The relation between revelation and reason is a matter of interest for human beings and is connected with the development of reason and knowledge in modern society. Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i, a modern Muslim scholar who was an expert in both Islamic philosophy and Qur'anic interpretation, developed new approaches to such issues as the role of human rational ability, logic and philosophy in religious knowledge. Furthermore he deals with such specific controversial topics on the subject of revelation and reason as, social freedom and freedom of thought and belief in Islam. He tends to elaborate his view of freedom based on both the Qur'an and rational bases. Tabataba'i's approach to revelation and reason, his reconciliation of them in general, and his specific perspective of freedom are studied in this thesis with respect to their underlying principles and their scopes.

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This thesis attempts to study six of Taha Husayn's books in order to determine the factors which inspired him to write on Islam. For this reason, the thesis employs the study of Husayn's concept of Islam as a means to this end. Against the background of Husayn's liberal and humanistic ideas, the thesis examines his understanding of Islam as a religion and as a civilization. For additional insights, the methodology of the books and the general attitude of the author have been given consideration. The conclusion is that Taha Husayn was motivated by a strong desire to modernize and transform the cultural and social life of Egypt.

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En 1824, un mathématicien et astronome Iranien, ‘Alī Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad Ḥusayn al-Iṣfahānī, propose une nouvelle théorie des équations cubiques, dans un traité intitulé "Takmilat al-'Uyūn". Écrit en langue arabe dans un style ancien, sans symbolisme mathématique, ce traité est exclusivement consacré à la résolution des équations cubiques pour lesquelles il ne met en œuvre que des algorithmes numériques. Ce traité emprunte quelques algorithmes aux mathématiques de ses prédécesseurs comme Sharaf al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī, al-Kāshī ou al-Yazdī. Al-Iṣfahānī résout l'ensemble des vingt-cinq équations cubiques en utilisant les formules classiques connues depuis al-Khawārizmī pour toutes les équations du premier et second degré et celles du troisième degré réductibles au second degré. Il applique, sans se l'approprier, l'algorithme d'extraction de la racine chiffre par chiffre utilisé par Sharaf al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī, et plus tard par al-Yazdī, à l'ensemble des équations cubiques non réductibles au second degré mais qui ne contiennent pas le cube et le nombre dans un même membre de l'équation. Aux cinq équations qu’al-Ṭūsī résout par des méthodes analytiques de géométrie algébrique, celles qui contiennent le cube et le nombre dans un même membre de l'équation, il apporte un ensemble d'algorithmes tous basés sur l'idée d'une solution approchée initiale améliorée par le calcul itératif des termes d'une suite convergente. L'une de ces méthodes, fondée sur l'idée du calcul d'un point fixe d'une fonction, est déjà présente dans le traité d'al- Kāshī qui résout un ancien problème des mathématiques grecques: le calcul du sinus 1°. Une autre de ces méthodes résout ce type d'équations par une réduction de l'intervalle de la racine, et une troisième catégorie de méthode combine l'extraction de la racine chiffre par chiffre avec la réduction de l'intervalle. Le point commun entre ces algorithmes itératifs est que le nombre d'itérations ne peut pas être connu à priori, comme cela était possible dans l'algorithme d'extraction de la racine chiffre par chiffre. C'est visiblement la raison pour laquelle al-Iṣfahānī utilise l’expression de méthodes par 'Istiqrā' pour qualifier cette itération indéterminée : l'algorithme s'arrête lorsque la différence entre deux calculs successifs devient infiniment petite. Tout en se rattachant à la tradition des arithméticiens algébristes mais aussi à la tradition d'al-Khayyām/al-Ṭūsī, le traité d’al-Iṣfahānī constitue une contribution originale à la théorie des équations cubiques par l'analyse numérique. Un point remarquable dans ce traité doit être souligné: al-Iṣfahānī propose pour ces algorithmes plusieurs versions qui se distinguent entre elles par la complexité des calculs qu'il signale explicitement et qu'il montre à travers des exemples qu'il compare vis-à-vis de la quantité des calculs. L'objectif de cette thèse n'est nullement celui d'écrire l'histoire générale des équations cubiques dans les mathématiques arabes, mais partant de l'édition critique de Takmilat al 'Uyūn, d'étudier d'une part les algorithmes d’al-Iṣfahānī et d'autre part d'analyser les traditions mathématiques dans lesquelles il s'inscrit. / In 1824, an Iranian mathematician and astronomer, ‘Alī Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad Ḥusayn al-Iṣfahānī proposed a new theory of cubic equations in a treatise titled "Takmilat al-'Uyūn".Written in Arabic language in the ancient style, without mathematical symbolism, this treatise is exclusively dedicated to solving cubic equations for which it uses only numerical algorithms.This treatise borrows some algorithms from the mathematics of its predecessors, such as Sharaf al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī, al-Kāshī or al-Yazdī. Al-Iṣfahānī solves all the twenty-five cubic equations using the classical formulas, known since al-Khawārizmī, for all the equations of the first and second degree and those of the third degree reducible to the second degree.He applies, without appropriating it, the digit by digit root extraction algorithm used by Sharaf al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī and later by al-Yazdī to the set of cubic equations not reducible to the second degree and that contain the cube and the number on the same side of the equation.To the five equations that al-Ṭūsī solves by analytical methods of algebraic geometry, he gives a set of algorithms all based on the idea of an initial approximate solution improved by iteratively computed terms of a convergent suite.One of these methods, based on the idea of calculating the fixed point of a function, already exists in the treatise of al-Kāshī where he solves the ancient problem of Greek mathematics concerning the determination of the value of sinus 1°. Another one of these methods solves this kind of equations by reducing the interval of the root of the equation, and a third method combines the digit by digit root extraction with the interval reduction method.The common point between these iterative algorithms is that the number of iterations cannot be known in advance, before the calculation of the solution. This is obviously the reason why al-Iṣfahānī uses the expression of methods by 'Istiqrā’ to qualify this indeterminate iteration: the algorithm stops when the difference between two successive calculations becomes infinitely small.While relating to the tradition of algebraic arithmeticians, but also to the tradition of al-Khayyām/al-Ṭūsī, the treatise of al-Iṣfahānī is an original contribution to the theory of cubic equations by numerical analysis.A remarkable point in this treatise must be emphasized: al-Iṣfahānī gives for these iterative algorithms several versions that he compares with respect to the complexity of the calculations, and he explicitly indicates and shows it through many examples that he compares to the quantity of calculations.The purpose of this thesis is not to write the general history of cubic equations in Arabic mathematics, but starting from the critical edition of Takmilat al-'Uyūn we aim to study on the one hand the algorithms of al-Iṣfahānī and then to analyse the mathematical traditions within which his work is inscribed.

