Introducing Shia 1
As you the dear audience know, the religion of Islam has been divided into two major branches, Sunnism and Shi’ism. Each of these branches, with all of common principals that they have, have their specific identity.
In different series of podcast, we will talk about perspectives and history of Shi’ism, also Ethic and lifestyle in the view point of Shi’ism and much more. In these series of podcast, we will Insha’Allah going to introduce and explain the main Islamic issues in perspective of Shi’ism, because, Shi’ism is an important Aspect of the Islamic tradition. The purpose of these series is to present Shi’ism as it has been and as it is, in both its doctrinal and Historical aspects.
Now, in this series, in the name of “Introducing Shia“, we are going to talk about introducing and history of Shi’ism. The main reference that we have used for this part, is the book of شیعه در اسلام, by one of the greatest Islamic scholars, Seyed Muhammad Hussein Tabatabai, known as Allame Tabatabai. This book originally is written in Persian language, but fortunately has translated in English by one of his prominent students, professor Seyed Hosein Nasr. He is one of the most prominent Shi’ite researchers that has lots of books and articles of introducing Shi’ism.
This book, according to the translator, has been a textbook in some universities in the US in the subject of Shi’ite studies and of course this book is being used now in the seminary. However, this book despite being brief, is one the best sources of introducing Shi’ism, either because of content and author.
About the Book
This book is comprised of three parts. The first part, in the name of ‘historical background of Shi’ism’, deals with the history of the Shi’ism specially in the early centuries of Islam. The main topics that the author going to talk about them are: Origin of Shi’ism, the reason that Muslim’s society has been divided into two parts, the issue of succession of the prophet and the disagreement that happened in that issue and finally, it talks about Shi’ism branches.
The second part, with the title ‘Shi’ite religious thought’ is talks about the meaning of thought and also the cognitive resources. These cognitive resources, briefly are: religious reasons like the Quran and narrations of the prophet and infallible Imams, rational and intellectual reasons, and finally spiritual comprehension like mysticism. In this part, in three separate chapter, the author points to these three references of religious thought.
And finally, part three, that appellate ‘Islamic beliefs From the Shi’ite point of view’ has mentioned to main beliefs of Shi’ism. The beliefs of God’s essence and attributes, the notion of prophethood, the features of prophet, the notion of Imamate and things like these.
To read more about the book, click here.
