An Analysis of the Cleric's Rival in the Constitutional Era in the Framework of New Theology: A Methodology of the Scholars of the Constitutional Era in Iran

The constitutional revolution caused profound changes in different areas of Iranian social life. This revolution، which had specific political، social، economic، and religious backgrounds and was affected by the encounter of the elites and Iranian society with the western culture، considerably transformed the concrete and notional foundations of Iranian society. One of the most remarkable matters appeared in the course of the constitutional revolution was the methodological transformation created among the elites and especially clerics of the time as a result of this revolution. According to the research hypothesis، the clerics of the constitutional era، during this period of evolution، moved the central point of their discourses and methodological approaches from Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) to Ilm al-Kalam (Theology). The concern of the clerics of that time was to maintain and protect the religious bases against the opponents through the use of the methodology of Ilm al-Kalam and what is called ‘New Theology’. Ilm al-Kalam is the best ground for identification and analysis of the clerics’ encounter in this era. Using the treatises and writings of the constitutional era، the present study shows how the clerics of that time were engaged in a theological battle to refine the sacred domain of religion from the additives and improper affairs. They regarded it as a reward for the Islamic society as well as themselves، in this world and the hereafter.