Note: In the forty-ninth scientific session of the series of programs titled “Methodology Sundays,” the specialized session on “The Methodology of Transforming Theoretical Matters into Practical Ones, with Application to Jurisprudential Knowledge” was held virtually, organized by the Institute for Contemporary Jurisprudential Studies in collaboration with the Office for the Development and Empowerment of Islamic Sciences of the Islamic Propagation Office.

In this session, Dr. Seyed Hossein Shahrastani, a faculty member of the Research Institute of Islamic Culture and Art, analyzed the relationship between theory and practice in the history of philosophy, particularly in Islamic philosophy and its contemporary developments. Emphasizing the lack of attention to practical wisdom in the tradition of Islamic philosophy and the need for its redefinition, he explored various dimensions of this topic across four key areas: the integration of philosophy and religious tradition, the theory of credit-based knowledge, the contributions of contemporary philosophers, and the theory of innate disposition (fitra).

The session, originally scheduled for July 22, 2025, was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances to Sunday, August 10, 2025. The session was conducted online with the participation of researchers and enthusiasts.

Dr. Shahrastani, in his remarks, traced the historical and theoretical relationship between theory and practice, beginning with Greek philosophy and then examining its place in the tradition of Islamic philosophy. He addressed the influence of the modern era and its reflection in the Islamic Revolution of Iran, critiquing the precedence of theoretical wisdom over practical wisdom in Islamic philosophy and highlighting the lack of attention to practical wisdom in this philosophical tradition.

He added that in Islamic philosophy, Aristotle is regarded as the “First Teacher” and Farabi as the “Second Teacher,” with the division of sciences into theoretical and practical wisdom forming the cornerstone of this philosophical tradition. According to Dr. Shahrastani, the precedence of theoretical wisdom over practical wisdom has generally been observed in Islamic philosophy, continuing into the era of metaphysics. Despite the importance of practical wisdom in fields such as politics, economics, and culture, Islamic philosophy after Farabi has largely focused on theoretical matters, with practical wisdom receiving less attention. This deficiency is particularly noticeable and impactful in the contemporary era.

During the session, Dr. Shahrastani pointed to the gap and crisis in modern philosophy, stating: “Modern philosophies such as Marxism and existentialism have redefined the relationship between theory and practice, diverging from earlier traditions.”

Regarding contemporary Islamic philosophy, he highlighted four key points:

1. Integration of Philosophy and Religious Tradition: He emphasized that there should not be a strict separation between philosophy and religious tradition, viewing philosophy as a tool for the rational understanding of religion and the interpretation of religious knowledge, while considering the frameworks and specific language of the Islamic philosophical tradition.
2. Theory of Credit-Based Knowledge: Dr. Shahrastani referred to theories in contemporary Islamic philosophy that focus on the role of credit-based knowledge in practice and practical orientations. These theories can serve as a bridge between theory and practice.
3. Contributions of Contemporary Philosophers: Including figures like Allameh Tabatabaei and his distinguished students, such as Dr. Moballeghi and Dr. Davari, who have paid special attention to the issue of the relationship between theory and practice, striving to redefine and reinterpret it. Political philosophy and practical philosophy are among the main concerns of these thinkers.
4. Theory of Innate Disposition (Fitra): This theory, proposed by some contemporary Islamic philosophers, goes beyond a mere theoretical framework and offers the possibility of redefining the relationship between theory and practice, representing a significant contemporary innovation in Islamic philosophy.

Dr. Shahrastani also described the Islamic Revolution of Iran as a unique example of realizing the connection between theory and practice, stating: “Imam Khomeini’s political action, grounded in religious and philosophical thought, opened a new horizon for addressing this fundamental issue.” This revolution symbolizes the opening of a new horizon in responding to the issue of the relationship between theory and practice, demonstrating that the tradition of Islamic philosophy has been able to provide a meaningful response to this relationship in the modern era.

In concluding his remarks, Dr. Shahrastani referred to the concept of social Islam, as articulated by Ayatollah Shahabadi and other thinkers, noting that this concept reflects efforts to forge a connection between theory and practice, philosophy and politics, and religion and society. He also emphasized the necessity of strengthening practical wisdom and redefining the role of practice in Islamic philosophy to enable it to address the social, political, and cultural issues of the contemporary world.

The session concluded with an emphasis on the importance of revisiting and strengthening practical wisdom in Islamic philosophy, highlighting that Islamic philosophy can play an effective role in the political, cultural, and social spheres by addressing contemporary practical issues.