1st Edition

What is Shi'i Islam? An Introduction

234 Pages 2 B/W Illustrations

by Routledge

234 Pages 2 B/W Illustrations

by Routledge

234 Pages 2 B/W Illustrations

by Routledge

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Description

For the public at large Shi’ism often implies a host of confused representations, suggesting more often than not obscurantism, intolerance, political violence and other ignominies running hot or cold in response to world events. In fact for many people, Shi’ism stands for "radical Islam", or – worse – "Islamic terrorism". In some respects, nothing is more familiar than Shi’ism, and yet nothing is... Read more

Introduction Part I: Doctrinal Foundations. The Early Beginnings of Shi’ism 1. Origins and Conceptions of the World 2. The Beginnings of Shi’ism Part II: The Sources and Contents of the Sacred Teachings 3. The Founding Sources 4. Shi’ite Teachings and their Levels 5. Walaya: The Nucleus of Shi’ite Faith 6. Symbolic Interpretation (ta’wil) Part III: The Historical Evolution of Shi’ism 7. The Origins of Political Shi’ism 8. Aspects of the Jurist-Theologian’s Power 9. The Followers of the Original Tradition 10. The Politics of the Philosophers Part IV: Shi’ism, Wisdom and Philosophy 11. Moral Perfection and Contemplation 12. Philosophy and Syncretism 13. Some Historical Signposts 14. From the Question of Being to the Nature of God 15. The Destination of Man 16. From the Visible to the Invisible Conclusion