Ali Shari'ati: Revolutionary Thinker and the Concept of Human Beings
Ali Syari'ati, who was born with
the name Ali Mazinani on November 24 1933 in Mazinan, near the holy city of
Mashhad, where the grave of Imam Ali bin Musa al-Ridha is buried, is a figure
considered holy by the Shia Isna 'Asyariyah.
His father, Muhammad Taqi
Shari'ati, was a teacher, while his mother, Zahrah, was from Sabzevar.
Shari'ati's name was first used in his passport to avoid immigration officials
when he was leaving for England on 16 May 1977, a few days before his death.
Since the age of eighteen,
Shari'ati began teaching while studying as a student. After completing his
studies in 1960, he received a scholarship to continue his education in France
in the field of sociology. In 1964, he earned a doctorate in sociology and
Islamic history from the Sorbonne University.
However, after returning to Iran,
he was arrested by the ruling regime on charges of being involved in political
activities while in France. Shari'ati was released in 1965 and began teaching
at Mashhad University.
The concept of Insan Kamil according to Ali Shari'ati
According to Ali Shari'ati, the
ideal human or insan kamil is God's caliph who is blessed with self-awareness,
free will and creativity. Humans have two opposing dimensions, namely the
Spirit of Allah and the rotten mud, which enables the process of becoming a
perfect human being.
The ideal human being is one who
is able to overcome the elements of rotten mud and manifest God's morals within
himself.
Humans do not become ideal just
by establishing a personal relationship with God or ignoring human affairs.
Rather, man's perfection lies in his striving for humanity as a whole, which
ultimately leads him to "find" God. The ideal human is one who
remains involved with nature and fellow humans, while continuing to maintain a
spiritual relationship with God.
Characteristics of Human Kamil according to Ali Shari'ati
According to Shari'ati, the ideal
human being is one who thinks philosophically but does not ignore the fate of
humanity. His political involvement did not make him a demagogue, and his
knowledge did not diminish his beliefs and ideals.
His beliefs did not dull his
reason and logic. His piety did not make him a helpless ascetic, and his social
activities did not leave him trapped in eternity. The ideal human being is also
a fighter and thinker, poetic and strong, has emotions and intelligence, and
unites all dimensions of true humanity.
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