The Typology and Analysis of Shia Traditions on Submission Discussion (with an Emphasis on Submission to Ahl al-Bait (a.s.)

Submission to the knowledge expressed by Shia Imams is an issue that has been accentuated by many Shia traditions. These traditions imply absolute submission and obedience to the orders and prohibitions expressed by the Infallible Imams (a.s.). In the light of the pivotal role of reason in Shia thought regarding the assessment and acceptance of religious issues, lack of a correct specification of the aforementioned traditions intensifies a seeming contradiction between submission and intellectualism that leads to a reduction in the status of reason. Therefore, it is an inevitable necessity to discover the true meaning of submission and illustrate its accurate boundaries through a sound knowledge of some essentialities and a comprehensive analysis of the religious teachings. In addition to provision of the typology of submission traditions, the study at hand explicates the content of each type through a descriptive-analytical method. The results of this study reveal that submission to the Infallibles (a.s.) is not equal to undue obedience, suspension of reason, or ignorant acceptance. Rather, the favorable submission is a voluntary act that is based on intellectual explorations and is a product of intellectual arguments.