Sangalaji, Mirza Riza Quli Shariat
Overview
Sangalaji, Mirza Riza Quli Shariat (d. 1944), was a pioneering reformist theologian in Iran. He is regarded as a significant figure who advocated for a radical reinterpretation of Shii Islam in the face of modern challenges. Renowned for his critical stance against traditional practices, Sangalaji sought to align the Shii faith with rationalism and modernity.
Early Life and Education
Born in Iran, Mirza Riza Quli Shariat was deeply rooted in the theological traditions of Shiism. His education and career were marked by a continuous engagement with Islamic scholarship and a strong inclination towards modernist reforms.
Major Contributions
Rejection of Taqlid
Mirza Riza Quli Shariat was a chief proponent of discarding the institution of taqlid (Arabic: تقليد, Turkish: taklid), which refers to the emulation of the exemplary conduct of religious authorities. He saw this practice as a barrier to intellectual freedom and rational thinking.
Absolute Monotheism
He advocated for a return to absolute monotheism (tawhid, Arabic: توحيد, Turkish: tevhid), rejecting any practices that he deemed as conflicting with the pure worship of one God. This included his opposition to the Shii cult of saints, which venerated certain historical and religious figures.
Emphasis on Rationalism
Sangalaji stressed the importance of rationalism (aql), proposing it as a crucial tool to rescue the Shii faith from medieval absolutism and equip it for the perceived challenges posed by Western influences.
Rejection of the Twelfth Imam’s Return
One of his most controversial positions involved the rejection of the traditional Shii belief in the return of the Twelfth Imam to earth before the Day of Resurrection to avenge the descendants of Muhammad. Sangalaji considered this belief to be a distraction from focusing on practical and rational approaches to religious and social life.
Reception and Legacy
The radical nature of Sangalaji’s reformist ideas led to widespread rejection by his contemporaries and traditional religious scholars. Despite the significant pushback, his work remains a critical part of the discourse on modernist reform in Shii Islam.
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: ميرزا رضا قلي شريعتي سنگلوجي (Mīrzā Riḍā Qulī Sharīʿatī Sanglūjī)
- Turkish: Mirza Riza Kuli Şeriyati Sanglaji
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Constructing Modernity: Mirza Riza Quli Shariat Sangalaji and his Central Role in Iranian Thought” by Abbas Amanat
- “Shi’ism: A Religion of Protest” by Hamid Dabashi
- “Islamic Modernism and Reform Movements” by Mansoor Moaddel
Takeaways
- Sangalaji was a major reformist thinker in Shii Islam who opposed traditional religious practices such as taqlid and the cult of saints.
- He advocated for a return to absolute monotheism and emphasized rationalism in religious practice and thought.
- His ideas, met with considerable resistance from his peers, form a critical part of the discussion on Islamic modernism in contemporary theology.
Conclusion
Sangalaji, Mirza Riza Quli Shariat, remains a monumental figure in the history of modernist Islamic thought. His efforts to integrate rationalism and monotheism into Shii Islam highlighted the tensions between tradition and modernity, pushing the boundaries of religious discourse in his era and beyond.
