12th Imam Essay

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THST: Islam Professor Amir Hussain The Mystery of the 12th Imam: His Effect on Islam in Iran * The recent developments in the Iranian crisis may seem relatively new, or may be evidence of an internal conflict that has been growing for years. The political disparity in Iran stems from two conflicting interpretations and applications of Shi’ism to theocratic society, for each of these interpretations has its own foundations in the social, cultural and religious roots of Iran. To fully understand the situation in Iran today, one must analyze how the crisis started, why it is a crisis and how to potentially solve this crisis. A potential answer to this problem lies within the mystery of the 12th Imam, which is coincidentally the central basis of Shi’ism. Ayatollah Khomeini’s adapted definition of Twelver Shi’ism is what led millions to follow in his vision of a new Iran. Ayatollah Khomeini’s definition of Twelver Shi’sm, held the theory of guardianship of the Islamic jurist, the Islamic jurist would be the successor of Muhammad. This definition is not accepted by all Twelver Shi’a, but is the basis for the Iranian constitution. However the overall concept of Twelver Shi’ism and the 12th Imam is the foundation of Shi’ism. So, how is it possible to solve the unrest in Iran with the very same ideology that founded its current turmoil? To fully understand Shi'ism in Iran, an analysis of the Iranian Revolution is absolutely necessary to identify the different factions of Shi’ism and their roles in the creation of a new Iran. The crisis in Iran today is primarily concerned with the freedom of the popular sovereignty in Iran, in terms of the repression of freedom of the public. The people of Iran desire freedom and democracy, as the praxis of their theocratic government has drawn them protest and demand basic liberties.The crisis isn’t just completely focused on the
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