Another Book about Shiism

Shi’ism, Resistance, and Revolution which is edited by Martin Kramer is another book about Shiism. In fact, it is the result of an international conference held in Tel Aviv, in 1984.

First of all, I think it can be a good source about Shiism, Shia countries and evaluate the role of Iran’s revolution within the Muslim world. Even some of articles have a historical approach to Shiism like The Shi’a in Islamic History which belongs to Bernard Lewis and Western Studies of Shi’a Islam by Etan Kohlberg.

In addition, this book is generally about the Twelve Imams Shiism which includes majority of Shiate people within Islamic countries, especially in Iran.

I found this book in the library of Imam Sadegh University where is for Shiate Studies.

I Write in My Blog Again

Our world faced some very important events like presidential election in The United States, as I couldn’t write anything in my blog. In fact, I was learning French during this time.

But now I have to get ready for TOEFL, so I have enough time to read and write in English. In other hands, I have to read and write in English.

I hope I can write about Islam, Middle East, Shiism and many other subjects as I did before.

We Are Alone, Very Alone

 During thirty years ago, authorities in Iran haven’t been able to find any allies among neighbors or the other Islamic countries in the Middle East. Until now they haven’t been able to do it.

 In the first decade, trying to foment a revolution among the other Islamic countries was the main obstacle, but later two other main factors obstructed friendly relations.

 In fact, Iran is the only Shiitic country among the Islamic countries. I mean that there isn’t any other Shiitic one in the Middle East. Even we can not recognize Iraq as a Shiitic country, because the other minorities like Sunnis and Kurds together, have equal role such as Shiites, so they don’t let the Shia in Iraq to run the society based on Shiitic doctrine.

 Secondly, our national identity differs from the others in the region. In fact, we are not Arab. We have a different language and in general a different culture.

 Consequently it seems we can not find any other ally except Israel. Israelites are alone like us and they aren’t Arab either, so they can be the best friends for Iranians or even for present authorities in Iran.

Why Do We Need to Recognize Shiism?

Shiism is the most important sect in Islam after Sunnis. Almost all of them live in the Middle East and the others live in south of Asia, especially in Pakistan and India.
In addition, Islamic republic of Iran, the only Shiitic government all over the world, is based on Shiite principals, so I think that recognizing of this sect will be very important.
Of course this Shiism which I call it Contemporary Shiism, is very different from what has been in the past. In this Shiism, we have to pay attention to ideological elements more than traditional ones. So recognizing Seyyed Jamal a-Din Asadabadi, Ali Shariati and Seyyed Ruh al-lah Musavi Khomeini’s opinion is very important and perhaps we should try to know how Marxism affected Shiism in Iran in our contemporary history.
As a result we have to know Shiism as an ideology not just as an Islamic sect. consequently we can hope to have conflicts under control in the future.

The West and Nothing Else

Identity had an important part to play in fomenting the Islamic revolution of Iran. Revolutionists expressed opposition against the westernism of that society by political system.
Some emphasized on an Islamic identity and the others proposed introspection. Ali Shariati and Jalal Al-e-ahmad were more famous than the others.
Of course Islamic Revolution proved in practice that there is nothing even west. High-ranking officials claim that they are acting based on Islam, but realities are something else. In addition, Iranians don’t except it at all.
I believe that the East, especially Islamic countries, overtook by westernization and now we have to consider everything as western phenomena, even fundamentalism and Islamism.
For example, in Iran westernism has met with obstacles since Islamic revolution in 1979, as in Turkey it is on the upgrade and perhaps in Saudi Arabia, westernism hasn’t improved at all. (Of course I’m not sure about it, because my information about this country isn’t firsthand.)

Another Iran

 

 Last night I watched Santouri, an Iranian drama film directed by Dariush Mehrjui dealing with the life of a Santour player named Ali Bolourchi.

