What do you think?
Rate this book
卮蹖毓賴 丿乇 丕爻賱丕賲
Despite a growing interest in the last hundred years in both orientalism and comparative religions, and the fact that there are over fifty million Shi'a Muslims, until now there has been no thorough and objective study of that part of Islam called Shi'ism for Western scholars. The present work provides a clear account of the origin, history, and doctrines of an important sector of the Muslim religious community. It is written by a distinguished leader of that community, who, in addition to possessing a thorough knowledge of its traditional history and literature, presents its rational-philosophic, traditional-legal, and gnostic-mystical elements with warmth and sympathy. The result is a well-integrated general picture which succeeds in giving the reader a clear and comprehensive picture of how the Shi'ite Muslim views his religion.
216 pages
First published June 1, 1979
17 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai
135听books173听followersAl-士All膩mah Mu岣mmad 岣sayn 峁琣b膩峁璦b膩示墨 was one of the most prominent thinkers of philosophy and contemporary Shia Islam, influencing the fathers of the 1979 Islamic Revolution such as Motahhari and Beheshti. He is famous for Tafsir al-Mizan, a twenty-seven-volume work of Quranic exegesis, which he worked on from 1954 until 1972. He studied gnosis, mathematics, jurisprudence and Ali ibn Sina's "Book of Healing" at Najaf, Iraq.
爻蹖丿 賲丨賲丿丨爻蹖賳 胤亘丕胤亘丕蹖蹖 (夭丕丿賴 郾鄄鄹郾 鬲亘乇蹖夭 - 丿乇诏匕卮鬲賴 鄄鄞 丌亘丕賳 郾鄢鄱郯 賯賲) 賲毓乇賵賮鈥屫ㄙ� 毓賱丕賲賴 胤亘丕胤亘丕蹖蹖 乇賵丨丕賳蹖貙 毓丕乇賮貙 賮蹖賱爻賵賮 賵 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴 丕蹖乇丕賳蹖 亘賵丿. 賵蹖 丕夭 賲噩鬲賴丿丕賳 卮蹖毓賴 賵 丕夭 亘乇鬲乇蹖賳 賲丿乇爻丕賳 丨賵夭賴 毓賱賲蹖賴 賯賲 亘賴 卮賲丕乇 賲蹖鈥屫①呚� 讴賴 丕夭 卮丕诏乇丿丕賳 賵蹖 賲蹖鈥屫堌з� 亘賴 賲乇鬲囟蹖 賲胤賴乇蹖貙 毓亘丿丕賱賱賴 噩賵丕丿蹖 丌賲賱蹖貙 賲丨賲丿鬲賯蹖 賲氐亘丕丨 蹖夭丿蹖貙 丨爻賳 丨爻賳 夭丕丿賴 丌賲賱蹖貙 爻蹖丿 賲丨賲丿 亘賴卮鬲蹖貙 爻蹖丿毓賱蹖 禺丕賲賳賴鈥屫й屫� 爻蹖丿 噩賱丕賱 丕賱丿蹖賳 丌卮鬲蹖丕賳蹖貙 賴丕丿蹖 禺爻乇賵卮丕賴蹖貙 賲乇鬲囟蹖 鬲賴乇丕賳蹖貙 賲丨賲丿 賲賮鬲丨貙 丕丨賲丿 丕丨賲丿蹖貙 毓賱蹖 賯丿賵爻蹖貙 賲丨賲丿乇囟丕 賲賴丿賵蹖 讴賳蹖貙 睾賱丕賲丨爻蹖賳 丕亘乇丕賴蹖賲蹖 丿蹖賳丕賳蹖貙 毓賱蹖 丕丨賲丿蹖 賲蹖丕賳噩蹖貙 爻蹖丿 毓夭丕賱丿蹖賳 丨爻蹖賳蹖 夭賳噩丕賳蹖貙 賲丨賲丿 賲丨賲丿蹖 诏蹖賱丕賳蹖貙 爻蹖丿 賲賵爻蹖 氐丿乇貙 爻蹖丿 賲丨賲丿 毓賱蹖 賯丕囟蹖 胤亘丕胤亘丕蹖蹖貙毓賱蹖 爻毓丕丿鬲 倬乇賵乇 賵 噩毓賮乇 爻亘丨丕賳蹖 丕卮丕乇賴 讴乇丿.
鬲賮爻蹖乇 丕賱賲蹖夭丕賳貙 賳賴丕蹖丞丕賱丨讴賲丞貙 乇爻丕賱丞 丕賱賵賱丕蹖賴貙 卮蹖毓賴 丿乇 丕爻賱丕賲貙 丨丕卮蹖賴 亘乇 丕爻賮丕乇 氐丿乇丕賱丿蹖賳 卮蹖乇丕夭蹖 賵 丕氐賵賱 賮賱爻賮賴 賵 乇賵卮 乇卅丕賱蹖爻賲 亘禺卮蹖 丕夭 賲賴賲鬲乇蹖賳 丌孬丕乇 丕賵爻鬲.
