Journal of Razavi Culture

Abstract  
A significant portion of Imam Reza’s (a) hadiths is dedicated to the subject of Imamate. Thus, examining these hadiths from various perspectives is of considerable importance. This article aims, using a historical approach, to identify the components of Imamate from the Imam’s viewpoint and to understand their connection to the historical context of his time. Accordingly, the research question here is: what meaningful relationship exists between the historical context contemporary with Imam Ali ibn Musa (a) and the thematic diversity of the hadiths on Imamate attributed to him?
Based on the political and cultural atmosphere of the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries AH, it is evident that issues of leadership and Imamate in the Islamic community were still among the most contentious challenges among Islamic sects and denominations. Consequently, the numerous hadiths of Imam Reza (a) on the topic of Imamate are directly related to the crises and challenges of his time, including issues of caliphate and elective leadership, the permissibility of appointing a lesser figure over a more qualified one, the prioritization of caliphs, intra-Shi’a sects, and extremist factions. Among the Imam’s most significant actions to address these doubts and challenges was establishing the legitimacy of the Imamate of Ahl al-Bayt (a) by focusing on the components of divine appointment and the elevated status of the Imams, the virtues and superiority of Imam Ali (a), knowledge and infallibility, divine authority, and the obligatory obedience to the Imam. Each of these components clearly reflects Imam Ali ibn Musa’s (a) views on the differences, weaknesses, and errors in the perspectives of contemporary sects.

Abstract The belief in the afterlife and Resurrection is a fundamental tenet of theistic religions, and even non-theistic faiths exhibit variations of this belief. This study examines the life and teachings of Imam Reza (P.B.U.H) through a novel lens, focusing on the foundational beliefs concerning the afterlife. It seeks to answer the question of whether Imam Reza’s methods of interacting with his audience were systematically engineered or adapted to specific circumstances. Moreover, the study explores the applicability of his methods to the contemporary era. Through a systematic analysis of the Imam’s life and teachings, this research concludes that his methods of preaching, admonition, and counsel—aimed at preparing individuals for the afterlife, promising heavenly rewards, and warning against hellfire—were consistently employed to impart knowledge. The Imam’s innovative approach involved a synthesis of intuitive, rational, empirical, and scriptural methods, leveraging the innate human desire for salvation and employing universal tools such as reason and intuition. His frequent use of sacred texts in dialogues and debates further enhanced his ability to convey religious knowledge. It is argued that the Imam’s methods remain relevant and adaptable to the modern world.

Abstract The origin of Islamic Shiite civilization is revelation, some of the goals of which are the maintenance of the perfect man and the creation of the life of Tayyabah (pure) by the society. One of the steps to achieve such goals is to establish the political rule of Islam. Based on Shi’i attitude, political leadership and intellectual leadership are interconnected. One can see the manifestation of such unity within Razavi civilization. The History of Islam is subject to a dual deviation: deviation from Imamate to the caliphate in the case of Saqifah, and then to the monarchy in the year 61 (AH) (Yazid monarchy). Years after the Leadership of Amir al-Mu'minin (A.S), the intellectual and political leaderships connected to each other at Imam Reza’s (A.S) era. Abbasid Caliphate was not legitimate. This lack of legitimacy became manifested at the time of Imam Reza (A.S). The current study seeks to answer this question: Given such deviations, how Imam Reza (A.S) could benefit from the lack of legitimacy and started to reform the political system? The results of the current study indicate that Imam Reza (A.S) made benefit from this lack of legitimacy to the most, and not only he proved the legitimacy of Imam Ali (A.S) and Aeme Athar (A.S), but also truly connected Imam Ali’s (A.S) system of ruling and Imam Hossein’s (A.S) movement to Mahdism. Therefore, in the current study, the political reforms made by Imam Reza (A.S) to return to the truth of Imamate and guardianship were considered by a descriptive-analytical approach. Such reforms could highlight the deviation of the caliphate. However, the goal addressed in this study is to highlight the development and the less prominent lines of Islamic civilization regarding the return to the path of the Imams at the time of Imam Reza (A.S), from the political philosophy point of view.

