Islamic Knowledge and Insight

Expediency and Its Role in Deriving Rulings for Emerging Issues

Mansour Abdul Karim Ali Al-Saedi

; Mohammad Amin Fard *

; Ahmad Mortazi

The extensive social, scientific, and technological transformations of the present era have given rise to newly emerging issues, and consequently new questions, for many of which there is no explicit text in the Qur’an and Sunnah. This study aims to elucidate the special status of the principle of expediency (maslaha) in the process of deriving rulings (ahkam) for emerging issues (masāʾil mustahdatha) in Islamic jurisprudence, particularly within the Shiʿa school of thought. In this regard, while explaining the concepts of expediency (maslaha), juristic preference (istihsan), and blocking the means (sadd al-dhara’i), the research examines the theoretical and practical distinctions and boundaries between these concepts, clarifying that expediency—unlike istihsan and sadd al-dhara’i—is oriented toward public interests and the overarching objectives of the Shariʿa (maqasid al-shariʿa). By classifying emerging issues into novel topics with a traditional nature and entirely unprecedented topics, the study emphasizes the importance of precise identification of the subject matter and the use of contemporary and specialized sciences alongside the foundational principles of ijtihad. Based on this approach, deriving rulings for emerging issues depends on the interaction between reason (ʿaql), scientific expertise, customary rational practice (ʿurf ʿuqala’i), and principled ijtihad. Moreover, adherence to the criteria for validating expediency—such as non-contradiction with explicit texts, consensus (ijmaʿ), and the objectives of the Shariʿa—is presented as a safeguard for the authenticity of jurisprudence. The findings indicate that the principle of expediency, provided that definitive texts and the essential purposes of religion are respected, serves as a dynamic and reliable tool for deriving rulings for new issues. This enables the jurist to issue rulings that address contemporary needs while remaining in harmony with the values of the Shariʿa, through a proper understanding of new realities and the use of reason and experience. However, such an endeavor requires careful vigilance against potential risks, such as deviation from explicit texts or the intrusion of non-Sharʿi motives. Ultimately, it can be concluded that the dynamism and effectiveness of Imamiyyah jurisprudence depend on a methodical consideration of expediency, without departing from the authentic foundations of ijtihad.

A Critical Analysis of the Role of Worship in Avicenna's Ten-Intellect System

Noorali Esfandiar

; Ghasem Hassanpour *

; Mohammad Safehian

The concept of worship in Islamic philosophy has consistently been interpreted in light of broader discussions surrounding the soul, intellect, and human felicity. Within this framework, Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā), through his formulation of the system of ten intellects and his designation of the Active Intellect as the ultimate goal of human motion, presents a distinctive interpretation of worship. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of worship within Avicenna’s philosophical system and to critique it from the perspectives of Islamic philosophy, theology (kalām), and mysticism. The central research question is whether worship, as conceived by Avicenna, aligns with the monotheistic foundations and the direct experiential nature of devotional practice, or whether it has been reduced to an abstract, mediated, and non-intuitive concept within a rationalist philosophical framework. This study adopts an analytical–descriptive methodology and draws upon authentic philosophical, Qur’anic, and mystical sources to examine Avicenna’s theoretical foundations—namely, the Principle of the One (qāʿidat al-wāḥid), the hierarchy of intellects, and the role of the Active Intellect. The research offers a reinterpretation of the concept of worship within his system. The findings indicate that Avicenna does not interpret worship as a means of existential proximity to God, but rather as a rational connection to the Active Intellect. This interpretation proves incompatible with revelatory and mystical doctrines, as it shifts the ultimate aim of worship from servitude to the Divine to a relationship with a transcendent created entity. Consequently, Avicenna's approach to worship can be described as rationalist yet lacking in monotheistic depth.