爻蹖丿 賲丨賲丿丨爻蹖賳 胤亘丕胤亘丕蹖蹖 (夭丕丿賴 郾鄄鄹郾 鬲亘乇蹖夭 - 丿乇诏匕卮鬲賴 鄄鄞 丌亘丕賳 郾鄢鄱郯 賯賲) 賲毓乇賵賮鈥屫ㄙ� 毓賱丕賲賴 胤亘丕胤亘丕蹖蹖 乇賵丨丕賳蹖貙 毓丕乇賮貙 賮蹖賱爻賵賮 賵 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴 丕蹖乇丕賳蹖 亘賵丿. 賵蹖 丕夭 賲噩鬲賴丿丕賳 卮蹖毓賴 賵 丕夭 亘乇鬲乇蹖賳 賲丿乇爻丕賳 丨賵夭賴 毓賱賲蹖賴 賯賲 亘賴 卮賲丕乇 賲蹖鈥屫①呚� 讴賴 丕夭 卮丕诏乇丿丕賳 賵蹖 賲蹖鈥屫堌з� 亘賴 賲乇鬲囟蹖 賲胤賴乇蹖貙 毓亘丿丕賱賱賴 噩賵丕丿蹖 丌賲賱蹖貙 賲丨賲丿鬲賯蹖 賲氐亘丕丨 蹖夭丿蹖貙 丨爻賳 丨爻賳 夭丕丿賴 丌賲賱蹖貙 爻蹖丿 賲丨賲丿 亘賴卮鬲蹖貙 爻蹖丿毓賱蹖 禺丕賲賳賴鈥屫й屫� 爻蹖丿 噩賱丕賱 丕賱丿蹖賳 丌卮鬲蹖丕賳蹖貙 賴丕丿蹖 禺爻乇賵卮丕賴蹖貙 賲乇鬲囟蹖 鬲賴乇丕賳蹖貙 賲丨賲丿 賲賮鬲丨貙 丕丨賲丿 丕丨賲丿蹖貙 毓賱蹖 賯丿賵爻蹖貙 賲丨賲丿乇囟丕 賲賴丿賵蹖 讴賳蹖貙 睾賱丕賲丨爻蹖賳 丕亘乇丕賴蹖賲蹖 丿蹖賳丕賳蹖貙 毓賱蹖 丕丨賲丿蹖 賲蹖丕賳噩蹖貙 爻蹖丿 毓夭丕賱丿蹖賳 丨爻蹖賳蹖 夭賳噩丕賳蹖貙 賲丨賲丿 賲丨賲丿蹖 诏蹖賱丕賳蹖貙 爻蹖丿 賲賵爻蹖 氐丿乇貙 爻蹖丿 賲丨賲丿 毓賱蹖 賯丕囟蹖 胤亘丕胤亘丕蹖蹖貙毓賱蹖 爻毓丕丿鬲 倬乇賵乇 賵 噩毓賮乇 爻亘丨丕賳蹖 丕卮丕乇賴 讴乇丿.
鬲賮爻蹖乇 丕賱賲蹖夭丕賳貙 賳賴丕蹖丞丕賱丨讴賲丞貙 乇爻丕賱丞 丕賱賵賱丕蹖賴貙 卮蹖毓賴 丿乇 丕爻賱丕賲貙 丨丕卮蹖賴 亘乇 丕爻賮丕乇 氐丿乇丕賱丿蹖賳 卮蹖乇丕夭蹖 賵 丕氐賵賱 賮賱爻賮賴 賵 乇賵卮 乇卅丕賱蹖爻賲 亘禺卮蹖 丕夭 賲賴賲鬲乇蹖賳 丌孬丕乇 丕賵爻鬲.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 9, 2023
Approaching religion in general and Islam in particular as a seeker drawn to the esoteric or deep underlying meaning of religious truisms, I was blessed to be able to be influenced heavily by Sufism during my conversion process and subsequently in my life as a Muslim. I specifically have steered clear of sectarian divisions between Sunni-Shia during this time as I have tried to the best of my abilities to understand the basics of all of Islam: Qur'an, Hadith, common Islamic theology, Shariah, metaphysical concepts, etc... Yet the more one progresses in the faith, the harder it is to ignore these differences as various theological and doctrinal issues demand attention. My very practice of Islam has by default been Sunni as it was simply the way that the prayers, rituals and pillars of Islam were first presented to me.
As to the differences between Sunni-Shia, I've had a sense from the start that Shi'ism places a greater emphasis (generally speaking) on the esoteric. What this book has been able to do is to clarify exactly how that doctrinal perspective presents itself in Shi'ism, which in its symbolic form is not much different from the way the spiritual chain of transmission works in Sufism. The idea of a leader in the spiritual realm (in the form of the imamate in Shi'ism, and the Sufi master in Sufism) is a profound mystical idea that makes sense if we also consider that everything in the physical world is a manifestation of a higher spiritual reality.
The book of course expands on the basis for the Shia split from the Sunni majority in the history of the Caliphate and particularly the events surrounding the selection of Abu Bakr over Ali for the position of First Caliph. One interesting side note is that most Sufi orders in the Sunni world trace their spiritual ancestry to the Prophet directly through the figure of Ali.
Seyyed Hossein Nasr wrote the lengthy preface to this book and several of the appendices as well. I have a great deal of respect for Nasr, who writes on many different elements of Islam. His focus in the preface is commendable in that he stresses the need for understanding through unity - that unity being that the fundamentals of the faith (Qur'an, Tawhid, final Prophetic figure of Muhammad) are the same in both Sunni and Shia. Yet he also emphasizes that there is room in the divine plan for different orthodox interpretations of one truth: "Within each religion as well, especially within those that have been destined for many ethnic groups, different orthodox interpretations of the tradition, of the one heavenly message, have been necessary to guarantee the integration of the different psychological and ethnic groupings into a single spiritual perspective." (9)
I wish I had found this book a while ago. I thank the brother who referred this to me here on 欧宝娱乐. It's a clear, concise read of the basics of Shia beliefs and is much needed as an English source. Highly recommended.
As to the differences between Sunni-Shia, I've had a sense from the start that Shi'ism places a greater emphasis (generally speaking) on the esoteric. What this book has been able to do is to clarify exactly how that doctrinal perspective presents itself in Shi'ism, which in its symbolic form is not much different from the way the spiritual chain of transmission works in Sufism. The idea of a leader in the spiritual realm (in the form of the imamate in Shi'ism, and the Sufi master in Sufism) is a profound mystical idea that makes sense if we also consider that everything in the physical world is a manifestation of a higher spiritual reality.
The book of course expands on the basis for the Shia split from the Sunni majority in the history of the Caliphate and particularly the events surrounding the selection of Abu Bakr over Ali for the position of First Caliph. One interesting side note is that most Sufi orders in the Sunni world trace their spiritual ancestry to the Prophet directly through the figure of Ali.
