The history and doctrines of twelver shiism by momen, moojan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Ayatollah ruhollah khomeini, through his 1979 islamic revolution in iran, pushed. It deals with the history and development of this important religion, giving an account of shi i doctrines and focusing in particular on those areas in which it differs from sunni islam. Twelver theology, which mainly consists of five principles, has formed over the course of history on the basis of the teachings of quran, and hadiths from muhammad and the twelve imams especially jafar alsadiq, and in response to the intellectual movements in the muslim world and major events of the twelver history, such as the battle of. This book is a general introduction to shi i islam. This volume grown out of an international conference at. Momens book fills an important gap in the general literature in english on twelver shiism, and should be carefully studied by anyone who wants to know more. As the established faith in modern iran, the majority faith in iraq and areas in the gulf and with its adherents forming sizeable minorities elsewhere in the. Newman appeals to a western, nonspecialist audience that will leave the reader with an understanding of the progression of twelver shiism as its followers learned to cope with the political and religious landscape that it encountered. Oct 19, 2016 some examples from history about the crimes of twelver shia terrorists against sunnis. Some examples from history about the crimes of twelver. Twelver shiism unity and diversity in the life of islam. Ashariyah and also imaniyah, constitute the largest group within sh i.
The imams and the making of shiism pierce, matthew on. Religious authority and political thought in twelver shiism. Moojan momen this book clarifies the reality of shii islam and describes the differences between it and sunni islam. This volume grown out of an international conference at freiburg university in 1999 deals with various aspects of shiite islam since the 18th century. More than thirty years after ayatollah khomeini made his specific reading of political authority in shiism the. The author has concentrated on the ithnaashari twelver shiis who form the majority of. Newman, 9780748633319, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
Unity and diversity in the life of islam, 632 to 1722 by andrew j. They are unique among the shiah in the belief that the 12th leader of alis lineage continues to live in occultation. Twelver shiism provides a historical account of the development of this sect, from the conflicts over the successors of the prophet muhammad following his death in 632 to the fall of the safavid dynasty in 1722. It deals with the history and development of this important religion, giving an account of shii doctrines and focusing in particular on those areas. Twelvers are the followers of the 12 imams they consider to be the only rightful successors of the prophet muhammad, beginning with ali ibn abu talib 600661 ce, muhammads cousin and soninlaw, and ending with muhammad ibn alhasan born 869 ce, the 12th imam whoaccording to twelver beliefwill emerge and bring peace and justice to the world, becoming the ultimate savior of humankind. Org teams goal is to provide the authentic alternative to the islamic history that is propagated online through various shia websites. What is the best history book about the islamic world. The safavid conversion of iran to shia islam was a process that took place roughly over the 16th through 18th centuries and turned iran, which previously had a sunni majority, into the spiritual bastion of shia islam. The second category where kohlberg highlights to us is the different shiite hadith traditions consisting of narrations where the prophet speaks of twelve consecutive imams who would succeed him. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Twelver shiism is the largest branch of shia islam, with about 85% of all shias, or approximately 150 to 200 million twelver shias. It deals with the history and development of this important religion, giving an account of shii doctrines and focusing in particular on those areas in. The topic of this book is vital to the understanding of contemporary developments in iran and other areas of the islamic world in which shiism is a significant social and. It is divided into two major parts, the first of which is dedicated to traditional institutions of theology and learning and their transformation in modern times.
The second part treats internal debates and the activities of shiite. Chapter 1 covers the period of the imams presence, from the death of the prophet until the. Paradoxically, its place in the shiite world was reinforced by one other great eruption and success of a form of radical political shiism. It deals with the history and development of this important religion, giving an account of shii doctrines and focusing in particular on those areas in which it differs from sunni islam. The section on ismaili shiism is roughly 40 pages, and then there are about 5 pages each dedicated to zaydi and ghulat heterodox strands. Read twelver shiism unity and diversity in the life of islam, 632 to 1722 by andrew j. Religious authority and political thought in twelver shi. Twelver shia is the largest branch of shia islam, with 2012 estimates saying that 85% of shias were twelvers. The picture of islam as a violent, backward, and insular tradition should be laid to rest, says karen armstrong, bestselling author of muhammad and a history of. This book is a general introduction to shii islamspecifically to twelver shiism, to which the majority of shiis belong today.
