A Brief of Islam’s Teachings
This book is one of the works of great contemporary scholar, Allameh Tabatabaee; on the teachings of Islam.
The author
Allameh Seyyed Muhammad Hossein Tabatabaie, prominent philosopher, born in 1903 in Tabriz –Iran. He studied primary education in his birthplace, then in 1925 travelled to Najaf and completed his education during 10 years. He studied jurisprudence (Fiqh) and methodology (Osul) in the presence of celebrated masters: "Naieni" and ####"Company", and philosophy in the presence of "Seyyed Hossein Badkouie", mathematics in the presence of "Seyyed Abul Qasem Khansari" and ethics in the presence of "Mirza Ali Qazi". In 1935, returned to Tabriz. Allameh Tabatabaie's education was not restricted only to jurisprudence; in addition to studying: morphology & syntax, Arabic literature and jurisprudence & methodology, he also learnt old mathematics from "the principles of Euclid" to "the Almagest of Ptolemy" and philosophy, theology, theosophy too and achieved a high position in these sciences. In 1946, he emigrated to Qom and established the philosophy and metaphysics classes. He also travelled to Tehran successively and communicated with people who were interested in Islamic philosophy and discussed even with those who were against religion; he could make them understand the reality of religion. Therefore Allameh Tabatabaie had a deep influence on Iran and educated and modernist classes in the west. For many years every autumn there was a meeting between Allameh Tabatabaie and "Henry Carbon" (French Islamist, orientalist and philosopher) and also number of scholars attended, they discussed about the vital issues of philosophy and religion. In Qom Hawzeh (religious school), Allameh Tabatabaie revived intellectual sciences and exegesis of the Quran. Gradually teaching basic levels of philosophy such as: the book "Shefa" (written by Avicenna) and "Asfar" (written by mullah Sadra), became common. Hundreds students attended his philosophy classes; some of them are now great philosophy masters.
Structure of the book
It is divided into 3 main sections, as following:
1- The beliefs
2- Ethics
3- The religious commandments
- The beliefs: theism and nations – the Quran and monotheism – God’s power and knowledge – justice – prophecy – prophets’ characteristics – prophets’ nature and will – compassion – Imamate and the Imams’ knowledge – resurrection and purgatory, etc.
- Ethics: theism – conscientiousness – physical and spiritual health – education – teachers’ duty – justice – jihad - cooperation, etc
- The religious commandments: prayer – fast – ablution, etc.
The book has been translated into Russian, English, Italian and Azeri Turkish.
Sources :
A Brief of Islam’s Teachings
Farsi encyclopedia
Shia encyclopedia