علی عسگری یزدی

SUBJECT & OBJECTIVES: The paper provides a functionalist analysis of human free will and its impact on lifestyle from the perspective of Imam Ali . The discussion of free will and human influence over one’s actions is a significant issue in the fields of anthropology and theology, and it is interconnected with many topics in Islamic sciences and disciplines. Human beings possess various dimensions and characteristics, among which free will is a key feature. Imam Ali , in opposition to the prevalent deterministic interpretation, emphasized human free will and its impact on one’s actions. The belief in free will manifests in individuals’ lifestyles.METHOD & FINDING: In an analytical-descriptive method, this paper aims to examine the statements of Imam Ali  regarding human free will and its role in human lifestyle and progress. An active lifestyle or a passive lifestyle is considered a result of the belief in or denial of this free will. Progress and advancement in life, as well as divine happiness and reward, are achieved through free will, effort, and endeavor.CONCLUSION: Reward and punishment would be meaningless without free will. Effort and endeavor are fundamental aspects of lifestyle that arise from the belief in human free will. “An attempt to change undesirable conditions” and “Governance of belief” are among the manifestations of free will in individuals’ lifestyles. Man must strive to preserve freedom and not allow beliefs and values to be controlled by emotions.

Today, the approach of separating spirituality from religion in modern spirituality, in competition with spirituality derived from established religions, is prevalent. One of the key foundations of this approach is the liberalism towards Western readings. The present study aims to critique the basis of liberalism in separating spirituality from religion in order to clarify the fundamental flaws of this approach and the inadequacy of its results in providing for human spiritual life. In this regard, the works of Allamah Tabataba’i, as one of the greatest interpreters of Islamic teachings, have been extensively utilized. To this aim, data collection was done through library research and information processing using descriptive-analytical method with a critical approach. According to the findings, liberalism towards Western readings, rooted in individualistic humanism, is ineffective in the foundation of human spiritual life regarding the three major criticisms. Firstly, absolute freedom, which is the basis and component of the approach of separating spirituality from religion, is unattainable and non-existent. Then, freedom is not the ultimate goal but a tool to achieve genuine and true spirituality, and finally, rights-based approaches, considered as consequences of liberalism, are in contrast and on the other hand, duty-based approaches are the crucial basis for achieving true spirituality and without it, it is unimaginable.

Objective: The issue of Imamate and community leadership is the most enduring intellectual topic among Muslims. Within this, the perspective of mysticism and the thought of mystics on Imamate and leadership has received less attention. This article, focusing on the school of Ibn Arabi and the works of Nurbakhsh, critically studies how the scope of guardianship was expanded from spiritual guardianship to political guardianship—a development that, in a manner, provided the intellectual foundation for the Safavid Shaykhs in establishing the Safavid dynasty. Method: The present study uses a combination of three methods, historical, comparative, and analytical, within the framework of the History of Thought. Based on the works of Nurbakhsh and through an intra-textual analysis of said works, this study examines and elucidates the various dimensions of this perspective on Imamate and community leadership, while also presenting its underlying reasons and contexts for critical evaluation. Findings: An examination of the lived history of mystics and their mystical viewpoints reveals three perspectives on the relationship between religious law and spiritual reality: A) Reality without Law, B) Reality within the framework of law, and C) Law within the framework of Reality. The rethinking of the concepts of independent legal reasoning and struggle by mystics such as Ibn Arabi, and its detailed representation in the thoughts and works of Nurbakhsh, gives rise to the third perspective. This perspective paved the manner for the expansion of the scope of Vilayah from inner guardianship to outer guardianship. In this sense, exoteric Ijtihād is elevated to "Revelatory Ijtihād " and becomes the axis for understanding religion. The position of the Imam, who simultaneously possesses the qualifications for both the lesser and greater jihad, becomes embodied in a single individual. Conclusion: Nurbakhsh divides the Imamate of the community into two categories: "Real Imamate" and "Relative Imamate." He considers a saint who possesses all the characteristics of Imamate as the holder of "Real Imamate." He regards other saints as Imams to the extent that they possess those attributes, calling their Imamate "Relative Imamate." According to this framework, many of the Shi'a Imams are categorized under relative Imamate, as they do not simultaneously possess all the characteristics described for the community's Imam in "Mystical Jurisprudence."