Seyyed Hossein Nasr wrote the lengthy preface to this book and several of the appendices as well. I have a great deal of respect for Nasr, who writes on many different elements of Islam. His focus in the preface is commendable in that he stresses the need for understanding through unity - that unity being that the fundamentals of the faith (Qur'an, Tawhid, final Prophetic figure of Muhammad) are the same in both Sunni and Shia. Yet he also emphasizes that there is room in the divine plan for different orthodox interpretations of one truth: "Within each religion as well, especially within those that have been destined for many ethnic groups, different orthodox interpretations of the tradition, of the one heavenly message, have been necessary to guarantee the integration of the different psychological and ethnic groupings into a single spiritual perspective." (9)
I wish I had found this book a while ago. I thank the brother who referred this to me here on 欧宝娱乐. It's a clear, concise read of the basics of Shia beliefs and is much needed as an English source. Highly recommended.
August 5, 2015
I think this is one of the most beautiful books that I had read on Islam in general.
This book was not about what is right with Shi'ism and wrong with Sunnism (as per my original perception since it is written by a Shia Scholar), on the contrary it was a complete guidebook for understanding Islam as a whole.
The breakdown of chapters:
Chapter One was dedicated to the split between Sunni and Shia and continued onto the second chapter which talked about the divisions within Shia Islam. Chapters Three, Four and Six were a philosophical treatise. Chapter Five was dedicated to the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) and chapter Seven to the Twelve Imams.
I will recommend it blindfold to anyone who wants a Scholarly perspective on Shi'ite Islam.
This book was not about what is right with Shi'ism and wrong with Sunnism (as per my original perception since it is written by a Shia Scholar), on the contrary it was a complete guidebook for understanding Islam as a whole.
The breakdown of chapters:
Chapter One was dedicated to the split between Sunni and Shia and continued onto the second chapter which talked about the divisions within Shia Islam. Chapters Three, Four and Six were a philosophical treatise. Chapter Five was dedicated to the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) and chapter Seven to the Twelve Imams.
I will recommend it blindfold to anyone who wants a Scholarly perspective on Shi'ite Islam.
May 4, 2025
Couldn鈥檛 have picked a better book introducing Shi'ism. Allamah Tabataba'i writes about a complex鈥攁nd at times even conflicting鈥攈istory with such smoothness that it鈥檚 clearly the work of a master. (there's a seven-part Iranian documentary on him on yt, and he鈥檚 a fascinating figure in his own right.) Over the past few days, I鈥檝e been so completely immersed in this history that I feel an almost intimate connection to it.
January 10, 2018
亘爻賲 丕賱賱賾賴
丿賯鬲 毓賱丕賲賴 丿乇 丕賳鬲禺丕亘 讴賱賲賴 賵 賲賵賯毓 爻禺賳 爻鬲賵丿賳蹖 丕爻鬲. 賴乇诏夭 趩賳蹖賳 讴鬲丕亘蹖 乇丕 乇賵夭賳丕賲賴 賵丕乇 蹖丕 丨鬲蹖 讴鬲丕亘 賵丕乇 賳賲蹖 卮賵丿 禺賵丕賳丿. 賯丿賲 亘賴 賯丿賲 亘丕 讴賱賲丕鬲卮 亘丕蹖丿 倬蹖卮 乇賮鬲 賵 丿乇 賴乇 讴丿丕賲 鬲兀賲賱 讴乇丿. 丿乇爻鬲 賲鬲賵噩賴 賲蹖 卮賵蹖 讴賴 亘丕 匕賴賳蹖 賲賳馗賲 賵 倬乇丿丕禺鬲賴 乇賵亘乇賵蹖蹖. 丕毓鬲賯丕丿賲 丕蹖賳 丕爻鬲 讴賴 卮蹖毓賴 丿乇 丕爻賱丕賲 乇丕 賴賲趩賵 賲賳蹖 亘賴 鬲賳賴丕蹖蹖 賳賲蹖 鬲賵丕賳丿 亘禺賵丕賳丿 賵 丕爻鬲丕丿蹖 丨丕匕賯 賳蹖丕夭 丿丕乇丿 鬲丕 丿賯丕蹖賯 爻禺賳丕賳 丕蹖卮丕賳 乇丕 亘卮讴丕賮丿. 賵诏乇賳賴貙 氐乇賮丕賸 讴鬲丕亘蹖 禺賵丕賳丿賴 卮丿賴 賵 賱丨馗丕鬲蹖 诏匕卮鬲賴. 丕蹖賳 乇賵夭賴丕 禺賵丿 亘賳丿賴 賵 賲毓丿賵丿蹖 丕夭 乇賮賯丕 丕蹖賳 丕賯亘丕賱 乇丕 丿丕乇蹖賲 讴賴 丕蹖賳 讴鬲丕亘 乇丕 丿乇 賲丨囟乇 賲乇丿蹖 賲丨賯賯 倬蹖卮 亘亘乇蹖賲.
丿賯鬲 毓賱丕賲賴 丿乇 丕賳鬲禺丕亘 讴賱賲賴 賵 賲賵賯毓 爻禺賳 爻鬲賵丿賳蹖 丕爻鬲. 賴乇诏夭 趩賳蹖賳 讴鬲丕亘蹖 乇丕 乇賵夭賳丕賲賴 賵丕乇 蹖丕 丨鬲蹖 讴鬲丕亘 賵丕乇 賳賲蹖 卮賵丿 禺賵丕賳丿. 賯丿賲 亘賴 賯丿賲 亘丕 讴賱賲丕鬲卮 亘丕蹖丿 倬蹖卮 乇賮鬲 賵 丿乇 賴乇 讴丿丕賲 鬲兀賲賱 讴乇丿. 丿乇爻鬲 賲鬲賵噩賴 賲蹖 卮賵蹖 讴賴 亘丕 匕賴賳蹖 賲賳馗賲 賵 倬乇丿丕禺鬲賴 乇賵亘乇賵蹖蹖. 丕毓鬲賯丕丿賲 丕蹖賳 丕爻鬲 讴賴 卮蹖毓賴 丿乇 丕爻賱丕賲 乇丕 賴賲趩賵 賲賳蹖 亘賴 鬲賳賴丕蹖蹖 賳賲蹖 鬲賵丕賳丿 亘禺賵丕賳丿 賵 丕爻鬲丕丿蹖 丨丕匕賯 賳蹖丕夭 丿丕乇丿 鬲丕 丿賯丕蹖賯 爻禺賳丕賳 丕蹖卮丕賳 乇丕 亘卮讴丕賮丿. 賵诏乇賳賴貙 氐乇賮丕賸 讴鬲丕亘蹖 禺賵丕賳丿賴 卮丿賴 賵 賱丨馗丕鬲蹖 诏匕卮鬲賴. 丕蹖賳 乇賵夭賴丕 禺賵丿 亘賳丿賴 賵 賲毓丿賵丿蹖 丕夭 乇賮賯丕 丕蹖賳 丕賯亘丕賱 乇丕 丿丕乇蹖賲 讴賴 丕蹖賳 讴鬲丕亘 乇丕 丿乇 賲丨囟乇 賲乇丿蹖 賲丨賯賯 倬蹖卮 亘亘乇蹖賲.
