Imam Musa al-Sadr: An analysis of his life, accomplishments and literary output Item Type text; Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Naim, Ibrahim Ali, 1962- Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 04/10/2021 02:35:09 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/282708 INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. 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Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zed) Road, Ann Aibor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 IMAM MUSA AL-SADR: AN ANALYSIS OF fflS LIFE, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND LITERARY OUTPUT By Ibrahim Ali Nairn Copyright© Ibrahim Ali Nairn 1998 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF NEAR EASTERN STUDIES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 1998 DMI Number: 99 01674 Copyright 1998 by Nairn, Ibrahim Ali All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9901674 Copyright 1998, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA ® GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Final Examination Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by Ibrahim Ali Nairn entitled Imam Musa al-Sadr: An Analysis of His Life. Accomplishments. and Literary Output and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Dr. William' WiJ:^son Dat? D^ Adel Gamal J ( Date ^ ^ V I ^^ -A Dr. Ludwig-udll/i^ AdamecAdaniec TI Date (jV.<—^ k- Dr. Ted Park ~ Date • I ^ —•—- L/ -r > Dr. Helen Henderson Date Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate's submission of the final copy of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement. &lii hs Dissertati^n^irector William Wilson ' 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in The University of Arizona Main Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the library. Brief quotations fi-om this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgement of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the copyright holder. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my parents for encouraging me to go to college and working very hard to support me pursue my education. May God grant me the strength to always be there for them. I also would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to The University of Arizona and its administration for giving the opportunity to one of their students. My special thanks, gratitude and deep respect go to all the members of my graduate committee: Professor William J. Wilson, Professor Adel Gamal, Professor Ludwig W. Adamec, Professor Ted "Tad" Park, and Professor Helen Henderson. I consider myself very lucky for having been associated with and studied under such great educators. May God bless them and give them the strength to continue their sacred work. My special thanks and appreciation go to Professor William J. Wilson, my Dissertation Director, for his guidance, encouragement, support and patience. His assistance was vital for the production of this work. The continuous encouragement and support of Professor Adel Gamal are also greatly appreciated. 5 DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my lovely and supportive wife Fatima Ibrahim Naim. Without her support and encouragement I would not have been able to achieve my goal of completing this dissertation and realize my goal of achieving a doctorate degree. I also want to dedicate this dissertation to my beautiful children ' Ali (15),' Ali (6) and Yasmin (5), with special dedication to my daughter and my youngest son, who always sat next to me while I was typing the dissertation trying to help me. I also want to dedicate this dissertation to my parents who have always been supportive of my academic and professional goals in life. They were the ones who worked very hard on making it possible for me to come to the United States to pursue my higher education. And finally, I want to dedicate this dissertation to the memory of Imam Musa and all the innocent Lebanese civilians who lost their lives during the Lebanese civil war. May their souls pray over Lebanon and its people and give them the wisdom to live in peace and harmony. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract 9-10 CHAPTER ONE: Introduction 11-18 Literature Review 19-28 Overview of study 29-33 Summary of Imam Musa's Personality 34-37 The Shi'i Community in Lebanon; a. History 38-44 b. Numbers, Areas of Concentration and Major Industry 44-56 c. Socioeconomic Conditions 44-56 d. Political Power 44-56 CHAPTER TWO: The Life of Imam Musa al-Sadr: a. Ancestors 57-60 b. Education and Early Work 60-61 c. First visits to Lebanon 61-62 d. The Strange Disappearance of the Imam 62-70 Accomplishments of Imam Musa al-Sadr: a. Educational Institutions 71-75 b. Health and Social Services 75-77 c. The Supreme Islamic Shi'i Council 78-80 d. Movement of the Disinherited (AMAL) 80-84 e. The Ba'labakk Oath 84-86 7 Imam Musa al-Sadr: The Man a. Personal and Physical Characteristics 87-92 b. Observations by Friends and Foes 87-92 c. They Said of The Imam 93-99 Imam Musa al-Sadr; Political Thought and Activism a. Relations with the Lebanese Government 100-104 b. Relations with Shi' ah Zu'ama (leaders) 104-106 c. Relations with Arab and Muslim Governments 106-108 d. Maintaining Ties with Iran 109-112 d. Relations with Christians 113-115 e. Relations with the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization 115-120 f. Relations with the Left in Lebanon & the region 120-122 Imam Musa al-Sadr; Religious Thought and Activism a. Interpretation on Shi'ism and its Teachings 123-125 b. Islam and Modernization 126-127 c. Women in Islam 127-132 d. Islam and Science 132-134 e. Towards Muslim Unity 134-136 f. Tolerance of Other Religions 136-137 CHAPTER THREE; Imam Musa al-Sadr: Literary Output a. Presentations 138-216 b. Interviews 138-216 c. Articles 138-216 d. Books 217-234 1. Islam and Education in the Twentieth Century 217-228 2. Islam is our Choice to Change the Current Reality... 8 CHAPTER FOUR; Imam Musa's Legacy & Future of the Shi'i Community in Lebanon 235-243 a. Politics 236-237 b. Education/Health/Sociai Services 237-239 c. Community Cohesion 239-240 d. Challenges Facing the Shi'i Community 240-243 CONCLUSION 244-248 GLOSSARY 249 APPENDIX; Important dates for Lebanon and Imam Musa al-Sadr 250-251 REFERENCES 252-258 9 ABSTRACT Imam Musa al-Sadr (1347 AH, 1928 CE), is an Iranian Shi'i Imam with Lebanese ancestry. He became the leader of the Shi'i community in Lebanon in 1959 after the death of the local leader. He lived in Lebanon for about nineteen years before his sudden disappearance during an official visit to Libya in 1978. His stay in Lebanon marked a major transformation in the political, social, religious, and economic life of the Shi'i community. It also marked a major change in the history of Lebanon and the Lebanese as a whole. His work and accomplishments touched all the Lebanese no matter what religion, region, or political affiliation they belonged to. This dissertation will discuss and analyze the life of Imam Musa, as he was known by his followers; his numerous writings, speeches, and manifestos; the contributions he made to the advancement of the Shi'i community in Lebanon. It will also analyze his appeal for Muslim unity around the world and religious tolerance between the various religious communities in Lebanon. Finally this dissertation will look at the legacy he left and the fliture of the Shi" ah in Lebanon.