The Shi'ite Religion: A History of Islam in Persia and Irak
 | |
| Author | Dwight M. Donaldson |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Published | 1980 |
| Publisher | Ams Pr Inc |
| Pages | 393 |
The book The Shi'ite Religion: A History of Islam in Persia and Irak contains numerous stories from the lives of the Imams and their companions ; and the pilgrimage cities, where the shrines with the golden domes are located.
About the author[edit | edit source]
Dwight Martin Donaldson was an American Islamic scholar and orientalist who researched the history of the Shiite religion in Persia and Iraq. He spent 16 years as a Presbyterian missionary in Mashhad, Iran, until he was expelled in 1940.
About the book[edit | edit source]
This book published in Luzac & Company; 1st edition (January 1, 1933), has 419 pages and best sellers rank of 14,842,421 in Books.
Donaldson in this book discusses religion and politics in contemporary Iran, with an emphasis on Shia radicalism, revolution, and national character and analyzes the relationship between religion and politics in Iran in an historical context from the ancient time.
Abstract of chapters[edit | edit source]
The present book consisting 33 chapters, examines in detail the life and history of 12 Imams and the place where each of them is buried. The few important traditions cited in the first chapter of the book show how dissension arose in the Moslem community on account of the question of succession. The task remains to show how the minority party in Islam organized their opposition and developed the doctrine of the Imamate, with all its subsequent requirements. Then the author mentions the three usurpers: The first of them was Abu Bakr, who was in office for two years and three months. Then came Umar ibn al- Khattab, for ten years and six months. He was followed by Uthman, who held sway for twelve years. And after Uthman, Ali was himself recognized as Caliph and continued in that office for four years and six months. After that the author reminds the role of Imams as mediators. And concludes the book with the argument of rise of Shi’ite sects in modern times.