The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism

The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism

Author: Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi

Publisher: State University of New York Press

Published: 2016-03-22

Total Pages: 298

ISBN-13: 0791494799

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The Imam, the Divine Guide, is the central point around which the Shi'ite religion turns. The power of Shi'ism comes from the actions of the Imam. This title is reserved exclusively for the sucessors of the prophets in their mission. The author shows that from the beginning of Shi'ite Islam until the tenth century, the Imam was primarily a master of knowledge with supernatural powers, not a jurist theologian. The Imam is the threshold through which God and the creatures communicate. He is thus a cosmic necessity, the key and the center of the universal economy of the sacred. The author presents Shi'ism as a religion founded on double dimensions where the role of the leader remains constantly central: perpetual initiation into divine secrets and continued confrontation with anti-initiation forces. Without esotericism, exotericism loses its meaning. Early Imamism is an esoteric doctrine. Historically, then, at the beginning of esotericism in Islam, we find an initiatory, mystical, and occultist doctrine. This is the first book to systematically explore the immense literature attributed to the Imams themselves in order to recover the authentic original vision. It restores an essential source of esotericism in the world of Islam.


Book Synopsis The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism by : Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi

Download or read book The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism written by Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2016-03-22 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Imam, the Divine Guide, is the central point around which the Shi'ite religion turns. The power of Shi'ism comes from the actions of the Imam. This title is reserved exclusively for the sucessors of the prophets in their mission. The author shows that from the beginning of Shi'ite Islam until the tenth century, the Imam was primarily a master of knowledge with supernatural powers, not a jurist theologian. The Imam is the threshold through which God and the creatures communicate. He is thus a cosmic necessity, the key and the center of the universal economy of the sacred. The author presents Shi'ism as a religion founded on double dimensions where the role of the leader remains constantly central: perpetual initiation into divine secrets and continued confrontation with anti-initiation forces. Without esotericism, exotericism loses its meaning. Early Imamism is an esoteric doctrine. Historically, then, at the beginning of esotericism in Islam, we find an initiatory, mystical, and occultist doctrine. This is the first book to systematically explore the immense literature attributed to the Imams themselves in order to recover the authentic original vision. It restores an essential source of esotericism in the world of Islam.


Shi'i Islam

Shi'i Islam

Author: Najam Haider

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2014-08-11

Total Pages: 267

ISBN-13: 1107031435

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This book examines the development of Shi'i Islam through the lenses of belief, narrative, and memory.


Book Synopsis Shi'i Islam by : Najam Haider

Download or read book Shi'i Islam written by Najam Haider and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2014-08-11 with total page 267 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book examines the development of Shi'i Islam through the lenses of belief, narrative, and memory.


Islamic Messianism

Islamic Messianism

Author: Abdulaziz Abdulhussein Sachedina

Publisher: SUNY Press

Published: 1981-01-01

Total Pages: 242

ISBN-13: 9780873954426

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The first comprehensive study of the idea of the Mahdi, or divinely guided messianic leader.


Book Synopsis Islamic Messianism by : Abdulaziz Abdulhussein Sachedina

Download or read book Islamic Messianism written by Abdulaziz Abdulhussein Sachedina and published by SUNY Press. This book was released on 1981-01-01 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first comprehensive study of the idea of the Mahdi, or divinely guided messianic leader.


Apocalyptic Islam and Iranian Shi'ism

Apocalyptic Islam and Iranian Shi'ism

Author: Abbas Amanat

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2009-02-19

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 0857710443

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Interest in Shi'i Islam is running at unprecedented levels. International tensions over Iran, where the largest number of Shi'i Muslims live, as well as the political resurgence of the Shi'i in Iraq and Lebanon, have created an urgent need to understand the background, beliefs and motivations of this dynamic vision of Islam. Abbas Amanat is one of the leading scholars of Shi'ism. And in this powerful book, a showcase for some of his most influential writing in the field, he addresses the colourful and diverse history of Shi' Islam in both premodern and contemporary times.Focusing specifically on the importance of apocalypticism in the development of modern Shi'i theology, he shows how an immersion in messianic ideas has shaped the conservative character of much Shi'i thinking, and has prevented it from taking a more progressive course. Tracing the continuity of apocalyptic trends from the Middle Ages to the present, Amanat addresses such topics as the early influence on Shi'ism of Zoroastrianism; manifestations of apocalyptic ideology during the Iranian Revolution of 1979; and the rise of the Shi'i clerical establishment during the 19th and 20th centuries. His book will be an essential resource for students and scholars of both religious studies and Middle Eastern history.