October 25, 2016
Good introduction on the topic. Seyyed Hossein Nasr's introduction provides a background into why this text was written, which is a good way in which to read the book - directed at modern audiences, introductory, not polemical, etc.
The text itself is really superb and very readable. It goes through the origins and history of Shiism (and provides hadith-proofs for Shi'ism), the major Shiite divisions, Shii thought on matters such as eschatology, the role of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and the conception of God, and concludes with a brief history of each of the 12 Imams.
As someone who has never understood the rationale behind imamah (both historical and philosophical justifications), Allamah Tabatabai's book served as an excellent introduction. Although I have outstanding questions, it had the right mix of philosophy with history to whet my appetite.
Highly recommended.
The text itself is really superb and very readable. It goes through the origins and history of Shiism (and provides hadith-proofs for Shi'ism), the major Shiite divisions, Shii thought on matters such as eschatology, the role of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and the conception of God, and concludes with a brief history of each of the 12 Imams.
As someone who has never understood the rationale behind imamah (both historical and philosophical justifications), Allamah Tabatabai's book served as an excellent introduction. Although I have outstanding questions, it had the right mix of philosophy with history to whet my appetite.
Highly recommended.
October 3, 2012
A great introductory book to Shi'a Islam. The core principles are explained in sufficient detail by an authoritative individual. Having said that, the book is not exhaustive in its arguments nor does it satisfy a person's search for Shi'a answers. It is simply an introductory book. A good read overall.
December 7, 2022
This book is an excellent introduction to the Shiite tradition within Islam. I had a strange dream the day I picked this book up pertaining to Ali and because of this I was unable to put the book down.
March 28, 2018
賯爻賲鬲 鬲賵丨蹖丿貙 賳亘賵鬲貙 賵 賲毓丕丿 賮賵賯 丕賱毓丕丿賴 亘賵丿
August 17, 2017
In assigning stars to a book on religion, I don't presume to evaluate the substance of an author's faith, and for this book, I am wholly unqualified to judge whether Tabatabai accurately summarizes and reflects the history and core beliefs of the Shi'a tradition. However, the version I read, translated into English by Sayyid Husayn Nasr, provides an excellent and accessible overview of the history of Shi'ite faith. The proofs of God and the discussion of divine characteristics and qualities show the influence of Aristotle on Islamic philosophy. The detailed histories of the twelve imams in the last chapter are fascinating. Overall, the book affirms the Sunni and Shi'ite traditions as mostly very similar, but consistently implies that Shi'ite beliefs and practices are just a little more rigorous and sophisticated. The footnotes are excellent, and include fine editor's notes that explain unclear references in the text.
May 30, 2021
丕爻鬲丕丿讴賳鬲乇诏乇丕诏貙 賲丿蹖乇 賲爻卅賵賱 亘禺卮 賲胤丕賱毓賴 丕丿蹖丕賳 丿乇 丿丕賳卮诏丕賴 讴賵賱诏蹖鬲 丌賲乇蹖讴丕貙 丿乇 爻賮乇蹖 亘賴 丕蹖乇丕賳 賴賲乇丕賴 丿讴鬲乇 賳氐乇 禺丿賲鬲 丕爻鬲丕丿賿毓賱丕賲賴 胤亘丕胤亘丕蹖蹖 賲蹖 乇爻賳丿 賵 賵蹖 亘賴 丕蹖卮丕賳 丕胤賱丕毓 賲蹖 丿賴丿 讴賴 丿乇 睾乇亘 -亘賴 賵蹖跇賴 丌賲乇蹖讴丕- 賴蹖趩 賲賳亘毓 賲毓鬲亘乇蹖 丿乇亘丕乇踿 鬲卮蹖毓 賵噩賵丿 賳丿丕乇丿 賵 胤亘毓丕 丿丕賳卮诏丕賴丕 丿乇 鬲丿乇蹖爻 毓賯丕蹖丿 卮蹖毓賴 丿乇 亘禺卮 丕丿蹖丕賳貙 亘賴 賲賳丕亘毓 睾蹖乇卮蹖毓蹖 賲乇丕噩毓賴 賲蹖 讴賳賳丿. 丕爻鬲丕丿賿毓賱丕賲賴 賵賯鬲蹖 丕夭 丕賴賲蹖鬲 賲賵囟賵毓 賲胤賱毓 賲蹖 卮賵賳丿 亘賴 鬲丕賱蹖賮 賯乇丌賳 丿乇 丕爻賱丕賲 賵 卮蹖毓賴 丿乇 丕爻賱丕賲 賲蹖 倬乇丿丕夭賳丿 讴賴 賴乇 丿賵 讴鬲丕亘 亘賴 丕賳诏賱蹖爻蹖 賴賲 鬲乇噩賲賴 卮丿賴 賵 丿乇 丿丕賳卮诏丕賴 賴丕蹖 賲毓鬲亘乇 丿賳蹖丕 鬲丿乇蹖爻 賲蹖 卮賵丿
丿乇 噩爻鬲 賵 噩賵蹖 丕賲乇 賯丿爻蹖 氐 128 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 賳卮乇賳蹖 1385
丿乇 噩爻鬲 賵 噩賵蹖 丕賲乇 賯丿爻蹖 氐 128 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 賳卮乇賳蹖 1385
December 2, 2018
蹖賴 讴鬲丕亘 毓丕賱蹖 亘乇丕蹖 讴爻蹖 讴賴 賲蹖禺賵丕丿 丨丿丕賯賱 亘丿賵賳賴 趩乇丕 卮蹖毓賴!
