Seghatoleslam

''Seghatoleslam'', also spelled Seqat-ol-eslam, Seqat al-eslam, or Thiqat al-Islam, is an honorific title in the Twelver Shia clergy and in the past it has been referred to a scholar who had completed a certain level of religious education but had not yet reached the highest level of authority in the religious hierarchy, which is known as '' Ayatollah''. In the not-too-distant past, the title was typically given to those who had completed their studies in Islamic seminaries levels 1 and 2 and had earned a degree in Islamic jurisprudence ( Fiqh) and theology ( Usul al-din). It is also a general title for a trustworthy person respected by Muslims, representing a certain level of seminary knowledge.

Etymology

The word ''Seghatoleslam'' Persian: :fa:ثقت الاسلام">ثقت الاسلام">Persian language">Persian: :fa:ثقت الاسلام">ثقت الاسلام [Arabic: :fa:ثقت الاسلام, ثقة الاسلام] is derived from two Arabic words: wiktionary:ثقة, ثقة meaning trustworthy, and ''Islam'' [Arabic: إسلام, اسلام] refers to Islam religion, Islam's religion. Therefore, the title can be translated as ''Trustworthy of Islam''. According to Usulist, (in the Islamic Biographical Evaluation science) there is no way to issue a fatwa except to trust the words of trusted narrators, and ''Seghatoleslam'' refers to the narrators whose justice and trustworthiness have been explicitly verified.

Seghatoleslam as a religious title

In Shia Islam, the title ''Seghatoleslam'' was often seen as a stepping stone towards the higher title of '' Ayatollah''. This was because the process of becoming an Ayatollah involved many years of study and research beyond what was required for a ''Seghatoleslam'' degree.

The use of ''Seghatoleslam'' as a title is not very common, in Iran or Persia, in spite of the fact that the majority of the population is Shia Muslim. Although, it was also used in other countries with significant Shia Muslim populations, such as Iraq.

It is worth noting that the use of religious titles in Shia Islam is not uniform, and there can be some variation in how the titles are used and understood in different contexts.

''Seghatoleslam'' was first used as a title for Muhammad ibn Yaqub al-Kulayni (864 -941), the compiler of al-Kaafi. According to , " al-Kulayni was known as ''Seghatoleslam'' in his time".

Difference between the titles Ayatollah, Hujjatoleslam, and Seghatoleslam

The titles of Shia Islam clerics in Iran have changed conceptually throughout history; for example, the title ''Seghatoleslam'', which was used for the students of the preliminaries, was in the past the title of great scholars. In addition, some titles have become popular among clerics in the last century, for example, the title '' Grand Ayatollah'', which became common and is only applied to Maraji (which literally means the scholars who are ''religious references''), or, at some point in time, the title ''Akhund'', was used for the great scholars like ''Akhund Molla Mohammad Kazim Khurasani'' or ''Akhund Molla Mohammad Baqer Majlesi''. These titles in seminaries are completely customary, and there is no special institution awarding them.

In the not-too-distant past, ''Seghatoleslam'' referred to the level 1 and 2 scholars. Currently, the main goal of the level 1 and 2 courses is to teach Arabic literature ( grammar, semantics, eloquence, etc.) and to familiarise students with basic subjects such as Logic and Jurisprudence, which are usually from the books called Jame-ol Moghaddamat, al-Mughni, and Suyuti.

The taught course typically lasts three years for the Arabic literature course, in addition to three years for the Logic and Jurisprudence courses.

In the past, the title ''Seghatoleslam'' was the title of great scholars (such as Sheikh Muhammad ibn Yaqub al-Kulayni or Sheikh al-Saduq).

This title is not currently used in seminaries in Iran.

''Hujjatoleslam'' refers to students at level 3. In this course, books such as Mo'alem al-Usul or Usul al-Istinbat, Al-Mujaz, Usul al-Fiqh Muzafar, Rasa'il, and Kafiya tol-Usul are usually taught. In Jurisprudence, books such as Sharh Lom-e and Makaseb are also taught.

The taught course typically lasts four years.

