Shi'i Islam: Origins, Faith and Practices

by Mohammad Ali Shomali

In six concise, clearly written chapters, Mohammad Shomali provides a scholarly and well-documented introduction to the principal features of Shi'i Islam, an important school of Islamic thought which has gained increasing prominence in recent years. Beginning with an examination of the term "Shi'i" - stressing its occurrence in numerous traditions of the Prophet, so that the origins of Shi'ism can be regarded as coterminous with those of Islam itself - the author then moves to a discussion of the textual and other sources of Shi'i The Qur'an, the Sunnah of the Prophet, the teachings of the Infallible Imams from the Household of the Prophet, and the principles of reason and consensus as distinctively understood in Shi'ism. He follows with a review of the leading doctrines of Shi'i Islam, both those it holds in common with other Muslims and those that set it apart - divine justice, the Imamate, and the infallibility of the Imams. The devotional practices of Shi'i Islam are then presented in turn, followed by a review of its general characteristics, with stress on both spirituality and rationality. Concluding with a demographic survey of Shi'i populations and brief notes on cities with sacred associations, the book is carefully argued, and can be recommended as a useful source of reference for all those interested in Islamic studies. Mohammad Ali Shomali was born in Iran in 1965. A graduate of the seminary of Qum, Mr. Shomali holds an M.A. from the University of Tehran and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Manchester. He currently teaches ethics and philosophy at the Islamic College for Advanced Studies (ICAS) in London. 176pp

Paperback

About the author

Hujjat al-Islam Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali is a graduate of the Islamic Seminaries of Qum and has also both a BA and an MA in Western Philosophy from the University of Tehran. He has earned his Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Manchester. His doctoral thesis was on ethical relativism. He did his postdoctoral research on ethical issues related to life and death.

He is currently the Founding Director of the International Institute for Islamic Studies in Qum, IRAN and the Director of Islamic Centre of England, London. Dr Shomali is editor-in-chief of two journals: the Message of Thaqalayn: A Quarterly Journal of Islamic Studies and the Spiritual Quest: A Biannual Journal of Ethics and Spirituality.

Dr Shomali is very interested and involved in interreligious dialogue and has organised or attended and presented papers in UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Austria, Greece, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Philippines, Sweden, etc.

Reviews

[Amina Sadr · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and concise introduction for anyone interested in Shii islam, suitable for readers from various backgrounds. In fact, it is useful even for Shii Muslims themselves as it helps to systematize shiizm in a very brief but clear way and teaches an appropriate way of discourse and presentation of shiizm. An honest and objective information without lengthy, annoying and unnecessary details, presented in an open and friendly tone with no attempts to intimidate or challenge the reader.

[Muhammet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the Turkish translation of the booklet. And though this booklet does not cover every belief and issue in Shia Islam, it is a nice start for the study of shia Islam. And since the book is written by a Shia Muslim cleric, it has no misinformation/disinformation against shia Islam and Shiite Muslims. For a more scholarly read though, I suggest Allama Tabatabai's "Shia in Islam" and Murtaza Mutahhari's "God, Man and Universe".