The Prophet of Islam and the Spirit of Tolerance – By Reza Shah Kazemi – Amaana.org

By Reza Shah Kazemi
from the book The Spirit of Tolerance in Islam
(London: IB Tauris/IIS, 2012, pp.111-125)

The Prophetic Paradigm: Compassionate Forbearance

To speak about the intellectual search for knowledge, therefore, is also, and inescapably, to speak about the pursuit of virtue, and it is here that the paradigm of prophetic perfection is of the utmost importance: ‘I was raised up as a Prophet to perfect the most noble traits of character (makārim al-akhlāq)’,[1] the Prophet said, in an allusion to the principle that understanding the message of divine oneness—the conveyance of which was the chief reason for his being ‘raised up’ as a prophet—both requires and produces nobility of character. In other words, there can be no authentic assimilation of the mysteries of divine revelation, the meaning of prophetic guidance, or the depths of authentic knowledge, without the full participation of the whole personality,[2] or rather, the personality made whole through perfect nobility of soul, or magnanimity.

via The Prophet of Islam and the Spirit of Tolerance – By Reza Shah Kazemi – May 15, 2012 Amaana.org.

The Prophet of Islam and the Spirit of Tolerance – Reza Shah-Kazemi

Delivered in London at the Indian YMCA Hall, 24 June 2011.

The first part of the lecture gives an historical account of the deployment of the spirit of tolerance within Islamic civilisation, recalling several interesting anecdotes and little known events. The second part of the lecture shows how the roots of Islamic tolerance are to be found in the nature of the Prophet himself, and looks at his Sunna, thus bringing to light his essential character.

Part 1:

Part 2:

via themathesontrust.org.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio: The Sufi Spirit, with Reza Shah-Kazemi

Prayer that brings a permanent awareness of the Divine Reality is the aim of Sufism first and foremost, which London based Sufi scholar, Reza Shah-Kazemi, believes is the key to its universality. Sufism’s mystical universalism is what interests Hebrew University scholar, Sara Sviri, who reveals the fascinating phenomenon of ‘Jewish Sufism’.

Listen to the program at the source: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/spiritofthings/the-sufi-spirit/3686180

Reza Shah-Kazemi is a research associate at the Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS).

Recollecting the Spirit of Jihad, by Reza Shah-Kazemi – Amaana.org

“When we think how few men of real religion there are, how small the number of defenders and champions of the truth—when one sees ignorant persons imagining that the principle of Islam is hardness, severity, extravagance and barbarity—it is time to repeat these words: Patience is beautiful, and God is the source of all succour. (Sabr jamîl, wa’Llâhu’l-musta‘ân—Qur’an, XII: 18)”

The Emir Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza’iri

If the words quoted above were true in 1860, when the Emir wrote them, they are sadly even truer today. In the aftermath of the earth-shaking events of September 11 many in the West and in the Muslim world are rightly appalled by the fact that the mass-murder perpetrated on that day is being hailed by some Muslims as an act of Jihad. Only the most deluded souls could regard the suicide-attacks as having been launched by ‘mujâhidîn’, striking a blow in the name of Islam against legitimate targets in the heartland of the enemy. Despite its evident falsity, the image of Islam conveyed by this disfiguration of Islamic principles is not easily dislodged from the popular imagination in the West. There is an unhealthy and dangerous convergence of perception between, on the one hand, those—albeit a tiny minority—in the Muslim world who see the attacks as part of a necessary anti-western Jihad; and on the other, those in the West—unfortunately, not such a tiny minority—who likewise see the attacks as the logical expression of an inherently militant religious tradition, one that is irrevocably opposed to the West.

Although of the utmost importance in principle, it appears to matter little in practice that Muslim scholars have pointed out that the terror attacks are totally devoid of any legitimacy in terms of Islamic law and morality.

More: Recollecting the Spirit of Jihad by Reza Shah-Kazemi – the Ismaili Web.

Article: Pluralism and the Qur’an, by Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi

Dr. Shah-Kazemi opens this article with the narration of Prophet Muhammad’s invitation to a group of Christians in 631 CE to perform their rites in his own mosque. This remarkable event was reported by Ibn Ishaq and others. As Dr Shah-Kazemi says “one observes here a perfect example of how disagreement on the plane of dogma can co-exist with deep respect on the superior plane of religious devotion”. This is one of a series of acts of the Prophet which indicate the sanctity of religions which preceded Islam. Based on a reading of certain Qur’anic verses on the subjects of salvation, the Umma and religion, the author argues that “the essence of religion is immutable, only its forms vary”. He goes on to state that ”the universal message of the Qur’an invites the Muslim to manifest respect, tolerance and reverence for that same essence which resides at the core of all the revealed religions of mankind”.

via The Institute of Ismaili Studies – Pluralism and the Qur’an.

