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Man is a social creature. He is unable to dissociate himself completely from others and live in isolation and seclusion. He is also unable to live in complete harmony with others, since each person has his own particular ideas, qualities, and conduct...

Man is a social creature. He is unable to dissocia...

It has been explained in the previous section that judiciary is necessary for safeguarding social system and to curb unruly behaviour. In this section we will discuss its criterion. It may appear at first that the human intellect can independently di...

It has been explained in the previous section that...

It has been made clear that the judiciary is necessary to protect human society and that its criterion is nothing other than revelation. In this section, we wish to discuss its external realization and how it can exist in the desirable form that will...

It has been made clear that the judiciary is neces...

It has been demonstrated that the criterion for judiciary is nothing other than Divine revelation, and that the sole authority in settling disputes is someone learned in the revelation, who believes in it and possesses the attributes that have made h...

It has been demonstrated that the criterion for ju...

Judgement has a particular basis on which the judge relies when giving his judgement. If it is strong, then the ruling is correct and in keeping with the facts, not otherwise. Like the judge, the witness must be knowledgeable and just. The difference...

Judgement has a particular basis on which the judg...

The two litigants may be Muslims, or Jews or Christians, or of differing religions. If the two litigants are Muslims, the judge will rule between them only in accordance with Islam. If they are Jews or Christians, then the judge has the choice of rul...

The two litigants may be Muslims, or Jews or Chris...

The religious rites practiced by Twelve-Imam Shi'ites are essentially the same as those of the Sunnis with certain minor modifications of posture and phrasing which are little more than the differences that are to be found among the Sunni schools (ma...

The religious rites practiced by Twelve-Imam Shi'i...

One of the most misunderstood aspects of Shi'ism is the practice of dissimulation or taqiyyah. With the wider meaning of taqiyyah, "to avoid or shun any kind of danger," we are not concerned here. Rather, our aim is to discuss that kind of taqiyyah i...

One of the most misunderstood aspects of Shi'ism i...

The message of Shi'ism to the world can be summarized in one sentence: "To know God." Or in other words, it is to instruct man to follow the path of Divine realization and the knowledge of God in order to gain felicity and salvation. And this message...

The message of Shi'ism to the world can be summari...

In the discussion on prophecy and the Imamate, it was indicated that as a result of the law of general guidance which governs all of creation, man is of necessity endowed with the power of receiving revelation through prophecy, which directs him towa...

In the discussion on prophecy and the Imamate, it ...

The previous discussions lead us to the conclusion that in Islam, after the death of the Holy Prophet, there has continuously existed and will continue to exist within the Islamic community (ummah) an Imam (a leader chosen by God). Numerous prophetic...

The previous discussions lead us to the conclusion...

The previous argument about the reception of Divine injunctions and laws by the prophets only proves the basis of prophecy, namely the receiving of Divine injunctions. The argument does not prove the persistence and continuity of prophecy, even thoug...

The previous argument about the reception of Divin...

In the discussion of prophecy, it was mentioned that, according to the immutable and necessary law of general guidance, each created species is guided through the path of genesis and generation toward the perfection and felicity of its own kind. The ...

In the discussion of prophecy, it was mentioned th...

The Prophet invited his relatives to luncheon and after the meal told them, "I know of no one who has brought to his people better things than I have brought to You. God has commanded me to invite you to draw toward Him. Who is there who will assist ...

The Prophet invited his relatives to luncheon and ...

Zayd ibn Arqam has recounted that the Prophet said, "It seems that God has called me unto Himself and I must obey His call. But I leave two great and precious things among you: the Book of God and My Household. Be careful as to how you behave toward ...

Zayd ibn Arqam has recounted that the Prophet said...

The Prophet of Islam upon returning from the farewell pilgrimage stopped in Ghadir Khumm, assembled the Muslims and, after delivering a sermon, chose 'All as the leader and guide of Muslims. Bara' says: "I was in the company of the Prophet during the...

The Prophet of Islam upon returning from the farew...

Imam or leader is the title given to a person who takes the lead in a community in a particular social movement or political ideology or scientific or religious form of thought. Naturally, because of his relation to the people he leads, he must confo...

Imam or leader is the title given to a person who ...

Among sacred texts the Qur'an is the only one to have spoken in detail about the Day of Judgment. Although the Torah has not mentioned this Day and the Gospels have only alluded to it, the Qur'an has mentioned the Day of Judgment in hundreds of place...

Among sacred texts the Qur'an is the only one to h...

Many modern scholars who have investigated the problem of revelation and prophecy have tried to explain revelation, prophecy and questions connected with them by using the principles of social psychology. They say that the prophets of God were men of...

Many modern scholars who have investigated the pro...

What the prophets of God received through revelation and as a message from God and conveyed to mankind was religion (Din), 1 that is, a way of life and human duties which guarantee the real happiness of man. Revealed religion in general consists of t...

What the prophets of God received through revelati...

The laws which can guarantee the happiness of human society cannot be perceived by reason. Since according to the thesis of general guidance running throughout creation the existence of an awareness of these laws in the human species is necessary, th...

The laws which can guarantee the happiness of huma...