The Realism In The Fog - A Discrimination Between Li Zhi And Islam

In order to deeply and accurately understand Li Zhi’s theory, to determine the school of thought and the source of his opinion is important. Li Zhi’s philosophy view was deeply influenced by Wang Longxi and Luo Jinxi, he even took Wang Xinzhai’s son Wang Dongya as his tutor. Then, his opinion obviously belong to the Wang Yangming’s School. Therefore,generally he was seen as one of the left wing of Wang Yangming’s School. In addition, Li Zhi obsessed with Taoists and Buddhism in his old age, finally even shaved his hair and became a Buddhist monk. Taoists and Buddhism are also the important part of the source of his opinion. However, in recent years, some scholars pointed out that besides Confucian Taoists and Buddhism, there is another source of Li Zhi’s opinion, it’s Islam. Some scholars even insist Li Zhi was actually a Muslim. But, from Li Zhi’s writings and the records of his life, that doesn’t have any contents show Li Zhi have the faith of Islam. That makes the relationship of Li Zhi and Islam lost in mists.Those scholars who insist Li Zhi had certain relationship with Islam have three aspects of main basis. First, one of Li zhi’s ancestors had converted to Islam. Second, Li zhi concerned with cleanliness and his funeral arrangements may be associated with Islam. Third, some of Li Zhi’s ideological tendency may under the influence of Islam. However, based on the research to the evidences in those scholars’ works and the existing records of Li Zhi’s opinion and life, according to the evidences of the above three aspects so far to prove that Li Zhi had certain relationship with Islam also lack of reliability. No matter from which side, can’t find the exact evidences to prove that Li Zhi had certain relationship with Islam. Thus, now the viewpoint about Li Zhi had certain relationship with Islam, still can only be a conjecture.