Guardians of Shi'ism : sacred authority and transnational family networks

**A study of transnational Shi'ism that explains the constitution of clerical leadership patterns across borders** GBS\_insertPreviewButtonPopup(['ISBN:9780748691456','ISBN:9780748691449');What is the significance of transnationalism to Shi`i Islam? And how is clerical authority shaped across borders? Based on a political sociology of two families of religious scholars, al-Hakim and al-Khu’i, Elvire Corboz explains the internal workings of transnational leadership patterns in Shi`ism for the first time. Corboz compares the multifaceted roles played by Shi`i clerics in contemporary affairs with selective narratives about the traditional system of religious authority (the __marja`iyya__), political organisations, and international charities. Whether informal or institutionalised, their authority networks are in constant negotiation between communities and states in Iraq, Iran, other Middle Eastern countries, the Indian sub-continent South-East Asia, and the West. This multi-sited approach clarifies the local and transnational dynamics that underpin clerical authority. #### Key Features * Analyses the networking, philanthropic and political practices of Shi`i clerical figures across borders from a sociological perspective to enhance our understanding of Muslim authority * Includes case studies of two prominent families of religious scholars, which explain the continued relevance of Shi‘i clerics to Muslim politics and society * Engages in the topical debate on transnational Shi`ism by exploring the cross-border religious networks in and beyond the Middle East " A study of transnational Shi'ism that explains the constitution of clerical leadership patterns across borders GBS_insertPreviewButtonPopup(['ISBN:9780748691456','ISBN:9780748691449'); What is the significance of transnationalism to Shi`i Islam? And how is clerical authority shaped across borders? Based on a political sociology of two families of religious scholars, al-Hakim and al-Khu’i, Elvire Corboz explains the internal workings of transnational leadership patterns in Shi`ism for the first time. Corboz compares the multifaceted roles played by Shi`i clerics in contemporary affairs with selective narratives about the traditional system of religious authority (the marja`iyya ), political organisations, and international charities. Whether informal or institutionalised, their authority networks are in constant negotiation between communities and states in Iraq, Iran, other Middle Eastern countries, the Indian sub-continent South-East Asia, and the West. This multi-sited approach clarifies the local and transnational dynamics that underpin clerical authority. Key Features Analyses the networking, philanthropic and political practices of Shi`i clerical figures across borders from a sociological perspective to enhance our understanding of Muslim authority Includes case studies of two prominent families of religious scholars, which explain the continued relevance of Shi‘i clerics to Muslim politics and society Engages in the topical debate on transnational Shi`ism by exploring the cross-border religious networks in and beyond the Middle East A study of Shi'ism explaining the transnational constitution of clerical authority, For centuries, the Shi'i religious establishment has come to represent the quintessential transnational actor. How is clerical authority established and maintained across borders? This book explores the potential of transnational linkages in shaping leadership patterns in contemporary Shi'ism. Though the lens of two families of religious scholars, it compares the multifaceted roles played by clerics with narratives about the traditional system of religious authority, political organizations and international charities. The book maps clerical networks and their encounters with communities and states across the Middle East, South Asia, South-East Asia and the West. This multi-sited approach aims to clarify the local and transnational dynamics that underpin clerical authority. Key Features, Enhances our understanding of Muslim authority through a sociological analysis of the networking, philanthropic and political practices of Shi'i clerical actors across borders, Includes case studies of two prominent families of religious scholars (al-Hakim and al-Khu'i) to show the continued relevance of Shi'i clerics to Muslim politics and society, Deconstructs homogenizing views of transnational Shi'ism by comprehending and localizing cross-border religious networks in and beyond the Middle East Book jacket What is the significance of transnationalism to Shiì Islam? And how is clerical authority shaped across borders? Based on a political sociology of two families of religious scholars, al-Hakim and al-Khu'i, Elvire Corboz explains the internal workings of transnational leadership patterns in Shiìsm for the first time. Corboz compares the multifaceted roles played by Shiì clerics in contemporary affairs with selective narratives about the traditional system of religious authority (the marjaìyya), political organisations, and international charities. Whether informal or institutionalised, their authority networks are in constant negotiation between communities and states in Iraq, Iran, other Middle Eastern countries, the Indian sub-continent South-East Asia, and the West. This multi-sited approach clarifies the local and transnational dynamics that underpin clerical authority. Key Features * Analyses the networking, philanthropic and political practices of Shi'i clerical figures across borders from a sociological perspective to enhance our understanding of Muslim authority *Includes case studies of two prominent families of religious scholars, which explain the continued relevance of Shi'i clerics to Muslim politics and society *Engages in the topical debate on transnational Shiìsm by exploring the cross-border religious networks in and beyond the Middle East Explores How Shi'i Clerical Authority Is Established And Maintained Across Borders, Examining Clerical Networks Based On Religious Authority, Political Organizations, And International Charities Across The Middle East, South Asia, South-east Asia And The West. Family, Students And Friends : From Dyadic To Transnational Networks -- Charitable Politics : Benevolent Patrons, Beneficiaries And The State -- The Affairs Of The State : Clerical Participation In Politics. Elvire Corboz. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 237-267) And Index.