Abstract In Ahl Al-Bayt (A.S)'s school, debates and arguments, which were managed during the history by them, were employed to explain religious studies while facing with the opponents of Islam. Meanwhile, considering the educational style of Imam Reza (A.S) while debating with the followers of other different religions and schools of thought reflects the scientific position of Imam Reza, introduces him as a perfect human personality, can be a model to compile a document on how to do an accurate and ethics-driven debate, and can be a step towards the educating of humans during the history. The current descriptive-analytical study seeks to answer this main question: What are the main pivots of Imam Reza's educational style while debating with the followers of other religions and schools of thought? Based on the findings of the study, following educational goals, emphasizing key principles of Islam, referring to sacred texts, being dominant on different languages and accents, carrying out best debates, maintaining the human dignity, observing fairness and justice in debates and so on are the main pivots of Imam Reza's educational style while debating with the followers of other religions and schools of thought.  

Abstract The achievement of the insight of Islamic unity and the formation of a united nation, which is based on the Qur'an, has long been considered by the Prophet (PBUH) and the infallible Imams (A.S). accordingly, in Imam Reza's era and after development of debates, Imam Reza found an opportunity to debate with leaders of Islamic religions and take a s step towards unity among Muslims. This article has been written to find strategies to achieve Islamic unity based on the Razavi words. From this perspective, the question of this research is: What are the strategies to achieve Islamic unity based on the words of Imam Reza (AS) and how can we achieve it? The method of research is descriptive-analytical and of a fundamental type and by the study of Razavi words (AS), the strategies for achieving Islamic unity will be revealed. The study of the words of Imam Reza (AS), for the purpose of identifying the strategies of Islamic unity, showed that he established equality and unity among Muslims by appropriate words and actions in different situation against Abbasid caliphate, and he emphasized the culture of Islamic unity among all Muslims. Among the most important strategies that Imam Reza has expressed in his hadiths on Islamic unity are: monotheistic insight, emphasis on the Qur'an, alignment with the Prophet's traditions, attention to the ambition of Mahdiism, continuance with Salavat (Peace be upon Mohammad and his family), paying attention to the principles of unity in the debates and faithful brotherhood.

Abstract Imam Reza (A.S)’s style in educating children is one of the aspects of Islamic life style. The current study is an attempt to answer the following question with a descriptive-analytical approach: What style Imam Reza (A.S) used to employ to educate children?
With regard to the time before a child is born, Imam Reza’s educating style looks at such affairs as selecting a suitable spouse who will be the mother of children, observing the etiquette, pregnancy care, etc. With regard to the first  days of birth, some points are considered in his style as some traditions like reciting Adhan and Iqamah in the child’s left and right ears, selecting a suitable name for the child, Aqiqah (to sacrifice an animal on the occasion of a child birth), pouring some sweet material in the palate of the child. He also used to pay attention to some affaires like being compassionate, observing equity and justice, developing rituals and spirituality at homes and in society, creating an appropriate environment for bringing up children, respecting the personality of children, training religious law and knowledge, supervising and caring about the conditions of children, etc.

Abstract Every relation is based on some principles, and the relationship between spouses is not an exception. As a comprehensive book of life, the Holy Quran has some suggestions for the spouses which are implied in its verses. Finding out reasons and intentions of the Quranic verses and presenting Quranic strategies in family and society level without utilizing Infallibles’ speech is something imperfect and less useful. Accordingly, the principles of couple’s relations in surah Nisa have been extracted and explained in accordance with Imam Reza (A.S)'s interpretive and non-interpretive traditions, in this paper. The most important references are narrative commentaries and Hadith references, i.e. the texts in which Imam Reza (A.S)'s viewpoints have been reflected with or without the verses. Surah Nisa contains the principles of couples' relations.  In this surah, the most important principles of couple’s relations have been defined in general by virtue of the equality between man and woman and genetic kinship and it emphasizes mutual rights and obligations existing between the husband and the wife. Also, it recognizes financial and management responsibility between the husband and the wife in accordance with each individual's situation and family community so that by considering all this situation, it determines regulations based on individual and social interests. The research method is library-based and analytic-descriptive. The scope of the present study is the verses including the principles of couple’s relations in surah Nisa.

