The current article examines the criterion of jurisprudential debate in dealing with art. The author addresses the above subject from three different perspectives namely “artist”, “audience” and “artwork”.
As regards the creator of the artwork, the artist’s intention is the main discussion point, approached from two aspects: “compatibility of the intention with the effect” and “incompatibility of the intention with the effect”. Accordingly, referring to some traditions and sireh of the infallibles, the former encompasses rules of preference -Istihbab- and detestability –Kirahat- (in various assumptions), while the latter covers inqiyad and tajarri (the intention of committing sin).
As regards the audience of artworks, the present study discusses the type of effect that the artwork creates and presents the conditions of permission and forbiddance of using such works. Likewise, the issue of lahv (corrupting entertainment) and absolute aesthetic pleasure is brought up when no evidence of ethical or religious impact (positive or negative) is seen.
Finally, as regards the “text of an artwork”, an examination of the permission or forbiddance of publication of artworks in accordance with incompatibility (tazahom) under different conditions and with respect to special language of art is addressed, while considering issuance of its rule specific to religious leaders and not individual mukallaf
Theology of Art