Baras: Leprosy, Vitiligo or …?

Asadullah Jamshidi

The word ‘baras’ has been used in religious texts in different forms and meanings. In its modern usage it refers to chronic disorder that causes depigmentation in patches of skin. It occurs when the melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation which are derived from the neural crest, die or are unable to function. This perception does not agree with the way of utilizing this word in the Quran and hadith. In addition what is meant by baras in jurisprudential decisions is very different from above-mentioned meaning. Searching different sources, the author of this paper concludes that the word baras has been dressed in new meaning and is very different from ‘judham’ (leprosy). Key words: Baras, Judham, Lepra, Leprosy, Vitiligo.

Zuhd and Healthy Mind

Abbas Pasandideh

Inappropriate reaction to ups and downs of life is a cause of some mental problems. There is an important question here: How to manage these two situations and level them in individual? To answer this question, the author of this paper gives a definition of ‘zuhd’ (asceticism) in Islamic thought and regards it as a solution to this problem. He introduces planning zuhd as a way of obtaining a health mind that is one should refrain from worldly pleasures and pursue otherworldly ones. How? According to religious teachings knowledge and certainty are means of planning desires. Correct knowledge of this world and the otherworld will help us to cut off this world and connect to the other world. Key words: Ups and Downs of Life, Regret, Cheerfulness, Zuhd, Sound Mind, Desire, Delight, Relish, Eschatology.

Fayd Kashani’s Method of Commenting on Non-Jurisprudential Hadiths

(Based on Al-Wafi)

Dr. Nasrullah Shameli

Ali Banaian Esfhani

Methodology is a necessary tool for hadith research. Al-Wafi, written by Faydh Kashani, is a Shiite hadith collection. In this book, he has annotated some hadiths. These annotations and his commentary are influenced by his thoughts. The other of this article introduces the Fayd’s approach to jurisprudential as moderate Akhbari. On the other hand while approaching non-jurisprudential hadith he tries to interpret them. In Shiite history, researchers have paid more attention to jurisprudential hadiths than other ones. Thus, in this article, the author deals with non-jurisprudential hadiths to demonstrate his way of thinking and its philosophical and mystical origin. Key words: Akhbari, Interpretation, Exegesis, Hadith, Fayd Kashani, al-Wafi.