Abstract The nature and the concept of justice is one of the important issues that have been dealt with regarding to God and His acts and also concerning the universe and above all the man and his personal and social actions. There have been made important discussions about justice so far. What have been discussed in this article is studying justice and its nature in the words of Imam Reza (AS). This study has in an analytic-descriptive way propounded this main question: what is the root and the basis of justice in view of Imam Reza (AS)? The secondary questions: Is justice a contract or something genuine and real? How can justice be exercised and fulfilled in individual acts and society?  The thesis is that the basis of justice in view of Imam Reza (AS) is a monotheistic truth and it is identified with the pure reality. So, justice is a reality and noumenal, although it is applied in contract issues, too. The only way to fulfill justice in the individual acts is self-refinement and becoming pious, and realization of justice in the social sphere also depends on the implementation of the laws and commands of Allah and being adhered to in the community.

Abstract Human rights are a collection of rights and freedoms that any human being can benefit from duringhis individual and sociallife in order to maintain his inherent dignity. This concept is suchnotable when looking at Imam Reza (A.S)’s wordsand conduct that by referring to it, one might gain an appropriate understanding of the relationship between Islam and human rights.Along with explaining Religious Laws and orders of perspicuous religion of Islam,Imam Reza would describe principles and basics of human rights in order to create a pious and faithful-to-people society, and finally manifest ways of guidance and bliss to everyone. The present study aims to consider, carefully and systematically, the key principles of human rights as assumed by Imam Reza, by gathering library documents and resources, with the approach of content and document analysis. It is attempted to depict the behavior and attitudes of Imam Reza towards the concept of human rights and its position in Islam. According to Imam Reza’s trainings,Human dignityis the base of everything, and all human rights’ principles are shaped based on this principle, as well as equity and freedom. Imam Reza’s efforts on human rights are not restricted to financial, judicial and social rights. Rather, rights related to human thoughts are more important for him, some clear examples of which are non-imposition of religion and freedom of scientific discussions.

Abstract Narrations proving the luminous creation of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) and his household (A.S) are quoted frequently, in various ways and with similar themes, by the Prophet and innocent Imams in Hadith sources of Shias. Although such narrations are abundant, just two are narrated by Imam Reza (A.S). In the current study, the document of the two narrations are first analyzed in order for validating the authenticity of their narrator. Then the author has attempted to find the original written sources in which the date of the narrations is cited in order to identify the oldest time they belong to. Moreover, the contents of these two narrations are evaluated based on and compared to that of other presumably-correct narrations in order to determine how much they correspond to one another. Finally, the study comes to the conclusion that, despite the weakness of the document of these two narrations, they are acceptable based on all historical and thematic evidences examined.

Abstract The practical life conduct of each Shiite Imam is full of fruitful lessons. By considering various events in Imam Reza’s fruitful life, one can find plenty of instructive points and many lessons to learn. One of the principles used in Razavi conduct is the principle of “Tolerance”. Imam Reza (A.S) used to discuss with many intellectual and religious groups and employ a host of strategies in discussion sessions, one of which was the principle of tolerance. The current study is an attempt to answer the following question with a descriptive-analytic method: Which manners of tolerance was used by Imam Reza in dealing with followers of different religions? Commitment to human morality, respecting and being compassionate towards non-Muslims, audience-recognition, being familiar with the language and the sacred texts of other religions, freedom of thought and expression, recognizing the right of other religions’ followers in asking questions,showing religious tolerance and affability while dealing with them and peaceful coexistence with them are among the most important features of Imam Reza (A.S)’s behavior towards followers of other religions.

Abstract Of the most prominent aspects of human life is how to make connections with the Creator of the existence, manner of speaking, manner of praying and pray before Divine court, and adjusting our relationships with God and other humans. Religious texts are the best platform to achieve these aspects. The present study aims to investigate the most important demands from God in Imam Reza's pilgrimage books based on Quranic teachings, with an analytical- descriptive approach and with emphasis on the correlation between Quran and Etrat. The results of this research show that a significant portion of Imam Reza (A.S)'s pilgrimage books includes fervent prayers and presenting needs to God. They contain enormous and subtle teachings, including asking for forgiveness and referring to God, increasing the aliment, getting accustomed to Divine ethics, standing among the ones grateful to Divine blessings, getting sacrificed for Imam's objectives, being present among Divine saints, loving Ahl al-Bayt (A.S), standing in the line of the witnesses (on Doomsday), salvation from difficulties and sadness, being defended by Ahl al-Bayt (A.S) (on Doomsday) and not being deprived of Divine endowment, all of which are a reflection of grand concepts of Quranic teachings.

