AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): On the occasion of the 1500th anniversary of the birth of the Prophet of Mercy (p.b.u.h), a scholarly session titled “Intertextual Studies in the Analysis of the History and the Conduct of the AhlulBayt (a.s.)” was held at the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
At the session, Ayatollah Mohammad Hadi Yusefi Gharavi, a distinguished researcher, contemporary historian, and author of the Encyclopedia of Islamic History, presented a discussion on the methodology of authoring and researching the work. Nematollah Safari Foroushani, a faculty member of Al-Mustafa International University, also delivered a presentation on intertextual studies in analyzing the history and conduct of the AhlulBayt (a.s.).
Ayatollah Yusefi Gharavi addressed one of the key discussions of his work concerning the timing of the Prophetic mission. Citing a verse from the Persian divan of Mohammad-Hossein Isfahani (known as Mohaqqeq Isfahani) regarding the placing of the crown of Messengership upon the Prophet (p.b.u.h), he analyzed narrations related to the 27th of Rajab.
The contemporary historian stated that, based on numerous reports from the Infallible Imams (a.s.), the date of the 27th of Rajab pertains to the “appointment to Prophethood,” whereas the “appointment to Messengership” coincided with the revelation of the Holy Quran on Qadr Night in the blessed month of Ramadan.
The author of the Encyclopedia of Islamic History emphasized that none of the narrations related to the 27th of Rajab explicitly mention the revelation of the Quran on that day, and that the Prophet’s (p.b.u.h) Messengership, namely the conveyance and elucidation of the Quran, commenced in the month of Ramadan. He described this semantic distinction as a means of resolving apparent contradictions between narrations and Qur’anic verses.
In response to a question regarding the attainment of maturity in historical analysis, Ayatollah Yusefi Gharavi described his method as grounded in comprehensive research in the sources of both major Islamic traditions and a reassessment of the written heritage of Shiism. He stated that, in compiling this historical period, alongside widely recognized sources, the narrations of the Infallible Imams (a.s.) were treated as primary sources, and various reports were comparatively examined.
The prominent scholar of Islamic history stressed the necessity of considering Shiite theological perspectives—particularly the principle of infallibility and the qualification for receiving revelation—in evaluating historical reports. He further noted that some historians have shown leniency in selecting and organizing reports, whereas he has sought throughout his research and writing to preserve the divine status of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and his successors.
At the same session, Dr. Safari Foroushani, while commending the works of Ayatollah Yusefi Gharavi, explained methodological differences in the analysis of Islamic history. Emphasizing the necessity of employing intertextual studies, he clarified the distinction between “method” and “methodology” and outlined the role of various approaches in understanding the conduct of the Infallibles (a.s.).
He identified the challenges of modeling contemporary life on the conduct of the Infallibles, the importance of interdisciplinary sciences, and the need for jurisprudence to engage with historical study as key axes of research. He also criticized the current educational conditions of religious seminaries and stressed the necessity of producing scholarly content based on systematic methodological principles.
At the outset of the session, Dr. Davoud Safa, a faculty member of Al-Mustafa University and head of the Office for Studies, Research, and Investigations at the AhlulBayt World Assembly, congratulated participants on the forty-seventh anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution and the 1500th anniversary of the birth of the Noble Prophet (p.b.u.h.), and outlined the Assembly’s research mission.
He noted that the Scientific and Cultural Deputy of the AhlulBayt World Assembly is pursuing major projects such as “Lifestyle” and “The Study of the Condition of Shiites Worldwide” through a problem-oriented approach. Referring to the challenges of modernity and imperialism, which seek to homogenize humanity and create a loss of identity, Safa underscored the necessity of returning to religious models and the conduct of the AhlulBayt (a.s.). He added that presenting models compatible with the lived experience of contemporary humanity constitutes one of the primary objectives of such scholarly sessions.
It is noteworthy that the session was organized with the participation of the Office for Studies, Research, and Investigations of the Scientific and Cultural Deputy of the AhlulBayt World Assembly, the Institute of Short-Term Training and Research Opportunities of Al-Mustafa International University, and the AhlulBayt (a.s.) News Agency (ABNA).
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