Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of a religious movement: An Akhbari is a follower of a school of thought within Twelver Shia Islam that emerged in the 17th century, primarily in Iraq. This school emphasizes reliance on the akhbar (traditions, reports) of the Prophet Muhammad and the Imams, and traditionally opposes the use of independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) as practiced by the Usuli school.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The scholar identified as an Akhbari, rejecting the Usuli methodology of jurisprudence.
  • Historically, many Akhbaris were located in the shrine cities of southern Iraq.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used primarily in academic, historical, and theological discussions about Islamic sects and jurisprudence.
• It can function attributively (like an adjective) to describe things related to this school, e.g., "Akhbari scholars," "Akhbari theology."

Variants and Related Words

• Akhbarism: (Noun) The doctrines, principles, or collective identity of the Akhbari school.
  • Akhbarism represents a distinct interpretive tradition within Shiism.
• Usuli: (Noun) The member of the opposing, and now predominant, school of Twelver Shia thought that emphasizes the use of (independent legal reasoning) by qualified scholars.

Synonyms

• Traditionalist (in this specific Islamic legal context): This is a conceptual synonym, highlighting the Akhbari emphasis on transmitted traditions over rationalist interpretation. However, "Akhbari" is the precise technical term.

Notes on Meaning

The word "Akhbari" has a very specific meaning limited to the field of Islamic religious history and theology. It does not have general or everyday meanings. Its definition is entirely tied to its opposition to the Usuli school and its methodological focus on reported traditions (akhbar).

Noun

1. a religious movement by Arab Shiite Muslims in 17th century Iraq that is opposed to the Usuli
   • Akhbari Shiism has never promoted political control