Doctrines of Shiʿi Islam: A Compendium of Imami Beliefs and Practices

This text offers a wide-ranging overview of the principal tenets of Shiʿi Islam. It is useful not only as an introductory text on Shiʿi thought and practice, but also as a contemporary expression, from within, of this branch of this vibrant branch of the Islamic faith. Comprehensive and concise, this work is principally theological and jurisprudential, dealing with such issues as the concept of knowledge, the nature of being and the problem of evil. This Book, By A Highly Respected Shi'i Theologian, Offers A Wide-ranging Overview Of The Principal Tenets Of Shi'i Islam With Particular Reference To Twelver Shi'ism. It Is Useful Not Only As An Introductory Text On Shi'i Thought And Practice, But Also As A Contemporary Expression, From Within, Of This Vibrant Branch Of The Islamic Faith. Comprehensive Yet Concise, It Gives The Reader A Taste Of The Tradition As A Whole.--book Jacket. Ch. 1. The Worldview Of Islam -- I. Ways Of Acquiring Knowledge In Islam -- Ii. Existence From The Islamic Viewpoint -- Iii. Man From The Perspective Of Islam -- Ch. 2. General Beliefs -- I. The Oneness Of God (tawhid) -- Ii. Divine Justice ('adl) -- Iii. Prophecy (nubuwwa) -- Iv. Imamate (imama) -- V. The Hereafter (ma'ad) -- Ch. 3. Faith, Disbelief And Other Issues -- I. Faith And Disbelief (iman Wa Kufr) -- Ii. Innovation (bid'a) -- Iii. Dissimulation (taqiyya) -- Iv. Resorting To Intermediaries (tawassul) -- V. Change Of Destiny (bada') -- Vi. Traditions (hadith) -- Vii. Jurisprudential Reasoning (ijtihad) -- Viii. Some Contested Legal Rulings. Jaʻfar Sobhani ; Translated And Edited By Reza Shah-kazemi. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This wide-ranging, comprehensive overview of the main theological and jurisprudential tenets of Shi'i Islam deals with such issues as the nature of being and the problem of evil. The range of themes covered, its precise style, and the means by which traditional Shi'i beliefs and practices are substantiated render this book both informative and original. It offers a valuable insight into mainstream ideological thinking within the official religious establishment in Iran today. This text offers a wide-ranging overview of the principal tenets of Shi'i Islam. It is useful not only as an introductory text on Shi'i thought and practice, but also as a contemporary expression, from within, of this branch of this vibrant branch of the Islamic faith. Comprehensive and concise, this work is principally theological and jurisprudential, dealing with such issues as the concept of knowledge, the nature of being and the problem of evil. -- Publisher description This text offers a wide-ranging overview of the principal tenets of Shi'i Islam. It is useful not only as an introductory text on Shi'i thought and practice, but also as a contemporary expression, from within, of this branch of this vibrant branch of the Islamic faith. Comprehensive and concise, this work is principally theological and jurisprudential, dealing with such issues as the concept of knowledge, the nature of being and the problem of evil. --Bloomsbury Publishing Islam makes use of three principal means of acquiring knowledge of the world and of the truths of religion, recognizing the validity of each of them within their respective spheres.