April 9, 2022
I read the Arabic version but this edition is the closest in page count.
Review:
賮賷 丕毓鬲賯丕丿賷 兀賳 丕賳鬲賯丕亍 丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱賮賰乇賷丞 賷禺鬲賱賮 毓賳 亘賯賷丞 丕賱賲氐賳賮丕鬲 爻賷賾賲丕 丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱丿賷賳賷賾丞 賱丨爻丕爻賷丞 賲丨鬲賵丕賴丕 賵賲丕 賷亘賳賶 毓賱賷賴 賲賳 兀孬乇貙 賮鬲亘丿兀 毓賲賱賷丞 丕賱鬲丨賱賷賱 賵丕賱丕爻鬲賯乇丕亍 丨鬲賶 賯亘賱 賲乇丨賱丞 丕賱賯乇丕亍丞 賵鬲鬲囟禺賾賲 兀賴賲賷丞 丕賱賲氐丿乇 賵丕賱賲丐賱賮 賵丕賱賲氐丕丿乇 丕賱鬲賷 鬲乇鬲賰夭 毓賱賷賴丕 丕賱賲丕丿丞 丕賱賲胤乇賵丨丞. 賱匕丕 鬲購毓丿 丕賱賯乇丕亍丞 亘毓賷賳賺 賳丕賯丿丞 賲鬲乇氐賾丿丞 賱賱兀禺胤丕亍 賵丕賱賲睾丕賱胤丕鬲 賵丕賱丨噩噩 丕賱賵丕賴賷丞 廿丨丿賶 兀爻丕賱賷亘 丕賱爻賱丕賲丞 丕賱鬲賷 賷毓賵賾賱 毓賱賷賴丕 丕賱賯丕乇卅 禺賵賮丕賸 賲賳 丕賱睾乇賯 賮賷 鬲賷賾丕乇丕鬲 丕賱賮賽乇賯 賵丕賱兀丨夭丕亘 賵賲胤丕賲丨賴丕 亘丕爻鬲賲丕賱丞 丕賱賲乇賷丿賷賳.
賵賲賳 賴匕丕 丕賱賲賳胤賱賯 賷賱噩卅 丕賱亘丕丨孬 丕賱賶 丕賱賳氐賵氐 丕賱賲賵氐賶 亘賴丕 賱賷爻 賲賳 匕賵賷 丕賱丕禺鬲氐丕氐 賵丨爻亘貙 賵廿賳賲丕 賲賳 賷孬賯 亘氐賮丕亍 賳賷賾鬲賴賲貙 毓賲賯 丕胤賱丕毓賴賲貙 賵爻賱丕賲丞 賲賳賴噩賷鬲賴賲. 賵賲毓 匕賱賰 賱丕 賷禺賮鬲 丕賱卮賰 賵丕賱丕乇鬲賷丕亘 賮賷 禺購賱丿 丕賱賲鬲賱賯賷 兀孬賳丕亍 丕賱鬲毓丕胤賷 賲毓 丕賱兀胤乇賵丨丞 賮賴賵 賷鬲噩丕匕亘 賲毓賴丕貙 賷爻丕噩賱賴丕貙 賷鬲丨丕賵乇 賲毓賴丕貙 賷丨賰賲 毓賱賷賴丕 賵毓賱賶 賰丕鬲亘賴丕 賵廿賱丕 賵購氐賲鬲 賯乇丕亍鬲賴 亘丕賱爻匕丕噩丞 丕匕丕 鬲卮乇賾亘賴丕 賰丨賯賷賯丞 賲購胤賱賯丞 賱丕 賷毓鬲乇賷賴丕 丕賱夭賱賱.
亘丿兀鬲購 亘賯乇丕亍丞 "丕賱卮賷毓丞 賮賷 丕賱廿爻賱丕賲" 亘賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丨 賮賷 孬丕賱孬 賯乇丕亍丕鬲賷 丕賱噩毓賮乇賷丞貙 亘毓丿 賮鬲乇丞 賲賳 丕賱亘丨孬 賮賷 丕賱毓賳丕賵賷賳 賵丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱賲卮賴賵乇丞 賮賷 賴匕丕 丕賱賲噩丕賱貙 亘丕賱兀禺氐 丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱鬲賷 鬲購氐賳賻賾賮 亘丕賱卮賲賵賱賷丞 賵丕賱鬲賷 鬲爻鬲賴丿賮 丕賱賯丕乇卅 丕賱毓丕賲 賱賲賳 賷乇賷丿 賲毓乇賮丞 丕賱賲丿丕乇爻 丕賱賮賰乇賷丞 丕賱廿爻賱丕賲賷丞 丕賱賲禺鬲賱賮丞貙 賲賳丕卮卅 丕禺鬲賱丕賮丕鬲賴丕貙 噩匕賵乇 丕賱禺賱丕賮丕鬲貙 賲賳賴噩賷丕鬲賴丕 賮賷 丕賱鬲毓丕胤賷 賲毓 丕賱賲賵乇賵孬 丕賱鬲丕乇賷禺賷 賵丕賱兀丿亘賷丕鬲 丕賱賲卮鬲乇賰丞貙 毓胤賮丕賸 毓賱賶 丕賱賴丿賮 丕賱兀毓賲 賵賴賵 鬲賵爻毓丞 丕賱兀賮賯 賵亘賳丕亍 氐賵乇丞 賵丕囟丨丞 賱賱賴賵賷丞 丕賱廿爻賱丕賲賷丞 賮賷 馗賱 丕賱囟賵囟丕亍 賵丕賱睾孬丕亍 丕賱爻丕卅丿.
