Imamate and Mahdism in Shi‘ism from the Perspective of Henry Corbin

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Farhangian University

10.22081/csa.2024.76770

Abstract

Henry Corbin (1903–1978), a French philosopher, scholar of Shi’ism, and Iranologist, was one of the first European thinkers to introduce Iranian Islamic mysticism and thought particularly Shi’ism to the West. Adopting an analytical approach and referencing library sources, this research examines Corbin's views on the key aspects of Shi’a Islam; namely, the concepts of Imamate (religious leadership) and Mahdism. The central question of this study is: How did Corbin engage with the concepts of Imamate and Mahdism? Regarding the Imamate, Corbin views the Imam's role as teaching the interpretive meaning (Taʾwīl) of divine revelation and guiding followers towards the spiritual and esoteric essence of these words. The Imam’s mission, according to Corbin, is to convey the inner dimension of the Prophet's mission—where the Prophet delivers the "Word," the Imam communicates its "Spirit". Corbin describes the final Imam as having a mysterious existence, referring to him by titles such as Gha’im, Mahdi, Montazar, Hojjat, and Imam Gha’ib. The profound meaning of being "hidden from sight" lies in the notion that humanity is enveloped in veils that prevent it from perceiving the Imam. Despite his outward occultation, the Imam continues to radiate guidance to the hearts and souls of Shi’a believers. Mahdism, Corbin asserts, forms the foundational basis of Shi’ism and its mysticism. Significantly, the Shi’a consciousness does not direct its gaze toward an uncertain and ambiguous future. Instead, it looks forward to the promise of deliverance (Faraj), rooted in the events in the end of times (Akher-az-zaman).

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