ANALYSIS OF COMPONENTS AND DEBATE SKILLS IN IMAM REZA'S DISCUSSIONS WITH FOLLOWERS OF DIFFERENT RELIGIONS AND SECTS

Abstract

Imam Reza engaged in debates with a diverse group of individuals, including Christians, Zoroastrians, Jews, materialists, Mandaean Sabians, and members of various Islamic sects. In these debates, he employed a range of components and skills. This descriptive-analytical research aims to evaluate the components and skills used by Imam Reza in his discussions with followers of different religions and sects. The research seeks to answer the question of what specific components and skills Imam Reza utilized in his debates with religious and sectarian speakers. Based on the findings, Imam Reza's debates can be categorized into three primary types: ethical, logical, and free-thinking. Furthermore, the skills he employed can be distilled into five concurrent methods. These methods enabled him to advance his arguments and discussions to the point of prevailing over his opponents, even in the most challenging debates, without succumbing to incorrect or unethical reasoning traps. He achieved this by employing communicative debate techniques.