 This film has only been screened once in Iran. Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has forbidden public representation of it. Of course, anybody can find a CD or DVD copy of it. During last year, most argued about why the public representation has been forbidden?

 After watching, I asked myself this question too. I think they had forbidden it because this film represents another Iran unlike what the political system claims. Ali and Hanieh represent the Iranian youth and their problems such as addiction and social limitation in general.

  In addition, Ali and Hanieh act as real as the Iranian youth live in Iran today. Most of them don’t say prayers every day and they ignore Islamic limitation about relationship between girls and boys. In general, they don’t accept Islamic culture as the political system wants them to do. Ali and Hanieh spend time together before marriage on mountains around Tehran. This is unlawful religiously and even it is an act against the law.

 Santouri is a real film about Iran today and these realities torture officials in Iran.

Dear Candidates! Don’t Forget the World!

Nowadays the presidential candidates talk about interior issues more and more, as I think foreign affairs are more important.
The voters want the candidates more welfare, less tax, better insurance and many other issues which Americans know them as key issues. All of them will prove to be true if the United States can protect its place as the most powerful country all over the world and a part of this power is something that I call it American Ideology that means interests and democracy together, not separated.
What made the United States powerful is emphasizing on democracy, human rights and war against terrorism in the world, especially in the Middle East and this attract nations, and prepare a good ground for more interests, what make the United States a better society for its citizens.      
In Iran, I can listen more and more about taking power of China and Russia as America rivals. This news frightens me, because without a powerful America, life will be more distressing for all.

Who Is the Next Supreme Leader of Iran?

Yesterday I was in Imam Sadiq University. There I heard that Seyyad Ali Khamenei is going to change Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrodi, the head of judicial system in Islamic Republic of Iran.
While Khamenei appointed Hashemi Shahrodi as the head of judicial system, some pointed out that the supreme leader is going to plan the way of his successor. I think it was absolutely correct, because Hashemi Shahrodi is Seyyed that means person from Prophet Mohammad’s family. It is that they have black turban. But Hashemi didn’t act decisively, so he couldn’t protect the regime.
I’m almost sure that Seyyed Ahmad Khatami, a radical clergyman, is Khameneie’s another option for leadership, because In Shia, being Seyyed is very important for leadership. The Shia believes that Sadat (plural of Seyyed), the generation of Prophet Mohammad, are worthy of governing.
All twelve Imams are the generation of prophet and except Hasan and Husain who were brother, are father and son.

Against Censorship

Before I wrote that I’m going to translate a book named “The Shia Revival” by Vali Nasr into Persian and I could do some of it, but unfortunately there is no sponsor. The publishers can not take a risk. This new government doesn’t let to publish such a book.
In spite of that fact, I’m going to translate some of chapters for quarterlies. It is presently possible. What about tomorrow? I don’t know.

A Common Pain

Today I read on BBC that a Saudi blogger, named Fouad al-Farhan, was arrested in Jeddah on 10 December 2007, without any charges against him.
Based on BBC website, Fouad was prepared to criticize aspects of life in Saudi Arabia he did not like and – unusually – wrote his Arabic blog.
This story made me happy and sad. In fact, it changed my opinion about Saudi Arabia. Before I know this country as a wide prison, as bin laden’s country and even a nice country for extremists, but now I believe that freedom has budded in this land, like any other place in Middle East.
I’m sad because Fouad has to endure three months in prison for his beliefs and his family is worrying about him.
Unfortunately what happened about Fouad is common in Middle East. We can see a lot about dictatorship in my country, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and any other lands, as this region has a good background about tolerance and freedom, based on what has written by Bernard Lewis in his book named “The Middle East: 2000 Years of History from the Rise of Christianity to the Present Day”.

Here you can fill out a form and join with free-speech advocates around the world and send a letter to Saudi and American officials.

Bibliography

Shariati, Ali. “Shia”, Elham Publication, Tehran, 7th Edition, 1983.

