In Shi‘i Islam: An Introduction, the author examines the theological and doctrinal developments of Zaydi, Ismaili and Twelver Shi‘a Islam as they are embedded within their particular historical and socio-political contexts. Other introductory works on Shi‘a Islam, as the author argues, either have a historical framework which concentrates on the early historical fragmentation of the Muslim community or have a theological framework emphasising central theological beliefs and practices of mainly Twelver Shi‘is – thus ignoring smaller groups such as Zaydis or Ismailis. In this book, the author combines both approaches by engaging critically with the various, sometimes controversial and contradictory, historical narratives of Zaydi, Ismaili and Twelver Shi‘a Islam which have been in constant negotiation of their theological beliefs through remembering historical events, that as the author argues, are shaped in a way to explain current socio-political circumstances. The author shows in this book how these contexts have influenced the theological developments and particularities of each Shi‘a group throughout history.
The book covers four thematic areas discussed in ten chapters. The first engages with the central beliefs and how they influence various Shi‘a communities’ historical memories. The second area discusses various narratives of Shi‘a past. Here the author emphasises the various readings and interpretations of historical accounts and textual sources. Since, as the author argues, Ismailis and Twelver Shi‘a emphasise the Imam's role as an inerrant interpreter of revelation and regard him as the source of religious guidance, they focus on the Prophet's biography and use it to create a narrative which proves Ali's superiority and right of succession, particularly in relation to the Prophet's speech at Ghadir Khumm when they believe he was formally declared as his successor. Zaydi Shi‘a on the other hand do not give the events at Ghadir Khumm the same religious importance as Ismailis and Twelver Shi‘is do. They rather emphasise Qur'anic evidence which proves Ali's right to succession. The author not only presents the views within the various sub-groups of Shi‘a Islam but contrasts them with Sunni views as well. By doing so, the author highlights the complexity of religious beliefs which rely on a selective recalling of historical events, as well as on specific textual interpretations that reflect the particular theological positions of certain religious groups.
After engaging with the theological and doctrinal principles and discussing the various historical narratives of Shi‘a Islam, the author turns in the last two thematic areas to illustrating the developments of Shi‘a Islam in the modern world. Here the focus is primarily on the interaction between the various Shi‘a groups within different Muslim societal contexts. The author starts with illustrating the transformations that Zaydism in Yemen has undergone in moving from a proto-Sunni to a more assertive Shi‘a orientation in response to certain political developments. The author then turns to Ismailism and discusses the role of the Imams and the limitations of their authority up to the rise of Ismailism in India under the guidance of the Aga Khan. At the end, the author discusses the meaning of rituals among Twelver Shi‘a and their politicisation during the Iranian revolution.
The book is supported with tables which provide the reader with a quick overview, making it easier to follow the complex narratives of each Shi‘a group. In the first section, for example, a table is provided which summarises the various understandings and beliefs of Zaydis, Ismailis and Twelver Shi‘is in regards to the role and scope of the Imamate. In the second section, a list illustrating the main characters of the Karbala narrative is provided, making it easier for the reader to understand the role of various individuals involved in the foundational mythico-historical event of Shi‘a Islam when the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, Husayn, was killed in Southern Iraq in 680 ce.
In the conclusion the author discusses Sunni–Shi‘a relations and engages in a currently very important issue. Throughout the book, the author is extremely nuanced in his description and analysis of the complex historical, doctrinal and socio-political developments of Shi‘a Islam. This last topic is too complex to be discussed within a few pages. It nevertheless provides the reader with a quick and general overview of the issues around Sunni–Shi‘a relations in the modern world.
The book is very well written, with a style which should appeal to undergraduate students, as it does not overload the reader with too many names, dates or technical terms. The author is quite successful in illustrating the foundational theological doctrines of various Shi‘a groups, their different historical narratives and current political developments in Shi‘a Islam – thus making this book one of the best introductions to Shi‘a Islam.
