An Analytical Approach to the Concept of Badā in Islam

Abstract

The rationally and theologically analyzed meaning of Badā, as one of the most fundamental theological doctrines of the Imamites (Twelver Shiism), is not heretical but is compatible with Intellect and Narrations. The Sunnites disapprove Badā in their narrative and theological works and regard it as a heresy. On the contrary, the Imamites believe that if the real meaning of the term is clarified, which is the main purpose of the present paper, all Muslims will accept it. This paper briefly reviews the views of famous Sunnite scholars regarding Badā, and then by using analytical method discusses in detail the idea of Shiite theologians about this concept. Critical issues such as literal and technical meanings of Badā, the difference between Badā and Naskh (Abrogation), the relationship between Badā and God’s knowledge will be discussed. The article concludes that Badā is a concept compatible with the two most important sources of Islamic doctrines, that is, ‘Aql (Intellect) and Naql (Narrations); we are drawing on these two sources because of their relationship with Shiism and Sunniism as two Islamic sects.

Keywords

• badā
• naskh
• the imamites
• analytic theology
• divine omniscience
• the shiites
• the sunnites