Title : Shiite identity in the era of imam Baqir and imam Sadegh (AS) with emphasis on inter-religious and intercultural relations

Student : GholamReza Parhizgar

supervisor : Dr. Hamid Parsaniya

Advisor : Dr. Ebrahim Fayyaz / Dr. Mohsen Alviri

Grade : PHD

Years : 2016

Abstract :

In this dissertation, we seek to know what is the identity of Shiites in the era of Imam Baqir (AS) and Imam Sadegh (AS) and to express how it was formed and to achieve this knowledge by evaluating the role of communication with other religions and cultures in the formation of identity.

In the position of the expression how the identity is formed, the general circumstances of society and culture and the relationship that Shiites have with others and how these factors affect the orientation of Shiite identity and of course, the calls made by Imam Baqir (AS) and Imam Sadegh ( AS) has been done according to the mentioned circumstances, and the Shiites have been called to a special kind of abstinence.

This kind of approach to the subject has been done about the theory and method of analysis of Laclau and Mouffe discourse and following the changes that have been made in this theory.

Among the two factors of inter-religious and intercultural communication, the role of inter-religious communication on the orientation of Shiite identity was prominent and intercultural communication in that period. However, it caused some changes, but since religious criteria judged other cultures, its role could be traced under the role of religion.

To describe the identity and express how it was formed, while discussing the fields of identity construction, five jurisprudential, theological, racial-tribal, political and economic dimensions of Shiite identity were discussed.

One of the critical results of the discussion is that the primary and central signifier of the Shiite identity is imamate. 

While maintaining social relations with others, Shiites gradually separated themselves from others by caring for the imam.

While being a part of identity, imamate also plays a role in constructing other dimensions of Shiite identity.

If imamate is taken from the Shiites, the Shiites’ most profound identity crisis will occur and lead to its transformation and destruction.

The central signifier of imamate is made with signs such as Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet (PBUH), love, guardianship, leadership and knowledge, and besides, Shiite identity in addition to imamate, with signs of superiority, adherence to the covenant, knowledge, being a believer, righteous deeds, the religion of truth and the people of prosperity, taqiya and some special jurisprudential and theological symbols and some other signs …

Keywords: Shiite identity, the era of imam Bagir and imam Sadegh (AS), other religions, call, signs of identity, imamate