Review of Shaykh Mufid's Views on the Doctrine of "the World of Zar"

The doctrine of "Zar World" is a subject of dispute among Muslim scholars. This doctrine, based on the outward of many traditions, states that the soul of every man existed prior to the birth of his natural body, and passed through certain levels of knowledge. Many scholars believe that there are numerous rational and traditional problems with this doctrine. Sheikh Mufid is the first Shia theologian to criticize this doctrine. In addition to criticisms regarding the documents and content of this doctrine’s traditional arguments, he has also leveled rational criticisms at it, especially concerning the necessity of reincarnation. Using the descriptive- critical method, in this paper we have first presented Sheikh Mufid’s critiques and then we have criticized him in defense of this doctrine.