Critique of Islamic Theology in the thought of Al-Sayyid Hussain Al-Houthi

Abstract

Any intellectual project that is aimed to be a progressive project for society and the nation must embark on two parallel paths: first, engaging with the heritage of the nation, which is a part of its identity, by critically examining what remains relevant to the present and criticizing what deserves criticism, and second addressing the societal issues that concern the entire nation, focusing on the issues that trouble the hearts and minds of the nation, as no society is devoid of such concerns.

The research is based on the problem faced by some who deny the existence of an intellectual project by Al-Sayyid Hussein, which is built on solid foundations and has specific objectives and aims. The research seeks to affirm the authenticity of that project by exploring an important aspect of it, which is the critical examination of certain Islamic heritage books.

The research has reached several conclusions, including the idea that the Quranic intellectual project of Al-Sayyid Hussein Al-Houthi was a humanitarian, enlightening, progressive project. Its content has encompassed the components of a renaissance, reformist discourse, which made enlightenment, reform, and the advancement of the Ummah the ultimate goal and objective. It also emphasized that human beings are both the purpose and the means of this advancement and reform.

It has also concluded that his criticism of theology and the principles of jurisprudence was a constructive scientific criticism based on textual and rational foundations, relying on the power of logic derived from the Quran. It was not a superficial criticism for the sake of criticism, but rather a criticism that was concerned for the welfare of the Ummah, which had forsaken what Allah has provided in the Quran and turned to the teachings of the Mu'tazilah and the scholars of the principles of jurisprudence, which provides no benefit at all, especially when compared to the Holy Quran.