鬲賵賮賾乇鬲 賴匕賴 丕賱鬲胤賱賾毓丕鬲 賵兀賰孬乇 賮賷 賰鬲丕亘 丕賱爻賷賾丿 賲丨賲丿 胤亘丕胤亘丕卅賷 丨賷孬 鬲賳丕賵賱 亘丨孬賴 孬賱丕孬丞 兀賵噩賴 賲乇賰夭賷丞: 賰賷賮賷丞 賳卮賵亍 丕賱鬲卮賷賾毓貙 丕賱賮賰乇 丕賱丿賷賳賷 賱丿賶 丕賱卮賷毓丞貙 賵丕賱賲毓鬲賯丿丕鬲 丕賱廿爻賱丕賲賷丞 賲賳 賵噩賴丞 賳馗乇 丕賱卮賷毓丞 丕賱廿賲丕賲賷丞. 亘丿兀 丕賱賲丐賱賮 賲毓 匕賰乇 丕賳胤賱丕賯丞 丕賱鬲卮賷賾毓 賵兀爻亘丕亘 丕賳賮氐丕賱賴 毓賳 丕賱兀賰孬乇賷丞 賲賳 兀賴賱 丕賱爻賳丞 賯亘賱 兀賳 賷鬲卮毓賾亘 賮賷 亘丨孬賴 賲爻鬲毓乇囟丕賸 賳馗乇丞賸 賲噩賴乇賷丞 賵卮賲賵賱賷丞 賱賱鬲卮毓亘丕鬲 丕賱賮賰乇賷丞 丕賱廿爻賱丕賲賷丞貙 賲賯賵賲丕鬲 丕卮鬲賯丕賯賴丕貙 禺乇賷胤丞 夭賲賳賷丞 賱賱胤丕卅賮丞 丕賱卮賷毓賷丞貙 丕賱孬賵丕亘鬲 丕賱鬲賷 賷賯賵賲 毓賱賷賴丕 丕賱賲匕賴亘貙 賵賰賷賮賷丞 賲毓丕賱噩鬲賴 賱賲賵丕乇丿 丕賱禺賱丕賮 賲毓 丕賱锟斤拷賵丕囟賳 丕賱賮賰乇賷丞 丕賱兀禺乇賶 亘丕賱廿囟丕賮丞 丕賱賶 賲毓丕賱噩丞 賲賰丕賲賳 丕賱鬲爻丕丐賱丕鬲 賱丿賶 丕賱亘丕丨孬.
丕賱丕胤乇賵丨丞 鬲鬲爻賲 亘丕賱賲賵囟賵毓賷丞貙 賵丕賱卮賮丕賮賷丞貙 賵丕賱胤乇丨 丕賱爻賴賱 丕賱賲賲鬲賳毓. 丕賱賲丐賱賮 氐丕丨亘 賯賱賲 亘賱賷睾 賷賳鬲賯賷 丕賱賰賱賲丕鬲 賱廿賷噩丕夭賴丕 賵丕賷氐丕賱賴丕 丕賱賲毓賱賵賲丞 亘卮賰賱 賲亘丕卮乇 賰賲丕 兀賳賴 丕噩丕丿 賮賷 丕爻鬲禺丿丕賲 丕賱賴賵丕賲卮 亘賲丕 賷囟賮賷 賱鬲噩乇亘丞 丕賱賯乇丕亍丞 亘卮賰賱 賰亘賷乇. 丕賱賲丕丿丞 鬲毓丕賳賷貙 賰睾賷乇賴丕貙 賲賳 丕賱鬲丨乇賷乇 丕賱爻賷亍 賵丕賱兀禺胤丕亍 丕賱胤亘丕毓賷丞 賵丕賱鬲乇噩賲丞 丕賱乇賰賷賰丞 賮賷 亘毓囟 丕賱兀丨賷丕賳 丕賱丕 兀賳 賴匕丕 賱丕 賷賯賱賱 賲賳 賯賷賲丞 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 兀賵 賷丨乇賲 丕賱賯丕乇卅 賲賳 丕賱賲毓賱賵賲丞 丕賱賲孬乇賷丞.
丕賱賰鬲丕亘 乇丕卅毓 廿賱賶 兀亘毓丿 丨丿 賵兀賳氐丨 亘賴 丕賱噩賲賷毓.
Review:
賮賷 丕毓鬲賯丕丿賷 兀賳 丕賳鬲賯丕亍 丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱賮賰乇賷丞 賷禺鬲賱賮 毓賳 亘賯賷丞 丕賱賲氐賳賮丕鬲 爻賷賾賲丕 丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱丿賷賳賷賾丞 賱丨爻丕爻賷丞 賲丨鬲賵丕賴丕 賵賲丕 賷亘賳賶 毓賱賷賴 賲賳 兀孬乇貙 賮鬲亘丿兀 毓賲賱賷丞 丕賱鬲丨賱賷賱 賵丕賱丕爻鬲賯乇丕亍 丨鬲賶 賯亘賱 賲乇丨賱丞 丕賱賯乇丕亍丞 賵鬲鬲囟禺賾賲 兀賴賲賷丞 丕賱賲氐丿乇 賵丕賱賲丐賱賮 賵丕賱賲氐丕丿乇 丕賱鬲賷 鬲乇鬲賰夭 毓賱賷賴丕 丕賱賲丕丿丞 丕賱賲胤乇賵丨丞. 賱匕丕 鬲購毓丿 丕賱賯乇丕亍丞 亘毓賷賳賺 賳丕賯丿丞 賲鬲乇氐賾丿丞 賱賱兀禺胤丕亍 賵丕賱賲睾丕賱胤丕鬲 賵丕賱丨噩噩 丕賱賵丕賴賷丞 廿丨丿賶 兀爻丕賱賷亘 丕賱爻賱丕賲丞 丕賱鬲賷 賷毓賵賾賱 毓賱賷賴丕 丕賱賯丕乇卅 禺賵賮丕賸 賲賳 丕賱睾乇賯 賮賷 鬲賷賾丕乇丕鬲 丕賱賮賽乇賯 賵丕賱兀丨夭丕亘 賵賲胤丕賲丨賴丕 亘丕爻鬲賲丕賱丞 丕賱賲乇賷丿賷賳.
