Review and Criticism of the Book Twelve Infallible Men: The Imams and the Making of Shiism by Matthew Pierce

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of History, Al-Mustafa International University, Qom, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Shia Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

3 PhD Student in the History of Shiism, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

Abstract

Matthew Pierce, a western researcher of Shiism, in the book Twelve Infallible Men discusses the role of five Shiite canonizer and their books in giving identity to Shiism.  These books include Ethbat al-Wasiyah by Masudi, Dalael al-Imamah by Tabari, Al-Ershad by Sheikh Mofid, Elam al-Wara by Tabarsi, and Managheb Al Abi Taleb by Ibn Shahr Ashub. In his book, Pierce mentions the main and effective role of these canonizers in giving identity to the Shia society, the sanctity and infallibility of the imams, the creation of the sacred history of Shia, the practical demarcation of Shia beliefs from non-Shia, and the formation of the oral and sacred history of Shia through the stories and anecdotes of the above-mentioned authors. The theme of Matthew Pierce's work is the history of thought, which tries to attribute the origin of Shiite thought to Shiite saints by using the historical method. The presentation of this point of view is rooted in the principles that the author has chosen for himself and based on which he makes those statements. The present research aims to examine and criticize the author's principles and methods based on the religious foundations of Muslims, using historical, traditional, and religious methods and principles.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