Analyzing the Components and Dimensions of Social Health in the Qur'an in Order to Provide Educational Implications

Mahboubeh Khosravi

; Jahanbakhsh Rahmani *

; Mohammad Reza Shamshiri

The present study aims to analyze the components and dimensions of social health in the Qur'an in order to derive educational implications. This research is categorized as a qualitative study conducted through the method of qualitative content analysis. The research domain includes the Islamic teachings of the Qur'an and narrations, utilizing a purposive approach. The data collection tool consisted of note-taking and extracting content related to the components and dimensions of social health in the Qur'an. The findings indicate that: Qur'anic teachings and Islamic narrations emphasize concepts such as social justice, empathy and cooperation, enjoining good and forbidding wrong, moral security, social responsibility, and the reform of social relationships. These elements are also recognized in contemporary theories of social health in various forms, but within Islamic sources, they are accompanied by an emphasis on spiritual and divine values. A comparative analysis between the two perspectives reveals that the Islamic approach to social health, in addition to material aspects, emphasizes spiritual and moral excellence at both the individual and societal levels, viewing it as closely tied to justice, human dignity, and social ethics. The results of this study demonstrate that Islamic teachings can serve as a suitable theoretical and practical foundation for promoting social health and informing social policymaking.

Epistemological Foundations of Hafez and the Inference of a Mystical Approach in Teacher Education in Iran

Mohammadreza Madadi Mahani *

; Seyed Hamidreza Alavi

, Mohammadreza Sarafi

, Morad Yari Dehnavi

https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.2.2.18

The aim of this study is to design a mystical teacher education system aligned with the epistemology of Hafez. To this end, Hafez’s mystical poetry has been analyzed and inferred through interpretive and deductive methods. The findings indicate that religious teachings have a profound influence on the foundational elements of teacher education. The ultimate aim of education is closeness to God (qurb) and maintaining a relationship with the Divine. Along this path, several attainable intermediate goals exist, including propositional (ḥuṣūlī) and intuitive (ḥuḍūrī) knowledge, understanding of love, and self-knowledge. The curriculum content is God-centered and includes self-knowledge and purification of the soul, the expression of love, the creation of beauty, acquisition of various sciences, and study of the Qur’an and Hadith. Instructional methods, influenced by these goals, emphasize spiritual purification, contemplation, and love. Teachers trained in such a system benefit from spiritual-psychological serenity, universal love, inner intuition, and theistic belief.

Jurisprudential Analysis of Moharebeh from Shiite and Sunni Perspectives and the Foundations of Its Proof

Ali Yadaniz

; Hossein Ahmari *

; Mostafa Rajaeipour

This article examines the jurisprudential analysis of Moharebeh (armed rebellion) from Shiite and Sunni perspectives and the foundations of its proof. Moharebeh, as an independent crime, has been revived in Iranian law following the Islamic Revolution. Due to the lack of a precise definition by past jurists, challenges have emerged in aligning its legal rules with contemporary instances. This study is conducted with the aim of resolving conceptual ambiguities and reinforcing the foundations of Moharebeh through jurisprudential evidence. The Qur’an references Moharebeh in several verses, notably verse 33 of Surah Al-Ma’idah, and various narrations from Shiite and Sunni Imams have addressed this matter. Shiite and Sunni jurists differ in their definitions of Moharebeh and the conditions for its realization. However, they agree on general elements such as the necessity of using a weapon and the intention to instill fear among the public. The evidentiary conditions for establishing Moharebeh include confession, the testimony of two just male witnesses, and the knowledge of the judge. Moreover, prerequisites such as legal majority (bulugh), mental competence (‘aql), absence of coercion, and lack of legal entitlement to carry out hudud are essential. Repentance prior to arrest can nullify the implementation of the hadd (fixed punishment), though private rights (haqq al-nas) remain enforceable. Cases such as scouts (tali‘), accomplices (rad’), defenders, children, the mentally ill, and those who act in jest fall outside the scope of Moharebeh. This research contributes to a more precise delineation of Moharebeh rulings and supports the maintenance of order and security in Islamic society.

