An Analysis of Divergence of Thought and Belief in the World of Islam in the Shadow of the Part-Playing of Takfiri Movement

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant professor of politics, Shahid Mahalati High Education Complex

2 Assistant Professor of Politics, Isfahan University

3 Associate Professor of Politics, Isfahan University

10.22034/ra.2018.32749

Abstract

The Issue of Takfir has been in the thick of basic axes of conflict and violence among various nations and religions in the long run of the time.  In the current critical period, this issue has affected the whole world of Islam and therefore grown in importance. The current research is an attempt to answer this basic question that what is the role of Takfiri movement in divergence of thought and belief in the world of Islam. Accordingly the hypothesis formulated is that Takfiri movement adopts a negative attitude toward Islamic sects and makes extremist sectarian divisions aimed at creation and expansion of divergence in the level of thought and belief in the world of Islam. Developing awareness of this issue opens up the possibility to offset the threatening role of Takfiri movement in creation of divergence and change it into an opportunity of convergence in the world of Islam. To this aim, the current research has first introduced and explained Takfiri movement (dependent variable) in the level of thoughts and beliefs and then contrasted components and indices of this movement with those of convergence in the world of Islam which counterbalances the role of the movement in creation of divergence.  The research findings shows that in the level of thoughts and beliefs the movement adopts some components including unconventional discretion, failure in innovatory and dynamic thinking, Takfir of religions and religious dissidents, superficiality and externalism, blind bias and dogmatism, absolute obedience to the predecessors and schismatic understanding of religious beliefs and concepts which cause divergence and are in sharp contrast with those of convergence in the world of Islam such rule-governedness, intellectualism, firm belief in nearness of religions and creation of Islamic nation, profound thinking and comprehensive look toward religion, flexibility and moderateness, foresight and emphasis on joint religious aspects.

Keywords