Re-reading Hafiz Rajab Bursi’s perspective on the imam's knowledge through a study of “Mashareq Anwar Al-Yaqin Elements of modernism in al-Sayyab’s second phase of artistic creation

Abstract EN

An important issue raised during the Holy Prophet’s (pbuh) mission was the issue of Imamate.

After prophecy was substituted by Imamate over time, some characteristics were presented for an Imam in Islamic societies.

Shiites have introduced special characteristics for an Islamic Imam based on verses and hadiths, one of which is “the Imam’s scope of knowledge”.

Shiite scholars have published various works in this field, such as “Mashreq Anwar al-Yaqin fi Haqiqat Asrar Amir al-Mominin” written by Sheikh Hafiz Rajab Bursi.

The present article aims to re-read the issues related to Imam Ali’s knowledge using a descriptive-analytical approach, and to explore the extent of exaggeration in Hafiz Bursi’s language in his book Mashreq alAnwar.

After studying the lexical and idiomatic concept and definition of exaggeration provided by earlier and recent scholars, the results showed that, contrary to common beliefs, Mashreq al-Anwar does not consist of any sort of exaggeration.