Exploring the Foundations of Zoroastrian Mysticism with Emphasis on Its Commonalities with Islamic Mysticism

Hadi Izadi Asli

; Behrouz Afshar *

; Mohammad Ali Yousefi

Mysticism is an inner spiritual phenomenon with a metaphysical essence and a transrational dimension, rooted in the pursuit of pure monotheism, culminating in annihilation in God (fanāʾ fi-llāh) and subsistence through God (baqāʾ bi-llāh). Through spiritual wayfaring toward God (sulūk ilā llāh), the human being becomes the manifestation of the divine names of majesty and beauty, a clear embodiment of God’s vicegerency (khilāfa) and a mirror reflecting the Divine countenance. Attaining such a lofty theomorphic station is exclusively actualized within the spiritually transformative framework of Islam. Nevertheless, other religions have also taken steps toward proximity to the Divine through various paths, although there are considerable differences in substance, form, and even the ultimate goal. Some researchers claim that Zoroastrian thought lacks mystical elements. However, a thorough examination of Zoroastrian texts reveals that Zoroastrian teachings are not devoid of mystical foundations; rather, these mystical elements have had a noticeable influence on both Eastern and Western mysticism. Therefore, the aim of the present article is to examine the mystical foundations of Zoroastrianism, with a particular focus on its commonalities with Islamic mysticism. This study is a descriptive-analytical research, and data were collected through library-based methods. The findings indicated that intellectual figures such as Ibn Yazdānyār of Urmia served as intermediaries in transferring Zoroastrian mystical thought into Islamic mysticism. While mysticism in Islam originates from the Qur’anic verses and Prophetic traditions, the ancient background and valuable heritage of the Zoroastrian religion cannot be overlooked. This heritage prepared the Iranian people for the embrace of mysticism. Therefore, it can be said that Aryan thought was inherently inclined toward mysticism.

Analysis of Life Events Based on Divine Will and Human Free Will from the Perspective of the Holy Qur'an

Masoumeh Ahmadi Motamayel

; Ali Hossin Ehteshami *

; Seyed Hamid Hoseini

https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.2.1.17

This study aims to explain the extent of dominance of divine will and human volition over life events. The primary objective of this research is to examine the degree of influence and role of divine will and human free will in the course of human life. The central research question is: Based on the Holy Qur'an, to what extent do divine will and human free will affect an individual’s life? The findings of this study indicate that, according to the Holy Qur’an, the scope of divine will encompasses all beings and creations. All entities, including human beings and the events that occur in their lives, are subject to the divine will and power. Consequently, human free will in the occurrence or non-occurrence of life events is considerably restricted. The methodology of this research is descriptive-analytical and is based on library sources.

Analyzing Life Events Based on Divine Providence and Human Free Will in Nahj al-Balagha

Masoumeh Ahmadi Motamayel

; Ali Hossin Ehteshami *

; Seyed Hamid Hoseini

https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.2.3.17

The relationship between divine providence and human free will has always been among the most foundational and challenging themes in Islamic theology. This article, through an analytical-critical approach, explores the integration of these two concepts in Nahj al-Balagha and argues that Imam Ali presents a dialectical and balanced vision of their interrelation. Contrary to deterministic or libertarian perspectives, Imam Ali views divine will as a wise and encompassing framework within which human choice attains meaning. A semantic analysis of the terms mashīʾa (divine will) and ikhtiyār (free will) in classical theological and lexical sources offers a clearer understanding of his perspective. According to Imam Ali, while human will is not absolute, it remains real and accountable, forming the basis of moral responsibility and religious obligation. Through a detailed examination of sermons and letters in Nahj al-Balagha, this article demonstrates how Imam Ali distinguishes between mashīʾa in the ontological realm and ikhtiyār in the moral-legal realm, thereby offering a Shi‘a-based resolution to the classical dilemma of predestination and free will. Ultimately, the study emphasizes that belief in divine providence alongside human free will not only fosters inner peace and trust in God on the personal level but also cultivates responsibility, justice-seeking, and ethical conduct in collective life.

