The Study of Shiʿi Islam: History, Theology and Law

Shi'i Islam, with its rich and extensive history, has played a crucial role in the evolution of Islam as both a major world religion and civilization. The prolific achievements of Shi?i theologians, philosophers and others are testament to the spiritual and intellectual wealth of this community. Yet Shi?i studies has unjustly remained a long-neglected field, despite the important contribution that Shi'ism has made to Islamic traditions. Only in recent decades, partially spurred by global interest in political events of the Middle East, have scholars made some significant contributions in this area. The Study of Shi'i Islam presents papers originally delivered at the first international colloquium dedicated exclusively to Shi'i studies, held in 2010 at The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London. Within the book are eight sections, namely, history, the Qur'an and its Shi'i interpretations, hadith, law, authority, theology, rites and rituals, and intellectual traditions and philosophy. Each section begins with an introduction contextualizing the aspects of studying Shi'i Islam particular to its theme, before going on to address topics such as the state of the field, methodology and tools, and the primary issues with which contemporary scholars of Shi'i studies are dealing. The scope and depth here covered makes this book of especial interest to researchers and students alike within the field of Islamic studies. The volume benefits from the diverse expertise of nearly 30 world-class scholars, including Mohammad-Ali Amir-Moezzi, Meir M. Bar-Asher, Farhad Daftary, Daniel De Smet, Gerald R. Hawting, Nader El-Bizri, Etan Kohlberg, Wilferd Madelung, Andrew Newman, Ismail K. Poonawala, Sabine Schmidtke and Paul E. Walker. The Institute of Ismaili Studies -- Shi'i Heritage Series -- Foreword -- Preface -- Contributors -- Note on Transliteration and Dates -- Abbreviations -- Part 1. History and Historiography -- Introduction / Wilferd Madelung -- Chapter 1. Reflections on the Expression dīn 'Alī: The Origins of the Shi'i Faith / Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi -- Chapter 2. The Study of the Ismailis: Phases and Issues / Farhad Daftary -- Chapter 3. Al-Maqrīzī's Connection to the Fatimids / Nasser Rabbat -- Part 2. THE QURʾAN AND ITS SHI'I INTERPRETATIONS -- Introduction / Meir M Bar-Asher -- Chapter 4. What Defines a (Pre-modern) Shi'i Tafsīr? Notes towards the History of the Genre of Tafsīr in Islam, in the Light of the Study of the Shi'i Contribution / Andrew Rippin -- Chapter 5. The Tafsīr of al-Ḥibarī (d. 286/899): Qurʾanic Exegesis and Early Shi'i Esotericism -- Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi / -- Chapter 6. The Empire Writes Back: Fatimid Ismaili Taʾwīl (Allegoresis) and the Mysteries of the Ancient Greeks / David Hollenberg -- Chapter 7. The Authority to Interpret the Qurʾan / Meir M. Bar-Asher -- Part 3. SHI'I ḤADĪTH -- Introduction / Etan Kohlberg -- Chapter 8. Writing and Resistance: The Transmission of Religious Knowledge in Early Shi'ism / Maria Massi Dakake -- Chapter 9. Pre-Būyid Ḥadīth Literature: The Case of al-Barqī from Qumm (d. 274/888 or 280/894) in Twelve Sections / Roy Vilozny -- Chapter 10. The Story of 'Pen and Paper' and its Interpretation in Muslim Literary and Historical Tradition / Gurdofarid Miskinzoda -- Part 4. SHI'I LAW -- Introduction -- Chapter 11. Renunciation (Zuhd) in the Early Shi'i Tradition / Christopher Melchert -- Chapter 12. The Evolution of al-Qāḍī al-Nu'mān's Theory of Ismaili Jurisprudence as Reflected in the Chronology of his Works on Jurisprudence / Ismail K Poonawala -- Chapter 13. The Theory of Māl among the Zaydīs / Sayyid Zayd al-Wazir -- Part 5. Authority -- Introduction / Andrew J Newman -- Chapter 14. 