Medieval Shi'ism

Muʿtazilism in a 20th Century Zaydī Qurʾān Commentary

by Gregor Schwarb أغريغور شوارب גריגור שוורב

to be published in Arabica 59,3-4 (2012):371–402

The Zaydīs in Yemen are the only current within Islam that fostered the continuous transmission and study of Muʿtazilī... more The Zaydīs in Yemen are the only current within Islam that fostered the continuous transmission and study of Muʿtazilī kalām up to the present time. This article aims to examine the presence and quality of Muʿtazilī kalām in a major Zaydī composition of the 20th century, namely ʿAlī b. Muḥammad al-ʿAǧrī’s (1320-1407/1902-1987) Miftāḥ al-saʿāda, which was completed in May 1952. The Miftāḥ and other works of Zaydī scholars written during the first half of the 20th century provide us with valuable insights into Zaydī-Hādawī scholarship in Northern Yemen prior to the Republican revolution of 1962 and furnish important information about the education of 20th century Zaydī-Hādawī scholars and the contents of their libraries. The wide range of Muʿtazilī and non-Muʿtazilī sources used and quoted in the Miftāḥ sheds light on the distinct impact of various phases of a centuries-old school- and teaching-tradition.

An analysis of Taqī al-Dīn al-Subkī's fatwá on Shīʿīs

by Aun Hasan Ali

unpublished

In 755/1354-55 a man named ʿAlī b. Abī Faḍl caused a disturbance in the Umayyad mosque. Taqī al-Dīn al-Subkī (d.... more In 755/1354-55 a man named ʿAlī b. Abī Faḍl caused a disturbance in the Umayyad mosque. Taqī al-Dīn al-Subkī (d. 756/1355), the Shāfiʿī chief justice of Damascus, was present and took part in the proceedings that led to his execution. Apparently, some people claimed that this man was unjustly killed. Subkī wrote a lengthy fatwā explaining his stance on the matter. This paper is an analysis of the arguments in this fatwā, which is an important bit of evidence about the situation of Shīʿīs in Mamlūk Syria. The fatwā itself can be divided into three parts: a summary presentation of the principal argument and objections to it; a detailed discussion of numerous arguments and counter-arguments; and a summary of the main points. As such the fatwā can be redundant, however I have included as much detail as possible for the reader to appreciate the style in addition to the substance of Subkī’s argumentation.

"An Historiographical Re-examination of the Appointment and Death of 'Ali al-Rida," Der Islam 78: 1 (2001), 103-128

by Deborah Tor

Sahl b. al-Faḍl al-Tustarī's Kitāb al-Īmāʾ

by Gregor Schwarb أغريغور شوارب גריגור שוורב

Published in:
גנזי קדם (Ginzei Qedem: Genizah Research Annual) 2 (2006), pp. 61*–105*
[in English]
http://shop.ybz.org.il/VSHOP/WizCgi.cgi?WizCustomer=02109691125HEHE&Lang=HE&CN=&UC=BENZVI&SingleItem=2265

Reconstruction and presentation of the most important Karaite theological-legal treatise of the late 5th/11th century.... more Reconstruction and presentation of the most important Karaite theological-legal treatise of the late 5th/11th century.
The introduction of Aristotelian Syllogistics into uṣūl al-fiqh.
The reception of al-Sharīf al-Murtaḍā among the Karaites.