Here is the English abstract of Gholamreza Esmhosseini (Ph. D.; Muslem Clergy; Chancellor of Supreme Leader Representation in West Azerbaijan Province Universities; Faculty Member, Department of Islamic Teachings, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran) presentation at the 3^nd pre-con meeting of the conference “Imam Reza (PBUH) and Interreligious Dialogue" which was held in Urmia University, Iran on  October 28, 2023.

Convergence of the Islamic Community (Ummah) from Imam Reza’s Viewpoint

Words (Hadiths) and the life (Sirah) of Imam Reza contain teachings that promote the convergence of different schools of thought within the Islamic community (Ummah). One group of hadiths narrated by Imam Reza deals with human-centered topics. These topics revolve around the nature and essence of man, and with a rational approach, they address the common cognitive and behavioral patterns of man. Some of his hadiths also emphasize emotions, healthy social interactions, avoiding conflict, and a dialogue-centered culture. Imam Reza also insisted on the unity of religious governance. This means that although a religious government can have its own orientations -based on the school of thought on which it is established- in the position of governance, it must have a certain comprehensiveness towards other religions and sects. In addition to hadiths, his life also includes components for dealing with other religions and sects. The circle of his scientific encounters not only encompassed sects such as the Wāqifīyyah and the Mu'tazilah but also included his dialogues with non-Islamic religions and schools of thought. One of the interesting patterns that can be seen in the scientific discussions of Imam Reza with other religions and sects is that he would enter into dialogue with each school of thought based on the foundations and evidence of that sect. It can be said that the debates of Imam Reza with other religions and sects follow a special logic. These debates are not in the form of a debate; Rather, it is in the form of dialogue and in the framework of rational discussions.

Translator: Mahdi Qasemi