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Imam 'Ali From Concise History to Timeless Mystery
The life of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, fourth caliph of early Islam and fountainhead of Shi'ite and Sufi lineages, 'is both inspirational and controversial: intrinsically inspirational and extrinsically controversial.' These words set the tone for what is an detailed and penetrating view of the figure of Imam 'Ali on various planes, the spiritual and ethical, the individual, the political and social. The author draws a unique portrait in which the powerful spiritual undercurrents of early Islamic history can be discerned at play, and where the sanctified heart of the Imam is revealed as a fulcrum of the harmony between the most diverse and even divergent tendencies.
These spiritual reflections on the life and thought of Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, bring to life what is essential and inspirational in his biography. 'Ali is viewed as the paragon of statesmanship, chivalry and mysticism, a man of action and contemplation, the greatest hero of his age as well as its wisest sage. The interplay between his dramatic outward story and his profound inner story heralds the triumph of the human spirit over the difficulties, tragedies and absurdities which are inevitable in 'the life of this world.'
This exceptional book may be too Shia for some Sunnis, and too Sunni for some Shia, and it may be too political for some, and too spiritual for others, and so its main value lies precisely in a higher perspective where it reveals harmony, in a keen vision of the forces of tawhid, the drive to union, alive at the centre of historical events as in human hearts. It will have a cathartic effect upon the many, Sunnis and Shia alike, who wish to see 'Ali as a fountainhead of unity in Islam, not as a source of division. It makes accessible to both Muslims and non-Muslims the treasures of loving mercy flowing from 'Ali, a global paragon of initiatic wisdom.
These spiritual reflections on the life and thought of Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, bring to life what is essential and inspirational in his biography. 'Ali is viewed as the paragon of statesmanship, chivalry and mysticism, a man of action and contemplation, the greatest hero of his age as well as its wisest sage. The interplay between his dramatic outward story and his profound inner story heralds the triumph of the human spirit over the difficulties, tragedies and absurdities which are inevitable in 'the life of this world.'
This exceptional book may be too Shia for some Sunnis, and too Sunni for some Shia, and it may be too political for some, and too spiritual for others, and so its main value lies precisely in a higher perspective where it reveals harmony, in a keen vision of the forces of tawhid, the drive to union, alive at the centre of historical events as in human hearts. It will have a cathartic effect upon the many, Sunnis and Shia alike, who wish to see 'Ali as a fountainhead of unity in Islam, not as a source of division. It makes accessible to both Muslims and non-Muslims the treasures of loving mercy flowing from 'Ali, a global paragon of initiatic wisdom.
194 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2019
9 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Reza Shah-Kazemi
32 books36 followersDr. Reza Shah-Kazemi writes on a range of topics from metaphysics and doctrine to contemplation and prayer. He is presently a Research Associate at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, where, amongst other projects, he has been working on a new, annotated translation of Nahj al-Balagha, the discourses of Imam ‘Ali. Dr. Shah-Kazemi is also the founding editor of the Islamic World Report. His degrees include International Relations and Politics at Sussex and Exeter Universities, and a PhD in Comparative Religion from the University of Kent in 1994. He later acted as a consultant to the Institute for Policy Research in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.
Dr. Shah-Kazemi has authored and translated several works, including Paths of Transcendence: Shankara, Ibn Arabi and Meister Eckhart on Transcendent Spiritual Realization (World Wisdom Books, 2006), Doctrines of Shi‘i Islam (I. B. Tauris in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2001), Avicenna: Prince of Physicians (Hood Hood, 1997) and Crisis in Chechnya (Islamic World Report, 1995). Reza Shah-Kazemi has edited several books, including Algeria: Revolution Revisited (Islamic World Report, 1997). He has also published numerous articles and reviews in academic journals.
Dr. Shah-Kazemi has authored and translated several works, including Paths of Transcendence: Shankara, Ibn Arabi and Meister Eckhart on Transcendent Spiritual Realization (World Wisdom Books, 2006), Doctrines of Shi‘i Islam (I. B. Tauris in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2001), Avicenna: Prince of Physicians (Hood Hood, 1997) and Crisis in Chechnya (Islamic World Report, 1995). Reza Shah-Kazemi has edited several books, including Algeria: Revolution Revisited (Islamic World Report, 1997). He has also published numerous articles and reviews in academic journals.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 16, 2020
This is by far one of the most beautiful books I've read about Imam Ali (a.s.).
April 15, 2023
'If you do not have the heart of Ali
Do not dare pick up the zulfiqar'
Revered as a spiritual archetype by sunnis and shias alike, the life of Hazrat Ali is 'both intrinisically inspirational and extrinsically controversial'. This book by Reza Shah-Kazemi is an enlightening and insightful read about the character and lofty status of Hazrat Ali. It addresses the view of Hazrat Ali as a 'fountainhead of unity in Islam, not as a source of division' and instead highlights Hazrat Ali's lessons about the temporal nature of this world compared to the next.
The author really emphasises the islamic spirituality articulated by Hazrat Ali and his character as one who radiates love. Whilst he was known for his justice and 'hilm' on the battlefield, on the other hand Hazrat Ali cannot 'help loving beauty, to which his love is drawn by spiritual magnetism'. His level of ma'rifa can be demonstrated by his actions such as the dropping of his sword on the battlefield and his mercy and compassion towards his enemies. As a result, the wisdom of Hazrat Ali is accessible to both Muslims and non-Muslims and he is praised through poetry like Rumi's masnavi and qawalli.
Overall, putting the political controversies aside, I loved the author's in-depth analysis and commentary and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in
learning about Hazrat Ali's character and wisdom.
'Work for this world as if you were to live forever, and work for the Hereafter as if you were to die tomorrow'
Imam Ali
Do not dare pick up the zulfiqar'
Revered as a spiritual archetype by sunnis and shias alike, the life of Hazrat Ali is 'both intrinisically inspirational and extrinsically controversial'. This book by Reza Shah-Kazemi is an enlightening and insightful read about the character and lofty status of Hazrat Ali. It addresses the view of Hazrat Ali as a 'fountainhead of unity in Islam, not as a source of division' and instead highlights Hazrat Ali's lessons about the temporal nature of this world compared to the next.
The author really emphasises the islamic spirituality articulated by Hazrat Ali and his character as one who radiates love. Whilst he was known for his justice and 'hilm' on the battlefield, on the other hand Hazrat Ali cannot 'help loving beauty, to which his love is drawn by spiritual magnetism'. His level of ma'rifa can be demonstrated by his actions such as the dropping of his sword on the battlefield and his mercy and compassion towards his enemies. As a result, the wisdom of Hazrat Ali is accessible to both Muslims and non-Muslims and he is praised through poetry like Rumi's masnavi and qawalli.
Overall, putting the political controversies aside, I loved the author's in-depth analysis and commentary and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in
learning about Hazrat Ali's character and wisdom.
'Work for this world as if you were to live forever, and work for the Hereafter as if you were to die tomorrow'
Imam Ali
May 15, 2024
I thought the story was nice, he is not really a religious character even if they made him as such, but he was betrayed by everyone, and he was a survivor.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews