Shi'ism by Heinz Halm

by Heinz Halm

Heinz Halm's work presents a thorough and accessible discussion of the history, theology, and current state of this branch of Islam. Newly revised, Shi'ism includes updated information on the fate of the Shi'ite revolution in Iran as well as a new chapter on Iraq.Observing a tradition more than 1000 years old, Shi'ites represent 10 percent of the Muslim population, or 100 million people. Halm explores how Shi'ism differs from the rest of Islam, discussing the prominence of its authorities, the Imams, as well as its legal system, practices of worship, places of pilgrimages, and a religious ethos characterized by a fervor to suffer for the cause.Additionally, Halm provides a lucid survey of the various branches of Shi'ism, paying attention to their historical, organizational, and theological developments. The book also considers the appeal and impact of Imams in contemporary Shi'ism and their interpretation of the social and economic problems gripping the Islamic world.

Genres: Islam, Middle East, History

Hardcover

First published August 25, 1987

Reviews

[Seyed-Koohzad Esmaeili · Rating 2 out of 5]

یکی از کتاب‌هایی که در دانشگاه‌ها و موسسه‌های پژوهشی غربی در مورد تشیع توصیه می‌کنند این کتاب است. اصل کتاب به آلمانی است. من ترجمه فرانسه را نگاهی انداختم و ترجمه فارسی را هم خواندم. دو نکته منفی در ترجمه فارسی بود. اول اینکه ترجمه را گاهی با ادبیات شیعی داخل ایران و حتی مفاهیم ایدئولوژیک قاطی کرده بود که کار نادرستی است. دو دیگر هم توضیحات بسیار زیاد رسول جعفریان در پی‌نوشت کتاب بود. می‌فهمم که این پی‌نوشت‌نویسی یکی از ضرورت‌ها برای انتشار کتاب در ایران است. اما به نظرم به شدت در آن زیاده‌روی شده بود. گاهی واقعا حوصله آدم را سر می‌برد! در مورد محتوی کتاب هم به نظرم هنوز آغشته به برخی سیاست‌زدگی‌های مطالعات تشیع است. درست است که اساسا پژوهش‌های شیعی در غرب با وقایع سیاسی مانند انقلاب اسلامی ایران و جنگ‌های داخلی لبنان شروع شد و این اواخر هم ظهور مجدد بنیادگرایی اسلامی داعش و مسئله اقلیت شیعی در میان مسلمانان اشتیاق به آن را اضافه کرده، اما باز هم دلیل نمی‌شود که یک اثر دانشگاهی سیاست‌زده باشد. هانس هالم در همان اول کتاب حرف آخر را در این مورد می‌زند و تشیع را در نهایت یک حزب سیاسی می‌داند! چیزی که به نظرم منطقی نیست. یک تناقض عجیب دیگری هم در کتاب وجود داشت که واقعا نمی‌توانم آن را درک کنم. هالم از یک طرف سعی عجیبی در ایران‌زدایی از تشیع دارد و هرگونه تاثیر فرهنگ و تمدن ایرانی را تشیع رد می‌کند، اما از طرف دیگر در جا به جای کتاب از مثال‌های زیادی در مورد نفوذ فرهنگ ایرانی در تشیع می‌زند! نمی‌دانم با این تناقض چه باید کرد! به هر حال کتاب بیش از اینکه چیز جدیدی برای مخاطب ایرانی داشته باشد، برای آشنا شدن مخاطب ایرانی با روش و چگونگی نگاه محققان غربی به تشیع و ایران مهم است.

[I · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the two better books I’ve read on the evolution of Shia (mainly twelve imamis but discusses other branches as well) based on Shia sources. Extensive bibliography at the end of each section in every chapter gives primary as well as secondary sources.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent summary of the history of Shi'i Islam

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is billed as an introduction. It is appropriate for an upper division or graduate class, because it is essentially a bibliography of primary and secondary sources. It takes a diachronic approach to the development of Shi'ism. It then details every theological twist and turn in the development of Shi'ism. Students will be confronted with a blizzard of names and works, particularly in the sections on the 11th and 12th centuries in Twelver Shi'ism. This book focuses on the Twelvers. I would not use this book as a primary text, but as a supplementary text or even as a source of material for lectures.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This comprehensive review of Shi'ism from its origins to the present day is well worth reading. Unfortunately it does tend to get a bit dry in many places: so and so succeeded so and so, who was succeeded by so and so, etc. Nevertheless once you get past these sections into the discussions of the various schisms in Shi'a things are quite fascinating. I never knew that there were gnostic forms of Islam!

[Merna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, yet confusing and unclear on certain topics.

[Amira · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is a great informative book but some chapters are too indepth and too confusing that you end up getting lost. it is also unclear on certain topics which is frustrating.

[Alavvii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of Shiism in its myriad forms. The bulk of the book is dedicated to Imami/Twelver Shiism (130+ pages) with a particular emphasis on it's development during and after Safavid Iran. The section on Ismaili Shiism is roughly 40 pages, and then there are about 5 pages each dedicated to Zaydi and Ghulat (heterodox) strands. Overall I found the book to be well worth the read, though I wished he wrote more on the historical development of Twelver Shiism outside of Iran - ie, Iraq, Lebanon, India etc. I would recommend this book for readers already familiar with some of the basics of Shi'i Islam who are wanting finer details on it's historical development in the middle late period of Iranian and Middle Eastern history.