After the students enter the next stage (advanced level 4) and reach the kharej (advanced courses of the seminary) study level period, the title ''Hujjatoleslam Wal-Muslemin'' is given to them. This stage is considered to be the highest course of seminary courses, which is held with the aim of becoming mujtahids in the fields of Islamic jurisprudence ( Fiqh) or theology ( Usul al-din) and finding the ability to derive rulings from authentic sources Qur'anic sciences), Sunnah">Quran.html" ;"title="ooks (Quran">Qur'anic sciences), Sunnah, wisdom, and Consensus decision-making, consensus] and usually does not have specific textbooks. But in order to organise the contents, the discussions are based on the sufficiency of principles in Jurisprudence and Jawaher al-Kalam, Tahrir al-Wasilah, Tahrir al-Wasila, and Urwa tol-Wosgha in Jurisprudence, and in fact, it is considered a research course in the field.

The taught course typically lasts a minimum of four years.

In the past, the title ''Hujjatoleslam Wal-Muslemin'' was used for Maraji, as the Risalah of the late Ayatollah Hossein Borujerdi was published under the title ''Hujjatoleslam Wal-Muslemin Hossein Borujerdi'', or, for example, Muhammad al-Ghazali, had this title in the past, but today these titles have a different meaning.

'' Ayatollah'' refers to someone who has successfully completed the kharej course (advanced courses of the seminary) and reached the level of Ijtihad. Ijtihad means that the person in question has the ability to derive rulings by himself using legal and principled evidence and foundations.

There are two types of mujtahids: the first type is the person who is a mujtahid in some chapters of Fiqh, who is called a ''bounded mujtahid'', and the second type is the person who is a mujtahid in all chapters of Fiqh, who is called an ''absolute mujtahid''.

In addition to completing advanced studies, a person must also teach a kharej course (advanced courses of the seminary) of Islamic jurisprudence ( Fiqh) or theology ( Usul al-din) for several years in order to be given the title of ''Ayatollah''.

Seghatoleslam as a family name in Iran

While Seghatoleslam is primarily a title in Shia Islam, it can also be used as a family name in some Iranian families. This is because, in many cultures, it is common for people to use titles as family names or to use a religious or cultural term that reflects their identity as their family name.

However, it is worth noting that the use of Seghatoleslam as a family name is relatively uncommon and is mostly limited to some countries like Iran / Persia. In other countries, even those with significant Shia Muslim populations, it is more common for people to use other family names that reflect their cultural or ethnic identity.

Famous Seghatoleslam family in Iran

It is possible that there are individuals with this family name living in Shiraz, Tabriz, or other parts of Iran / Persia, as it is a special family name in Iran. The famous Seghatoleslam family in Iran includes, but is not limited to:

# Mirza Ali Aqa Seghatoleslam Tabrizi (January 19, 1861 -December 31, 1911) was an Iranian nationalist who lived in Tabriz City, Iran, during the Persian Constitutional Revolution and was a reformist Shia cleric.
# Seyed Zeinolabedin Seghatoleslam (also known as '' Seyed Ali Seghatoleslam Arsenjani'') (December 1923 –June 2000) was an Iranian Twelver Shia clergyman who lived in Arsenjan City ( Fars province) and Shiraz, Iran. He was one of the most influential intellectuals among the people of Arsenjan City and Arsenjan County. He was engaged in teaching Islamic jurisprudence ( Fiqh) and Islamic sciences in Arsenjan seminaries while he was in charge of managing the seminaries.
# Mohammad Ali Seghatoleslam Isfahani (1854 -1900) was an Iranian Shia clergyman who lived in Isfahan, Iran. He was one of the great scholars and jurists of his era in Isfahan City ( Isfahan province) and had complete knowledge and expertise in all branches of Islamic jurisprudence ( Fiqh).
# Seyed Abdullah Seghatoleslam (July 3, 1868 -July 8, 1962) was an Iranian Twelver Shia clergyman who lived in Isfahan City, Iran, and Najaf, Iraq. He was engaged in teaching and authoring books in Najaf City and left valuable works in Islamic sciences.

See also

* Ulama
* Akhund
* Hawza
* Marja'
* Ijtihad

References

Citations

General sources and external links

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* Zaare, Jafar. (2014). ''A panegyric upon Seyed Zeinolabedin Seghatoleslam. nlineAvailable at:'
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* Ebrahimi, M.H. (2020). ''Saeedieh School (a collection of articles on the history of Saeedieh School in Arsenjan- Biography and life of the Seghatoleslam families)''. 1st ed. Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran: Islamic Reserves Council (in Persian Language) - https://www.iranfarhang.com/book/66218 ISBN 978-622-7435-53-5
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