School of Thought and Action (Islamic Renaissance Series)

Shariati offers a realistic analysis of the history of the last century of the Islamic world and a dear understanding of the weak points of the Islamic movement in this age. The most important mission which he accepts for himself and others like him was to begin a deep, widespread, useful intellectual movement. He implemented this movement at two levels. One was to formulate an ideology for the leaders which would come from within the individual-social practice while planning for the realization of the ideals, values and development of a Madinah* in this age.

The second level was to give ideological, intellectual, political and revolutionary consciousness to the masses of the people, communicating €˜the message€ to them and, in the end, drawing them to the revolution and revolutionary victory through their own efforts, with the realization of revolutionary ideas by their leaders. This, he believed, would result in conscious people who would remain loyal to the revolution€s values and ideals. Also, in this way, they would not be deceived by the enemy but would remain steadfast, persevering and, more important than anything else, they would not become puppets for the powerful and new leaders.

This two-dimensional mission is among the most important indicators of Shariati€s thoughts for it separated him from all of the interlinking political, revolutionary and military currents of intellectuals and religious scholars.