Monotheistic Self-Improvement in the First Sermon of Nahjul Balagha and in Transcendent Theosophy

Abstract

One of the main missions of divine apostles was to develop self-improvement in society for the human’s journey to perfection. Thus, this subject attracted the attention of saints, led by Imams and Imam Ali (PBUH). In this connection, Nahjul Balagha contains transcendental concepts about self-improvement and attributes (qualities) of self-developed humans. This self-improvement in the Alawite thinking is inextricably linked with the realization and ultimacy of monotheism. Included in Nahjul Balagha addressing the issue of monotheism is the first sermon that involves philosophically monotheistic concepts. The views expressed in the sermon inspire philosophers and theosophists such as Sadr al-Mutallehin in the field of Transcendent Theosophy. This sermon concerns with such issues as identity of essence and attributes, the adjunct rule, the indivisible entity of all objects, unity in multiplicity and multiplicity in unity, etc., each constituting the components of the Transcendent Theosophy. One would thus suggest utilizing Islamic theosophy would be a prelude to self-improvement and going through the stages of perfection and transcendence in the practical mysticism. This subject, however, did not receive attention in prior research.