Definition of Shi'a fundamentalism

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See also: History of fundamentalist Islam in Iran

There are too many different phenomenon which are called Fundamentalism. They may have different nature because they're based on different religions and sects. Therefor a diffinition should be chosen which can separate "Shi'a fundamentalism" from fundamentalism which has based on Christians and other religions and also other Islamic sects like Salafism. On the other hand this definition must be able to separate "Shi'a fundamentalism" from other Shi'a thoughts like Religious traditionalism in Iran.

Contents

[edit] Fundamentalism as an ideal type

Finding definition is basis of making an ideal type as a useful tool for Interpretative and comparative sociology in analyzing social or economic phenomena, having advantages over a very general, abstract idea and a specific historical example. Max Weber has written:

An ideal type is formed by the one-sided accentuation of one or more points of view and by the synthesis of a great many diffuse, discrete, more or less present and occasionally absent concrete individual phenomena, which are arranged according to those one-sidedly emphasized viewpoints into a unified analytical construct..

An ideal type is formed from characteristics and elements of the given phenomena but it is not meant to correspond to all of the characteristics of any one particular case. It is not meant to refer to perfect things, moral ideals nor to statistical averages but rather to stress certain elements common to most cases of the given phenomena.[1]

This definition is basis of recognizing someone as Shi'a Fundamentalists not newspapers or similarity between people in irrelevant characteristics.

[edit] Review of definitions

These are some of the main general definitions of Fundamentalism.

  • "A belief in the infallibility, and literal interpretation, of a particular religion’s doctrine or holy books."[2]

Belief in infallibility of Quran and 14 infallible is one of the main idea among all Shi'as so this is not a good definition to separate somebody as fundamentalists.

  • "Commitment to, and belief in, the literal meaning of a scriptual text. Religious fundamentalism, regardless of the religion, refers to the calling for a return to the foundational beliefs, fundamentals of the religion, or a literal interpretation of its scriptures. Often regarded as a static, conservative, retrogressive, or extremist interpretation of religious beliefs. Can be misinterpreted or erroneously equated with religious extremism, fundamentalism, terrorism, and the like."[3]

This definition is good to describe Salafism but not in Shi'a because in Shiism Esoteric interpretation of the Qur'an has a great role.

  • "A term originally applied to conservative, Bible-centered Protestant Christians (many of whom now prefer to call themselves "evangelicals"), but more recently extended to apply to the religiously authoritarian of all sorts (including classical Christians, Jews, and Muslims) who interpret their scriptures literally and in general favor a strict adherence to certain traditional doctrines and practices."[4] Apparently It's not a bad definition but in practice it has contradictions with some of main acts of Shi'a fundamentalism like establishing Islamic republic which is an innovation if on the basis of literally approach to religious texts.
  • "a movement that sees itself opposed to Modernism."[5] This definition is right in some cases especially in the case of moder ideologies but is wrong in other cases like using scientific achievements and technologies.
  • "Fundamentalism is the belief in absolute religious authority and the demand that this religious authority be legally enforced. Often, fundamentalism involves the willingness to do battle for one's faith. Fundamentalists make up only one part of any religion's followers, who usually fall along a wide spectrum of different interpretations, values and beliefs."[6] This definition can be used to separate fundamentalist Islam in Iran from reformism and traditionalism.

[edit] Conclusion

These are characteristics of Shi'a fundamentalism:

  • 1- Belief in infallibility of Quran and 14 infallible as religious sources which is similar among almost all Shi'a.
  • 2- Ijtihad:Interpretation of the text on the basis of situation, time and place.
  • 3- emphasizing on Islamic identity
  • 4- Islamist ideology.
  • 5- willingness to do battle for one's faith

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ [www.reasoned.org/glossary.htm]
  3. ^ [www.elissetche.org/dico/F.htm]
  4. ^ [www.theisraelproject.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp]
  5. ^ [jmahoney.com/glossary.htm]
  6. ^ [www.gsanetwork.org/justiceforall/definitions.htm]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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