Talk with Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi on Imam Ali and the Holy Qur’an

9th August, 2011 – The talk focused on key sayings of Imam Ali on the means of intellectually interpreting and spiritually assimilating the Holy Qur’an. These sayings indicate the subtle relationships between the Holy Qur’an, the principle of Walaya, and the process of spiritual realization.

Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi: Thank you all very much for coming tonight. I appreciate that you may have had to come through war thorn streets and I was one who was wavering whether I should venture out from the point of view of practicality and prudence. As always I was drawn out by the possibility of sharing with you, if not my knowledge which is very limited, at least my enthusiasm and my love for Imam Ali, for the Holy Qur’an and for Allah.

via Imam Ali and the Holy Qur’an.

Institute of Ismaili Studies Launches New Publications in Portugal

The IIS hosted a book launch at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon to launch two recent publications: Spiritual Quest: Reflections on Qur’anic Prayer According to the Teachings of Imam ‘Ali and the Portuguese translation of Justice & Remembrance: Introducing the Spirituality of Imam ‘Ali. The event was attended by Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi, the author of the books, as well as a number of local scholars, diplomats and policy makers.

Loving Compassion in Islam and Buddhism: Rahma and Karuna

By Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi

In this article the author intends to show ways in which the Islamic conception of Rahma can be seen to serve a function similar to compassion in Mahayana Buddhism, which comes to play a determinative role, elevated as the very principle, cosmological and not simply ethical, which motivates the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

The author analyses how Islam and Buddhism are not so far apart from each other as regards the role of this quality of compassionate love. Despite their very different conceptual starting-points, both traditions stress this human quality as a key ethical trait; and for both traditions, this human quality is inseparable from the Absolute—from Allah in Islam, and the Dharma, or the Void (Shunya) or Nirvana in Buddhism.

More: The Institute of Ismaili Studies – Loving Compassion in Islam and Buddhism: Rahma and Karuna

Book launch at the Ismaili Centre Dubai: Reflections on Quranic Prayer According to the Teachings of Imam Ali, by Dr. Reza Shah Kazemi

ITREB UAE in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies, is pleased to inform you that renowned author, Dr. Reza Shah Kazemi will be in Dubai to launch his new book titled, Spiritual Quest: Reflections on Quranic Prayer According to the Teachings of Imam Ali.

The presentation will be on Friday, May 20 at 8:30 PM at the Ismaili Centre Dubai Social Hall.

Dr. Kazemi will sign purchased books at the event.

http://www.ibtauris.com/Books/
http://www.amazon.com/
http://www.iis.ac.uk

Books: Spiritual Quest: Reflections on Daily Prayers in the Traditions of Shi’i Islam (I.I.S. Occasional Papers) R. Shah Kazemi

Product Description

The Qur’an is the sacramental foundation of prayer in Islam. Its inspirational power is perpetually renewed through being recited and meditated upon by Muslims on a daily basis throughout their lives. This succinct and readable study offers unique contemporary insights into the spiritual, intellectual and moral interplay set in motion by the short Qur’anic chapters that are recited in their prayers by Muslims of all traditions, but which are particularly recommended within Shi’i Islam. Reza Shah-Kazemi engages closely and creatively with the Qur’anic chapters, basing his philosophical reflections on traditional exegetical principles, and focusing in particular on the relationship between the moral and the mystical aspects of the texts. The result is a stimulating meditation that probes the depths of meaning contained within the verses of a revelation by which the spiritual life of Muslims has for many centuries been nourished and fulfilled.

About the Author

Reza Shah-Kazemi is a Research Associate at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, where he specializes in Sufism, Shi’ism and comparative mysticism. His books include Justice and Remembrance: Introducing the Spirituality of Imam Ali (I.B.Tauris, 2007), Doctrines of Shi’i Islam (I.B.Tauris, 2001), and Avicenna (1997). He has published numerous articles in academic journals.

via http://www.amazon.com

The Ismaili Video: Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi delivers the Yawm-e Ali lecture at the Ismaili Centre, London

The 2010 Yawm-e Ali Lecture at the Ismaili Centre, London was delivered on 14 July by Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi, Reasearch Fellow at The Institute of Ismaili Studies in London. In his lecture titled Imam Ali and the Power of Compassion, Dr Shah-Kazemi explored the role played by Rahma — divine compassion — in the teachings of Hazrat Ali.

