دکتر محمدحسن محمدی مظفر

One of the most significant topics in the study of the Qur'an is the concept of the good and spiritual life, as well as how to achieve a happy life. This concept is also evident in the behavior and writings of some Western thinkers. Among the researchers who have explored this field is Mrs. Evelyn Underhill and in the field of Qur'anic exegesis is Allamah Ṭabāṭabāʾī, both of them are trying to establish a way to reach a good and spiritual life with the aim of gaining proximity to God, but are they both trying with the same effort and the same results? To address this question, the topic "A Comparative Study of the Depth of the Good Life and the Spiritual Life from the Perspectives of Allamah Ṭabāṭabāʾī and Evelyn Underhill" was examined. The foundation of such a life is pure monotheism (Tawhid), and attaining this state requires a positive response to the innate call of human nature and dedicated effort along this path. The research yielded several key findings, the most significant of which is that the depth of the good and spiritual life is not the same. This is because the foundations and methodologies of Allamah Ṭabāṭabāʾī’s approach differ from those of Mrs. Evelyn Underhill. Allamah Ṭabāṭabāʾī follows the path of religion, while Mrs. Underhill follows the path of love. Religion differs from mysticism and spirituality, even though love and affection constitute elements of religion. Although Underhill’s approach was not irreligious, it was neither comprehensive nor ideal.  This study employed a library-based methodology, analyzing and critically evaluating the available information through description, analysis, and critique.

A fundamental challenge of our time is the immense number of doctrinal skepticisms regarding divinity, promoted by deviant sects. A method that could be adopted to counter such skepticisms and deviations is Imam al-Ṣādiq’s approach to doctrines like divine anthropomorphism (tashbīh) and corporealism (tajsīm). Drawing upon historical data and employing a descriptive-analytic method, this research seeks to answer the following question: What were Imam al-Ṣādiq’s theoretical and practical approaches to divine anthropomorphism and corporealism? The Imam’s responses to these deviations can be summarized as follows: (1) creating an intellectual movement in the society of that time, and (2) combating anthropomorphism and corporealism about God. In this theoretical movement, the Imam engaged in debates and addressed skepticisms to refute anthropomorphism, aiming to guide people to the correct understanding through intellectual exchanges. Subsequently, he dissociated from those who held deviant beliefs and declared them polytheists, actively opposing these erroneous doctrines.

With the beginning of the revelation of the Quran, some people were called "reciters" in the Islamic society. The reciters played a key role in propagating, disseminating and explaining the Quran and Islam in Islamic societies. Therefore, it is important to know the reciters, their role, and their religious orientation. In the fourth century, the recitations of the seven reciters were chosen, then ten and fourteen reciters were added in the following years. In fact, up to the present day, the reciters and the fourteen recitations have been popular and common among Islamic societies. It can be understood that people are Shia according to the following criteria: mentioning one's name in the historical-rejali books as a Shiite, communication with the Imams (AS) and being praised by them, opposing the Umayyads and the Abbasids as well as quoting the narrations on the virtues of the Imams (AS). Five of the fourteen reciters are Shia. One of the results of this study is that the important role of the Shiite reciters in the Quran recitation in the Islamic world cannot be denied. The present study, therefore, examines the religious orientation of the fourteen reciters. The main focus of the research is the typology of the Shiite reciters' belief among the fourteen reciters, which is also considered the innovation of this study.