Dr Shomali
Dr Shomali is a graduate of the Islamic Seminaries of Qum and has also both a BA and an MA in Western Philosophy from the University of Tehran. He has earned his Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Manchester. His doctoral thesis was on ethical relativism. He did his postdoctoral research on ethical issues related to life and death. He is currently the Founding Director of the International Institute for Islamic Studies. Dr Shomali is very interested and involved in interreligious dialogue and has attended and presented papers in UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Austria, Greece, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Philippines, Sweden, Canada, etc.His publications include: Self-Knowledge (1996
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Contrary to what most people believe, wilayah is not just the relationship between each individual believer and the Prophet and Imams, rather it is the relationship between the community of believers as a whole and the Prophet and Imams and also the relationship amongst the believers themselves.
The wilayah of Allah (S.w.T.) and His walis creates a united society and an integrated body of believers who demonstrate love, devotion and dedication amongst themselves. This type of wilayah is the soul of Islam and is able to give spiritual life to the Islamic ummah and bring unity to it. This article examines issues such as the essential elements, hierarchical order and mutuality of wilayah, whether or not unbelievers are under the wilayah of Allah (S.w.T.), and also the social function of wilayah.
natural world and the importance of our respect for it. He
gives an Islamic perspective on how we should interact with the
environment that surrounds us, and looks at the vices that we
are most likely to succumb to. [https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20081111_1.htm]
Books by Dr Shomali
Contrary to what most people believe, wilayah is not just the relationship between each individual believer and the Prophet and Imams, rather it is the relationship between the community of believers as a whole and the Prophet and Imams and also the relationship amongst the believers themselves.
The wilayah of Allah (S.w.T.) and His walis creates a united society and an integrated body of believers who demonstrate love, devotion and dedication amongst themselves. This type of wilayah is the soul of Islam and is able to give spiritual life to the Islamic ummah and bring unity to it. This article examines issues such as the essential elements, hierarchical order and mutuality of wilayah, whether or not unbelievers are under the wilayah of Allah (S.w.T.), and also the social function of wilayah.
natural world and the importance of our respect for it. He
gives an Islamic perspective on how we should interact with the
environment that surrounds us, and looks at the vices that we
are most likely to succumb to. [https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20081111_1.htm]
8 Overtures for dialogue; The Roman Catholic Church on Islam and Muslim
10 A Thriving Islamic Community: Leading by example
12 ‘Tabletalk’: Christians and Muslims in conversation
14 ‘Unity and Tolerance in a Multicultural Society’
16 Monks and Muslims; towards a global Abrahamic community
20 Hujjatul-Islam Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali at ICEL Press Conference
21 Meeting for a Common Good
22 Prophecy, Yesterday & Today
24 Abraham: A Role Model and Guide for Mankind
26 Inclusiveness as a strategy for preventing and countering radicalisation
28 The Impact of Christian-Muslim Relations on World Peace
31 World Peace and Christian-Muslim Relations
32 The 7th Catholic -Shi‘a Dialogue Qum & Mashhad – Iran
35 Visit the ‘Instituto Universitario Sophia’
35 Muslims and Christians continue building bridges through dialogue
36 Personhood, virtue and moral cultivation A Christian – Muslim workshop
38 On the Wings of Unity
42 Shi‘a Muslims & the World Council of Churches
46 Palermo: a historical host
48 Identity & the Other
50 Understanding God’s Plan
54 Interfaith meeting at Lambeth Palace
56 A visit north of Hadrian’s Wall
58 The power of religion in motivating people
60 Love in Religions, the cutting-edge issue
62 Beyond just a dialogue
66 Can we call ourselves ‘one faith’?
68 Among Brothers and Sisters of Different Faiths
74 Special Award for Interreligious: Islam and Christianity
75 Going North of the Border
76 Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali’s speech at The Scottish Parliament
76 Travelling across the pond
78 Scotland: Giving Unity Wings
80 Interfaith Engagement; theory and practice
84 A retreat with a difference – Welwyn Garden City
86 Travelling for Peace
90 ‘Wings of Unity’: Theory and practice
94 Faith & Learning
96 “Unity of God – Unity in God”
100 Building Peace: The Culture of Interreligious Dialogue
102 Visits to Canada, Scotland and the Netherlands
104 Visit Scotland
105 Trip to the Netherlands
106 Seeing the face of God in other religions
107 The Rights of Children
108 Imam Husayn’s Message for humanity
110 Wings of Unity: Effective and Affective Dialogue
112 Jerusalem, History, Theology and International Law
116 Visit to Canada – The Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo
118 Humbleness: A Christian perspective
120 Humbleness: An Islamic perspective
122 The importance of relating to others
124 Together on the Wings of Unity
128 Wings of Unity@ History, Methodology & Outcomes
132 On Emptiness – a Christian perspective
134 How to empty ourselves -an Islamic perspective
136 Suffering and Unity: An Islamic Perspective
140 The role of the ‘Word of God’ in our life
142 How Christians engage with the scriptures
144 Justice/Fairness – an Islamic presentation
146 Talk on Justice – a Christian presentation
148 Interfaith youth camp in Scotland
150 Lady Mary in the Qur’an
154 Week of Unity – Muslims & Christians
The first chapter begins by expounding both the literal and technical meanings of the term “Shi‘a”, and references are made to statements of famous scholars in this regard. Then it proceeds to study the origins of Shi‘i Islam and how it became established.