At the source: http://www.theismaili.org/

All related Reza Shah-Kazemi at IM

Difference between Intellect and Reason

It may be useful at the outset to clarify our preference for the English word ‘intellect’ rather than ‘reason’ to translate ‘aql. What we wish to evoke here is the original meaning of intellectus in Latin Christendom, a meaning which is practically identical to that of nous in the Patristic Greek tradition: intellectus/nous is that which is capable of a direct contemplative vision of transcendent realities, whereas reason–the translation of the Latin ratio and the Greek dianoia–is of an indirect, discursive nature; it works with logic and arrives at mental concepts, only, of those realities. With the intellect, then, one is able to contemplate or ‘see’ the Absolute; with the reason, one can only think about it.

JUSTICE AND REMEMBRANCE – Introducing the Spirituality of Imam Ali – by Reza Shah-Kazemi

Related:
Interview with Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi
Hazrat Ali (A.S) – Collection of ahadith

Imam Ali (A.S) and the Power of Rehma-Divine Mercy

Lecture by Dr. Reza Shah Kazemi (Research Fellow at IIS London)

Notes taken at Misbah-ul-Islam lecture at Aga Khan University on December 16, 2009

Rehma-Divine Mercy

Rehma-Divine mercy is the very substance and nature of God. Its qualities of love and compassion are built in within the core of our very being. (“My Mercy encompasses all things”–7:156), which bind us “as a single soul” (31:28).

On the human plane, “compassion”–the capacity to feel and be with (com) the other in their “suffering” (passio)–expresses not just human sentiment but also its spiritual presentiment; compassion arises first and foremost out of one’s innate sense of interconnected oneness of all human beings…And this unity of humanity is itself a reflection of the oneness of God.

Read here: http://docs.google.com/View?id=dgdtpw6r_266fsh6v4fk
Notes taken and shared by one of the attendee.

IIS Scholar – Dr Reza-Shah Kazemi – Speaks at a Conference in Cairo

Dr Reza-Shah Kazemi presented a paper at the conference: “Al Azhar and the West – Bridges of Dialogue”. Held in New Cairo from 3 to 5 January 2009, the conference was convened by the Rector of Al Azhar University, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed El Tayyeb. Muslim scholars in the West were invited to this conference to serve as “bridges of dialogue” by advising Al Azhar’s scholars how to communicate Al Azhar’s perspective within the norms of Western discourse.

Dr. Kazemi’s paper “Beyond Polemics and Pluralism: The Universal Message of the Qur’an” was particularly relevant for any attempt by Arab Muslims to “dialogue with the West” since dialogue is inconceivable when Muslims are their own victims of what Dr. Shah-Kazemi described as “the spiritual sterility of polemics and the logical absurdity of religious chauvinism”. Dr. Kazemi’s paper demonstrated how these two barren states of mind that typify thoughtless fanaticism in the contemporary Muslim environment contradict both the spirit and letter of Qur’anic Revelations of universalism.

Complete at the source. Related tag.

Interview with Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi

From: http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=109037

The author of ‘Justice and Remembrance; Introducing the Spirituality of Imam ‘Ali’, published by I. B. Tauris in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi, in interview discussed the nature of this important work, its themes and how he arrived at the point where he was able to put together the research and essential scholarship.

Note for e-mail or RSS viewers: you may click on the blog link to watch videos at the source.

What prompted you to write your book on Imam ‘Ali? What is it that inspired you?

Who is the target audience for this work? Were you writing for the academics or for the non-specialist readers?

This is the first serious study on the intellectuality and spirituality of Imam ‘Ali in a western language. Why do you think this topic was never addressed in English before?

In the chapter on conception of justice, you discuss the relationship between divine justice and human justice. Please tell us more about it?

You also devote a full chapter on the spiritual teachings of Imam ‘Ali and his influence on Sufism. Can you elaborate on this further?

