ماهنامه معرفت
سال بیست و هفتم شماره 1 (پیاپی 244، فروردین 1397)

During the history of Islam, “Ḥadīth al-Thaqalayn " has been an important document for the Shiite and a source of reference in different areas of theology, jurisprudence, hadith and history. This document has great capacities; it can be a connecting factor used for resolving the differences among the Ummah of Islam and provide the ground for the unity of Muslims. But unfortunately, due to ignorance and inattention, this great capacity has not been used properly. The main question is: what factors have led to the Islamic nation’s ignorance of this capacity? It seems that one factor concerns the doubts raised in this regard. The necessity of providing a suitable ground for making maximum use of this capacity led the authors to seek answers for some of those doubts in the present research. The research methodology is descriptive-analytical, and in order to gain better acceptance, it is documented by authoritative sources. The findings of the research indicate that the raised doubts have fundamental weaknesses, and the doubts can be resolved with a little reflection and fair consideration.

God's attributes are of particular importance in doctrinal discussions. An issue that arises in this regard is the relationship between divine attributes. Different types of relationship can be considered between divine attributes. Sometimes this relationship is such that an attribute can be used as a reason for the existence of another attribute. Theologians believe that the relationship between the attributes of divine "wisdom" and " knowledge" is of this kind, and they use the attribute of "wisdom" to prove the attribute of "knowledge" in God. While addressing the theologians’ arguments and their response to the flaws highlighted in their reasoning, this paper examines their success in showing such a relationship between divine wisdom and knowledge. For this purpose, the "library-based" and "analytical" methods have been used. It seems that in traditional theology, theologians cannot prove such a relationship with complete success, and their argument does not succeed in proving divine knowledge through divine wisdom.

Despite its long history, the issue of the scope and realm of Imam's knowledge is one of the topics that is still the subject of discussion among Islamic scholars; some believe that the knowledge of Imam is finite and some others argue that it is infinite. This paper attempts to deliver an objective judgment on this issue using the traditions of the infallibles; that is, first it has studied the narrations confirming the theory of the finiteness of Imam’s knowledge, and then it has dealt with the narrations confirming the infinite nature of imam’s knowledge. After expressing the commonalities and presenting a critique, it ultimately strengthens the theory of the potentiality of Imam's knowledge.

knowing and defining man and discussing the criterion for his humanity is rooted in the history of human knowledge, and nearly all thinkers have encountered it at some point in their life. Hence, addressing the issue of "the main factor of man’s differentiation from other beings, and the main criterion for humanity" seems essential. Using library sources and analytical method, this research attempts to study this subject by searching in religious texts. Explaining what distinguishes man from other beings, religious texts point to factors such as being grateful to God, modesty, using reason, adherence to divine orders and innate nature. Each of these issues represents an area of human existence. A comprehensive title for all these factors can be called "innate nature".

Reason and rationality have always had a great value and importance throughout human history; however, what leads to disagreement and draws the attention of scholars is the characteristics and features of common sense, because if reason is not accompanied by a sound innate nature, rather than being useful and valuable, it can lead to destruction and devastation. On the other hand, Allameh Tabatabai is one of the greatest philosophers and theosophists of the last century and explaining his views is of particular importance. Thus, this paper seeks to address the question of the conditions and obstacles to achieving common sense from the perspective of this distinguished figure. To this end, firstly, the literal and idiomatic meaning of "reason" in Allameh Tabatabai's works is analyzed. Then, the paper distinguishes between the necessary and perfect condition for achieving common sense from his view point, and deals with the obstacles to achieving common sense and adherence to its outcomes. The research results show that, from the perspective of Allameh, upholding logical principles is a necessary condition; and observance of piety, practicing previous knowledge, as well as entering the Divine Providence are among the perfect conditions for achieving common sense. The outburst of instincts, acting based on suppositions, as well as imitation without rational support are considered to be the most important obstacle to the achievement of common sense, and the pursuit of sensual passions and the dominance of the faculty of imagination are factors contributing to inattention to the outcomes of common sense.

Many verses and narratives have highlighted the effect of man’s actions on natural events and the worldly reflections of those acts. This impact can be examined through a variety of ethical, educational, and ontological approaches. Using an ontological approach, this research investigates the existential relationship between man’s bad deeds and natural disasters with respect to narrations. Using the traditional method, the effect of the human’s optional actions on natural disasters is proved as particular affirmative proposition; that is, human actions requires the occurrence of some natural events, although some traditions also indicate the complete causality of some acts in relation to their outcomes.

Sensational ontology and the differentiated denial of incorporeal beings by Salafis have had a profound effect on their perception of the requirements of monotheism, such as imploration and supplication. In this regard, it seems necessary to consider the views of the commentators attributed to the Salafist movement in the area of supernatural issues. In order to determine the validity of attributing Ibn Kathir to Salafi interpretative school, the present paper studies the interpretative approach of Ibn Kathir as a Salafist commentators on this issue, and compares the views of Ibn Taymiyya, the founder of Salafism , the majority of the followers of this school and the interpretative approach of Ibn Kathir during the compilation of " Tafseer al-Qurʾān al-ʿAẓeem ". Finally, it should be stated that Ibn Kathir has differentiated himself from Salafi doctrines in important discussions such as " Sama' al-Mawta " (dead one's hearing) and especially the issue of "presentation of deeds". He was implicitly inclined to Salafism in the discussion of "abstractions ", but has not explicitly supported Salafi's position. Hence, the important differences between Ibn Kathir and Salafist views in explaining supernatural affairs as one of the components of Salafism have seriously weakened this sect and the Salafi presuppositions in rejecting concepts such as supplicating the dead.