The Heirs of the Prophet

Liyakat N. Takim

Description

2007 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title

After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, different religious factions within the Muslim community laid claim to the Prophet's legacy. Drawing on research from Sunni and Shi>ite literature, Liyakat N. Takim explores how these various groups, including the caliphs, scholars, Sufi holy men, and the Shi>ite imams and their disciples, competed to be the Prophetic heirs. The book also illustrates how the tradition of the "heirs of the Prophet" was often a polemical tool used by its bearers to demand obedience and loyalty from the Muslim community by imposing an authoritative rendition of texts, beliefs, and religious practices. Those who did not obey were marginalized and demonized. While examining the competition for Muhammad's charismatic authority, Takim investigates the Shi>ite self-understanding of authority and argues that this was an important factor in the formation of a distinct Shi>ite leadership. The Heirs of the Prophet also provides a new understanding of textual authority in Islam by examining authority construction and the struggle for legitimacy evidenced in Islamic biographical dictionaries.

Acknowledgments
Introduction

1. “The Scholars Are Heirs of the Prophets”

2. The Holy Man in Islam

3. Routinization of Charismatic Authority: The Shi'i case

4. The Office of Charismatic Authority: The Functions of the Rijal

5. Textual Authority and the Struggle for Legitimacy in Biographical Texts

Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Sujets

• Shia Islam
• History of religions
• Islam

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791481912
• Langue: English

Extrait

ite self-understanding of authority and argues that this was an important factor in the formation of a distinct Shi>ite leadership. The Heirs of the Prophet also provides a new understanding of textual authority in Islam by examining authority construction and the struggle for legitimacy evidenced in Islamic biographical dictionaries.Acknowledgments Introduction 1. “The Scholars Are Heirs of the Prophets” 2. The Holy Man in Islam 3. Routinization of Charismatic Authority: The Shi'i case 4. The Office of Charismatic Authority: The Functions of the Rijal 5. Textual Authority and the Struggle for Legitimacy in Biographical Texts Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index " />

TheHeirsof theProphet

Charisma and Religious Authority c in Shi ite Islam

Liyakat N. Takim

                   

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The Heirs of the Prophet

Charisma and Religious Authority in Shi¡ite Islam

Liyakat N. Takim

     

Published by

State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2006 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical,photo copying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

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Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data Takim, Liyakat N., 1957– The heirs of the prophet: charisma and religious authority in Shi¡ite Islam / Liyakat N. Takim. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. 0791467376 (hardcover: alk. paper) 1. Sha¡ah—Government. 2. Charisma (Personality trait)—Religious aspects—Islam. 3. Authority—Religious aspects—Islam. 4. Temporal powers of religious rulers. 1. Title. ..2006 297.6–dc22 2005014626

13:9780791467374 (hardcopy:alk.paper)

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To Fatima,

and to the light of our eyes and fruits of our hearts,

Farzana, Ali Akber, and Suhayl-Hasan

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Acknowledgments

Introduction

Contents

Chapter One: “The Scholars Are Heirs of the Prophets”

Chapter Two: The Holy Man in Islam

Chapter Three: Routinization of Charismatic Authority: The Shi¡i Case

Chapter Four: The Office of Charismatic Authority: The Functions of theRijal

Chapter Five: Textual Authority and the Struggle for Legitimacy in Biographical Texts

Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Index

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Acknowledgments

The present study is the product of help and assistance extended to me by many people in different parts of the world. The Central Research Fund of the University of London and the Scholarships Committee at The School of Ori ental and African Studies provided me with a grant that facilitated my re search trip to Iran in 1989. In Qum, I spent a lot of time with the scholars(¡ulama£), who were exception ally helpful and gracious. To all of them, I am deeply indebted. In particular, I would like to thank Ayatullah alSayyid ¡Ali Asgher Milani, Muhammad alRida alJalali, ¡Abd al¡Aziz Tabatabai, and Muhammad ¡Ali alAbtahi for the time they devoted to me during my stay. Ayatullah alSayyid Ahmad alMadadi was especially kind, spending countless hours answering my questions and guiding me in my research work. In him, I found not only an erudite scholar but also a very close and sincere friend. In London, Ayatullah alSayyid Fadhil Milani also made invaluable suggestions for parts of my book. He guided me through the complexusulandfiqhterminologies, which I have used sparingly in this work. Professor Abdulaziz Sachedina of the University of Virginia has provided much assistance at various stages of my academic career. He read various parts of my manuscript and offered invaluable suggestions. To him, I am eter nally grateful. I have also benefited considerably from the comments and ad vice of other scholars. Professor John Kelsay of Florida State University read my manuscript and made many incisive comments. I am also grateful to Pro fessors John Esposito, Gerald Hawting, Wilferd Madelung, and Vernon Schubel for their suggestions. At the University of Miami where I was a visiting professor, Professors David Kling, John Fitzgerald, Zion Zohar, and Henry Green shared with me an understanding of authority within their scholastic traditions. In Professor Stephen Sapp I discovered not only an erudite scholar, but also a truly wonder ful human being and personal friend. I would also like to mention my colleagues