An Introduction to the Political Theology of Civilization in the Thought of Malik Bannabi

Mirzaei, Muhammad Ali; Soltani, Mostafa; Jebreili, Muhammad Safar

doi:10.22081/psq.2020.69306

An Introduction to the Political Theology of Civilization in the Thought of Malik Bannabi

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ PhD Student, Department of Theological religions, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

² Assistant Professor, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

³ Associate Professor, Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought, Qom, Iran

10.22081/psq.2020.69306

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the concepts and dimensions of the theology of civilization in the thought of Malik Bennabi, which will lead to the rethinking and reconstruction of political thought in its general sense - and not in the sense of state-building. The method of this research is descriptive-analytical. The findings show that the aim of the Prophet is to understand the roots and causes of the Islamic civilization collapse, and then to reform and modernize it. Bennabi's understanding of real challenges and their roots in the Islamic world is different from other great civilizations of the Islamic world; this substantial difference can be seen even in the ways of overcoming these challenges. One of the most important features of Bennabi's thought is the establishment of the general plan of his civilization thought based on theology. He believes in the coexistence and evolutionary connection of religion and civilization and believes that civilizations, to the extent that they have a reasonable and constructive relationship with religious thought, find consistency and meaning, and to the extent that they escape from the stage of theology and religion, first suffer from spiritualism devoid of spirituality souls, then they fall into the swamp of different instincts and lusts, and face destruction. The three-stage cycle of civilization (soul, science, and instinct) begins from the stage of soul and spirituality and reaches the ascent of civilization.

Keywords