Justice and Remembrance: Introducing the Spirituality of Imam Ali

by Reza Shah-Kazemi

Overview

Ali b. Abi Talib, son-in-law and cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, first Shi'i imam and fourth caliph, is a monumental figure within the Islamic tradition. But despite the immense importance of Imam Ali, there is a dearth of literature in Western languages about his life and thought. This book - the first serious engagement in English with the intellectual principles underpinning his teachings - is therefore a welcome and valuable addition to the sources available. It consists of three parts. Part one introduces the person of Ali in a general manner, and focuses particularly on the spiritual and ethical content of his teachings. Part two evaluates Ali's 'sacred conception of justice'. Part three addresses the theme of spiritual realization through the remembrance of God, the central mystical practice of the Sufis. Justice and Remembrance will be of great value to students and scholars of Islamic thought, as well as to those interested in the relationship between spirituality and ethics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857735256
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	06/28/2006
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Reza Shah-Kazemi holds a doctorate in comparative religion from the University of Kent and is currently a Research Associate at The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London. He is the author of numerous articles and books, which include Crisis in Chechnya (1995), Avicenna: Prince of Physicians (1997) and an English translation of Doctrines of Shi'i Islam (2001) from the Persian text by Ayatollah Ja'far Sobhani.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements     ix
Prologue: The Sources of Imam 'Ali's Intellectual Legacy     1
Introducing Imam 'Ali and his Spiritual Ethos     11
Biographical Sketch     13
The Spirit of the Intellect     22
The Discourse to Kumayl     36
A Sacred Conception of Justice in Imam 'Ali's Letter to Malik al-Ashtar     73
Contemporary Ethics and the Ihsani Tradition     73
Justice versus Tyranny     85
Moral Conscience and Spiritual Consciousness     95
The Virtue of Worship     114
Realization through Remembrance: Imam 'Ali and the Mystical Tradition of Islam     134
Dhikru'Llah as a Polish for Hearts     141
Remembrance as the Quintessence of Worship     156
The Reality of Remembrance     161
Appendices
The First Sermon of Nahj al-balagha     208
The Letter of Imam 'Ali to Malik al-Ashtar     219
Bibliography     237
General Index     246
Index of Qur'anic Verses     252

Editorial Reviews

""this book is a powerful and refreshing interpretation of Ali's life and thought."" --The Muslim News

From the Publisher