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Photographs induded in the original mariuscript have ben reQroduœd xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6. x W bkkand white phobtogmphic prints are availabk for any photognphs or illustmtbns appearing h îhîs copy for an additional charge. Coritaa UMI diredty to order- Bell & Hdllnformgtion and Lemming 300 Norlh Zseb Road, Ann Arbor. MI 48106-1346 USA AGSHAHRASTHAND THE sEÜ'~DOCTRINE OF 1-: AN ANALYSIS OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN HIS . AL- WAAGA@ULAND ~-YATA~.QD&~?'EMAL-a. %y: Siti Syamsiyatun A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Isiamic Studies Institute of Islamic Studies McGill University Canada June 1998 National Library Bibliothèque nationale du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. me WeNngton Ottawa ON K1A ON4 OCEawaON K1AûN4 Canada Caiirada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une Licence non exclusive licence ailowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or seil reproduire, prêter, distn'buer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/nùn, de reproduction sur papier ou sur fonnat électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be p~tedor otheMrise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Author : Siti Syamsiyatun Tittle :Al-Shahrasta and the Sfi'i Doct~eof hka: An Analysis of the Views Expressed in His al-1iMi'Ia.i wa &-Nad and Nid-I~d& fi 'IIm al-Kalm Department :Institute of Islamic Studies, McGiII University Degree : Master of Arts This study seeks to anaiyze the views of al-Shahrastani (47911086 - 5484 153) on the issue of Shi7 imima as presented in his works aZ-Mil' wa al-Ni&î and NibZyat al- Iqd& fi 'Im a/-KalaataatIn each of t hese he devotes several chapten to a discussion of the leadership of the Sh?? community since the days of 'Ali b. Ab? Tilib. The study shows that both books under discussion were designed by al-Shahrastàni to serve different purposes and were composed according to different methodologies. He takes cornpletely different approaches to his treatment of SE4 doctrine in al-Miial and the Nihya. Acting as a "'historian of religion" in al-Milal, the author shows considerable objectivity and avoids passing judgement. He supports his account of Shi"ism with arguments acknowledged by the Shi% thernselves. This is because al-Shahrast-Zi intended al-Milal as a scientific and systematic account of religions. However, as a "theologian" he held certain of his own beliefs regarding several doctrinal problems, which he also wished to make it public. It was to serve this purpose that the Nihya was composed. Furtherrnore, in this work the author does not hesitate to attack opinions different from his own, including the doctrine of imha Auteur : Siti Syamsiyatun Titre :Al-Shahrast'ini et la doctrine Shicite de 1'Imhat: Une analyse d& opinions exprimées dans son al-MI'wa al-N*aiet son Ni6àyat al-IidhB 'nia al-Kalaia Département : Institut des Études Islamiques, Université McGiIi Diplôme : Maîtrise ès Arts --I_I__L_- - Cette étude cherche à analyser de manière spécifique les opinions d'al-Shabrast5ri7 (479/1086-54811153) sur la question de I'Imàmat Shicite, telles que présentées dans ses ouvrages al-MiId wa al-Nibai ainsi que NihZyat &qd% fi 'Im al-Kdk. Dans chacun de ces textes, al-Shahrastani consacre plusieurs chapitres sur le débat concernant la direction de la communauté SE'ite depuis l'époque d''a b. Ab? TIlib. Cette recherche démontre que les deux livres étudiés furent conceptualisés par al-Shahrastani afm de sewir des objectifs différents et ils fiirent rédigés selon des méthodologies différentes. En effet, l'auteur prend respectivement des aprroches tout a fait différente dans son traitement de la doctrine SG%e dans le al-Milalque dans la Nihgya- Prenant le rôle "d'historien de la religion" dans le al-MIa/, l'auteur démontre considérablement son objectivité et évite d'émettre un jugement. IL soutient son compte-rendu du Sbu'isme grâce a des arguments approuvés par les Shi %es eux-mêmes. Tout ceci parce que al-Shahrastani voyait dans le al-Miilal