Early Shī‘ī Thought The Teachings of Imam Muḥammad al-Bāqir
I.B. Tauris in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies
Imam Muḥammad al-Bāqir was one of the most erudite Muslims of his age, and played a significant role in the history of early Islam. At once a versatile leader and scholar in the eighth-century Muslim world, he was also an authority on the exegesis of the Qur’an, the traditions of the Prophet, and all matters relating to the rites, rituals and practice of Islam.
Using hitherto largely ignored Shīʿī sources, both published and unpublished, Arzina R. Lalani explores al-Bāqir’s pivotal contributions to Islamic thought in its early formative period, contributions that were powerfully to affect developments in Shīʿī law, theology and religious practice. This study gives particular attention to al-Bāqir’s vital role in the formulation of the Shīʿī doctrine of imamate.
Dr Lalani’s work presents the first systematic account of the life, career and teachings of this brilliant eighth-century luminary. It will be of great interest to students of islamic law, history and theology and will also be of interest to modern Shīʿī communities.
Preface
Abbreviations
The Banu Hāshim and Early Shīʿī Imams
1. Introduction
2. The Idea of the Imamate before al-Bāqir
Early Disputes about the Leadership of the Community
Al-Ḥusayn and Karbala
The Aftermath of Karbala
The Kaysāniyya
3 Aspects of al-Bāqir’s Life and Career
Al-Bāqir’s Laqab and Succession
Al-Bāqir’s Rivals
Al-Bāqir and Zayd
Al-Bāqir and the Ghulāt
The Controversy over the Time of al-Bāqir’s Death
4. Al-Bāqir’s Views on the Imamate
The Qur’ānic Basis of the Imamate
The Ḥadīth Basis of the Imamate
The Theology of the Imamate
5. Al-Bāqir’s Views on Some Key Theological Issues
Īmān (Faith)
Taqiyya
Qaḍāʾ wa Qadar
Tawḥīd
6. Al-Bāqir in Traditionist Circles
Non-Shīʿī Circles
Transmitters of al-Bāqir
The Shīʿī Circle
Shīʿī Associates of al-Bāqir
7. Al-Bāqir’s Contribution to Shīʿī Jurisprudence
Some Legal Problems Common to the Various Shīʿī Groups
Masḥ ʿalā al-khuffayn
Nabīdh
al-Jahr bi Bismillāh
The Adhān or the Call to the Ritual Prayer
Qunūt
Ṣalāt al-Janāza
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index
‘...all students of Shīʿī Islam will be grateful to her for this book and will look forward to further contributions from her to the field of Shīʿī studies.’
– Hamid Algar, Journal of Islamic Studies
Arzina Lalani is an expert in early Shi‘i studies and is currently Visiting Research Fellow at The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London. She has previously taught Hadith Literature at Cambridge University. Dr. Lalani received her PhD from the University of Edinburgh.