Imam ‘Ali is an inspirational figure not only for the Shi‘as but all Muslims. How do you think your book will be received in the larger Muslim community?

http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=109037

Earlier related

Defining Without Confining: reflections on a prophetic usage of sacred space

By Reza Shah-Kazemi

In this article I intend to show that, in traditional Islamic consciousness, to define the space of the sacred (the mosque, the qibla, etc.) does not confine the sacred (wherever ye turn there is the face of God), and thus that the space of the sacred cannot be subject to what we might call ‘religious nationalism’. The sacred is both transcendent and immanent, combining both poles of tanzīh (incomparability), and tashbīh (similarity). At the heart of the sacred lies the paradox that its divine essence is absolutely unknowable; but there is nothing that does not, in its own way, manifest the sacred.

complete at Inter-religious Insight.

Saluting Islam’s merciful warrior

Jonathan Gornall

January 24, 2009

Excerpts:

The extraordinary but largely forgotten story of Emir Abd el Kader, one of the key leaders of the tribal resistance to French aggression in Algeria, has now been told in a book by an American author. In Commander of the Faithful, John Kiser restores to the spotlight the  reputation of the only Arab after whom a town in the US is named.

A photograph of Emir Abd el Kader, on horseback, taken during his exile. Courtesy Monkfish Book Publishing Company

For Muhammad Ammar Khan Nassir, the editor of Pakistan’s monthly Al Sharia, Kader’s story as told by Kiser is “highly relevant to what is going on in the Islamic world. Abd el-Kader is the embodiment of the true moral, theological and rational ideas taught by Islam.”

In 2005, Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi, a research associate at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London and founding editor of Islamic World Report, wrote that, while “few doubt that the ongoing injustices in Palestine and other parts of the Muslim world give rise to legitimate grievances”, there was “nothing in Islam that justifies the killing or injuring of civilians, nor of perpetrating any excess as a result of hatred, even if that hatred is based on legitimate grievances.

“The pursuit of justice must be conducted in accordance with justice; the means should not undermine the end: ‘O ye who believe, be upright for God, witnesses in justice; and let not hatred of a people cause you to be unjust. Be just, that is closer to piety’.”

And this was the creed by which Kader, a scholar and warrior, lived his remarkable life.

Commander of the Faithful, by John W Kiser, is published by Monkfish Book Publishing Company, New York.

Complete source:  http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090124/WEEKENDER/320641721/1042/rss

Encyclopedia Islamica to be unveiled in Tehran

TEHRAN — The first volume of the English translation of the Great Islamic Encyclopedia is to be unveiled during a ceremony here on Tuesday.

The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) in collaboration with the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia in Tehran developed the project under the general direction of Professor Wilferd Madelung, Senior Research Fellow at IIS and Professor Emeritus at Oxford University, who has worked on the English version of Encyclopedia Islamica for several years.

Several Iranian researchers and scholars including Ahmad Pakatchi, Farhad Daftari and Reza Shah-Kazemi also collaborated in the project.

The encyclopedia serves as a comprehensive and balanced reference on the Muslim world in all its intellectual and cultural diversity, and is an important first point of reference for scholars and students of Islamic Studies.

The opening ceremony will be held at the venue of the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia located on Kashanak St. in the Niavaran neighborhood of northern Tehran.

http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=182801

Earlier related: Institute of Ismaili Studies Publishes the First Volume of Encyclopaedia Islamica

IIS Scholar Participates in the 7th Building Bridges Seminar

Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi, Research Associate at the IIS, participated in the 7th Building Bridges Seminar, convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and held in Rome between 5 and 8 May, 2008. This year’s seminar addressed the theme: ‘Communicating the Word: Revelation, Translation and Interpretation in Christianity and Islam’.

The annual series of Building Bridges Seminars was established to bring together a range of internationally-recognised Christian and Muslim scholars to discuss the two religions through the study of selected texts. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, convened this year’s event, which took place at Villa Palazzola, an old Cistercian monastery south of Rome. The seminar was organised in partnership with Georgetown University.

Complete at the source

Hazrat Ali (A.S) – Collection of ahadith

Source: Reza Shah-Kazemi (2006), Justice and Remembrance: Introducing the Spirituality of Imam ‘Ali

‘No companion of the Prophet has had such fada’il ascribed to him as those which have been ascribed to ‘Ali b. Abi Talib.^‘

***

‘Truly, ‘Ali is from me and I am from him (inna ‘Ali minni wa ana minhu), and he is the wali (patron/spiritual master) of every believer after me.^‘

***

‘Ali is with the Qur’an and the Qur’an is with ‘Ali. They will not separate from each other until they return to me at the [paradisal pool] (al-hawd).^‘

***

‘Three things were revealed to me regarding ‘Ali: he is the leader of the Muslims, the guide of the pious and chief of the radiantly devout (sayyidu’l-muslimin, imamu’l-muttaqin, wa qa’idu’l-ghurra’l- muhajjalin)’.

