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Conceptualization, Identification, and Cultural Functions of the Qurā-Ẓāhirah in Imami Narrations
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Fatemeh Lotfipour   , Zahra Sarfi1 , Maryam Velayati Kebabian |
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Abstract: (8 Views) |
| The key term Qurā-Ẓāhirah appears only once in the Qur’an, in verse 18 of Surah Saba, referring to a group of nearby towns and villages visible to each other. However, based on the statement of Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him), the term is used to describe individuals who have received jurisprudence from the Imam and act as trustees in spreading religious adherence within a dynamic society. The title Qurā-Ẓāhirah refers to specific persons whose names do not appear explicitly in texts, yet their identities are known and defined by the Imam. Given that without a clear conceptual understanding, this term may be interpreted in various and divergent ways, this study addresses this necessity. The present work attempts to systematically organize the concept, identification, and cultural functions of the Qurā-Ẓāhirah by tracing its process through Imami narrations. Considering the cultural and educational conduct of Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) and referencing the numerous narrations attributed to him—especially those concerning his companions—it is plausible to identify the Qurā-Ẓāhirah as knowledgeable and active transmitters of religion, such as Zurara, Muhammad ibn Muslim, Buraid ibn Mu‘awiya, among others, who played a pivotal role in addressing the community’s needs and reforming its culture by virtue of their extensive religious knowledge. The Imam’s institutional attention to this legal status necessitates an exploration of the cultural functions of these companions, including their commitment to safeguarding the trust and accurate transmission of the hadith heritage, and their efforts to purify religion from improper cultural accretions, all examined within the historical context of Shia hadith studies. |
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| Keywords: Qurā-Ẓāhirah, Hadith Heritage, Imam al-Baqir (as), Cultural Functions, Imami Narrations. |
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Full-Text [PDF 436 kb]
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/09/13 | Accepted: 2025/09/11 | Published: 2025/09/11
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