The Twelver Shi'a as a Muslim Minority in India: Pulpit of Tears (Routledge Persian and Shi'i Studies)

One of the most important current debates within and about Islam concerns its relation with power. Can Muslims be fundamentally content without power or as a minority? This book considers the voice of an important Muslim minority through its sermons. Indian Shi'i Muslims are a minority within a minority, constituting about ten to fifteen percent of the population as a whole, but comprising of about fifteen million people. Ten sermons are presented entirely and many more are quoted in order to analyze the preaching tradition in full. This book is the first survey to present the Indian mourning gathering and explain the history of this extraordinary phenomenon. "The Twelver Shi'a as a Muslim Minority in India" looks at the minority identity of India's Shi'i Muslims and the sermons preached at their mourning gatherings. These mourning commemorations are held by thousands of Shi'i Muslims across the world to remember the death of Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. This book uses these mourning sermons as a window into understanding the identity of India's Shi'as in a context of extraordinary cultural and religious plurality. This book includes: An examination of the community's history and devotional life. Ten translated and complete sermons from a cross-section of the community, including men, women, lay preachers, and formally trained scholars An investigation of the subjects contained within these sermons which range from women's rights to the significance of fire walking and stories of miraculous healing. From an analysis of these issues, "The Twelver Shi'a as a Muslim Minority in India" offersa unique opportunity to hear and understand how one Muslim minority community understands its place and the multi religious world of today. This book is essential reading for those with research interests in Islamic studies, Shi'ism and Indian Islam. The Twelver Shi'a As A Muslim Minority In India: Pulpit Of Tears Looks At The Minority Identity Of India's Shi'i Muslims Through The Sermons Preached At Their Mourning Gatherings. Mourning Commemorations Are Held By Millions Of Shi'i Muslims Across The World To Remember The Death Of Imam Husayn, The Grandson Of The Prophet Muhammad, At The Battle Of Karbala. This Book Uses These Mourning Sermons As A Window Into Understanding The Identity Of India's Shi'as In A Context Of Extraordinary Cultural And Religious Plurality.--jacket. Introduction To The Shi'a And The Events Surrounding The Battle Of Karbala -- 1. From Karbala To India : A History Of Shi'i Preaching -- 2. Shi'a Of Hyderabad And Their Mourning Gatherings -- 3. Description Of A Complete Mourning Gathering (including The Text Of Sermon 1) -- 4. Sermons By Male 'lay' Preachers -- 5. Sermons By Women -- 6. Sermons By Religious Scholars -- 7. What The Sermons Do And How They Do It -- 8. Indian Shi'i Preaching As The Expression Of A Minority Islamic Religious Identity. Toby M. Howarth. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [199]-207) And Indexes. Title......Page 3 Copyright......Page 4 Contents......Page 7 Series editor’s preface......Page 11 Preface......Page 13 Acknowledgements......Page 17 Transliteration, translation and notes on the text......Page 19 An introduction to the Shîca and the events surrounding the Battle of Karbala......Page 21 Part I Context......Page 23 1 From Karbala to India......Page 25 2 The Shîca of Hyderabad and their mourning gatherings......Page 53 Part II Sermons......Page 81 3 The description of a complete mourning gathering (including the text of Sermon 1)......Page 83 4 Sermons by male ‘lay’ preachers......Page 92 5 Sermons by women......Page 108 6 Sermons by religious scholars......Page 126 Part III Analysis......Page 143 7 What the sermons do and how they do it......Page 145 8 Indian Shîcî preaching as the expression of a minority Islamic religious identity......Page 172 Appendix I......Page 195 Appendix II......Page 198 Glossary......Page 200 Notes......Page 209 Bibliography......Page 221 Index of Qur’ânic passages......Page 231 General index......Page 233 The Twelver Shi'a as a Muslim Minority in India is the first survey to present the Indian mourning gathering and explain the history of this extraordinary phenomenon.