About the Journal

Islamic Knowledge and Insight is a premier, open-access journal dedicated to advancing academic dialogue on Islamic studies, bridging traditional insights with contemporary understandings in diverse fields such as philosophy, jurisprudence, theology, spirituality, ethics, and cultural studies. This journal serves as a platform for scholars, researchers, and thinkers from around the world to publish original research, critical reviews, and insightful commentary that further our understanding of Islamic knowledge and its applications to individual and social well-being.

Published quarterly, Islamic Knowledge and Insight is committed to upholding high standards of scholarly excellence through rigorous peer review and meticulous editorial oversight. Our journal appeals to a global audience, fostering interdisciplinary and intercultural exchanges that enrich both Islamic studies and broader social sciences and humanities.

Current Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): Serial Number 8

Published: 2025-07-16

Articles

Challenges of Developing Cultural Capital from the Perspective of the Qur'an and Hadith

Shahsavar Rostami *

; Sohrab Morovati

, Mohammad Reza Hosseininia

, Behrooz Sepidnameh

1-20
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.135
Dimensions and Components of Security-Building Economy Based on the Thoughts of the Supreme Leader

Mohammad Hadi Ghani Yeganeh *

21-33
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.116
Examining the Love of the World in the Philosophical Thought of Nasir Khusraw and Qutb al-Din Shirazi

Zohreh Mansouri

; Seyed Hashem Golestani *

; Zohreh Saadatmand

34-55
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.142
Deviant Criminal Policy: An Uprising Influenced by Islamic Political Philosophy

Ahmad Ahmadi

; Salman Konani *

; Mohamad Mehdi Kiani

, Abdolvahid Zahedi

1-13
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.130
Religious Activism of the Buyid Dynasty: From Supporting Shiite Rituals to Abbasid Reactions

Ali Gholipour Samakoosh *

; Yazdan Farrokhi

, Mohammad Ali Hosseini

, Ali Saeedi

1-15
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.195
Decoding the Semantic Reality of “Huwa Nabāʾun ʿAẓīm” in the Thought of Exegetes of Both Islamic Denominations

Javad Nasiri Vatan

; Amir poorsharoodi *

; Ramadan Paybarjai

1-12
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.180
Examining the Relationship Between Risk and Resilience on Shariah Acceptance

Atena Farhadi

; Amir Gholami *

; Mohammad Mahdi Ahmadi

72-81
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.98
Examining the First Station of the Soul or the Realm of Dominion from the Perspective of Imam Khomeini

Musa Rahiminejad

, Maryam Bakhtiar *

, Ali Yar Hosseini

1-18
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.210
Analysis of Sacred Defense Screenplay Based on Roland Barthes' Theory (Case Study: Gilaneh Film)

Hamid Sarukhani

; Hossein Ghasemi *

; Morad Bagherzadeh Kasmani

1-17
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.204
A Study of the Trends in Sunni Qur’anic Exegesis in Iran from 1981 to 2011

Nowroz Ali Banar

; Mohammad Ali Mir *

; Mohammad Ali Khaledian

, Hamed Khani

1-14
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.207
Methodological Errors of Yaḥyā Muḥammad in Mushkilat al-Ḥadīth (Section: Sunni Ḥadīth): A Case of Doubting a Definitive Religious Necessity

Saad Hatem

; Abdul Hadi Fiqhi Zadeh *

; Majid Maaref

, Atefeh Zarsazan

1-16
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.197
Cognitive Methods of Economic Education in the Teachings of the Qur'an

Barat Madah

; Seyyed Ahmad Mirian *

; Mohammad Hadi Yadollahpour

1-16
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.155
An Examination of the Efforts of Religious Modernism Regarding the Possibility of Religious Life in the Modern World with Emphasis on the Views of Abdolkarim Soroush and Mostafa Malekian

Pejman Yari ; Ali Parimi * ; Jalal Peykani , Mahdi Khademi

1-13
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.162
The Potential of Islamic Philosophy Approaches for the Reproduction of Methodology-Based Educational Theories

Masoumeh Bayat *

1-12
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.134
The Role and Contribution of Prayer in Realizing the New Islamic Civilization in the Thought of Ayatollah Khamenei

