What is Shi'i Islam?

For the public at large Shiâism often implies a host of confused representations suggesting more often than not obscurantism intolerance political violence and other ignominies running hot or cold in response to world events. In fact for many people Shiâism stands for radical Islam or â worse â Islamic terrorism. In some respects nothing is more familiar than Shiâism and yet nothing is more misunderstood. For some twenty years the media have increased their coverage of the phenomenon. Never or only rarely do they formulate the question we ask here: what is Shiâism? What is this belief that inspires millions of people dispersed throughout the world? This book provides a broad based introduction to Shiâi Islam. It examines what the Shiâi believe how they see themselves and how they view the world. It includes a thorough examination of doctrine philosophy the Shiâi approach to the Qurâan and the historical evolution of Shiâism as a branch of Islam. Too often and too quickly the conclusion is drawn that Shiâism is a marginal heretical sect fundamentally alien to the deeper truth of the great religion of Islam thrust by historical accident onto the political stage. Shiâism either speaks the truth of Islam meaning that it is a truth of terror or it is entirely foreign to Islam and therefore merits outright rejection as Islamic fundamentalists and some individuals repeatedly claim. This book intends to explain why such common misunderstandings of Shiâism have taken root. Written in an accessible format and providing a thorough overview of Shiâism this book will be an essential text for students and scholars of Islamic Studies or Iranian Studies. . Language: English