ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Book Review : an Introduction To Shia Islam: the History and Doctrines of Twelver Shiism, By Moojan Momen References [^1]: Justice, honesty and mercy have been central to the teachings of all prophets, yet no religious ideal has been treated so unjustly as justice itself (honesty being part of justice). Christianity, although it has emphasized the ideals of mercy and charity, has failed to give an equal importance to justice and honesty.

However, the significant characteristic of the new 'liberation' theology, which has acquired many adherents in the Christian parts of the Third World, is its emphasis on justice. The same emphasis is also characteristic of the contemporary Islamic movement, an emphasis which draws its inspiration and power from Islam.

Yet the Western press in its coverage of this movement seldom refers to this central ideal of the movement, which has been dubbed 'Islamic fundamentalism' in order to mislead Muslims and Non-Muslims about its real goals. Yet, the new Christian theology, which bases its approach on going back to the historical Christ and rejects classical Christology, although radically fundamentalist 'in its approach, has been blessed with the epithet 'liberation'.

This unequal treatment of two different religious movements, inspired by similar goals, by the imperialist press shows that it is Islam not Christianity which is regarded as the really serious threat to the unjust international order whose burden lies on the backs of the poor of the Third World. [^2]: See Al-Tabarsi, Majma' Al-bayan (Qumm, 1403 H.), vol.5, p. 514, Al-Wahidi, Asbab al-nuzul (Qumm 1362 H. Sh.), pp. 5-8. The Kitab al- asnam (Tehran 1348 H. Shamsi, ed.

by Ahmad Zaki Basha, the Arabic with Persian trans. by Sayyid Muhammad Rida Jalali Na'ini) of Hisham ibn Muhammad Al-Kalbi (d. 204/819) is an important source on pre-Islamic Arab beliefs and practices. Kitab Al- Asnam gives a great many details about the various idols worshipped by the different Arab tribes of the Jahiliyyah. But there is nothing in that work which would suggest the existence of any pagan shrine comparable in importance to the Ka'bah among the pre-Islamic Arabs.

In fact it is doubtful if there was any shrine in Arabia of the nature of the Ka'bah.