Note on the Negative Approach of al-Shahīd alThānī Towards Logic in al-Iqtiṣād wa al-Irshād

Abstract

Aversion towards logic is a characteristic feature of the Islamic traditionalists. There is in fact a history of opposition to logic in Islam. As any other areas of history, here also the correct picture will not be achieved unless all of the pieces are put together. In what follows, I am going to shed light on a chapter written by Zayn al-D¯ın al-– Amil ¯ ¯ı (d. 966/1558), the Twelver Sh¯ı – ¯ı Scholar better known as al-Shah¯ıd al-Than¯ ¯ı. The chapter not only shows al-Shah¯ıd al-Than¯ ¯ı’s negative stance towards logic, but also is important because it is a part of less studied Sh¯ı – ite traditionalists’ tendencies towards logic; those who are considered as the most influential figures in Iranian seminaries from the Safavid period up until today.