Sayyid ibn Ṭāwūs’s Political Theology: The Book Kashf al-Maḥajja

Document Type : Original Article

Author

PhD in Political Thought, University of Tehran, Tehtan, Iran

Abstract

The name of Sayyid ibn Ṭāwūs is often associated with his renowned "Maqtal," famously known as Luhūf, or with Shiite prayers and Ziyarat (pilgrimage or visitation) texts. However, other dimensions of his practical and theoretical contributions have not received as much attention or analysis. His life and era, on one hand, and his unique and thought-provoking socio-political views, on the other, merit closer study and consideration. This article aims to examine the political thought of Sayyid Ibn Ṭāwūs with a focus on the "theological" foundations and the historical and social context in which he lived. While it is possible to attribute a "political theology" to Ibn Ṭāwūs’s the influence of historical and social conditions on his ideas cannot be overlooked. The research method employed is analytical, interpretive, and text-based, relying on library resources. The central focus of this article is the book Kashf al-Muḥajjah li Thamarat al-Muhjah, which encapsulates Ibn Ṭāwūs’s theological and socio-political views and is considered his most significant work on these topics. In this book, the author first elucidates his theological foundations and then presents his political and social recommendations. Sayyid Ibn Ṭāwūs's political thought is not easily separable from his theological thought. According to his theological principles, governance is the rightful domain of the infallible Imam (Maʿṣūm) or those who act in accordance with the principles and guidelines set forth by the Imam. Nevertheless, Ibn Ṭāwūs does not ignore the exigencies of his time. Even when pragmatism or considerations of expediency appear in his political thought and practice, they remain rooted in his sense of "duty-based" ethics and his commitment to seeking divine satisfaction and proximity.

Keywords

References

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Governance in the Quran and Sunnah
Volume 2, Issue 2 - Serial Number 3
January 2024
Pages 105-133

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