ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Shi’ite Islam: Orthodoxy Or Heterodoxy? Second Amended and Amplified Edition Exordium Luis Alberto Vittor’s Shī‘ite Islām: Orthodoxy or Heterodoxy addresses many essential issues concerning the split between the followers of ahl al-bayt and the followers of ahl al-sunnah .

Transcending the historical, the author focuses on ahistorical aspects in the genesis of adherence, stressing the esoteric foundation of Shī‘ī Islām, as opposed to the exoteric foundation of Sunnī Islām which forces its followers to find spirituality in various Ṣūfī orders.

Vittor’s book challenges the prevailing view among Western academics, namely, the contention that Shī‘ite Islām is “heterodox” while Sunnī Islām is “orthodox.” He contends that there is nothing non-orthodox or un-orthodox in Shī‘ite Islām , since the very principles that give life and identity to Shī‘ite Muslims are deeply rooted in the Sunnah of the Prophet and the Twelve Imāms.

According to Vittor, definitions such as “orthodox” and “heterodox” are misnomers when applied to Islām: they are Western impositions on an Islamic construct that are entirely false. As the author explains, if one respects the meaning of the word “orthodox,” which implies adherence to a specific set of beliefs and instructions, Shī‘ite Muslims are as orthodox as Sunnī Muslims.

[^1] The book challenges the common misconceptions of Western academics, their bias towards Islām, and their tendency to interpret Shī‘ite Islām through Sunnī lenses. Unlike polemical publications dealing with the Sunnī-Shī‘ī debate, the work does not belittle or put down the followers of ahl al-sunnah . The author explores Shī‘ite Islām from within and examines the religious tradition on its own terms.

As a result, he has produced a work of great critical importance, revealing the spiritual depth of Shī‘ism to which many Shī‘ites are oblivious. As one reads the work, one develops a greater understanding of the inner meaning of essential elements of Shī‘ite faith and religious practice. The work is sure to have great resonance during the month of Muḥarram , a time when Shī‘ism is more or less viewed through Sunnī lenses.

When Shī‘ites commemorate the martyrdom of Imām Ḥusayn, they are often assaulted with questions and criticism. Unless the spiritual foundations of Shī‘ism are fully understood, Shī‘ite efforts are expended to rebuttal at best or attack of ahl al-sunnah at worst.