Some examples from history about the crimes of twelver shia terrorists against sunnis. Twelvers never had an empire of their own until the safavid dynastyone of the most remarkable dynasties ever to have ruled iranwas established in iran in the 16th century and the qajar dynasty in the late 18th century when twelvers reconciled the divine and the temporal in the leadership of the reigning imam. More than thirty years after ayatollah khomeini made his specific reading of political. His book almabsut is the first book of ijtihad which derives the subordinates from the principles. The second part treats internal debates and the activities of shiite dissidents, showing that shiism is far from being uniform. Twelvers make majorities among shia muslims in iran, azerbaijan, iraq, lebanon, bahrain. The history and doctrines of twelver shiism, by moojan momen.
January 12, 2020 on the justification for the imamate of the progeny of al. Andrew j newman, reader in islamic studies and persian, university of. Twelver shiah, the largest of the three groups of shiah extant today. Imam ali from concise history to timeless mystery by reza shahkazemi. Any and all books found on this excellent website free islamic books by scholars. Ap world history chapter concepts flashcards quizlet. The work addresses the history and key doctrines of the twelvers, isma. Edinburgh university press has produced a large number of introductory surveys in middle eastern and islamic studies over the years that have varied. Charts the history of twelver shiism and the processes underlying the development of its key distinctive doctrines and practices, which ensured its survival in the face of repeated internal and external challenges. An outline of the life of muhammad and the early history of islam the question of the succession to muhammad the lives of the imams and early divisions among the shi. As an alternative, the kindle ebook is available now and can be read on any. Many tragedies occurred against the innocent sunnis due to the evil teachings of twelver shiism, and still occur till date.
Email citation a good, brief introduction to twelver, isma. What is a good book to read to understand shia islam. Twelver shiism unity and diversity in the life of islam, 632 to 1722 andrew j. Newman chronicles the progression of twelver shiism, exploring the numerous external challenges and internal disagreements that marked the lives of believers in pockets across the middle east to the early 18th century. An introduction to shia islam, the history and doctrines of twelver shiism. Twelver shiism the religion that shah ismail imposed. Newman appeals to a western, nonspecialist audience that will leave the reader with an understanding of the progression of twelver shiism as its followers learned to cope with. Mavanis contribution is an excellent, most welcome and very timely reminder of the complexity of past and, especially, contemporary twelver shii discourse in general and twelver discourse on political authority in particular. Newman appeals to a western, nonspecialist audience that will leave the reader with an understanding of the progression of twelver. The twelvers are by far the largest group of shiite muslims, because the iranians are twelvers. Ideological and political developments in the 20th century and especially the islamic revolution in iran have shaped the image of modern shiism more than any other tendencies and are therefore also discussed in greater.
Some examples from history about the crimes of twelver shia. Religious culture and political history, leiden, 2001, pp. They believe that, after the death of muhammad, the lineage of ali was ordained to take over leadership of the muslim community. Hodgson intriguingly focuses more on three groups within early shiism that would ultimately shape twelver doctrine later on. Examining shiite theology seems complex at face value, yet when we dive further into the historical development of the twelver shiite tradition we begin to face a multitude of historical and theological issues primarily inconsistencies, reinterpretations, polemics, and numerous hadith traditions that of which may or may not be considered authentic or contain reliable chains of transmission. The history and doctrines of twelver shiism 9780300035315. The history and doctrines of twelver shiism, by moojan momen 0%. The books of history are filled with the crimes of twelver shia terrorists. Safavid conversion of iran to shia islam wikipedia. Hamid mavanis religious authority and political thought in twelver shiism is a timely, judicious, impeccably researched, and vastly learned contribution to our evolving understanding of the thorny issue of authority in islamic political thought. A textbook devoted to the history of twelver shiism from the beginning of the islamic period until the fall of the safavids in 1722, this work is divided into an introduction, nine chapters following a chronological arrangement, and an epilogue. The iranian revolution of 1979 and recent events in lebanon have greatly increased western interest in the shii branch of islam, which is much less known than sunni islam.
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