Abstract Debal is one of the most prominent Shiite poets whose love for the infallible Imams (PBUT) is decisive and indisputable. He emblazoned his entire Divan with the name of Imams, especially Imam Reza (A.S). With the help of poetry, he intended to portray the oppressions that the Ahl al-Bayt endured and their innocence by expressing the apparent and spiritual qualities of Imam Reza (A.S) and introducing the tyrant rulers of that era. This descriptive-analytical study attempts to extract and analyze the resistance effects in Dabal’s Razavi poems. Results demonstrated that inviting to challenge, portraying the suffers the oppressed Imams endured, expressing the oppressions against Imam Reza (A.S), hoping for the future, and weeping in Imam Reza’s grief were among the important components of Resistance Literature that Dabal had portrayed in his Razavi poems.

Abstract There are three notions among jurists about the wife’s share in inheritance if she is the only heir of her husband, and there are two notions about the husband’s share in inheritance if he is the only heir of his wife. The disagreement among jurists in this area originates from differences among narrations and hadiths. So studying documented narrations for determining the accuracy of every notion is inevitable. This study presents notions of jurists, in the first place. Then the documented narrations are studied within a descriptive-analytical method and the adopted notion of writers i.e. the content of Imam Reza’s hadith. Based on this notion, either wife or the husband inherits the residue of the estate of fixed shares from the other party, in addition to the share and fixed share specified in holy Quran, whether in the era of Imam Zaman’s presence or in his absence. This issue is one of the social concerns about which there is no text in Civil Code, but according to principle 167 of Iranian Constitution, the judge is bound to refer to reliable Islamic sources and valid juristic notions if he does not find any text containing articles regarding relevant lawsuits. So it is crucial to study the issue by examining evidences, documentations and presenting the adopted notion of writers.

Abstract In Ma'mun’s house and in the debate with Merv’s scholars, Imam Reza (A.S) used 34 verses of Holy Quran to refer to the superiority of his descendant over his nation, and he took benefit of these verses in different ways during the debate. The methods he employed in the debate include interpretation of Holy Quran by the use of Holy Quran, referring to the context of revelation of verses, Jari and Tatbigh (the flowing and comparable nature of verses), stating instances of the verses and brief interpretations of verses. Imam Reza (A.S) cleared many obscurities of verses about Ahl al-Bayt (P.B.U.T.) using the approach of interpreting Holy Quran by the use of Holy Quran, proved the capability of Ahl al-Bayt in being the successors of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) by referring to the context of revelation of verses, and attributed some verses to Imam Ali (A.S) through Jari and Tatbigh approach. Also, using the approach of instances of verses, he recognized Ahl al-Bayt as instances of Dhawi al-Qurba (literally meaning close relatives) mentioned in Holy Quran. Finally, by briefly interpreting such verses as “And warn [O Mohammad] your closest Kindred”, he considered the verse as an honor for the family of the Prophet. In this paper, descriptive- analytic research methodology is employed

Abstract The Household of prophet (p.b.u.H),  especially Imam Reza (AS) has a special interest among Iranians particularly among Hadith fans (Ahl- Al- Hadith). The governor of Neyshabour has cited the presence of Imam (AS) in Khorasan and he stated the special attention of elders of Ahle Hadith to him in detail. According to these reports, the scholars of Ahl- al- Hadith in Neyshabour who were the teachers of traditions including six narrative books have a unique attention to Imam Reza (AS) as the son of the Prophet (PBUH) and his specific document validity.
Revising the reports of the governor, Abu Abd Allah, concerning the visiting of learners such as Ibn Abu Khozeimeh Neyshabouri the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) alongside the advice of the Prophet (PBUH) and Ahl al-Bayt (AS) concerning to visit the Imam (AS), all declares the legitimacy and also the blessings of the pilgrimage of Imam Reza (A.S). The Stories such as the sanction and excommunication of Muslim due to pilgrimage and the other charges like it promoted by the characters such as ibn Taymyyah  as innovation and diversion particularly in later periods and nowadays.
This article is a study concerning these reports and discussion about their authenticity with descriptive - analytical method.