philosophy

  • Major difference between the Sunni and Zaydi schools – Khuruj– Quietism & Activism

    Sunni view: وَلَا نَرَى الْخُرُوجَ عَلَى أَئِمَّتِنَا وَوُلَاةِ أُمُورِنَا وَإِنْ جَارُوا وَلَا نَدْعُو عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا نَنْزِعُ يَدًا مِنْ طَاعَتِهِمْ وَنَرَى طَاعَتَهُمْ مِنْ طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَرِيضَةً مَا لَمْ يَأْمُرُوا بِمَعْصِيَةٍ وَنَدْعُو لَهُمْ بِالصَّلَاحِ وَالْمُعَافَاةِ “We do not rebel against our leaders or those in charge of our affairs, even if they are tyrannical. We…

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  • Theology: Major theological difference between the majority of Muslims & the Zaydi Muslims – Intercession

    Major Theological difference between Twelver/Sunni Muslims and Zaydi Muslims – Intercession The general Sunni view: Anas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “My intercession is for the people of major sins among my nation.” Reference: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2435 Both Twelver Shi’a and Sunnis believe that a major sinner can…

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  • Ethics – Social Ethics from a Pro-Alid Zaydi perspective

    Social Ethics from a Pro-Alid Zaydi perspective Amīr al-Muʾminīn, ʿAlī, peace be upon him, said that the Messenger of Allāh, peace be upon him and his Ahl al-Bayt, said, “Faith stands on four pillars: patience, conviction, justice, and Jihād.” Then he elaborated on this until he mentioned Jihād, and then he said, “Beside these, there…

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  • Philosophy/Theology – Is everything pre-ordained by God? The causes of calamity & afflictions and how to deal with them?

    Zaydi Usul: Chapter on Afflictions – by Imam Muhammad b. Yahya (a.s) ‘It is also obligatory for every rational person among the people of Islam, when severe calamities befall themselves or their children, to have good expectations regarding Allāh. Whatever trials and afflictions have come before from Allāh, one should consider them with proper reflection…

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  • Philosophy – Is a Deistic conception of the Necessary Being coherent?

    The rise of Deism in Turkey – Is a Deistic conception of the Necessary Being coherent? A reply to Deism When I landed in the southern city of Adana in Turkey, my cousin picked me up and we started discussing the condition of the people, which then switched to the topics of religion & philosophy.…

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  • Was Husayn b. Ali thoughtless & hasty? A reply to Dr Israfil Balci of Turkey Dr Israfil Balci, a known academic in Turkey said, “As much as Yazid & Ibn Ziyad were tyrannical & oppressive, Husayn was equally hasty & thoughtless. His relatives & friends begged him not to go. Not only did he fall…

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  • Do the people really think that Husayn b. Ali started the tradition of revolt & uprising against tyranny? By God, Husayn only continued the Divine command of establishing the Divine will & decree that started with Adam up until the last messenger Muhammad b. Abdullah (a.s.). The stance of uprising is the path of the…

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  • Philosophy/Ethics/Jurisprudence – What is the purpose of Divine law & why do we obey God?

    To summarise the purpose of religion and Divine law (Shari’a) is the “improvement (salah) on earth, happiness (falah) in the afterlife” (Mehmet Erdogan). Divine law establishes the needs of the fitrah (the innate disposition) of the creation of God (the human being). The Divine law (Shari’a) is considerate, coherent, detailed, dynamic and it is satisfactory…

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  • Jurisprudence/Methodology – A Comparison between the Usuli & Traditionist methods

    Different methods of Islamic Law: A comparison between the Usuli and Traditionist methods When properly understanding Islamic Law (Shari’a), it is necessary to completely examine all the texts collectively. It is especially important to examine the texts chronologically & it is even more important to examine the clear commands & injunctions of the Qur’an and…

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  • Theology/Ethics/Sociology – The impact of Zaydi and Mu’tazilite theology on society

    Reminder: Theology/Philosophical paradigms will always impact legal theory, fiqh, sociology and the situation of the community The Mu’tazila, Ahl al-Adl (the people of justice) and the Zaydis highlighted the important position of Divine justice and wisdom when it comes to theology and practice. Hence why historically, the Zaydis and the Mu’tazilis (Ahl al-Adl) continuously upheld…

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