This is a Persian translation of Arzina R. Lalani, Early Shi’i Thought.

Description from Early Shi’i Thought

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Using hitherto largely ignored Shīʿī sources, both published and unpublished, Arzina R. Lalani explores al-Bāqir’s pivotal contributions to Islamic thought in its early formative period, contributions that were powerfully to affect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.

Contents from Early Shi’i Thought

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