Hujjat al-Islam
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Hujjat al-Islam (Arabic: حجة الإسلام, romanized: ḥujjat-u l-Islām, Persian: حجةالاسلام or حجتالاسلام, romanized: hojjat-o l-Eslām) is an Islamic honorific title which translates in English to "authority on Islam" or "proof of Islam".[1]
The title "Hujjat al-Islam" is given to scholars with a high level of Islamic expertise and Islamic theology.[2] Essentially, one who aquires this title is considered to be a respectuful authority to Islam. The person with this title is also able to provide guidance and clarify topics on issues in the Islamic community. [3] The term "Hujjat al-Islam" has different connotation to Sunnis and Shias. [4]
Hujjat al-Islam History[edit]
Overall, Hujjat al-Islam has a significant weight within the Islamic community. It offers historical significance, educational purposes and responsibilities, traditional continuation, and ethical guidance[5]. This term was first established in the beginning of the Islamic history, it used to refer to figures who served as authorities, but now it's used to refer to the scholars who have Islamic knowledge. [5] Individuals with this title are looked upon due to their deep knowledge of Islam.[6] They could be responsible to teach Islamic classes, provide fatwas on legal and ethical issue, and they can interrupt Islamic teaching to others. [2] Since the term was established, it held a valuable meaning within the Islamic community. It serves as a mark of honor and the term continues to be used to this day.[5]
Sunni Islam[edit]
Its first recorded use was in a Sunni context, as a title for the 11th-century theologian al-Ghazali, due to his refutations of Hellenistic-influenced philosophers and Isma'ilis.[1] It was later used as a term of respect for judges.[1]
In the contemporary era, Egyptian Muhaddith Qadi Ahmad Shakir would confer the title "Hujjat al-Islam" to his master Muhammad Rashid Rida, upon his death.[7] Deobandis granted this title to their leader Hanafi Maturidi theologian Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi for his debates with scholars of other religions and establishing Darul Uloom Deoband.
Shia Islam[edit]
The title of the "Hiujjat al-Islam" is primary popular in the Shia sect of Islam.[8] In the Twelver Shia the title is awarded to scholars. It's earliest attested use for a Shia personage was during the Qajar period for Muhammad Baqir Shafti (d. 1843).[1] It was originally applied as an honorific to leading scholars, but now the use indicates a status in the hierarchy of the learned below ayatollah.[1]
See also[edit]
- Allamah
- Shaykhism
- Shaykh of Sufism
- Sheikh ul-Islam
- Ayatollah
- Seghatoleslam
- Sufism
- Imam
- Islamic religious leaders
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Algar, Hamid (23 March 2012). "Ḥojjat-al-Eslām". Encyclopædia Iranica. Vol. XII. p. 426. Archived from the original on 17 May 2012.
- ^ a b "Hujjat al-Islam Imam Ghazali: The Sun of the Fifth Century – The Pen Magazine". 2011-02-01. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ "Biography of Hujjat al-Islam Wal-Muslimeen Sayyid Mohammad Taqi Hakim".
- ^ Ansary, Abdul Latif. "Imam Gazzali: A Great Philosopher of Islam". IJFMR - International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research. 5 (1). doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i01.1400. ISSN 2582-2160.
- ^ a b c GhaneaBassiri, Kambiz (2001–2002). "Hujjat Al-Islam Mohsen Sa'Idzadeh: A Contemporary Iranian Cleric on Fiqh, Women, and Civil Society". UCLA Journal of Islamic and Near Eastern Law. 1: 229.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link) - ^ "When and why were the terms Ayatollah and Hujjat ul-islam began to be used to refer to our scholars? I would like to explore about their origin, meaning and distinctions". پایگاه اطلاع رسانی استاد حسین انصاریان - https://erfan.ir (in Persian). Retrieved 2024-05-06.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ ibn Abd al-Aziz ibn Hammad al-Aql, Abdurrahman (2005). "Al-Ustadhun Al-Imam Hujjat al-Islam As-Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Rida" [Our Master, Imam Hujjat Al-Islam Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Rida]. Jamharat Maqalat Allamah As-Shaykh Ahmad Muhammad Shakir. Dar al-Riyadh. pp. 653–665.
- ^ "Hayat".
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- ^ "Biography of Hujjat al-Islam Wal-Muslimeen Sayyid Mohammad Taqi Hakim". Al Islam.org.
- ^ "When and why were the terms Ayatollah and Hujjat ul-islam began to be used to refer to our scholars? I would like to explore about their origin, meaning and distinctions". پایگاه اطلاع رسانی استاد حسین انصاریان - https://erfan.ir (in Persian). Retrieved 2024-05-05.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ "A Conclusive Argument in Favour of Islam". Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ "Hujjat al-Islam Imam Ghazali: The Sun of the Fifth Century – The Pen Magazine". 2011-02-01. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ Ansary, Abdul Latif. "Imam Gazzali: A Great Philosopher of Islam". IJFMR - International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research. 5 (1). doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i01.1400. ISSN 2582-2160.