Elaborating on the Content and Style of the Arguments Presented by the Infallible Shiite Imams (P.B.U.T) on the Necessity of Obeying the Divinely-Assigned Holy Imams: A Case Study of Imam Reza’s Arguments Published in Usul al-Kafi’s Kitab al-Hujjah
Volume 12, Issue 47, Summer 2024, Pages 95-124
https://doi.org/10.22034/farzv.2023.391693.1861
Monir Anisi, Sayyedeh Fatemeh Hashemi, Sayyed Mohammad Razavi
Abstract The conduct and practices of the Infallibles, particularly Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (PBUH), play a fundamental role in shaping the behavioral and verbal models for Shia Muslims. Examining the content of the debates and discourses of the Infallibles has a significant impact on intellectual growth, awareness, and the strengthening of the beliefs of the Muslim community. This can also serve as a basis for attracting people, including fair-minded opponents and audiences. This article, based on three key areas—principles, methods, and the style of the Infallibles’ debates, specifically those of Imam al-Ridha (PBUH)—employs a textual analysis approach. The study demonstrates how the sacred figures, particularly Imam al-Ridha (PBUH), engaged in debates, how they based their arguments on the foundations of Quranic verses and the Prophetic tradition, how they utilized rational reasoning, which of the three methods—proof, good admonition, or the best argument—they most frequently employed, and which rhetorical style they preferred. According to research conducted in the Kitab al-Hujjah section of Al-Kafi, particularly concerning the necessity of following the Divine Proof, Imam al-Ridha’s (PBUH) debates are ranked third after the debates of Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) and Imam al-Baqir (PBUH).