This study presents a comparative analytical investigation of two divergent yet parallel doctrines of self-realization. John Dewey, a distinguished American thinker, represents a naturalist pragmatist conception of self-realization on the one hand, and 'Allama Tabataba'i, a renowned Muslim philosopher, an Islamic perception on the other. While Dewey is considered a spokesperson for modern American pragmatist and humanist thought, 'Allama may be seen as typical of Islamic Shi'i thinking. In dealing with their conceptualizations of self-realization, the intention in this study is to focus on some significant aspects of the human self, to rediscover its potentiality and to determine the wisdom behind self-realization from a comparative perspective. After outlining the two thinkers' scholarly backgrounds, instructional contexts, sources, methods, works and purposes, the study examines certain specific issues. It investigates their understandings of human nature, and explores their positions on moral experience and human character, as well as on the arts and sciences as vehicles for self-realization. As its final chapter, the study elaborates the basic elements and manifestations of self-realization as depicted in Dewey's and 'Allama's systems of thought. This research aims at clarifying the parallels, similarities and differences that exist between the two scholars, through an in-depth comparison of their respective naturalist and Islamic approaches and attitudes.

This dissertation deals with al-Ḥusayn's uprising and death based on the classical Arabic sources. It is argued that al-Ḥusayn's uprising and opposition to Yazid's caliphate were directly connected to the matter of the caliphate and the caliph's qualifications. He refused to recognize Yazid's caliphate because he considered it as illegitimate due to the fact that Yazid was not qualified to assume such an important office. It is also argued that because of Mu`awiya, who attempted to secure Yazid's succession by forcing all Muslims to pay homage to him, Yazid became caliph. Wanting to remove the real meaning of the caliphate and intending to transform it to a kingship (mulk) inherited among his offspring, Mu`awiya himself rejected the principle of the early Companions of the Prophet by choosing the caliph. / Al-Ḥusayn refused to listen to those who advised him to submit to the established authority (de facto) and to enter into whatever the community had entered into and agreed upon. Yazid's caliphate, in al-Ḥusayn's eyes, was a deviation from the Sunna of the Prophet and the conduct of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and represented corruption in the community of his grandfather. As the Prophet's grandson, he believed that he was committed to following in the footsteps of his grandfather and was more responsible than anybody else for preventing corruption. Even when he became convinced of the Kufans' failure to stand with him, al-Ḥusayn refused to give the bay`a to Yazid and also felt obliged to revolt against him. Furthermore and apart of his strategy, he did decide to take his family with him in order that they would play a significant role after his death. / Amongst the results obtained during this research were the three different patterns of writing in our sources; namely, pro-Sunni, pro-Shi`i and a moderate, who escaped being classified as pro-Sunni or pro-Shi`i.

This study undertakes two major issues concerning the authenticity of Nahj al-Balaghah, namely, the compilation and composition of the book. Shii scholars, with almost no exception, have credited the compilation of Nahj al-Balaghah to al-Sharif al-Radi In contrast, Sunni scholars and Orientalists hold different opinions about the matter. The early scholars among Sunnis and their western counterparts mostly credited Murtada with Nahj al-Balaghah, while later scholars generally vacillate between the two brothers. This study attempts to resolve misconceptions concerning the compilation of the book. It also suggests that in all probability Radi is the compiler while there is hardly any evidence to credit Murtada. / The problem of the composition of Nahj al-Balaghah, namely, the attribution of its contents to Ali ibn Abi Talib is more problematic. Unlike the Sunni scholars, the Shiis believe that the contents of the book represent Alis discourses. This thesis examines the most important arguments of both opponents and proponents of the authenticity of Nahj al-Balaghah and suggests that since a large portion of the book is present in the earlier sources, the generalization of some Sunni scholars in doubting the entire book cannot be sustained. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

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