ʿAbd al-Ḥusayn Kāfī, ʿIlm-i Ilāhī dar Andīshi-yi Kalāmī-yi Imāmiyya (az ʿAṣr-i Maʿṣūmān tā Madrasa-yi Kalāmī-yi Baghdād) (Divine Knowledge in Imāmī Theological Thought: From the Era of the Infallible Imāms to the Baghdad Theological School), 1st ed., 1 vol., Qom: Dār al-Ḥadīth Publications, 1402, 270 pp.
Theological inquiry into divine attributes has been a cornerstone of Islamic thought since its earliest generations, particularly within the framework of Shīʿī kalām (theology). The book ʿIlm-i Ilāhī dar Andīshi-yi Kalāmī-yi Imāmiyya (az ʿAṣr-i Maʿṣūmān tā Madrasa-yi Kalāmī-yi Baghdād) (Divine Knowledge in Imāmī Theological Thought: From the Era of the Infallible Imāms to the Baghdad Theological School), authored by Hujjat al-Islām Dr. ʿAbd al-Ḥusayn Kāfī, offers an in-depth exploration of one of the most significant divine attributes—ʿIlm-i Ilāhī (divine knowledge). This scholarly work forms part of a broader project aimed at revisiting and reconstructing early Imāmī theological perspectives.
Published in 1402 SH (2023 CE) by Dār al-Ḥadīth Publications and written in Persian, this 270-page book provides a historical, conceptual, and doctrinal study of how the concept of divine knowledge evolved within the early Imāmī kalām tradition. Dr. Kāfī’s research is especially valuable for academics and advanced students engaged in Islamic theology, Qurʾānic studies, and intellectual history.
Dr. ʿAbd al-Ḥusayn Kāfī is a prominent Iranian scholar specializing in Islamic studies. He holds a PhD in Teaching Islamic Doctrines with a concentration in the Qurʾān and Islamic texts from the University of Qurʾān and Ḥadīth. As a Shīʿī cleric, Dr. Kāfī combines rigorous seminary training with academic scholarship. His work reflects a strong methodological balance between traditional sources (Qurʾān and ḥadīth) and analytical tools of modern theology and philosophy.
The central concern of this book is the multi-dimensional exploration of divine knowledge (ʿIlm-i Ilāhī) within early Imāmī theology. Rather than treating it as an abstract metaphysical category, Dr. Kāfī adopts a diachronic approach. He traces the intellectual developments from the era of the Prophet Muḥammad (s) and the twelve Imāms (a) to the formation of theological schools in Kūfa and later in Baghdād.
The work emphasizes two key dimensions in theological analysis: the ontological and semantic aspects of divine knowledge. Dr. Kāfī illustrates how early Imāmī scholars engaged with these dimensions not in isolation but in close dialogue with Qurʾānic Ayahs and authentic ḥadīths. Additionally, the text explores the impact of Muʿtazilī thought—particularly in the Baghdād school—on later Imāmī theologians, suggesting a nuanced process of intellectual borrowing and adaptation.
This study seeks to answer critical questions: How was divine knowledge conceptualized by the Imāms (a) and early theologians? What hermeneutic strategies were used to reconcile scriptural sources with speculative theology? How did the Imāmī position distinguish itself from other Islamic schools?
Dr. Kāfī organizes the book into three main parts, comprising eight chapters, each dedicated to a specific facet of the overarching theme:
Part I: Divine Knowledge from the Perspective of the Qurʾān and the Ahl al-Bayt (a)
- Chapter 1: Ontological Discussions of Divine Knowledge from the Perspective of the Qurʾān and the Ahl al-Bayt (a).
- Chapter 2: Semantic Discussions of Divine Knowledge from the Perspective of the Qurʾān and the Ahl al-Bayt (a).
Part II: Divine Knowledge from the Perspective of Imāmī Theological Schools (From Kūfa to Baghdād)
- Chapter 1: Divine Knowledge in the Kūfa Theological School.
- Chapter 2: Divine Knowledge in the Baghdād Theological School.
- Chapter 3: Summary, Analysis, and Comparison of the Views of the Kūfa and Baghdād Theological Schools.
Part III: A Comparison of the Views of Theologians from Kūfa to Baghdād with the Qurʾān and Narrations
- Chapter 1: Ontological Theories of Divine Knowledge.
- Chapter 2: Semantic Theories of Divine Knowledge.
- Chapter 3: Summary and Analysis.
Throughout the book, Dr. Kāfī references classical sources, including early Shīʿī texts like al-Kāfī, Tawḥīd by Shaykh Ṣadūq, and foundational kalām works by al-Mufīd and al-Sharīf al-Murtaḍā. His analytical method draws not only on textual interpretation but also on historical and doctrinal evolution.
ʿIlm-i Ilāhī dar Andīshi-yi Kalāmī-yi Imāmiyya (az ʿAṣr-i Maʿṣūmān tā Madrasa-yi Kalāmī-yi Baghdād) stands out as a critical contribution to contemporary Islamic theology for several reasons:
Strengths:
- Depth of Scholarship: Dr. Kāfī exhibits mastery over both traditional and academic resources. His integration of primary sources with contemporary hermeneutics enriches the study of kalām.
- Balanced Methodology: The book strikes a careful balance between reason (ʿaql) and transmission (naql), reflecting the dual heritage of Imāmī theology.
- Clarity of Structure: The division into three parts and eight chapters creates a logical flow, making the book accessible to readers who are familiar with theological discourse.
- Historical Sensitivity: By differentiating the Kūfa and Baghdād schools, the author respects the historical development of Shīʿī thought rather than presenting it as a monolith.
Overall, the work is a significant academic achievement. It provides a solid framework for understanding one of the most abstract yet vital topics in theology—divine knowledge—through the lens of early Imāmī thought. Scholars interested in comparative theology, the evolution of Islamic thought, and the intellectual heritage of the Shīʿī tradition will find this book indispensable.
In conclusion, Dr. Kāfī’s ʿIlm-i Ilāhī dar Andīshi-yi Kalāmī-yi Imāmiyya (az ʿAṣr-i Maʿṣūmān tā Madrasa-yi Kalāmī-yi Baghdād) not only revives historical theological debates but also encourages renewed reflection on the nature of divine attributes within a dynamic tradition. By focusing on the evolution of thought from the Ahl al-Bayt (a) to the intellectual centers of Kūfa and Baghdād, this work enriches our understanding of how early Imāmī scholars navigated the delicate relationship between revelation and reason. It serves as a foundational resource for those seeking to understand the complexities of early Islamic theology and its development.