賵賲賳 賴匕丕 丕賱賲賳胤賱賯 賷賱噩卅 丕賱亘丕丨孬 丕賱賶 丕賱賳氐賵氐 丕賱賲賵氐賶 亘賴丕 賱賷爻 賲賳 匕賵賷 丕賱丕禺鬲氐丕氐 賵丨爻亘貙 賵廿賳賲丕 賲賳 賷孬賯 亘氐賮丕亍 賳賷賾鬲賴賲貙 毓賲賯 丕胤賱丕毓賴賲貙 賵爻賱丕賲丞 賲賳賴噩賷鬲賴賲. 賵賲毓 匕賱賰 賱丕 賷禺賮鬲 丕賱卮賰 賵丕賱丕乇鬲賷丕亘 賮賷 禺購賱丿 丕賱賲鬲賱賯賷 兀孬賳丕亍 丕賱鬲毓丕胤賷 賲毓 丕賱兀胤乇賵丨丞 賮賴賵 賷鬲噩丕匕亘 賲毓賴丕貙 賷爻丕噩賱賴丕貙 賷鬲丨丕賵乇 賲毓賴丕貙 賷丨賰賲 毓賱賷賴丕 賵毓賱賶 賰丕鬲亘賴丕 賵廿賱丕 賵購氐賲鬲 賯乇丕亍鬲賴 亘丕賱爻匕丕噩丞 丕匕丕 鬲卮乇賾亘賴丕 賰丨賯賷賯丞 賲購胤賱賯丞 賱丕 賷毓鬲乇賷賴丕 丕賱夭賱賱.
亘丿兀鬲購 亘賯乇丕亍丞 "丕賱卮賷毓丞 賮賷 丕賱廿爻賱丕賲" 亘賴匕賴 丕賱乇賵丨 賮賷 孬丕賱孬 賯乇丕亍丕鬲賷 丕賱噩毓賮乇賷丞貙 亘毓丿 賮鬲乇丞 賲賳 丕賱亘丨孬 賮賷 丕賱毓賳丕賵賷賳 賵丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱賲卮賴賵乇丞 賮賷 賴匕丕 丕賱賲噩丕賱貙 亘丕賱兀禺氐 丕賱賰鬲亘 丕賱鬲賷 鬲購氐賳賻賾賮 亘丕賱卮賲賵賱賷丞 賵丕賱鬲賷 鬲爻鬲賴丿賮 丕賱賯丕乇卅 丕賱毓丕賲 賱賲賳 賷乇賷丿 賲毓乇賮丞 丕賱賲丿丕乇爻 丕賱賮賰乇賷丞 丕賱廿爻賱丕賲賷丞 丕賱賲禺鬲賱賮丞貙 賲賳丕卮卅 丕禺鬲賱丕賮丕鬲賴丕貙 噩匕賵乇 丕賱禺賱丕賮丕鬲貙 賲賳賴噩賷丕鬲賴丕 賮賷 丕賱鬲毓丕胤賷 賲毓 丕賱賲賵乇賵孬 丕賱鬲丕乇賷禺賷 賵丕賱兀丿亘賷丕鬲 丕賱賲卮鬲乇賰丞貙 毓胤賮丕賸 毓賱賶 丕賱賴丿賮 丕賱兀毓賲 賵賴賵 鬲賵爻毓丞 丕賱兀賮賯 賵亘賳丕亍 氐賵乇丞 賵丕囟丨丞 賱賱賴賵賷丞 丕賱廿爻賱丕賲賷丞 賮賷 馗賱 丕賱囟賵囟丕亍 賵丕賱睾孬丕亍 丕賱爻丕卅丿.
鬲賵賮賾乇鬲 賴匕賴 丕賱鬲胤賱賾毓丕鬲 賵兀賰孬乇 賮賷 賰鬲丕亘 丕賱爻賷賾丿 賲丨賲丿 胤亘丕胤亘丕卅賷 丨賷孬 鬲賳丕賵賱 亘丨孬賴 孬賱丕孬丞 兀賵噩賴 賲乇賰夭賷丞: 賰賷賮賷丞 賳卮賵亍 丕賱鬲卮賷賾毓貙 丕賱賮賰乇 丕賱丿賷賳賷 賱丿賶 丕賱卮賷毓丞貙 賵丕賱賲毓鬲賯丿丕鬲 丕賱廿爻賱丕賲賷丞 賲賳 賵噩賴丞 賳馗乇 丕賱卮賷毓丞 丕賱廿賲丕賲賷丞. 亘丿兀 丕賱賲丐賱賮 賲毓 匕賰乇 丕賳胤賱丕賯丞 丕賱鬲卮賷賾毓 賵兀爻亘丕亘 丕賳賮氐丕賱賴 毓賳 丕賱兀賰孬乇賷丞 賲賳 兀賴賱 丕賱爻賳丞 賯亘賱 兀賳 賷鬲卮毓賾亘 賮賷 亘丨孬賴 賲爻鬲毓乇囟丕賸 賳馗乇丞賸 賲噩賴乇賷丞 賵卮賲賵賱賷丞 賱賱鬲卮毓亘丕鬲 丕賱賮賰乇賷丞 丕賱廿爻賱丕賲賷丞貙 賲賯賵賲丕鬲 丕卮鬲賯丕賯賴丕貙 禺乇賷胤丞 夭賲賳賷丞 賱賱胤丕卅賮丞 丕賱卮賷毓賷丞貙 丕賱孬賵丕亘鬲 丕賱鬲賷 賷賯賵賲 毓賱賷賴丕 丕賱賲匕賴亘貙 賵賰賷賮賷丞 賲毓丕賱噩鬲賴 賱賲賵丕乇丿 丕賱禺賱丕賮 賲毓 丕賱锟斤拷賵丕囟賳 丕賱賮賰乇賷丞 丕賱兀禺乇賶 亘丕賱廿囟丕賮丞 丕賱賶 賲毓丕賱噩丞 賲賰丕賲賳 丕賱鬲爻丕丐賱丕鬲 賱丿賶 丕賱亘丕丨孬.
