Journal of Razavi Culture

Abstract Eulogies for the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH), particularly in praise of Imam Reza (PBUH), have a long tradition in Persian literature, with prominent poets like Sanai Ghaznavi, Khaqani Shirvani, and Jami having produced notable works in this genre. One of the most renowned eulogies dedicated to Imam Reza (PBUH) is an ode composed by Khaled Naqshbandi Shahrzuri, a celebrated figure of 12th-century literature and mysticism, during his pilgrimage to Mashhad. This ode gained widespread acceptance from the time of its creation. This study first presents a brief overview of the poet’s life and works. Then, using a descriptive-analytical method based on the criteria of layered stylistics, the ode is analyzed across five layers: phonetic, lexical, syntactic, rhetorical, and ideological. By identifying prominent and frequent features, the study explains the stylistic distinctiveness and the connections between the text’s form and content. The findings suggest that the following elements play the most significant role in the ode’s stylistic prominence: the prosodic meter in the phonetic layer; religious lexicon and combinations in the lexical layer; the passive voice in the syntactic layer; rhetorical questions in the rhetorical layer; and content based on fundamental religious concepts in the ideological layer.

Abstract The beauty of poetry stems from the harmony and coordination of its elements, which are formed in the sound structure. It demonstrates the proportion and formal balance of the poem through the repetition of words and in accordance with specific linguistic patterns. Structuralists believe that sound structure is the foundation of poetry; therefore, in structural analyses, the superstructure of a work holds greater significance. This article, while providing a deeper understanding of Muhtasham Kashani’s composition in praise of Imam Reza (PBUH), examines its sound structure at three levels—phonic balance, lexical balance, and syntactic balance—using a descriptive-analytical method and library resources. The research findings reveal that phonetic balance, in its quantitative aspect, is achieved by selecting an appropriate meter that aligns with the theme of the poem (panegyric), and in its qualitative aspect, through various methods of vowel and consonant repetition, such as full final phonetic repetition and the use of appropriate verbal and nominal refrains. Lexical balance is achieved through various methods of repeating a linguistic form, either fully or partially, the use of rich and appropriate rhymes, and the use of various types of antithesis and pun. Syntactic balance is created through the proper use of juxtaposition and substitution within the sentence. Moreover, the poet, with a special attention to the possibilities of different components of language, from phonemes to sentences, has highlighted the aesthetic and artistic aspect of his poetry.

Abstract                  The Holy Quran is the scripture that the Prophet of Islam (pbuh) has received through revelation to lead the human society towards human Utopia. After the Prophet passed away, ahl al-Bayt (AS) have taken the task of propagation and interpretation of this heavenly Book. Imams (pbuh) also had particular efforts to guide the principles of human life based on Quranic verses. In the meantime, based on having the political authority and the position of the Imamate the Shiites, the role of Imam Reza (PBUH) is very important. After his father, the Imam has taken the task of interpreting the Quran and guiding the Islamic community and paid special attention to the Quranic teachings, and considered it a complete reference to solving problems.
Among the important points that we find in succession in the words of Imam Reza (pbuh) is his adaptation directly or indirectly from Quranic verses for explaining and having more influence on the audience. In the present study, the writers, using a descriptive-analytical method and studying Sahifat al-Reza (pbuh), will examine the influence of the Qur'anic verses on the audience from the perspective of Arabic rhetoric forms such as adaptation, quotation, argumentation, and… .

Abstract Imam Reza (PBUH) has debated with various people including representatives of Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, Sabaeans, Heresies, Materialists, Islamic sects, and others.one of these debates is his detailed discussion with theologians of religions about tawhid and prophecy. This article is a case study to identify the monotheistic ethos of Imam Reza (PBUH) against the rivals. the debate has been analyzed in terms of morally and debate skills especially with its comparative study of criteria, conditions and morality of arguments in logic, also the findings of the science of communication. And this result is achieved: Imam Reza has used twenty methods and skills and ethical practices together. in the hardest and longest debates, he has advanced arguments and discussions to overcome by using a variety of debatable skills and superior communication methods, without being trapped in the smallest false or immoral argument.

