The Lives of the Imams and Early Divisions among the Shias.

The Lives of the Imams and Early Divisions among the Shias. 4. Early History of Shia Islam, A.D. 632-1000. 5. Shia Islam in the Medieval Period, A.D. 1000-1500. 6. Shia Islam in Modern Times, A.D. 1500-1900. 7. The Imamate. 8. The Twelfth Imam (ajtf), His Occultation and Return. 9. Doctrines, Ritual Practices and Social Transactions. 10. Shia Jurisprudence and the Religious Hierarchy. 11. Sufism, Irfan and Hikma. 12. Schools within Twelver Shiaism. 13. The Popular Religion. 14.

Contemporary Shiaism. At the end of the book, in the appendices, follow a useful chronology of political and religious events in Shia history, a list of Shia dynasties, short biographies of prominent Shia `Ulama', notes to the chapters, which mention the author's sources, and then a select bibliography. Prophet’s Life The chapter on the Prophet's life, despite its brevity, is not free of speculative hypotheses and legends stated as facts.

For instance, the author, states that among the [pre-Islamic] Arab tribes there were certain places that were regarded as shrines and each had a sanctuary around it and that one shrine was the Kaaba in Mecca (p. 2). This statement, lacking historical evidence, can mislead the reader about the central importance of the Ka'bah-a shrine built by Abraham and Ismail, the ancestors of the Arabs-in the Arabia of pre-Islamic times.

He cites the legend of the first revelation to the Prophet (S) on Mount Hira according to which “he fled in terror at the first revelation” and had to be comforted and reassured by his wife Khadijah (sa).

The Shi'ah do not subscribe to this tale, it is not mentioned in their books, and-beside being uncharacteristic of the Prophet (S) is made further doubtful by the fact that exegetes of the Quran from the earliest times have disagreed regarding the first passage or surah to be revealed to the Prophet*(S).* 2 In this chapter, the author mentions the tenets of the Prophet's faith and the obligatory `ritual' duties prescribed by it.

But in view of the fact that the Prophet (S) one of the greatest moral teachers of humanity-also established a state, legislated laws, organized an army, and fought his enemies, the reader should be told at least something about the characteristics of his rule and the purpose of his wars.