An Evolutional Religion

Some months ago, a book was translated by Hashem Izadpanah, named “Religion in an Evolutional Process”. Of course the translator changed the title. The real name is “Crisis and Consolidation in the Formative Period of Shiite Islam: Abu Jafar Ibn Coiba” written by Seyyed Husain Modarresi Tabatabaei.
This book, during last few months, has provoked some arguments. Some are very surprised that such a book has published in Iran. They think that the author declared that Shia has been an evolutional religion, based on the title in Persian.
I studied the book and I think that they are absolutely wrong. In fact the author doesn’t believe to it. Modarresi Tabatabaei wrote his opinion about Shiism in the introduction. In fact he doesn’t believe to it at all.
Of course I myself believe that Shia is an evolutional religion. The difference between Shia and Sunni began first by political problems, then by identity and at last by every thing until now. I think that believing to an evolution process in formation of Shia can present an effective model to study Shia and in this case, we should emphasize on a historical approach.
By the way, “Crisis and Consolidation in the Formative Period of Shiite Islam: Abu Jafar Ibn Coiba” is a nice book for those who want to know about different opinions about formation of Shiism.

How Did Islamic Government Make Iran Non-Shiite?

Islamic government had some influences on Iranian society. One of them is dividing this society into two different poles; Shia and non-Shia and they have nothing in common. I don’t mean Iranians desisted from Shiite and chose another religion, but I believe that now most Iranians are inattentive to Shia main doctrines. In fact they’ve chosen another manner of life, although they know themselves as Shia followers yet.
Before Islamic revolution, there were not main and clear differences between religion and daily life in Iran, but nowadays there’s a world of different between them.

Bibliography

Jaefari, Seyyd Husain Mohammad, “Shiism, A Historical Approach,” Islamic Culture Press, Tehran, 13th edition, 2007.

Khomeini’s Islamic Government

Vilaiat -e- Faqih (Islamic Government) is the most important book of Seyyed Ruhollah  Khomeini. It was written before Islamic Revolution in Iran. Like the other books published in Islamic and traditional schools, they are Khomeini’s lectures in front of his students in Iraq. Then his student’s wrote these lectures down and published all over in Iran illegally.
Unlike the others, I believe that Khomeini had a particular plan for Islamic government after resigning Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. I mean Islamic Republic of Iran is generally what Khomeini dreamed in Iraq and then France. Of course he wasn’t ready for a quick and easy success, even in France.
In this book, Khomeini introduced Islam as a complete religion which can solve any problem of human beings, emphasizing on Feqh as a useful tool for this goal.

It should be noted that before Islamic revolution, Khomeini believed that he and his colleagues can govern together, but he governed by himself after Islamic Revolution.

Another Sign of Conflict

 …“Witnesses said the first shots were fired after crowds started accusing Hamas security forces of being a proxy for Shia Muslim-ruled Iran, chanting the word “Shia” repeatedly.”
Perhaps this story, based on what Seyyed Vali Reza Nasr wrote in his last book, is another sign of conflict between Shia and Sunni in Middle East.

Islam as an Ideology

It’s true that Islam has a great antiquity, but now we should distinguish it as an ideological religion. Doubtless religion is something related to traditional ages, but modernity made Islam becomes ideological. I think Islam is similar to Marxism. Both of them are comprehensive and have some overriding beliefs. Both try to create Utopia.
What about Shiism? I think Shiism is more ideological than the other sects in Islam, especially Sunni, because of certainty about the future. The Shia believes to a doubtless happy and certain end for our world.
Perhaps because of it, political Islam and fundamentalism began in Iran by Seyyed Jamal al-Din al-Husseini (Asadabadi) and then Seyyed Ruh al-lah al-Musavi al-Khomeini.

A Beautiful Dream

Some days ago, I bought a book by Bernard Lewis, named Istanbul and Civilization of the Ottoman Empire. At night I dreamed this old city, was prowling the bazaar. What beautiful it was! It was as traditional as I expected. 
I visited this city some years ago, but I don’t know whether Istanbul has such bazaar or not?

