Journal of Razavi Culture

Abstract "Soft power" is an essential keyword in contemporary political science vocabulary and its meaning has a long history, and in the conduct of the infallible Imams, there are often examples of attention and application. In the meantime, Imam al-Riḍā's (as) individual and state conduct is full of cases that show his particular interest in this fateful concept whether in the crown prince period or after. The present article is an attempt to explain the principles, tools, and examples of the application of soft power in Imam Riḍā's (as) conduct, which has tried to illustrate the comprehensiveness of this concept in his words and action. The findings show that monotheism, imamate and justice along the prophecy form the basic principles of Raḍavī's soft power, and taqīyya (reservation), debate and miracle are among the most important tools used by the Imam in the area of enforcing the soft power. Also, based on these principles and tools, and within the framework of the roadmap, the application of the Raḍavī’s soft power to the Imamiyyah Shiites, scholars of other religions, theologians, and the government of Mamūn ‘Abbāsī can be illustrated as illustrative examples for describing the Raḍavī’s soft power system,  and by analyzing them, the supreme position of the use of soft power from the point of view of Imam Riḍā (as) based on historical evidence while using a descriptive-analytical method can be shown; an application that illustrates the extent of Riḍā's (as) soft struggle with the caliphate.

Abstract Position of Imam Reza (PBUH) is regarded as the sensitive point of Shiite history. This sensitivity is considered from some perspectives: political and social changes of Abbasside era (and particularly caliphate of Mamoon) on the one hand and acceptance of position of Imam Reza (PBUH) on the other hand. Study of political tradition of Imam Reza (PBUH) is conducted based on the fact that political tradition of innocent imams is not only historical reality but also contains valuable advices and principles for their followers. Main focus of this paper is interaction of Imam Reza (PBUH) with despotism (particularly during position of Imam Reza). Some historical issues were raised as introduction of discussion and for showing social and political condition and two periods before his position and after his position have been studied. Classification of changes into periods before position and after position of Imam Reza (PBUH) has clarified results of movement and conduct of Imam (PBUH). In period after his position, some probabilities and doubts of Imam Reza (PBUH) are discussed and political positions of Imam are mentioned. Conclusion Section mentions some results of this paper by mentioning some instances of Hazrat’s tradition and emphasizes that we should note that fighting against and opposing to the oppressive rulers based on fixed principles of Shiite teachings (absolute negation of ungodly government ) and considering time and space circumstances (cooperation with foe of God by observing some considerations ) can take different forms and this is exactly the thing which has been manifested in tradition of the household of the prophet of Islam. What has been clarified based on these teachings is that discontinuation of struggle and opposition has not been ordered and it is not permissible to compromise with the oppressors even under the hardest conditions despite different forms of opposition to oppressive rulers but form of struggle and expedient things should be considered.

Abstract The issue of Imam Reza’s becoming al-Ma’mun’s successor, offered by al-Ma’mun himself, is an important historical events highly associated with issues including Imamate, sovereignty and Islamic rule and requires special discourse analysis. Al-Ma’mun’s era was a particular period in Abbasid history which experienced different political-social and cultural-religious flows and therefore requires a succession-based discourse. This article seeks to analyze the succession discourse as an effective issue in presenting viewpoints regarding “domination” and “contraption” based on “bio-power” and “bio-politics” approaches. It also evaluates al-Ma’mun’s treatment (domination approach) and Imam Reza’s treatment (contraption approach) based on this discourse and through PEDAM method.

Abstract The issue of Imam Reza's succession to Caliphate in Abbasid Court was the most important political matter ever happened during the political history of the Imams. Al-Ma'mun offered the caliphate seat, for which his ancestors fought and struggled for many years and he willingly killed his own brother to have, to his family's rival through insist and threats and without any price to pay. Despite his ancestors' legitimate struggle to take back this seat, Imam Reza refused to accept the succession.
  This event brought up different assumptions for many researchers. With a political hypothesis and exploring some opinions that attribute Mu'tazilites or Shiite notions to al-Ma'mun, an with a brief eye on the issue of Imamate from the Shiite and Mu'tazilites points of view, this paper examines the succession issue outside the boundaries of political motivations and introduces the religious beliefs of the both parties involved as well as their political stands as effective factors in their insists and denials over the issue.