Hujjat al-Islam

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Hujjat al-Islam (Arabic: حجة الإسلام, romanizedḥujjat-u l-Islām, Persian: حجةالاسلام or حجت‌الاسلام, romanizedhojjat-o l-Eslām) is an Islamic honorific title meaning "authority on Islam" or "proof of Islam".[1]

Sunni Islam[edit]

Its first recorded use was in a Sunni context, as a title for the 11th-century theologian al-Ghazali, due to his refutations of Hellenistic-influenced philosophers and Isma'ilis.[1] It was later used as a term of respect for judges.[1]

In the contemporary era, Egyptian Muhaddith Qadi Ahmad Shakir would confer the title "Hujjat al-Islam" to his master Muhammad Rashid Rida, upon his death.[2] Deobandis granted this title to their leader Hanafi Maturidi theologian Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi for his debates with scholars of other religions and establishing Darul Uloom Deoband.

Shia Islam[edit]

In Twelver Shia the title is awarded to scholars. It was originally applied as an honorific to leading scholars, but now the use indicates a status in the hierarchy of the learned below ayatollah.[1]

Its earliest attested use for a Shia personage was during the Qajar period for Muhammad Baqir Shafti (d. 1843).[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Algar, Hamid (23 March 2012). "Ḥojjat-al-Eslām". Encyclopædia Iranica. Vol. XII. p. 426. Archived from the original on 17 May 2012.
  2. ^ ibn Abd al-Aziz ibn Hammad al-Aql, Abdurrahman (2005). "Al-Ustadhun Al-Imam Hujjat al-Islam As-Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Rida" [Our Master, Imam Hujjat Al-Islam Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Rida]. Jamharat Maqalat Allamah As-Shaykh Ahmad Muhammad Shakir. Dar al-Riyadh. pp. 653–665.