Who are the Shia? Their true origins and beliefs.

Who are the Shī‘a? presents the creedal or fundamental beliefs of Shīʻa Islam while at the same time addressing many of the spurious beliefs that are erroneously attributed to it. The question as to who the Shia are is often posed, with most commentators often giving a narrow historical view. This book takes a more comprehensive look at the true origins and beliefs of the Shī‘a. It dispels many myths and misinformation associated with their true origins. 

Who are the Shīʻa? begins with a discussion of the difference between the Sunni and Shīʻa take on the key concept of ijtihād. It then discusses the prerequisites for having religious authority, and who the members of the House of the Prophet are (the issue of the ʻisma^t or inerrancy of the Ahl al-Bayt), and proceeds to provide scriptural proofs concerning the designation to the succession of the Prophet. The book proceeds to establish the fact that the Prophet occasionally used the word Shīʻa for the companions and followers of Imam Ali, and that he would give these companions or followers (shīʻa) glad tidings that they were on the right path, and would be among those who attain salvation. It then discusses the Pledge of Allegiance given to Imam Ali in the presence and at the behest of the Prophet and provides a summary treatment of the various sects within Islam, with an emphasis on the deviances of the extremist or ghulāt sects. It then discusses the meaning of Shīʻa Islam and the creedal beliefs of the Twelvers. The final chapter disabuses the reader definitively of the widespread and virulent Abdullāh b. Sabā meme (using the priceless research of Allāma Askari), and the other false meme of the Persian origin of Shī‘a Islam.

Readers will not only get a very clear picture of the origins of the creedal beliefs of the Shīʻa but will see the historical political context in which the creed developed under the auspices of the Most Noble Prophet himself, and under that of his purified and inerrant progeny.

About the Author

Hujjat al-Islām Mahdī Farmāniān

In addition to his seminary education which he received in Qom, Hujjat al-Islām Mahdi Farmānīān has a doctorate in theology and in the philosophy of religion, focusing on contemporary theological issues. Dr. Mahdi Farmanian is an Associate Professor at the Department of Islamic Denominations at Madhāhib University in Qom. He also serves as the General Director and Editor-in-Chief at the Faculty of Scholarly Research and Publications of the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly. In addition to his teaching activities at the seminary and university, he is a member of the editorial board of several magazines, including, Sirāj Munīr, The Periodical of the Research Institute of Islamic Denominations, Salafi Research, Haft Āsemān and the Quarterly of the United Nation.

 Hujjat al-Islām Mahdī Farmāniān has authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles and is the author of the following books:

• Ismaili History and Beliefs (Textbook)
• Zaydi History and Beliefs (in collaboration with Professor Mūsavinezhād; textbook)
• Sunni Sects (Collected Articles)
• Introduction to Sunni Sects
• Introduction to Shī‘a Sects  
• History of Imami (Twelver Shī‘a) Thought up to the Safavids
• Selected Theological Works
• Creedal Beliefs that are Specific to Shī‘a Islam
• The Intellectual Underpinnings of Salafism
• Manifestations of Spirituality in Egypt
• Critique of the Bases of Jihadi Salafism
• Currents in Contemporary Salafism
• Wahhabism: Its History and Beliefs
• An Introduction to the Distribution of Wahhabism throughout the World