The second chapter studies the sources of Shi‘i thought, i.e. the Qur’an, the Sunnah, reason and consensus. Discussing the status of the Qur’an, the
chapter goes on to establish that the Shi‘a like other Muslims believe that the Qur’an which is present today is an embodiment of divine revelation to the Prophet Muhammad. The chapter continues by explaining the second most important source, i.e. the Sunnah, which includes the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. The Qur’an itself asks Muslims to take the Prophet as their role model, to refer to him to judge and settle their conflicts, and speaks of the Prophet as the one who recites, teaches and explains the Qur’an. In this chapter there is also a discussion about the household of the Prophet (Ahlul Bayt) and their role in presenting the Sunnah. Then there follows a discussion about the importance of reason and its role in understanding Islamic beliefs, values and practical laws. Finally there is a discussion about legal consensus and how it is viewed with respect to the Sunnah in the Shi‘i teachings.
The third chapter studies fundamental doctrines of the Shi‘i faith. Along with Unity of God, prophethood and resurrection which constitute the principles of religion for Islam and other divine religions, some important additional doctrines such as divine justice and imamate are studied. These doctrines may partly be shared by other Muslims, but the Shi‘a are those who believe in all of them.
The fourth chapter is a very brief account of Shi‘i practices along with brief references to the objectives and principles underlying them. These practices are in principle shared by all Muslims, though there may be some differences in particulars among different Islamic schools.
The fifth and final chapter is a short discussion about the Shi‘a world today. This chapter starts with a brief account of the latest statistics about the present Muslim and Shi‘i population of the world. There is also a breakdown of religious affiliations of some countries with a long history of Shi‘i presence. Although there are no accurate and approved statistics on the current Shi‘a population in the world, efforts have been made here to collect the best available.
I should also note that the author is sincerely and wholeheartedly committed to Islamic unity and hopes that this work can serve as a modest step towards Muslim brotherhood. In fact, one of the best means of achieving this unity and brotherhood is to know each other and to overcome the historical prejudices that prevent objective understanding between each other. According to what Imam Ali has said, “People are enemies of what they do not know”.
Sebbene siano scritti in modo chiaro e semplice, essi sono il risultato di più di venti anni di studi Islamici, e basati su alcune estensioni di due serie di conferenze sull’Islam Shi°ita fatte per un auditorio inglese: una prima serie di 50 letture al Jami’at al-Zahrà (il principale Seminario Islamico Femminile) in Qum, Iran, nel 1995 e 1996, e una seconda serie di 30 letture al Manchester Islamic Institute ed al Shi°ia Welfare Centre di Manchester, Inghilterra, nel 1998 e 1999.
Il primo capitolo inizia esponendo e spiegando il significato letterale e quello tecnico del termine “Shi°a”, e vi sono inoltre vari riferimenti ad affermazioni di famosi religiosi a questo proposito. Poi il capitolo procede con lo studio delle origini dell’Islam Shi°ita e di come esso nacque.
Il secondo capitolo studia le fonti del pensiero Shi°ita, cioè il Sacro Corano, la Sunna, la Ragione ed il Consenso. Discutendo dell’importanza del Sacro Corano, il capitolo stabilisce che gli Shi°iti come gli altri Musulmani credono che il Sacro Corano presente oggi sia un’incarnazione della Rivelazione Divina fatta al Profeta Mohammad (S)1. Il capitolo prosegue spiegando la seconda fonte principale, la Sunna, che include i detti e le azioni del Profeta Muhammad (S).
Il Sacro Corano stesso chiede ai Musulmani di prendere il Profeta (S) come modello di comportamento, di rivolgersi a lui per giudicare e risolvere i loro conflitti, e parla del Profeta(S) come di colui che recita, insegna e spiega il Sacro Corano. In questo capitolo c’è anche la discussione sulla famiglia del Profeta(S) (Ahl ul-Bait) e il loro ruolo nel presentare la Sunna. Segue un’analisi dell’importanza della Ragione e del suo ruolo nella comprensione del credo islamico, dei suoi valori e delle norme pratiche. Infine si prende in esame il Consenso (al-ijma°) e la sua valutazione rispetto alla Sunna dal punto di vista shi°ita.