Book Synopsis Apocalyptic Islam and Iranian Shi'ism by : Abbas Amanat

Download or read book Apocalyptic Islam and Iranian Shi'ism written by Abbas Amanat and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2009-02-19 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Interest in Shi'i Islam is running at unprecedented levels. International tensions over Iran, where the largest number of Shi'i Muslims live, as well as the political resurgence of the Shi'i in Iraq and Lebanon, have created an urgent need to understand the background, beliefs and motivations of this dynamic vision of Islam. Abbas Amanat is one of the leading scholars of Shi'ism. And in this powerful book, a showcase for some of his most influential writing in the field, he addresses the colourful and diverse history of Shi' Islam in both premodern and contemporary times.Focusing specifically on the importance of apocalypticism in the development of modern Shi'i theology, he shows how an immersion in messianic ideas has shaped the conservative character of much Shi'i thinking, and has prevented it from taking a more progressive course. Tracing the continuity of apocalyptic trends from the Middle Ages to the present, Amanat addresses such topics as the early influence on Shi'ism of Zoroastrianism; manifestations of apocalyptic ideology during the Iranian Revolution of 1979; and the rise of the Shi'i clerical establishment during the 19th and 20th centuries. His book will be an essential resource for students and scholars of both religious studies and Middle Eastern history.


After the Prophet

After the Prophet

Author: Lesley Hazleton

Publisher: Anchor

Published: 2010-09-07

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 0385523947

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In this gripping narrative history, Lesley Hazleton tells the tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between the Sunni and Shia branches of Islam, a rift that dominates the news now more than ever. Even as Muhammad lay dying, the battle over who would take control of the new Islamic nation had begun, beginning a succession crisis marked by power grabs, assassination, political intrigue, and passionate faith. Soon Islam was embroiled in civil war, pitting its founder's controversial wife Aisha against his son-in-law Ali, and shattering Muhammad’s ideal of unity. Combining meticulous research with compelling storytelling, After the Prophet explores the volatile intersection of religion and politics, psychology and culture, and history and current events. It is an indispensable guide to the depth and power of the Shia–Sunni split.


Book Synopsis After the Prophet by : Lesley Hazleton

Download or read book After the Prophet written by Lesley Hazleton and published by Anchor. This book was released on 2010-09-07 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this gripping narrative history, Lesley Hazleton tells the tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between the Sunni and Shia branches of Islam, a rift that dominates the news now more than ever. Even as Muhammad lay dying, the battle over who would take control of the new Islamic nation had begun, beginning a succession crisis marked by power grabs, assassination, political intrigue, and passionate faith. Soon Islam was embroiled in civil war, pitting its founder's controversial wife Aisha against his son-in-law Ali, and shattering Muhammad’s ideal of unity. Combining meticulous research with compelling storytelling, After the Prophet explores the volatile intersection of religion and politics, psychology and culture, and history and current events. It is an indispensable guide to the depth and power of the Shia–Sunni split.


Shi'ism, Resistance, And Revolution

Shi'ism, Resistance, And Revolution

Author: Martin Kramer

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2019-05-28

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 1000311430

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The recent revival of interest in the Muslim world has generated numerous studies of modern Islam, most of them focusing on the Sunni majority. Shi'ism, an often stigmatized minority branch of Islam, has been discussed mainly in connection with Iran. Yet Shi'i movements have been extraordinarily effective in creating political strategies that have


Book Synopsis Shi'ism, Resistance, And Revolution by : Martin Kramer

Download or read book Shi'ism, Resistance, And Revolution written by Martin Kramer and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2019-05-28 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The recent revival of interest in the Muslim world has generated numerous studies of modern Islam, most of them focusing on the Sunni majority. Shi'ism, an often stigmatized minority branch of Islam, has been discussed mainly in connection with Iran. Yet Shi'i movements have been extraordinarily effective in creating political strategies that have


The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam

The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam

Author: Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi

Publisher:

Published: 2020

Total Pages: 587

ISBN-13: 9780755610273

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The second largest branch of Islam, with between 130 and 190 million adherents across the globe, Shi'i Islam is becoming an increasingly significant force in contemporary politics, especially in the Middle East. This makes an informed understanding of its fundamental spiritual beliefs and practices both necessary and timely. Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi is one of the most distinguished scholars of Shi'i history and theology, and in this volume he offers a wide-ranging and engaging survey of the core texts of Shi'i Islam. Examining in turn the origins and later developments of Shi'i spirituality, t.


Book Synopsis The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam by : Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi

Download or read book The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam written by Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 587 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The second largest branch of Islam, with between 130 and 190 million adherents across the globe, Shi'i Islam is becoming an increasingly significant force in contemporary politics, especially in the Middle East. This makes an informed understanding of its fundamental spiritual beliefs and practices both necessary and timely. Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi is one of the most distinguished scholars of Shi'i history and theology, and in this volume he offers a wide-ranging and engaging survey of the core texts of Shi'i Islam. Examining in turn the origins and later developments of Shi'i spirituality, t.