***

‘Gazing upon ‘Ali is an act of worship (al-nazar ila ‘Ali ‘ibada).^‘

***

‘May God have mercy on ‘Ali. O God, make the truth revolve around ‘Ali wherever he turns (adiri‘l-haqq ma‘ahu haythu dara).^‘

***

‘I am the city of knowledge and ‘Ali is its gate; so whoever desires knowledge, let him enter the gate.^‘

***

‘Truly, I am leaving behind amongst you the two weighty things (al-thaqalayn): the Book of God and my Ahl al-Bayt, they will not be parted from each other until they return to me at the [paradisal pool] al-hawd’.

***

‘O ‘Ali, you are a leader (sayyid) in the world and the Hereafter. Your beloved is my beloved, and my beloved is the beloved of God; your enemy is my enemy, and my enemy is the enemy of God. Woe be to those who hate you after me [after I have passed away].’

***

‘Whoever desires to live my life and to die my death and to take his rest in the eternal Garden my Lord has promised me, let him orient himself towards ‘Ali b. Abi Talib, for truly he will never cause you to depart from right guidance, nor cause you to enter into error.’

***

The Prophet said that ‘Ali was ‘as my own soul’ (ka-nafsi).

He said to ‘Ali, ‘You are from me and I am from you (anta minni wa ana minka).’

‘… whoever obeys ‘Ali obeys me, and whoever disobeys him disobeys me.’

‘You will clarify for my community that over which they will differ after me.’ (anta tubayyinu li-ummati ma’khtalafu fihi ba’di).

***

‘There is one amongst you who will fight for the ta’wil [spiritual interpretation] of the Qur’an as I have fought for its tanzil [literal revelation].’ Abu Bakr asked, ‘Is it I?’ The Prophet said, ‘No’. ‘Umar asked, ‘Is it I?’ The Prophet said, ‘No, it is the one who is mending the sandal.’ The Prophet had given ‘Ali his sandal to mend.

***

‘O ‘Ali, whoever separates himself from me separates himself from God, and whoever separates himself from you, O ‘Ali, separates himself from me.’

***

…The Prophet said to his wife ‘A‘isha, ‘Call unto me the leader (sayyid) of the Arabs.’ She asked, ‘O Prophet of God, are you not the leader of the Arabs?’ He said, ‘I am the leader of the children of Adam, and ‘Ali is the leader of the Arabs.’

***

When Fatima was asked by some women why the Prophet had married her to such a poor man as ‘Ali, she related this to the Prophet. He said: ‘Are you not pleased that God – exalted and glorified be He – conferred upon the people of the world [a benefit] and chose two men, one of them is your father, the other your husband?’

***

‘The first of you to enter the [paradisal] pool (al-hawd) is the first of you who entered Islam, ‘Ali b. Abi Talib.’

***

‘Ali is from me and I am from him (‘Ali minni wa ana minhu), and nobody can fulfil my duty but myself and ‘Ali.’

***

‘Ali himself relates that the Prophet said to him that none but a believer will love him [‘Ali], and none but a hypocrite will hate him.

***

When the Prophet was about to depart for an expedition to Tabuk, he left ‘Ali as his deputy in Medina. ‘Ali was sad not to be joining him. The Prophet said, ‘Are you not happy that you should have in relation to me the rank of Aaron in relation to Moses, except that there is no prophet after me?’

***

The Prophet prayed to God to bring ‘the most beloved of thy creatures’ to partake with him in a meal of fowl. Only when ‘Ali came did the Prophet ask him to join him.’

***

Among the several verses of the Qur’an which were commented upon by the Prophet with reference to ‘Ali is 13: 7: ‘Verily thou art a warner, and for every people there is a guide.’ The Prophet said, ‘I am the warner …you are the guide, O ‘Ali. After me, the rightly-guided shall be guided by you.’

***

In regard to the revelation of verse 55 of Sura 5 (al-Ma’ida), ‘Verily your wali is only God and His Messenger and those who believe, establish the prayer and give alms while bowing in prayer,’ the commentators relate this to the incident when ‘Ali, whilst bowing in prayer, held out his ring for a beggar who had asked for alms. The Prophet recited this verse when told of the incident and added, in what are probably the most well known words of all in regard to ‘Ali:

‘For whomever I am the mawla [guardian, master, close friend], ‘Ali is his mawla (man kuntu mawlahu fa-’Ali mawlahu).’