Il terzo capitolo studia i principi fondamentali della Shi°a. Oltre alle dottrine dell’Unicità di Dio, della Profezia e della Resurrezione, che costituiscono i Principi della Religione (dell’Islam e delle altre religioni Divine), si studiano altri principi come la Giustizia Divina e l’Imamato. Questi principi sono in parte condivisi anche da altri musulmani, ma solo gli shi°iti credono in tutti quanti questi principi.
Il quarto capitolo è un breve resoconto delle pratiche di culto shi°ita con qualche riferimento agli obiettivi e ai principi che le sottendono. Queste pratiche di culto sono in linea di massima condivise da tutti i musulmani, con qualche piccola differenza fra diverse scuole islamiche.
Il quinto ed ultimo capitolo è un breve esame del mondo shi°ita oggi. Il capitolo inizia con un breve resoconto delle statistiche più recenti sulla presenza islamica e shi°ita nel mondo. C’è inoltre un’analisi della presenza shi°ita in alcuni paesi con una lunga tradizione shi°ita al loro interno. Sebbene non vi siano statistiche accurate e confermate sulla attuale popolazione shi°ita nel mondo, sono stati fatti sforzi per raccogliere le più attendibili .
Vorremmo anche precisare che l’autore sostiene il concetto di unità nel mondo Islamico in modo sincero e partecipe e spera che questa opera possa contribuire a fare un passo verso il raggiungimento di una vera fratellanza fra musulmani. Uno dei mezzi migliori per conseguire l’unità ed il senso di fratellanza, infatti, è il conoscersi reciprocamente ed il superare i pregiudizi storici che impediscono una comprensione reciproca obiettiva. Secondo un detto dell’Imam °Ali (as)2: “la gente prova avversità verso ciò che non conosce”3.
Un attento studio delle principali scuole islamiche mostra che esse hanno in comune più di quanto le fa divergere. Tutti i musulmani credono nello stesso Dio, lo stesso Profeta e lo stesso Sacro Corano. Tutti credono nel Giorno della Resurrezione, nelle ricompense e nei castighi di Dio. Tutti recitano le preghiere giornaliere rivolti verso la stessa direzione, cioè la Mecca. Tutti digiunano durante il mese di Ramadan. Tutti vanno in pellegrinaggio a Mecca (Hajj) nello stesso periodo. Tutti credono giusto fare la carità...
Le premier chapitre commence par expliquer la signification aussi bien littéraire que technique du terme " chi'ah ", et des références de célèbres chercheurs sont citées dans ce domaine. Puis il propose l'étude des origines de l'Islam chiite et comment il a commencé à exister.
Le deuxième chapitre étudie les sources de pensées chiites, c'est à dire, le Saint Coran, La Sounnah (tradition prophétique), la raison et le consensus. Mettant en évidence les versets du Saint Coran, le chapitre cherche à établir que les chiites comme les autres musulmans croient que le Coran qui est en vigueur de nos jours est La Parole Divine révélée au Prophète Mohammad. Le chapitre continue en expliquant la deuxième source la plus importante, c'est à dire, la Sounnah, qui inclue les paroles et les actions du Prophète Mohammad. Le Coran lui même demande aux musulmans de prendre Le Prophète comme modèle principal, de se référer à lui pour juger et régler les conflits et de parler du Prophète comme celui qui récite, enseigne et explique le Coran. Dans ce chapitre, il y a aussi une discussion sur les gens de la maison du Prophète (Ahloul beyt) et leur rôle dans la présentation de la Sounnah. Puis vient la discussion sur l'importance de la raison et son rôle dans la compréhension des croyances islamiques, de ses valeurs et des lois pratiques. Enfin il y a une discussion sur le consensus légal (Al ijmà') et comment il est vu par rapport à la Sounnah dans la perspective chiite.
Le troisième chapitre étudie les doctrines fondamentales de la foi chiite. A savoir l'Unicité de Dieu, la prophétie et la résurrection qui constitue les Principes de la Religion (Islam et autres religions divines), quelques doctrines additionnelles importantes telles que la Justice Divine, l'Imâmat y sont étudiées. Ces doctrines peuvent être partiellement partagées par d'autres musulmans, mais les chiites sont ceux qui croient à toutes d'entre elles.
Le quatrième chapitre est un bref inventaire des pratiques chiites avec de brèves références de bases objectives. Ces pratiques sont en principe partagées par tous les musulmans, bien qu'il peut y avoir quelques différences en particulier en fonction de chaque école de pensée islamique.
