Eskiyeni

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to reveal and remark upon the view of Shariati on Marx and Marxism. The leftist theology of Shariati has always consisted in relation with Marxism, although in an unfavorable way. Marxism is not a sacrilegious ideology, but a strange and opponent ideology that needs to be overcome and defeated, from the viewpoint of Shariati, who avoids with caution using conservative wording when analyzing and criticizing it. Shariati aims to attract the masses into a political opposition and to establish a religious ideology which may serve as a kind of political guideline for Muslims fighting for the good of society. There are important historical changes in Shariati's view of Marxism. Whereas his approach was more contingent upon “three Marx” differentiation during his early studies, it develops into a more negative aspect over the course of time. In late period works, Marxism is reevaluated and rejected as a materialist ideology. The differences between the two ideologies are sharpened by re-emphasizing the religious sources of the Islam-Science ideology. According to him, Islam is an ideology that is holistic and fundamentally different from Marxism, which shares common ontological ground with capitalism. One cannot be accepted until the other one is rejected. Islam, which is based on tawhid, is in a superior position to all modern ideologies, especially Marxism, in terms of creating a radical subjectivity and achieving basic ideals such as freedom and equality. Because it is a Eurocentric ideology, Marxism is also an alienating western ideology. While it includes the left ethos in its left theology, it categorically rejects the ontological assumptions of Marxism. Shariati, tries to construct a revolutionary worldview based on Tawhid. This spiritualist worldview is based on justice, freedom and equality. Individual belief and spiritual life are the most important elements of this worldview. Islam is the only structure that will mobilize Muslim societies against capitalism and imperialism and protect the identity of the society against alienation. For this reason, it is necessary to abandon foreign and alienating ideologies and return to Islam as a revolutionary ideology.