丕賱丕胤乇賵丨丞 鬲鬲爻賲 亘丕賱賲賵囟賵毓賷丞貙 賵丕賱卮賮丕賮賷丞貙 賵丕賱胤乇丨 丕賱爻賴賱 丕賱賲賲鬲賳毓. 丕賱賲丐賱賮 氐丕丨亘 賯賱賲 亘賱賷睾 賷賳鬲賯賷 丕賱賰賱賲丕鬲 賱廿賷噩丕夭賴丕 賵丕賷氐丕賱賴丕 丕賱賲毓賱賵賲丞 亘卮賰賱 賲亘丕卮乇 賰賲丕 兀賳賴 丕噩丕丿 賮賷 丕爻鬲禺丿丕賲 丕賱賴賵丕賲卮 亘賲丕 賷囟賮賷 賱鬲噩乇亘丞 丕賱賯乇丕亍丞 亘卮賰賱 賰亘賷乇. 丕賱賲丕丿丞 鬲毓丕賳賷貙 賰睾賷乇賴丕貙 賲賳 丕賱鬲丨乇賷乇 丕賱爻賷亍 賵丕賱兀禺胤丕亍 丕賱胤亘丕毓賷丞 賵丕賱鬲乇噩賲丞 丕賱乇賰賷賰丞 賮賷 亘毓囟 丕賱兀丨賷丕賳 丕賱丕 兀賳 賴匕丕 賱丕 賷賯賱賱 賲賳 賯賷賲丞 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 兀賵 賷丨乇賲 丕賱賯丕乇卅 賲賳 丕賱賲毓賱賵賲丞 丕賱賲孬乇賷丞.
丕賱賰鬲丕亘 乇丕卅毓 廿賱賶 兀亘毓丿 丨丿 賵兀賳氐丨 亘賴 丕賱噩賲賷毓.
July 6, 2020
The book is meant as an explanation of the basic Islamic beliefs from the eye of a Shia theologian. However, I was more interested in knowing how an acclaimed Faqih and shia philosopher explains the ontology of God. Thus, for me, two most important parts of the book are where Allama Tabatabai discusses methods of religious thought (Ch. III) and the knowledge of God (Ch. IV).
Allama Tabatabai defines the three methods of attaining religious knowledge i.e., external meaning (which is meant for everyone), philosophical or esoteric meaning (which is available for the learned) and spiritual meaning (which is only available for the selected few). From there, and with the help of philosophical argument, he explains the knowledge about God's existence. However, here, the only argument Allama Tabatabi employs in order to prove the existence of God is the Design Argument - and that too in its basic form - without addressing the strong criticism this argument is subjected to.
Another important part of the book is Tabatabai鈥檚 discussion on the divine qualities.
He carefully splits divine qualities into qualities of action and qualities of essence. Qualities of action are those which require an external phenomenon or action to actualize the quality. For instance, God鈥檚 quality as a giver of life can be actualized only after witnessing a life form. Tabatabai鈥檚 point is that we often attribute God鈥檚 qualities of action to His essence. This is an error, for His qualities of action are in addition to His qualities of essence. Tabatabai鈥檚 subtle message is that while qualities of action are known, qualities of essence require spiritual perfection.
All in all, it is a worthy read.
Allama Tabatabai defines the three methods of attaining religious knowledge i.e., external meaning (which is meant for everyone), philosophical or esoteric meaning (which is available for the learned) and spiritual meaning (which is only available for the selected few). From there, and with the help of philosophical argument, he explains the knowledge about God's existence. However, here, the only argument Allama Tabatabi employs in order to prove the existence of God is the Design Argument - and that too in its basic form - without addressing the strong criticism this argument is subjected to.
Another important part of the book is Tabatabai鈥檚 discussion on the divine qualities.
He carefully splits divine qualities into qualities of action and qualities of essence. Qualities of action are those which require an external phenomenon or action to actualize the quality. For instance, God鈥檚 quality as a giver of life can be actualized only after witnessing a life form. Tabatabai鈥檚 point is that we often attribute God鈥檚 qualities of action to His essence. This is an error, for His qualities of action are in addition to His qualities of essence. Tabatabai鈥檚 subtle message is that while qualities of action are known, qualities of essence require spiritual perfection.
All in all, it is a worthy read.
October 18, 2020
The most succinct, yet informative and inspiring outlook on the essence of the shi鈥檌 creed written by a globally admired scholar and gnostic. An Islamically compatible philosophical take on the distinct pillars of the shi鈥檌 faith complimented by historically sound narratives. Your go-to book for introductory studies on Shi鈥檃 Islam.
January 4, 2020
A nice, concise overview of Shi'ism. Although some of the prophecies by the sixth Imam do seem to me to be outlandish, there is no doubt that Shi'ism has more theological validity than Sunnism. Upon reading Nahjul Balagha; you can see that Hazrat Ali was the best suited for the caliphate.
December 27, 2020
Good introductory book on Shia Islam. But it is not an easy read and in many parts the wordings are too complicated to understand. A lot of philosophical arguments were presented in advancing the author's position and it may be too esoteric to comprehend. For this reason, I give only 3 stars.
July 8, 2024
This book is essential for anyone seeking to understand the Shia creed. I benefitted a lot.
March 8, 2025
A concise overview of Shiism, covering its history, main sects, and theological and philosophical developments. The book delves into the esoteric dimensions of Shia thought, particularly the role of the Imams as spiritual guides and bearers of hidden knowledge. Tabatabaei also explores the Shia approach to Islamic mysticism and its emphasis on inward, metaphysical understanding. While the political history of Sunni-Shia relations can be a bit dry at times, the book effectively captures the foundations of Shia doctrine and its deeper, spiritual aspects.
Currently reading
February 11, 2009THis book is a follow up to "An introduction to Shi'i Islam." While the former book falls into the category of crtical scholarship, this book is written by very well respected Shia scholar. This book was billed as an important inseiders view of the Shia branch of Islam.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.