This affair itself had an eminent effect on the historical...

This affair itself had an eminent effect on the historical and cultural trend in Shi‘ism, continuously protecting it from distortion { tahrif } and other forms of setbacks. In the light of adherence to the Imams from the ( ‘a ), the Shi‘ah actually became the repository of ’s knowledge and their spiritual inheritors throughout history. The culture of Shi‘ism has always been an effulgent, dynamic, prolific, and authentic culture such that even some of their opponents have acknowledged this fact.

For example, Shams ad-Din Muhammad adh-Dhahabi (born 748 AH), one of Ahl as-Sunnah’s distinguished eighth century ( hijri) scholars (known for his anti-Shi‘ah sentiment) in describing the status of Aban ibn Taghlib, one of the towering pupils of Imam Ja‘far as-Sadiq ( ‘a ), bitterly acknowledges this fact and after accusing him of “innovation in religion” (Shi‘ism), approves of and introduces him as truthful, and thus writes: Inclination to Shi‘ism among the religious, pious and honest followers, and their followers, are plenty.

In case the hadith s they are narrating are rejected, a great portion of the Prophetic works and hadith s will be lost and this evil is serious enough.[^6] On the other hand, like any other madhhab {sect} and maktab {school}, the Shi‘ah, throughout these historical straitened circumstances and the ups and downs that transpired, was not immune from internal splits, which brought about immense predicaments.

The infiltration of the ghulat [^7] into Shi‘ah ranks had also exacerbated these predicaments notwithstanding the rejection of the former by the Imams ( ‘a ) of the Shi‘ah. Keeping this background in mind, one can guess what stages and pathways the Shi‘ah have treaded during the past fourteen centuries in different realms and spheres.

This book, a relatively comprehensive, elegant and worthy glance at the historical trend of Shi‘ism, is a product of relentless efforts and studies of the diligent researcher, Hujjat al-Islam Shaykh Ghulam-Husayn Muharrami, and has many distinguishing merits compared to other similar works—whose number is unfortunately few. Fortunately, it has now earned the kind attention of the authorities and is about to be published, after passing (with an excellent grade) as a master’s thesis.

We are currently awaiting other significant works from this author.