'Seeking the Face of God': The Safawid Ḥikmat Tradition's Conceptualisation of Walāya Takwīniyya / Sajjad Rizvi -- Chapter 15. The Role of the Imam-caliph as Depicted in Official Treatises and Documents Issued by the Fatimids / Paul E. Walker -- Chapter 16. 'Minority Reports': Twelver Shi'i Disputations and Authority in the Būyid Period / Andrew J Newman -- Part 6. Theology -- Introduction / Wilferd Madelung -- Chapter 17. Early Imāmī Theology as Reflected in the Kitāb al-kāfī of al-Kulaynī / Wilferd Madelung -- Chapter 18. Al-Shaykh al-Ṭūsī: His Writings on Theology and their Reception / Hassan Ansari and Sabine Schmidtke -- Part 7. Rites and Rituals -- Introduction / Gerald R Hawting -- Chapter 19. 'Āshūrāʾ Rituals, Identity and Politics: A Comparative Approach (Lebanon and India) / Sabrina Mervin -- Chapter 20. The Luminous Lamp: The Practice of Chirāgh-i rawshan among the Ismailis of Central Asia / Hakim Elnazarov -- Part 8. Philosophy and Intellectual Traditions -- Introduction / Daniel De Smet -- Chapter 21. Shahrastānī's Ḥanīf Revelation: A Shi'i Philosophico-Hermeneutical System / Toby Mayer -- Chapter 22. Philosophising at the Margins of 'Shi'i Studies': Reflections on Ibn Sīnā's Ontology / Nader El-Bizri -- Epilogue / Azim Nanji -- Index Part I. History And Historiography. Introduction / Wilferd Madelung -- Reflections On The Expression Din 'ali : The Origins Of The Shi'i Faith / Mohammad Ali Amir-moezzi -- The Study Of The Ismailis : Phases And Issues / Farhad Daftary -- Al-maqrizis Connection To The Fatimids / Nasser Rabbat. Part Ii. The Qur'an And Its Shi'i Interpretations. Introduction / Meir M. Bar-asher -- What Defines A (pre-modern) Shi'i Tafsir? Notes Towards The History Of The Genre Of Tafsir In Islam, In Light Of The Study Of The Shi'i Contribution / Andrew Rippin -- The Tafsir Of Al-hibari (d. 286/899) : Qur'anic Exegesis And Early Shi'i Esotericism / Mohammad Ali Amir-moezzi -- The Empire Writes Back : Fatimid Ismaili Ta'wil (allegoresis) And The Mysteries Of The Ancient Greeks / David Hollenberg The Authority To Interpret The Qur'an / Meir M. Bar-asher. Part Iii. Shi'i Hadith. Introduction / Etan Kohlberg -- Writing And Resistance : The Transmission Of Religious Knowledge In Early Shi'ism / Maria Massi Dakake -- Pre-buyid Hadith Literature: The Case Of Al-barqi From Qumm (d. 274/888 Or 280/894) In Twelve Sections / Roy Vilozny -- The Story Of 'pen And Paper' And Its Interpretation In Muslim Literary And Historical Tradition / Gurdofarid Miskinzoda. Part Iv. Shi'i Law. Introduction / Mohyddin Yahia -- Renunciation (zuhd) In The Early Shi'i Tradition / Christopher Melchert -- The Evolution Of Al-qadi Al-nu'man's Theory Of Ismaili Jurisprudence As Reflected In The Chronology Of His Works On Jurisprudence / Ismail K. Poonawala -- The Theory Of Mal Among The Zaydis / Sayyid Zayd Al-wazir. Part V. Authority. Introduction / Andrew J. Newman -- 'seeking The Face Of God' : The Safawid Hikmat Tradition's Conceptualisation Of Walaya Takwiniyya / Sajjad Rizvi -- The Role Of The Imam-caliph As Depicted In Official Treatises And Documents Issued By The Fatimids / Paul E. Walker -- Minority Reports : Twelver Shi'i Disputations And Authority In The Buyid Period / Andrew J. Newman. Part Vi. Theology. Introduction / Wilferd Madelung -- Early Imami Theology As Reflected In The Kitab Al-kafi Of Al-kuiayni / Wilferd Madelung -- Al-shaykh Al-tusi: His Writings On Theology And Their Reception / Hassan Ansari And Sabine Schmidtke. Part Vii. Rites And Rituals. Introduction / Gerald R. Hawting -- Ashura Rituals, Identity And Politics : A Comparative Approach (lebanon And India) / Sabrina Mervin -- The Luminous Lamp : The Practice Of Chiragh-i Rawshan Among The Ismailis Of Central Asia / Hakim Elnazarov. Part Viii. Philosophy And Intellectual Traditions. Introduction / Daniel De Smet -- Shahrastani's Hanif Revelation : A Shi'i Philosophico-hermeneutical System / Toby Mayer -- Philosophising At The Margins Of Shi'i Studies : Reflections On Ibn Sina's Ontology / Nader El-bizri. Edited By Farhad Daftary And Gurdofarid Miskinzoda. Published In Association With The Institute Of Ismaili Studies. Selected Conference Papers. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Shi'i Islam, with its rich and extensive history, has played a crucial role in the evolution of Islam as both a major world religion and civilization. The prolific achievements of Shi?i theologians, philosophers and others are testament to the spiritual and intellectual wealth of this community. Yet Shi?i studies has unjustly remained a long-neglected field, despite the important contribution that Shi'ism has made to Islamic traditions. Only in recent decades, partially spurred by global interest in political events of the Middle East, have scholars made some significant contributions in this area. The Study of Shi'i Islam presents papers originally delivered at the first international colloquium dedicated exclusively to Shi'i studies, held in 2010 at The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London. Within the book are eight sections, namely, history, the Qur'an and its Shi'i interpretations, ?ad?th, law, authority, theology, rites and rituals, and intellectual traditions and philosophy. Each section begins with an introduction contextualizing the aspects of studying Shi'i Islam particular to its theme, before going on to address topics such as the state of the field, methodology and tools, and the primary issues with which contemporary scholars of Shi'i studies are dealing. The scope and depth here covered makes this book of especial interest to researchers and students alike within the field of Islamic studies. The volume benefits from the diverse expertise of nearly 30 world-class scholars, including Mohammad-Ali Amir-Moezzi, Meir M. Bar-Asher, Farhad Daftary, Daniel De Smet, Gerald R. Hawting, Nader El-Bizri, Etan Kohlberg, Wilferd Madelung, Andrew Newman, Ismail K. Poonawala, Sabine Schmidtke and Paul E. Walker--Bloomsbury Publishing." Shi'i Islam, with its rich and extensive history, has played a crucial role in the evolution of Islam as both a major world religion and civilization. The prolific achievements of Shi'i theologians, philosophers and others are testament to the spiritual and intellectual wealth of this community. Yet Shi'i studies has unjustly remained a long-neglected field, despite the important contribution that Shi'ism has made to Islamic traditions. This book is divided into eight sections, namely, history, the Qur'an and its Shi'i interpretations, hadith, law, authority, theology, rites and rituals, and intellectual traditions and philosophy. Each section begins with an introduction contextualizing the aspects of studying Shi'i Islam particular to its theme, before going on to address topics such as the state of the field, methodology and tools, and the primary issues with which contemporary scholars of Shi'i studies are dealing. The scope and depth here covered makes this book of especial interest to researchers and students alike within the field of Islamic studies. The volume benefits from the diverse expertise of nearly 30 world-class scholars, including Mohammad-Ali Amir-Moezzi, Meir M. Bar-Asher, Farhad Daftary, Daniel De Smet, Gerald R. Hawting, Nader El-Bizri, Etan Kohlberg, Wilferd Madelung, Andrew Newman, Ismail K. Poonawala, Sabine Schmidtke and Paul E. Walker.