Abstract Islam collectivity, meaning the overall Quran responsiveness and household to human guidance up to the judgment day, is one of the most important topics which have been stressed in Razavi courses. In Imam Reza’s approach (PBUH), Islam has an absolute collectivity in directing affairs which has explained all the needs of humanity to reach the way of happiness and perfection. One of the important topics which is effective for human happiness and has been stressed in the religious courses is ethics, which is of great importance in drawing and directing the way of Islamic life. In Islam, commitment to moral values and avoiding moral vices has been thoroughly stressed and in this aspect, ethic shoulds and shouldn’ts are completely explained in different fields of life. The following research, focusing on Razavi approach, has considered and analyzed Islam collectivity for drawing ethic indexes in three aspects: personal, social and economic, and in this view, in addition to considering the bases orienting Islamic ethics, has illustrated the most important indexes for each aspect. Conclusion: ethics, being founded upon divine bases, directs and orients all human life aspects and suggesting typical attitudes, provides happiness and perfection for person, family and the society, which its target is reaching to a pure life promised by the holy Quran.

Abstract Human beings are born free and autonomous. He is the best creature and highest sign of God's infinite power and because of the great points, he is prone to qualification to all the attributes and divine perfection by their free will, with the right training and education can benefit from the patterns to be close to God. In this regard, best mentors and training guides are messengers of God and the infallible Imams who create the holy knowledge of God in human. They could provide the holy knowledge in the areas of growth, guidance and human perfection circulations. This study seeks to documentary methods and the use of inductive content analysis Quays- practices, and taking into account the will and authority of the principles and methods of education from the point of view of Imam Reza^(AS) pay.  The findings reflect the fact that two dimensions: 1. The reasoning and thinking with the following categories (insight, thinking, Contemplation, etc.) 2. Learning with the following categories (truth-seeking, problem-solving, question and answer, welcomed the opposition, etc.) will be considered as the most important principles and methods to the basis of Authority and will. 

Abstract As the most widely used obligatory worship in Quran verses, and as the best means to approach to God Presence, prayers has outer and inner layers in addition to possessing complicated inner layers. Besides outer verdicts and rituals related to prayers, the legalization of each one of its components enjoys a special rationale and certain secrets.
Aimed at researching on Razavi sayings, the present research collected the hadiths said by Imam Reza majesty on the prayers secrets and analyzed the hadith of «الصَّلَاةُ لَهَا أَرْبَعَةُ آلَافِ بَابٍ» through the use of hadith explainers, mystics and the authors of the books on prayers secrets, especially by deep thinking on the mentioned sayings, coming finally to the conclusion that Razavi sayings confirm the fact that prayers has secrets besides addressing the  prayers secret levels and the secrets of part of its elements and introductory sections while explaining the secrets of different parts of this spiritual admixture. Moreover, the only acceptable dimension in the mentioned hadith is the fact that prayers enjoys special secrets. 

Abstract The present paper aims to investigate and describe educational impacts of Imam Reza (PBUH) in elevation of spiritual beliefs in Iranian people. This study applied a qualitative approach and was conducted through analytical and descriptive research methods using available literature in order to analyze and explain the outcomes of his presence in Iran while living and after his martyrdom. This could be done with an understanding of spiritual condition of Iranians before Imam Reza’s arrival and especially in the time of the Sassanid. Oppressed People at that era were looking for a religion that would have justice and equality as the main indices. This new religion of Islam could be their savior. However, improper rule of the Omayyad and Abbasid rulers in Islamic world including Iran not only could not quench their thirst for justice but also increased oppressions and degradations. The arrival of Imam Reza in Iran and his position in the Caliph’s court along with proper effective measures he took [6] for promotion of true spirituality and the pilgrimage couture initiated by his martyrdom and the Sayids invited by him to Iran elevated Iranian people’s spirituality significantly.

Abstract Imam Reza Cultural and Artistic Festival is held annually with the presence of national and international participants in various fields. Its blogging field can be a suitable subject for communication study. This article first explores blogging section in Razavi Festival and introduces density of information resulting from large number of blogs as damage. It then examines and analyses the presented criteria and shows that message and its subsidiary indicators are ignored by officials in charge and as a result, some blogs that are not rich enough in terms of content are awarded as the select ones which has led to a gap between the elite youth and such festivals.