un iii compte-rendu scientifique et systématique des religions. Toutefois, en tant que "thélogien," il n'hésite pas à confirmer ses propres croysmxs concernant plusieurs problémes doctrinaux et qu'il désire rendre pubiic. C'était dans ce but que le N~aya fut rédigé. De plus, dans cet ouvrage, L'auteur n'hésite pas à attaquer des opinions différentes de la sienne, incluant la doctrine de I'Imâmat. It is with profound himùlity and reverence that 1 wish to acknowledge the many people who have given generously of their the and wisdom to help me to complete my course of study at McGiII University, and particularly the writing of this thesis- First and foremost, 1 would like to express my sincerest and deepest gratitude to my thesis supervisor, Prof. Eric L. Ormsby, one of the -most knowledgeable and sympathetic teachers I have known, for his continual guidance and invaluable help throughout the penod of the writing of this research, It was fiom Prof, Ormsby that 1 leamed about the development of Islamic thought and its richness. The encouragement and support he has given to me will always be remembered and appreciated. 1 would also Iike to extend my sincere thanks to Prof. Howard Federspiel, my academic advisor, who guided me through the years of my studies at the Institute of Islarnic Studies, McGill University. Prof. Federspiel has been a constant source of sound advice whenever 1encouotered various problems in my work. During my time at McGili University I have been fortunate to have been taught by some of the most outstanding scholars in their respective fields. 1 am extremely grateful to Prof. Hermann Landolt who has introduced me to the bewitching world of Islamic mysticism and Shi'ism through his inspiring classes. From Prof. Issa J. Boullata, an eminent scholar in Arabic iiterature, 1 leamed not only about classical Qur'sc exegesis, but also the beauties of the Arabic language. Thanks are also due to Prof. Üner Turgay, the director of the Iartitute of Islamic Studies, for his concem and moral support draing my stay. He aiso showed me new perspectives on the study of state and govemment in Islam. My special gratitude goes to the McGili - Indonesia IAIN Development Project and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for the generous scholarships awarded to me, which made it possible for me to pursue graduate research at the institute of Islamic Studies. My appreciation also goes to the staff of The Islamic Studies Library for their invaluable help in providing the necessary research materials. 1 am rnuch indebted and greatly thankfbl to my colleagues and fkiends, especially to Steve Millier and Richard MacGregor, who have kindly given assistance in editing my thesis and making it more presentable. Finally, 1 wish to express my gratitude and sincere love to my parents, sisters and brothers, for their continuous moral and spiritual support. My dear husband, Muhammad Arif Prajoko, and lovely son, Ibrahim Hanif, deserve my best love and deepest appreciation. The blessing of their love and affection, t heir count less sacrifices and their support enabled me to successfully complete my endeavor. Montreal, May 1998 S.S. TRANSLITERATION The Arabic transliteration used in this thesis is as foL10ws: @ 2 Short : ,a; - u; ,i Long : L â; 9 Ü; 3 7 œ m * - Diphtongs: u- ay; 9- aw Alifmaq@a : cc a a ta7marbt3u (2 ) : a; in Mqu: at TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE i ABSTRACT ii iii v TRANS LITERATION vii TABLE OF CONTENTS viii 1 CHAPTER ONE: AL-SHAHRASTM:HIS BACKGROUND, LIFE AND WORKS 7 A. A Brief Sketch of al-Shahrastani's Background 7 1 .The 'Abbàsid Caliphate 7 2. The Development of Religious Thought 12 B. Al-Shahrast-ii: His Life and Works 25 1. Ai-Shahrastatii's Life 25 2.The Works Attributed to ai-Shahrastki 34 CHAPTER TWO: AL-MZAL WA AL-WAL AND ~~~HAYAT AL-IQD'F? 'ILMAL-wZW: AN OVERVIEW 39 A. Purpose 43 B. Methodology 50 C. Content 62 CHAPTER THREE: AL-SHAHRASTM~MWOF THE SEUT IMXMA AS PRESENTED INAL-.AL WA AL-- AND ~-YATAL-IQD, FI 'ILMAL-MÂ~~ 74 A. Al-Shahrastani's View of the Shi? Im*a as Expressed in his al-MIal wa al- Nw 75 B.