***

Interview with Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi

The Institute of Ismaili Studies

Related post at Ismailimail

IIS Scholar Participates in a Discussion on ‘Islam, Christianity and other Faiths’

Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi, Research Associate at the IIS, participated in a discussion on ‘Islam, Christianity and other Faiths’. Hosted by the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies (IAIS), University of Exeter, the talk dealt with Muslim and Christian perspectives on the concept of salvation in other religions. Professor Gavin D’Costa, who teaches Religious Studies at Bristol and is a leading Catholic theologian and author, was the other speaker.

Drawing upon his book The Other in the Light of the One, Dr Shah-Kazemi presented a mystical viewpoint on the matter. With references to Sufi commentaries on the Quran, he spoke about the verses that can contribute to a positive evaluation of the other faith-communities and lead to a meaningful dialogue between believers of different faiths. He also explained how all the Semitic religions share a common mystical orientation.

Professor Gavin D’Costa presented the Roman Catholic Church’s view where other religions had a provisional value and transformative power that was believed to be derived from the grace of Christ. He further spoke about the special value of Islam and Judaism from the Catholic viewpoint. Following the talks, the two speakers commented upon each other’s approaches. Afterwards, the audience also joined the discussion through a question and answer session.

The debate was a joint venture between the IAIS and the Theology Department of the University of Exeter. It was held at the IAIS centre. The session was moderated by Dr Mark Wynn from the Theology Department.

Institute of Ismaili Studies

Three Institute of Ismaili Studies’ publications receive prestigious awards

Three IIS publications were amongst the 19 books declared as winners at the ‘15^th Iran International Book of the Year Awards’ (Kitab-i Sal Jayizih-i Jahani).

These were:

Sufi Hermeneutics: The Qur’an Commentary of Rashid al-Din Maybudi Dr Annabel Keeler

Justice and Remembrance; Introducing the Spirituality of Imam ‘Ali Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi

‘Attar and the Persian Sufi Tradition: The Art of Spiritual Flight Dr Leonard Lewisohn Professor Christopher Shackle

Complete at the source

Book review: Hazrat Ali and Nahjal Balagha – by Khaled Ahmed

Justice and Remembrance:
Introducing the Spirituality of Imam Ali

By Reza Shah-Kazemi; IB Tauris 2006
Pp 254; Special price Rs995
Available at bookstores in Pakistan

This is a book from The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London, and is dedicated to Syed Hossein Nasr, the great Iranian Twelver Shia scholar, indicating a coming together of the ‘Sixer’ Ismaili-’Twelver’ Shia streams of Islamic thought which should be welcomed by all Muslims. The book also seeks to reach the middle ground of agreement between the Shia and the Sunni schools on the life and message of the great Imam Ali and should be given the due it deserves at a time when a sectarian war threatens to engulf the entire Islamic world.

Ali bin Abi Talib (599-661) was born inside the Kaaba and was a cousin of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, who married his daughter, Fatima. His father Abu Talib is revered by all Muslims because, as an uncle, he brought up an orphaned Prophet PBUH, the son of his late brother Abdullah. Ali was the first male to embrace Islam at the age of nine or ten. In 622 when the Prophet migrated from Mecca to Madina, Ali slept in his bed as a decoy ready to be assassinated instead of the Prophet. In the Madinan period, Ali was the great warrior of Islam, in battle and in single combats, his famous sword Al Zulfiqar a gift to him from the Prophet.

Daily Times Pakistan

Institute of Ismaili Studies

Jeffrey Weiss – My Sunday in Irving with the Ismaili Muslims

Visit the source for full article.  Snippets provided here.

—-

More than 1,000 people packed the Irving Arts Center. The overarching theme of the day was how a particular episode in the life of Muhummad should be understood by all Muslims as an instruction to show respect and tolerance for other religions.

I had a wonderful time. The choir was great. The audience applaused when I was done. Either because I did so well or because I was the final speaker, I couldn’t really tell…

The event was a pretty good illustration of the diversity of Islam. If all you know is about Muslims is, say, the Taliban, this celebration would have been a shocker. The master of ceremonies was a woman. The student choir was co-ed. And the keynote speaker was a scholar who argued that modern antagonism by some Muslims against other religious is actually counter to the central precepts of their own faith.

The scholar was Dr. Reza Shah-Kazemi from the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London. He focused on a particular event from the life of Muhummad.

More at the source