The Silent Qur'an and the Speaking Qur'an

The Silent Qur'an and the Speaking Qur'an

Author: Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi

Publisher: Columbia University Press

Published: 2015-12-08

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 0231540655

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Two major events occurred in the early centuries of Islam that determined its historical and spiritual development in the centuries that followed: the formation of the sacred scriptures, namely the Qur'an and the Hadith, and the chronic violence that surrounded the succession of the Prophet, manifesting in repression, revolution, massacre, and civil war. This is the first book to evaluate the writing of Islam's major scriptural sources within the context of these bloody, brutal conflicts. Conducting a philological and historical study of little-known though significant ancient texts, Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi rebuilds a Shi'ite understanding of Islam's early history and the genesis of its holy scriptures. At the same time, he proposes a fresh interpretative framework and a new data set for theorizing the early history of Islam, isolating the contradictions between Shi'ite and Sunni sources and their contribution to the tensions that rile these groups today.


Book Synopsis The Silent Qur'an and the Speaking Qur'an by : Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi

Download or read book The Silent Qur'an and the Speaking Qur'an written by Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi and published by Columbia University Press. This book was released on 2015-12-08 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Two major events occurred in the early centuries of Islam that determined its historical and spiritual development in the centuries that followed: the formation of the sacred scriptures, namely the Qur'an and the Hadith, and the chronic violence that surrounded the succession of the Prophet, manifesting in repression, revolution, massacre, and civil war. This is the first book to evaluate the writing of Islam's major scriptural sources within the context of these bloody, brutal conflicts. Conducting a philological and historical study of little-known though significant ancient texts, Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi rebuilds a Shi'ite understanding of Islam's early history and the genesis of its holy scriptures. At the same time, he proposes a fresh interpretative framework and a new data set for theorizing the early history of Islam, isolating the contradictions between Shi'ite and Sunni sources and their contribution to the tensions that rile these groups today.


The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam

The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam

Author: Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2011-01-31

Total Pages: 608

ISBN-13: 0857719653

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The second largest branch of Islam, with between 130 and 190 million adherents across the globe, Shi'i Islam is becoming an increasingly significant force in contemporary politics, especially in the Middle East. This makes an informed understanding of its fundamental spiritual beliefs and practices both necessary and timely. Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi is one of the most distinguished scholars of Shi'i history and theology, and in this volume he offers a wide-ranging and engaging survey of the core texts of Shi'i Islam. Examining in turn the origins and later developments of Shi'i spirituality, the author reveals the profoundly esoteric nature of the beliefs which accrued to the figures of the early Imams, and which became associated with their interaction between the material and spiritual worlds. Many of these beliefs have remained much misunderstood even within the wider Muslim world. Furthermore, Western scholarship has tended to follow the lead of the earlier orientalists and critics, viewing Shi'i teachings as marginal. In this study the author shows, by contrast, how central and creative the very nature of spirituality was to the development of Shi'i Islam, as well as to classical Muslim civilisation as a whole. In this comprehensive treatment, the esoteric nature of Shi'i spirituality emerges as an essential phenomenon for understanding Shi'i Islam.


Book Synopsis The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam by : Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi

Download or read book The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam written by Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2011-01-31 with total page 608 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The second largest branch of Islam, with between 130 and 190 million adherents across the globe, Shi'i Islam is becoming an increasingly significant force in contemporary politics, especially in the Middle East. This makes an informed understanding of its fundamental spiritual beliefs and practices both necessary and timely. Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi is one of the most distinguished scholars of Shi'i history and theology, and in this volume he offers a wide-ranging and engaging survey of the core texts of Shi'i Islam. Examining in turn the origins and later developments of Shi'i spirituality, the author reveals the profoundly esoteric nature of the beliefs which accrued to the figures of the early Imams, and which became associated with their interaction between the material and spiritual worlds. Many of these beliefs have remained much misunderstood even within the wider Muslim world. Furthermore, Western scholarship has tended to follow the lead of the earlier orientalists and critics, viewing Shi'i teachings as marginal. In this study the author shows, by contrast, how central and creative the very nature of spirituality was to the development of Shi'i Islam, as well as to classical Muslim civilisation as a whole. In this comprehensive treatment, the esoteric nature of Shi'i spirituality emerges as an essential phenomenon for understanding Shi'i Islam.


Islam: A Very Short Introduction

Islam: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Malise Ruthven

Publisher: OUP Oxford

Published: 2012-01-26

Total Pages: 201

ISBN-13: 0199642877

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Islam features widely in the news, often in its most militant forms, but few people in the non-Muslim world really understand its nature. Malise Ruthven's Very Short Introduction, offers essential insights into the big issues, provides fresh perspectives on contemporary questions, and guides us through the complex debates.


Book Synopsis Islam: A Very Short Introduction by : Malise Ruthven

Download or read book Islam: A Very Short Introduction written by Malise Ruthven and published by OUP Oxford. This book was released on 2012-01-26 with total page 201 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Islam features widely in the news, often in its most militant forms, but few people in the non-Muslim world really understand its nature. Malise Ruthven's Very Short Introduction, offers essential insights into the big issues, provides fresh perspectives on contemporary questions, and guides us through the complex debates.