Le cinquième et dernier chapitre discute brièvement du monde chiite d'aujourd'hui. Ce chapitre commence par un bref inventaire des dernières statistiques sur les musulmans et la population chiite du monde. Il y a aussi des détails des affiliations religieuses de certains pays avec une longue histoire de présence chiite dans ces pays. Bien qu'il n'y ait aucune statistique réelle ou approuvée sur ces populations chiites dans le monde, des efforts ont été faits pour en collecter les plus proches.
Je dois aussi noter que l'auteur est sincèrement et profondément attaché à l'unité islamique et espère que ce travail est comme une étape modeste vers la fraternité islamique. En fait l'un des meilleurs moyens pour achever cette unité et cette fraternité est de mieux se connaître et de vaincre les préjudices historiques qui empêchent une compréhension objective entre eux. Selon les paroles d'Imam Ali : " les gens sont les ennemis de ce qu'ils ne savent pas ".
A pesar de ser un simple y claro escrito, es el resultado de más de veinte años de arduos estudios islámicos. El presente opúsculo está basado hasta cierto punto en dos series de conferencias sobre el Islam Shi‘ah pronunciadas a audiencias de habla-inglesa: una primera serie de unas cincuenta conferencias proferidas en la Universidad Az-Zahrâ (durante el Primer Seminario Islámico para Mujeres) en Qom, Irán, entre 1995 y 1996, y una segunda serie de unas treinta conferencias expuestas en el Instituto Islámico de Manchester y en el Centro Shi‘ah de Beneficencia en Manchester, Inglaterra, entre 1998 y 1999.
El primer capítulo comienza exponiendo tanto los significados literales como técnicos del término “shi‘ah”, y las referencias se basan en testimonios de famosos sabios al respecto. Luego, se procede a estudiar los orígenes del Islam Shi‘ah y su surgimiento.
The first chapter begins by expounding both the literal and technical meanings of the term “Shi‘a”, and references are made to statements of famous scholars in this regard. Then it proceeds to study the origins of Shi‘i Islam and how it became established.
The second chapter studies the sources of Shi‘i thought, i.e. the Qur’an, the Sunnah, reason and consensus. Discussing the status of the Qur’an, the
chapter goes on to establish that the Shi‘a like other Muslims believe that the Qur’an which is present today is an embodiment of divine revelation to the Prophet Muhammad. The chapter continues by explaining the second most important source, i.e. the Sunnah, which includes the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. The Qur’an itself asks Muslims to take the Prophet as their role model, to refer to him to judge and settle their conflicts, and speaks of the Prophet as the one who recites, teaches and explains the Qur’an. In this chapter there is also a discussion about the household of the Prophet (Ahlul Bayt) and their role in presenting the Sunnah. Then there follows a discussion about the importance of reason and its role in understanding Islamic beliefs, values and practical laws. Finally there is a discussion about legal consensus and how it is viewed with respect to the Sunnah in the Shi‘i teachings.
The third chapter studies fundamental doctrines of the Shi‘i faith. Along with Unity of God, prophethood and resurrection which constitute the principles of religion for Islam and other divine religions, some important additional doctrines such as divine justice and imamate are studied. These doctrines may partly be shared by other Muslims, but the Shi‘a are those who believe in all of them.
The fourth chapter is a very brief account of Shi‘i practices along with brief references to the objectives and principles underlying them. These practices are in principle shared by all Muslims, though there may be some differences in particulars among different Islamic schools.
8
The fifth and final chapter is a short discussion about the Shi‘a world today. This chapter starts with a brief account of the latest statistics about the present Muslim and Shi‘i population of the world. There is also a breakdown of religious affiliations of some countries with a long history of Shi‘i presence. Although there are no accurate and approved statistics on the current Shi‘a population in the world, efforts have been made here to collect the best available.
Megjithëse të shkruara në një gjuhë të thjeshtë dhe të qartë, ato janë rezultate të më shumë se njëzet vjetëve angazhim në studimet islame dhe janë mbështetur deri diku në dy cikle leksionesh për Islamin Shi‟it, mbajtur në auditore anglofone: cikli i parë prej rreth pesëdhjetë leksionesh është mbajtur në Xhami‟at al Zahra (një seminar islamik i mirënjohur për gra) në Kum, Iran, gjatë viteve 1995 dhe 1996, kurse cikli i dytë përmban rreth tridhjetë leksione dhe është mbajtur në Institutin Islamik të Mançesterit e në Qendrën Shi‟ite të Mirëqënies në Mançester, Angli, më 1998 dhe 1999.