An Examination of the Tafkeek School's Political Approaches: from Endorsing Injustice and Abstinence to Political Activism

The Tafkeek School is one of the latest approaches put forward in the Shi’it thought. It is mainly focused on epistemological and methodological issues regarding understanding religion, distinguishing three methods of textual, philosophical and mystical inquiry. Proponents of the School argue that the reason for the diversity of views within the humanity is the extreme usage of Greek logical and philosophical approach or mystical intuitionism, whereas, if prophets’ teachings were followed, no contradictory attitudes would have been created. In this paper, political views of the Tafkeek School are explored. A review of the leading figures of the School indicates that they have not shown much interest in theoretical politics. The only exception is Mohammad Reza Hakimi, whose works, unlike those of the founders of the School, are mainly on social and political aspects of Islam, focusing on social justice. In practical politics, the adherents of the School have taken diverse stances, ranging from activism to abstinence or even providing excuses for political vices.