That is...

That is, he has classified and then examined the Shi‘ah into the following 12 classes: (1) As-Sahabah { of the Prophet (S)}; (2) At-Tabi‘un {Followers};[^7] (3) Al-Muhaddithun alladhi rawu ‘an al-A’immah at-Tahirin {Scholars of Hadith who Narrated Traditions from the Pure Imams ( ‘a )}; (4) ‘Ulama’ ad-Din {Religious Scholars}; (5) Al-Hukama’ wa’l-Mutakallimin {Philosophers and Scholastic Theologians}; (6) ‘Ulama’ al-‘Arabiyyah {Scholars of Arabic Language}; (7) As-Sadah as-Sawfiyyah {Commoners}; (8) Al-Muluk wa’s-Salatin {Kings and Sultans}; (9) Al-Umara’ {Rulers}; (10) Al-Wuzara’ {Viziers and Ministers}; (11) Ash-Shu‘ara’ {Poets}; and (12) An-Nisa’ {Women}.

What is available so far from this valuable reference is the first class, i.e. the Class of the in complete form, part of the fourth class, and a small portion of the 11th class. This book is considered the most significant reference on the subject of Shi‘ism among the and in this respect, it has also a good sense of comprehensiveness.

The writer of this book was able to compile the views and opinions of the Shi‘ah scholars and biographers { rijaliyyun } regarding the Shi‘ah among the , and as such, he has not much engaged in expressing his own views, opinions, analyses, and investigations. A‘yan ash-Shi‘ah The writer of this unique book is the great Shi‘ah researcher and scholar, the late Sayyid Muhsin Amin.

The book, A‘yan ash-Shi‘ah , as its title indicates, is a book concerning the life account and description of the leading Shi‘ah figures. This book has three introductions. The first introduction explains the author’s method of writing. The introduction begins thus: “In stating our method in this book which is as follows…” and then he explains in detail in 14 parts the method of his writing.

The second introduction, meanwhile, is about the general history of Shi‘ism, which is consisted of 12 discussions. The third introduction deals with the references and authorities used in the book: Discussion 1: The meaning and connotation of the word Shi‘ah ; other Shi‘ah terminologies; criticizing the view of the Ahl as-Sunnah writers regarding the Shi‘ah sects. Discussion 2: The emergence of the Shi‘ah and their expansion; the Shi‘ah among the ; Shi‘ah ; growth of the Shi‘ah.

Discussion 3: Points to the some of the oppressions perpetrated against the ( ‘a ) and their Shi‘ah. Discussion 4: Unjust treatment of the Shi‘ah of the ( ‘a ). Discussion 5: Incessant attacks against the ( ‘a ).