Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

Imam al-Ṣādiq’s Theoretical and Practical Approach to Divine Anthropomorphism and Corporalism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
hamidreza shojaeifard 1
mostafa gafar tayyari 2
Mohammadhasan Mohammadi Mozaffar 3
1 PhD student, Shiite Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Shiite Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Shiite Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran.
10.22034/jis.2024.328806.1815
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Imam al-Ṣādiq
divine anthropomorphism (tashbīh) and corporealism (tajsīm)
denial of divine attributes (taʿṭīl)
transmitted attributes (al-ṣifāt al-khabariyya)
types of reason
Subjects
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Journal of Imamiyyah Studies
Volume 10, Issue 19 - Serial Number 19
September 2024
Pages 209-230