard have been analyzed.

Abstract Freethinking seats as a process based on the rationality and utilization of wisdom in order to realize the software movement and the comprehensive development of the country has always been a matter for many thinkers and intellectuals, and is one of the most widely used terms in the scientific and political dialogues of the current Iranian society. The realization and development of this idea has faced many challenges and obstacles.
The main obstacle to the realization of this idea is the lack of a strategic model based on Shi'a-Islamic teachings, and thereby to identify the damages and overcome the existing challenges. By reviewing the Islamic teachings and the traditions of the infallible Imams (as), it is clear that the best example of the proper holding of freethinking seats is the exclusive debates of Imam Riḍā (as) with the elders of religions. For this purpose, this study based on descriptive-analytic and using the historical and narrative books, seeks to recognize the challenges facing freethinking seats to provide their dynamics and prosperity, focusing on the debates of Imam Riḍā (as) and analysis of its components.

Abstract Optimal governance and rule has always been a matter of Shiite discussion. The Shiite religion refers to Thaqalain to explain the good religious government and attempts to obtain the elements of an optimal government from traditions of the Prophet’s progeny (as) after reading the Qur’ān and explaining the concepts of governance in it. Imam Riḍā (as) crown prince is one of the most important periods in extracting the most important components of a good religious government. Imam Riḍā (as) tried to implement Islamic law during his rule. This research seeks to answer this question. What are the most important components of an optimal government from Imam Riḍā’s perspective? The main issue of the research is that what was considered by Imam Riḍā (as) at the Abbasid court as components for the Islamic state? The present study uses a descriptive-analytical method and utilizes library resources to study different periods of his leadership and has extracted the most important components of the optimal state from his perspective.
The Hermeneutic Intentionalism method by Quentin Skinner forms the theoretical framework for this study, according to which the time of Imam Riḍā (as) is described. Then, the important concepts of a good government have been explained from Imam Riḍā’s perspective. Of course, one should point out that the most important components of a good government from his point of view, as expressed in this article, are merely the possible components of the present paper's authors in the viewpoint of Imam Riḍā (as), and, otherwise, he has never directly expressed such components for the desirability of Islamic rule.