Batiniyya

Batiniyya (Arabic: باطنية‎, romanized: Bāṭiniyyah) refers to groups that distinguish between an outer, exoteric (zāhir) and an inner, esoteric (bāṭin) meaning in Islamic scriptures.[1] The term has been used in particular for an allegoristic type of scriptural interpretation developed among some Shia groups, stressing the bāṭin meaning of texts.[2] It has been retained by all branches of Isma'ilism and various Druze groups as well. The Alawites practice a similar system of interpretation.[2] Batiniyya is a common epithet used to designate Isma'ili Islam, which has been accepted by Ismai'lis themselves.[3]

Sunni writers have used the term batiniyya polemically in reference to rejection of the evident meaning of scripture in favor of its bāṭin meaning.[2] Al-Ghazali, a medieval Sunni theologian, used the term batiniyya pejoratively for the adherents of Isma'ilism.[2][4] Some Shia writers have also used the term polemically.[1]

See also

References
  1. Halm, Heinz. "BĀṬENĪYA". Encyclopedia Iranica. III. pp. 861–863. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  2. Hodgson, M.G.S. (1960). "Bāṭiniyya". In Gibb, H. A. R.; Kramers, J. H.; Lévi-Provençal, E.; Schacht, J.; Lewis, B. & Pellat, Ch. (eds.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam, New Edition, Volume I: A–B. Leiden: E. J. Brill. doi:10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_1284. OCLC 495469456.
  3. Daadbeh, Asghar, Gholami, Rahim (2013). "Bāṭiniyya". In Wilferd Madelung; Farhad Daftary (eds.). Encyclopaedia Islamica. doi:10.1163/1875-9831_isla_COM_000000100.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. Mitha, Farouk (2001). Al-Ghazali and the Ismailis: A Debate on Reason and Authority in Medieval Islam. I.B.Tauris. p. 19. ISBN 978-1-86064-792-5.
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