Shia Islam: History and Doctrines

In a similar vein to the aforementioned documents, classical Shia scholars have also composed short treatises on the fundamental doctrines of Shia islam. Here, we will detail Sheikh Al-Saduq’s treatise …

 Abd Al-Azim Al-Hassani (AS), a descendant of Imam Hassan (AS), was a companion of Imam Al-Hadi (AS) and the compiler of a book containing sermons of the Commander of the …

The Abbasid Caliph, Ma’mun, wrote to Imam Ridha (AS) asking him to explain the basic tenets of Islam to him. In response, the Imam (AS) wrote a short treatise. We …

A brief study of the history of religions and sects would reveal that all the sects of Islam were produced as the result of theological debates that took place in …

Imam Musa ibn Jaʿfar (AS), the seventh Shia Imam, was born in 745 AD in Medina. He died in Baghdad in 799 AD. Yazid ibn Walid ibn ʿAbdal-Malik, Ibrahim ibn …

Imam Ali Al-Naqi (AS), the tenth Shia Imam, was born in 827 AD (Mufid, Irshad; Kashf Al-Ghamma) and died in 868 AD. His teknonym was Abu Al-Ḥassan, and his epithet, …

Imam Al-Baqir (AS) the son of Imam Al-Sajjad (AS), was born in Medina 676 AD and died in 743 in the same city. He was 36 when his father passed …

The spread of Islam and the improvement of the Prophet’s (PBUH) position prompted Arab tribal chiefs to ask Fatimah’s (SA) hand for marriage. Not a week passed without a new …

Imam Muhammad Taqi (AS), better known as Al-Jawad (AS) (‘The Generous’), was born in Medina in 811 AD. He was killed by the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad in 835 AD. …

During the reign of Ali, the Shia cause advanced greatly as individuals loyal to Ali occupied the high and critical posts of state. However, after the Imam’s death, they would …

Imam Al-Sādiq (AS), the sixth Shia Imam, was born in 702 AD in Medina. He passed away in 765 AD there and is buried in Baqīʿ Cemetry. His mother was …

Imam Musa ibn Jaʿfar (AS), the seventh Shia Imam, was born in 745 AD in Medina. He died in Baghdad in 799 AD. Yazid ibn Walid ibn ʿAbdal-Malik, Ibrahim ibn …

Imam Ali, after twenty five years of exclusion from power, on the Helpers’ and Emigrants’ insistence, reluctantly accepted the offer of the Caliphate. It was a choice that would take …

 The validity of the Ahadith confirming Ali (AS) as the Caliph and the Imam is beyond question. But the question remains: Why did Ali (AS), the rightful successor to the Prophet …

Fatimah may not be an Imam but she is the mother of eleven infallible Imams and, without a doubt, the Imams owe their infallible characteristics to their mother. Her distinctions …

After the Prophet (PBUH) passed away, his followers unanimously agreed that there should be a successor to lead and guide Muslims after him. However, they disagreed both about who should …

A number of historians have composed books on the character of some of the Companions and the Successors. What follows is a brief survey of some of these books. Sayyid …

There are many theories about the appearance of Shia that are completely baseless. Some believe, for instance, that Shia appeared as a result of political conflicts in the first century hijri. Others have …

 Another set of instances which demonstrate the lack of complete submission to divine commands on the part of the Companions and show that they would sometimes follow their own interests, …

The Verse of Wilaya is a verse of the Quran which the majority interpreters concur was revealed concerning Imam Ali. It reads: “Your guardian (wali) is only Allah, His Messenger, …

Imam Hassan Al-Askari (AS), the son of Imam Al-Hadi (AS), was the eleventh Shia Imam. He was born in Medina in 846 AD and died in Samarra in 874 AD. …

The fourth Shia Imam is Sajjad, the son of Imam Hussain. He was born in 657 AD and passed away in 713 AD. Imam Sajjad was born at a time …

SHAFAQNA- The Hadith of Ghadir is one of the most widely-narrated and authentic traditions in Islam; it is narrated by no fewer than 120 Companions, ninety Successors and 360 Sunni scholars. Ibn …

SHAFAQNA- During his lifetime, the Prophet [Muhammad] fulfilled a number of key roles and responsibilities that could only be accomplished by a divinely-inspired person such as himself, and not just any …

Shīʿa Islam: History and Doctrines / Ayatullāh Jaʿfar Subḥānī The Awaited Imam All Muslims believe in the prophecy that a reformer will come to usher in an age of global …

Shafaqna – Shīʿa Islam: History and Doctrines / Ayatullāh Jaʿfar Subḥānī Chapter 12: Succession to the Prophet With the exclusion of the ʿAjārida sect of the Khawārij and Ḥatim al-ʿĀsamm of the Muʿtazila, all Muslims …

Shafaqna – Shīʿa Islam: History and Doctrines / Ayatullāh Jaʿfar Subḥānī Chapter 11: The principal beliefs of Shīʿa A brief study of the history of religions and sects would reveal …

Shafaqna – Shīʿa Islam: History and Doctrines / Ayatullāh Jaʿfar Subḥānī Chapter 10: The Shīʿa under Umayyad and Abbasid Rule During the reign of ʿAlī, the Shīʿa cause advanced greatly …

Shafaqna – Shīʿa Islam: History and Doctrines / Ayatullāh Jaʿfar Subḥānī Chapter 9: Major challenges during Imam ʿAlī’s reign Even though ʿAlī was chosen as Caliph in a massive gathering …

Shafaqna – Shīʿa Islam: History and Doctrines / Ayatullāh Jaʿfar Subḥānī Chapter 8: Why did Imam ʿAlī remain silent for 25 years? The validity of the aḥādīth confirming ʿAlī as the Caliph …