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Title: Shi'a Islam: From Religion to Revolution (Princeton Series on the Middle East) by Heinz Halm, Allison Brown, Bernard Lewis ISBN: 1-55876-135-7 Publisher: Markus Wiener Pub Pub. Date: March, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.95

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Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (2 reviews)

Rating: 3
Summary: Approach with an open-mind
Comment: As a Shi'i, I do not have any difficulties in accepting the Shi'i doctrines because I have always been taught the reasoning behind them. Therefore, it can be misleading to those who are not very familiar with Shi'i beliefs, to read books that do not give its reasoning, (clearly indicated by the misunderstanding by many). It is also worth noting that not everything published about the Shi'a are true, and so reliable sources must be followed. I recommend to those interested the book, Then I Was Guided, by Sheikh Teejani al-Samawi (available online, and summarised in al-islam.org). This book traces the life of the author and his first encounter with a Shi'i, his detailed study of Shi'ism and its acceptance (very enjoyable to read). You can also ask the Shi'a about their beliefs, especially when the reasoning is needed.

Rating: 4
Summary: Some observations on Shii-Sunni dispute
Comment: The most disturbing argument brought forth by Shia sect is the event of "Ghadir" when Prophet gives his lecture on supposedly passing authority to Ali. When I first heard this from one of my Shia friend, I flatly denied it and considered it a typical Shia fabrication. But to my personal embarrassment I later found out that this was written by our own ulema and great scholars. I was deeply disturbed. Why would Prophet say something like this, especially the way he approaches the whole thing. I don't blame some people having interpreted that event as prophet giving authority to Ali, certainly that event if not conclusive is very suggestive of that notion. It seems as though, and God know best, that Prophet wanted to create a dispute among his people after his death.

And yet another question comes to mind about Prophet's intention when I consider the fact that he wished to send all the great companions,with the exception of Ali, to a battle. He planned this course of action at a time when his death was at hand. Apparently companions of the prophet realized that something fishy is going on here and didn't go along with prophet's plan and inspite of Prophet's insistence they decided to stay and not leave town. Now I neither care much about Shiism nor about Sunnism, but if you ask me I think Prophet was definitely up to something. It is unlikely that all these events are just random events without any meaning. My guess is that he was planning something, though I am not sure what. But as history shows he did not succeed., and maybe that is why Islamic history, like many other major religions, is nothing but a big mess and a killing field. Needless to say that Prophet's own immediate family was first to fall victim to this unfortunate reality. Was he trying to prevent this by his careful maneuvering? I don't know the answer to this question. Oh well, there were other prophets before him who didn't succeed in what they had in mind as well, I guess such is life.