The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) announces with deep sadness the passing of Dr Abdulaziz Sachedina on 3 December 2025. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and students around the world.
A distinguished scholar of Shi’i thought and Islamic ethics
Dr Sachedina’s scholarly career spanned more than five decades. He became a leading voice in modern Shi‘i and Ismaili studies, and his contributions shaped contemporary understandings of Islamic law, ethics and theology. His work includes the influential study The Just Ruler in Shi’ite Islam: The Comprehensive Authority of the Jurist in Imamite Jurisprudence (Oxford, 1998), a landmark analysis of juridical and political authority in Shi‘ismSee Shi‘a.. He also authored Islam and the Challenge of Human Rights (Oxford, 2009), in which he argued for the compatibility of Islam with universal human rights, and offered a theological basis for dignity, equality and pluralism in Muslim societies.
Earlier in his career, Dr Sachedina published Islamic Messianism: The Idea of Mahdī in Twelver Shiʻism (State University of New York Press, 1981). This study remains an important reference for students of Shi‘i eschatology and Messianic beliefs in the Twelver tradition. Across these and other writings, he deepened academic understanding of Shi‘i jurisprudence, theology, ethics and history, and brought contemporary themes such as human rights and pluralism into dialogue with classical Islamic thought.
Long-standing association with IIS
Dr Sachedina maintained a close relationship with IIS over many years, contributing as a scholar, lecturer, and collaborator. For instance, his essay “Woman, Half-the-Man? The Crisis of Male Epistemology in Islamic Jurisprudence” appears in the IIS volume, Intellectual Traditions in Islam, and his work is cited in several Institute publications. Through his lectures, participation in symposia, and scholarly exchange with IIS faculty and students, he enriched our academic community, nurtured rigorous inquiry, and contributed to inter-tradition dialogue across Shi‘i, Ismaili and broader Muslim intellectual horizons.
A legacy of thought, ethics and dialogue
Beyond his academic achievements, Dr Sachedina brought together classical Islamic learning, modern ethical concerns and a commitment to pluralism and human dignity. His work continues to inform scholars, students, and all those concerned with the ethical and intellectual challenges facing Muslim societies today. His passing is a significant loss to the global community of scholars of Islam. We honour his memory with gratitude for his service to scholarship and teaching, and for his generosity of spirit.