Ebrahim Rostami

; Mohammad Tohidfam *

; Mohammadreza Hatami

1-15
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.173
The Rhetoric of the Holy Quran from the Perspective of Imam Reza (peace be upon her)

Isa Madani

; Mohammad Hossein Tavanaei Sarah Dein *

; Tahmineh Parsaei

1-15
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.145
Obedience and Disobedience (Nushūz): A Comparative Analysis of the Verses of Legal Rulings in the Noble Qur’an and Personal Status Law in Iraq

Zargham Abdulhadi Naser Macsusi

; Majed Najarian *

; Adnan Hashem Javad AL Shoroufi

, Mohammad Reza Shamshiri

1-13
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.125
Another Reading of the Shiqshiqiyya Sermon: A Systemic Functional Linguistic Analysis in Light of Narrative and Literary Commentaries

Shiva Sadeghi

; Mohammad Gholami *

; Hadi Mehrizi

1-24
- PDF
https://doi.org/10.61838/iki.156

View All Issues

Islamic Knowledge and Insight

Expediency and Its Role in Deriving Rulings for Emerging Issues

A Critical Analysis of the Role of Worship in Avicenna's Ten-Intellect System

Analyzing the Components and Dimensions of Social Health in the Qur'an in Order to Provide Educational Implications

Epistemological Foundations of Hafez and the Inference of a Mystical Approach in Teacher Education in Iran

Jurisprudential Analysis of Moharebeh from Shiite and Sunni Perspectives and the Foundations of Its Proof

Exploring the Foundations of Zoroastrian Mysticism with Emphasis on Its Commonalities with Islamic Mysticism

Analysis of Life Events Based on Divine Will and Human Free Will from the Perspective of the Holy Qur'an

Analyzing Life Events Based on Divine Providence and Human Free Will in Nahj al-Balagha

About the Journal

Current Issue

Articles

Challenges of Developing Cultural Capital from the Perspective of the Qur'an and Hadith

Dimensions and Components of Security-Building Economy Based on the Thoughts of the Supreme Leader

Examining the Love of the World in the Philosophical Thought of Nasir Khusraw and Qutb al-Din Shirazi

Deviant Criminal Policy: An Uprising Influenced by Islamic Political Philosophy

Religious Activism of the Buyid Dynasty: From Supporting Shiite Rituals to Abbasid Reactions

Decoding the Semantic Reality of “Huwa Nabāʾun ʿAẓīm” in the Thought of Exegetes of Both Islamic Denominations

Examining the Relationship Between Risk and Resilience on Shariah Acceptance

Examining the First Station of the Soul or the Realm of Dominion from the Perspective of Imam Khomeini

Analysis of Sacred Defense Screenplay Based on Roland Barthes' Theory (Case Study: Gilaneh Film)

A Study of the Trends in Sunni Qur’anic Exegesis in Iran from 1981 to 2011

Methodological Errors of Yaḥyā Muḥammad in Mushkilat al-Ḥadīth (Section: Sunni Ḥadīth): A Case of Doubting a Definitive Religious Necessity

Cognitive Methods of Economic Education in the Teachings of the Qur'an

An Examination of the Efforts of Religious Modernism Regarding the Possibility of Religious Life in the Modern World with Emphasis on the Views of Abdolkarim Soroush and Mostafa Malekian

The Potential of Islamic Philosophy Approaches for the Reproduction of Methodology-Based Educational Theories

The Role and Contribution of Prayer in Realizing the New Islamic Civilization in the Thought of Ayatollah Khamenei

The Rhetoric of the Holy Quran from the Perspective of Imam Reza (peace be upon her)

Obedience and Disobedience (Nushūz): A Comparative Analysis of the Verses of Legal Rulings in the Noble Qur’an and Personal Status Law in Iraq

Another Reading of the Shiqshiqiyya Sermon: A Systemic Functional Linguistic Analysis in Light of Narrative and Literary Commentaries

Make a Submission

Editorial Board

Keywords

Information Table

Language

Journal Archive

Average time from submission until

Indexing & Abstracting