Contemporary Reformist Responses to Traditional Shi'a Discourses

Ali Akbar author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Edinburgh University Press

Published:30th Sep '25

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Contemporary Reformist Responses to Traditional Shi'a Discourses cover

Based on Persian and Arabic primary sources such as seminal jurisprudential works, fatwas, articles and interviews, this book explores how contemporary Shiʿism has broken away from traditional religious discourses. Ali Akbar examines how prominent scholars from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon who operate from within Shiʿa tradition have paved the way for new interpretations of Islam in general and of Shiʿism in particular. The book investigates the extent to which reformist Shiʿa scholarship has shifted towards post-Islamist discourses in response to four key areas encompassing theological, social and political issues: relationships between Muslims and people of other faiths, with an emphasis on the concept of ritual purity; freedom of religion; women’s rights; and state-religion relationship and democratic norms. Akbar offers an up-to-date and interdisciplinary examination of contemporary Shiʿa scholars’ use of tools and strategies to instigate reform.

The book is very well written and is based on a wide spectrum of primary and secondary sources. It fills in an important gap in scholarship on contemporary traditionalist seminary-based Shi’i thought. -- Adis Duderija, Griffith University
Contemporary Reformist Responses to Traditional Shi'a Discourses examines recent traditionalist and reformist jurisprudence and political theory within Shia Islam. The book first presents a brief overview of the Shia Islamic tradition [and] the book's core engages Shia traditional teachers and reformists as they confront Western liberalism. The book will deepen understanding of Iranian Shia jurisprudence and political thought for practitioners and comparativists. Suitable for Islamic seminaries and schools, collections with emphases on Islamic thought, and collections in comparative legal and political thought. Summing Up: Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals. -- J. W. Wright * CHOICE *

ISBN: 9781399550345

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

240 pages