Ayotallah Sheikh Al-Rikabi

This Book

is an analytical and objective study of Imam Hussein's movement and revolution. It's a new study in criticizing history and heritage, presenting an objective approach between the concept of the Quranic text, its solidity, the nature of news, and the distortions, fabrications, exaggerations, and manipulation it has suffered. It's also an inquiry into the accuracy of certain beliefs that prevailed in people's tongues and adherents, such as the knowledge of the unseen, infallibility, guardianship, and the method of understanding the text based on known Islamic principles and foundations.

Furthermore, it includes a clear refutation of most of the news and narrations that emerged during the sectarian and doctrinal competition, not adhering to the principles of correct knowledge, and the proper understanding based on what is required and confirmed by the Imams of the Household and respected authorities in Islamic knowledge.

About the Author

Ayatollah Sheikh Al-Rikabi Ayatollah Sheikh Al-Rikabi, known by the abbreviation "Sheikh Al-Rikabi," is one of the leading Islamic scholars. He has directly contributed to dismantling sectarian religious views and constructing a new vision that creates a new individual, free from tension, anxiety, fear, and hatred.

Sheikh Al-Rikabi continues to play his role in intellectual and scientific development through various publications, books, and articles in history, philosophy, creed, and Sharia. Born in the village of Sheikh Fashakh Al-Faris in the Rifai district of Dhi Qar Governorate, Nasiriyah, southern Iraq.

He completed his primary studies in Iraq. When the Iranian revolution began, he was one of its staunch supporters from its early days. He supported it, stood with it through its victories and tasted the bitterness of its losses. He had a prominent role and contributions in the revolutionary movement at that time, influencing some of its opinions and decisions.

Sheikh Al-Rikabi devoted himself to Islamic studies in the religious seminary, studying under renowned scholars, and deepening his understanding of jurisprudence under prominent jurists. He received authorization for independent reasoning from his mentor Al-Muntadharri and his teacher Salehi Najafabadi. He was acknowledged for his knowledge by the late Kalbikani, studying under him for three years at the Grand Mosque in Qom.

In 1986, Sheikh Al-Rikabi disagreed with the Iranian revolution regarding the stance on the war in Iraq. He articulated his views on the purpose and significance of continuing the war on Iraq, differing from the Iranian leadership's justifications. He believed that the initial jihad and its justifications adopted by Iran were not applicable to Iraq or the war with it.

He also diverged from the Iranian revolution in interpreting the relationship with the West and how it should be. He had a stance on the Iran-Contra affair. Regarding defining disbelief and determining its criteria, he did not consider the war on Iraq as a war against disbelief. He did not categorize the Ba'ath Party as a disbelieving party in the jurisprudential sense.

Sheikh Al-Rikabi authored around fourteen books on history, philosophy, politics, logic, and mysticism. His introductory work in religious reform facilitated others' critique of religion from its foundations and roots. His role in objectively critiquing religion, tradition, and the prevailing principle of blind adherence after the closure of the gates of intellectual and scientific innovation in the Islamic sphere is noteworthy.

His notable works include:

• Problematics of Discourse in the Historical Reading of the Karbala Incident
• Political Foundations and Realistic Doctrine
• Freedom Discourse in the Epistemological System
• Critique of Islamic Thought
• Jihad in Islam
• Introduction to Religious Reform and Correction
• Essay on Monotheism and Politics
• Excavations in Quranic Sciences
• Historical Laws in the Noble Quran
• The Unity Project: Thought and Practice

Sheikh Al-Rikabi has authored numerous research papers and articles and is currently engaged in interpreting the Quranic text in a new and different manner.