A Good Resource in Shia Studies

Shia in Islam was written by Seyyed Mohammad Hosein Tabatabaei. I think it is the best book about Shia and Shiism, because it was written by a person believed to Shiism and so it is a certain resource for who want to know Shiism. Also Tabatabaei was a famous and reliable Shiite clergyman among the Shia, especially in Iran.
The historical background of Shiism, Shia religious thought and Islamic beliefs from the Shia point of view are main chapters of the book.
Unlike most books about Shia which were written by its followers, it doesn’t have any insults at the other sects of Islam, especially Sunni.
Of course we shouldn’t forget that Shia in Islam is a propagandistic work and it isn’t a scholarly one, either. Bibliography isn’t exact, for example Tabatabaei writes: “Rowdhat al-Safa, Habib al-Siyar and others” (page 62), but he doesn’t refer which page or even which edition of these books he means? Although I think it can be a good resource in Shia studies.
Seyyed Hosein Nasr wrote an introduction which explains how the book is? But unfortunately the publisher has omitted his name and has written: “An Introduction by One of Tabatabaei’s Students“.

The Most Important Resource Yet

In Islamic studies and even Islam sects, Koran is still the most important resource among Islamic resources. Contrary to some religions, in Islam every Moslem can read Koran and think of it alone. In fact it was recommended by God’s, prophet and imams.
In my opinion, Koran is especially important on general issues like identity, political Islam, radicalism and fundamentalism. These conceptions which oriented from Koran mostly are common among Moslems. Of course there are different interpretations of this holy book, but they aren’t remarkable on verses are the origins of new conception, especially identity. Then in most western countries, the youth even who was born there, will be a permanent problem.
Of course I agree that some verses are complex and even knotty and Moslems think that they need to some commentators to know theirs explanations, but these verses are rare in Koran.

This Year’s Noble Prize for Literature

 

Tonight I understood that Doris Lessing was born in Kermanshah (my town) in 1919. At that time, many British families lived in Kermanshah, according to history.
If I was instead of officials, I would name an avenue as Doris Lessing.

A New Book

Today I could receive The Shia Revival finally. This book is written by Vali Nasr. I’m going to translate it into Persian until next February.

Historical Context

It is very important to pay attention to what we can call it Historical Context.
As you know, Islam has more than one billion followers all over the world, but they are different people with different cultures.
Especially in making of Shiism, historical context is very important. Although it is absolutely wrong that Iranians shaped Shiism, but it is very impressed by Iranian’s national culture.
For instance, Shiism is stricter than Sunnism in politics and even Islamic laws (Feqh), but Shiism followers are more tolerant towards the other people.
I believe that tolerance in Shiism, mostly originated from Iranian culture, especially ancient culture.

Bibliography

Tabatabaei, Seiid Mohammad Hosein, “Shi`a in Islam,” Entesharat-e-Eslami (Islamic Press), Qum, 1999.

Unfortunately I couldn’t find out when Tabatbaei wrote this book, but I am sure that was translated into English by Seiid Hosein Nasr in May, 1971.

Kasravi and His Most Famous Book

 

There was a roundtable about Ahmad Kasravi on VOA. Ali reza Monfared zadeh and Evan j Sigel attended on this programme. They argued more about a Kasravi’s book which is about Iranian’s constitutionalism, named The Constitutional History of Iran. Of course this book is very famous in Iran, because of its epic spirit, but I think it is very important, reason for Kasravi has criticized Rohaniat (what Iranians call the clergy) strongly. Although Kasravi himself was one of them at first, but he abandoned his clerical training.
Now Iran is under control of the clergy, so it is very necessary to pay attention to this book again.
I myself studied it when I was a student in Imam Sadiq University. I confess that it influenced me a lot.