One of the most important characteristics of a religious symbol
is its plasticity or flexibility. This functions in homo religiosus, enabling
him to comprehend the meaning of life in the way most fitting to him.
Religious men, who belong to various social strata and differ in their
level of education, understand the meaning of symbols according to
their own experience, so that they can obtain the satisfaction to feel
themselves "real" (Eliade). Sometimes a religious symbol might be
interpreted in a highly illogical and passionate manner, but, in other
cases, interpretation may be quite logical and rational. In each case,
however, interpretation should be that most fitting to the interpreter.
In this paper, through the examination of 'Ali b. Abi Taleb, a
figure of crucial significance in the Shi'i tradition in general and in
that of the Twelver Imami Shi'ism in particular, I attempt to demonstrate
those contentions. To do this I examine; (I) how this figure
became so important among Shi'i believers (particularly among
Iranians) ; (2) how he has been accepted by them; (3) how those
believers (i.e., theologians, traditionists, secular intellectuals and ordinary
mass believers, among others) have interpreted him; and lastly
(4) how we can appreciate his importance in religic-is, societal and
political terms.
12イマーム派シーア主義におけるイマーム・アリーの位置について : イラン人ムスリムの場合
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