ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books An Introduction To 'ilm Al-kalam THE SHI'I STANDPOINT: In this lecture it is necessary to briefly explain the Shi'ite views on the issues current among the Muslim mutakallimun .

Earlier, while explaining the Mu'tazilite viewpoint, we stated that the Mu'tazilah considered their five doctrines, viz., tawhid, 'adl , al-wa'd wa al-wa'id, manzilah bayna al-manzilatayn, and al-'amr bi al-ma'ruf wa al-nahy 'an al-munkar, as being fundamental to their school of thought.

We have also said that the reason for giving prominence to these doctrines above all other Mu'tazilite beliefs lies in the fact that they characterize their school and distinguish it from the schools of their opponents. It should not be construed that these five principles constitute the basic doctrines of the faith ( usul al-Din ) in the eyes of the Mu'tazilah , and that all the remaining beliefs are regarded as subsidiary.

The Shi'ite scholars - not the Shi'ite Imams (A) - from the earliest days, have also introduced five doctrines as being characteristic of Shi'ism. They are: tawhid, 'adl , nubuwwah, imamah , and ma'ad (Resurrection). It is generally said that these five are the basic tenets of the faith ( usul al-Din ) and the rest have a subordinate significance, or are "furu' al-Din".

Here, inevitably, the question arises that if by " usul al-Din " we mean the doctrines belief in which is essential for being a Muslim, they are not more than two: tawhid and nubuwwah.

Only these are the two beliefs contained in the Shahadatayn ("'ashhadu 'an la ilaha illallahu wa 'ashhadu 'anna Muhammadan rasulullah") Moreover, the second testimony is related in particular to the prophethood of Muhammad (S), not to prophethood in general, and the prophethood of other prophets is not covered by it. However, belief in the prophethood of all the other prophets (A) is a part of the usul al-Din , and faith in it is compulsory for all believers.

If by usul al-Din we mean the doctrines faith in which is an essential part of the faith from the Islamic viewpoint, then belief in other matters, such as the existence of the angels - as explicitly stated by the Qur'an - is also essential for faith.[^17] Furthermore, what is special about the Attribute of*'adl* (justice) that only this Divine Attribute should be included in the essential doctrine, to the exclusion of all other attributes, such as Knowledge, Life, Power, Hearing or Vision?