Abstract Ahl-al-Bayt’s behavior and speech are the best source for understanding the true nature of Ashura, Imam Hussein’s personality aspects and the duties of Muslims and Shiites. Imam Reza endeavored a lot to reveal religious identity, Ashura lessons and messages and duties and responsibilities of Muslims. Therefore, Razavi Hadiths regarding Ashura are credible and reliable sources for studying and benefiting from the revolution of Ashura. With a descriptive-analytical method, this article seeks to reveal aspects to Imam Hussein’s personality and the responsibilities of Muslims regarding him according to Imam Reza’s Hadiths. Translations and analyses of these Hadiths are presented into two categories of “Imam Hussein’s Characteristics” and “Responsibilities and Duties of Imam Hussein’s Followers” and offered to researchers of Imam Hussein’s uprising. The purpose of this article is to recognize Imam Hussein’s epic according to Imam Reza’s Hadiths in reliable hadith sources, to model Imam Hussein’s words and actions and to move in the direction of growth and perfection.
 

Abstract The fact that politics is a science formed in the framework of the principles of beliefs as well as the conditions and requirements of the time leads us to believe that there doesn’t exist unique treatments of this science in the outside world and that’s why we witness various approaches and theories in this regard given different conditions and schools of thought. Citing the principles and basics of the Razavi School that result from Imam Reza’s menology, the author of this article seeks to find an answer to the question, “What does politics mean in Islamic discourse?” To achieve this goal, the author introduces a theoretical framework that analyzes politics in four levels of ontology, epistemology, teleology and methodology. Analysis of Imam Reza’s menology reveals that in Razavi School of thought, politics is not the science of power, but the science of felicity. Thus, one can claim that the Islamic pattern for politics (based on Razavi School of Thought) can be an alternative theory to the current secular political science.

Abstract Among the methods for explanation of religious teachings in Ahl-el-Bayt’s school of thought against the mentality of opponents were the arguments and debates conducted by Imams and their trained students along the history. With a contemplating eye, this article seeks to answer the question “what are the most important principles for debates and open-mindedness from Imam Reza’s point of view?”. Results indicate that principles for debate include thorough knowledge regarding various religions and schools of thought, expression of rational principles and criteria, liberalism and a science-oriented nature that’s familiar with various sciences while the most important principles for open-mindedness include pure intention, respect for thinkers, scientific equity and avoiding issues such as hastily judgment, myth-orientation and cult of personality, neo-phobia and neo-philia, foreignism and self-inferiority, partisan and factional interests and attachment to political governance. These functional principles can set a pattern for conducting a sound and ethics-oriented debate among thinkers from various religions across the world. This way, it’s safe to say that open-mindedness will not lead to behaviors which eventually result in a decline in human values.

Abstract One of the main characteristics of Imam Reza's menology was his encounters with the representatives of other religions in the context of debates which turned into an arena for protecting Islamic ideologies, Imamate, Shia's legitimate beliefs and especially his rightfulness and competency to Imamate and Caliphate while al-Ma'mun –the Abbasid Caliph- sought to benefit from such debates otherwise. His solid arguments, citation to first-hand sources of Abrahamic religions and full knowledge over the languages and interpretations of Holy Scriptures are among the most amazing features of these debates which led to Imam Reza's victory and the other party's failure at the end of each debate.
This article answers questions including: Discourse-analysis speaking, how are Imam Reza's debates analyzed? What aspects of the both parties of such debates are revealed during these analyses? What are the characteristics and capacities of Imam Reza's debates in terms of verbal communication and religious propagation?
By answering these questions, this paper seeks to view these debates differently and examine them critically by applying critical discourse analysis in form of variables and functional items. Exploring Imam Reza's debates with the representatives of other religions and sects with an eye on words, perspective, metaphor, historical coherence, citation and structural emphasis indicates that though proving his rightfulness and rejecting the other party's claims, Imam Reza avoided unethical dispute and used such debates as a platform to prove Imamate and the Holy Prophet's Seal of Prophecy through precision, accuracy, politeness and respect.