The Holy Quran
Aghajari, Hashem; Panahi, Yaghub. 2011. "Tabyin Tarikhi Aslitarin Nazariyeh-ha darbareh Peydayesh Tashayyo Imami (Historical Explanation of the Main Theories about the Emergence of Imami Shiism)", in: History, yr. 6, no. 23, pp. 7-37. [in Farsi]
 Al-Ghoshayri al-Neysaburi, Moslem ibn al-Hajjaj. n.d. Sahih Moslem, Researched by Mohammad Foad Abd al-Baghi, Beirut: Arab Heritage Revival House. [in Arabic]
Alwiri, Mohsen. 2012. "Gunehshenasi Enteghadi Didgah-ha Darbareh Tarikh wa Chegunegi Peydayesh Tashayyo (Critical Typology of Views on the History and Emergence of Shiism)", in: History of Islamic Culture and Civilization, yr, 3, no. 8, pp. 7-52. [in Farsi]
Ashari, Abu al-Hasan. 1979. Maghalat al-Islamiyin wa Ekhtelaf al-Mosallin (Islamists' Statements and Difference Between Worshipers), Wiesbaden: France Steiner, Third Edition. [in Arabic]
Balazori, Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn Jaber. 1997. Ansab al-Ashraf (Genealogies of the Nobles), Researched by Sohayl Zakar & Riyaz Zarakli, Beirut: Institute of Thought, First Edition. [in Arabic]
Barghi, Ahmad ibn Mohammad ibn Khaled. 1964. Rejal al-Barghi- Al-Tabaghat, Researched & Edited by Mohammad ibn Hasan Tusi, Hasan Mostafawi, Tehran: University of Tehran. [in Arabic]
Bokhari, Mohammad ibn Ismail. 1987. Al-Jame al-Sahih al-Mokhtasar, Researched by Mostafa Dayb al-Bagha, Beirut: Ibn Kathir Institute, Third Edition. [in Arabic]
Cheheltani, Mahdi. 2009. "Naghz Bitarafi dar Ketab Maktab dar Farayand Takamol (Violation of Neutrality in the Book School in the Process of Evolution)", in: Ketab Mah Din, no. 142, pp. 90-97. [in Farsi]
Dinewari Ahmad ibn Dawud. 1948. Al-Akhbar al-Tewal, Researched by Abd al-Monem Amer, Qom: Al-Razi Publications. [in Arabic]
Faryab, Mohammad Hoseyn. 2010. "Seyri bar Nazariyeh Esmat Imam, Az Aghaz ta Sadeh Panjom Hejri (A Survey of the Imam's Infallibility Theory, from the Beginning to the Fifth Century AH)", in: Intellectual Knowledge, yr. 5, no. 1 (15), pp. 143-178. [in Farsi]
Gerami, Mohammad Hadi. 2017. Moghaddameh-yi bar Tarikhnegari Engareh-yi wa Andisheh-yi: Jostar-hayi darbareh Tarikhnegari Andisheh dar Motaleat Islami (An Introduction to Conceptual and Ideological Historiography: Essays on the Historiography of Thought in Islamic Studies), Tehran: Imam Sadegh (AS) University, First Edition. [in Farsi]
Ghariyan, Hoseyn; Jabbari, Mohammad Reza. 2015. "Barresi Entesab Ketab Ethbat al-Wasiyah be Masudi (Investigating the Attribution of the Book Proof of Will to Masudi)", in: History of Islam, yr. 16, no. 1 (61), pp. 149-188. [in Farsi]
Ghortobi al-Maleki, Abu Omar Yusof ibn Abdollah. n.d. Al-Estiab fi Asma al-Sahabah (Acquisition of the Knowledge on the Names of the Companions), Beirut: Arabic Book House. [in Arabic]
Hazrati, Hasan. 2012. "Nesbat Tarikhshenasi wa Elm Kalam dar Hozeh Imamshenasi: Mored Imam Reza (The Relationship between Historiography and Theology in the Field of Imam Studies: The Case of Imam Reza)", in: Conclusive Proof: Proceedings of Scientific Research Conference of Imam Reza (AS), Religion, Denominations, and Sects, Tehran: n.pub. [in Farsi]
Ibn Abi al-Hadid, Abd al-Hamid. 1999-2004. Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah (Explanation of Nahj al-Balaghah), Qom: Ayatollah Marashi Najafi Library. [in Arabic]
Ibn Athir al-Jazari, Ezz al-Din. 1998. Osd al-Ghabah fi Marefah al-Sahabah (Forest Lion in Recognition of the Companions of the Prophet), Beirut: Thought Institute. [in Arabic]
Ibn Athir, Ezz al-Din. 1993. Al-Kamel fi al-Tarikh (Completion of History), Researched by Heritage Office, Beirut: Arabic History Foundation. [in Arabic]
Ibn Babewayh Qomi, Mohammad ibn Ali. 1983. Al-Khesal (Traits), Researched & Edited by Ali Akbar Ghaffari, Qom: Teachers Association. [in Arabic]
Ibn Betrigh, Yahya ibn al-Hasan. 1986. Omdah Oyun Sehah al-Akhbar fi Managheb Imam al-Abrar (Main Authentic Narrations on the Virtues of the Imam of the Righteous), Qom: Qom Teachers Association, Islamic Publishing Corporation. [in Arabic]
Ibn Dorayd, Mohammad ibn Hasan. 1988. Jamharah al-Loghah, Beirut: The House of Knowledge for Millions, First Edition. [in Arabic]
Ibn Ghotaybah al-Dinewari, Abu Mohammad Abdollah ibn Moslem. 1992. Al-Emamah wa al-Siyasah (Imamate and Politics), Researched by Ali Shiri, Beirut: House of Lights, First Edition. [in Arabic]
Ibn Haban, Mohammad. 1976. Al-Majruhin men al-Mohaddethin wa al-Zoafa wa al-Matrukin (Criticized, Weak, and Rejected Narrators), Researched by Mahmud Ibrahim Zayed, Aleppo: The House of Consciousness. [in Arabic]
Ibn Hanbal, Ahmad ibn Mohammad. 1983. Fazael al-Sahabah (Virtues of the Companions), Researched by Shoayb al-Arnaut, Adel Morshed & et al, Beirut: Al-Resalah Institute. [in Arabic]
Ibn Kathir, Abu al-Fada Ismail ibn Omar. 1991. Al-Bedayah wa al-Nehayah (The Beginning and the End), Researched by Heritage Investigation Office, Beirut: Arab History Foundation, Arab Heritage Revival House. [in Arabic]
Ibn Sad, Abu Abdollah Mohammad. 1990. Al-Tabaghat al-Kobra (Upper Classes), Researched by Mohammad Abd al-Ghader Ata, Beirut: Scientific Books House, First Edition. [in Arabic]
Ibn Shazan Qomi, Abolfazl Shazan ibn Jebreil. 1943. Al-Fazael (Virtues), Qom: Razi. [in Arabic]
Jafariyan, Rasul. 2008. Maghalat Tarikhi: Daftar Nohom wa Dahom (Historical Articles: 9th and 10th Books), Qom: Dalil Ma, First Edition. [in Farsi]
Kashi, Mohammad ibn Omar. 1988. Rejal al-Kashi: Ekhtiyar Marefah al-Rejal, Researched & Edited by Mohammad ibn Hasan Tusi & Hasan Mostafawi, Mashhad: Mashhad University Publishing Institute. [in Arabic]
Khoyi, Seyyed Abolghasem. 1992. Mojam Rejal al-Hadith, n.p: Tohid. [in Arabic]
Kolayni, Mohammad ibn Yaghub. 1986. Al-Kafi, Researched & Edited by Ali Akbar Ghaffari & Mohammad Akhundi, Tehran: Islamic Books House. [in Arabic]
Masudi, Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn al-Hosayn ibn Ali. 1988. Moruj al-Zahab wa Maaden al-Jawhar (Meadows of Gold and Mines of Gems), Researched by Asad Dagher, Qom: Al-Hejrah House, Second Edition. [in Arabic]
Mofid, Mohammad ibn Mohammad ibn Noman. 1993. Tashih Eteghadat al-Imamiyyah (Revision of Imami Shiite Beliefs), Researched & Edited by Hoseyn Dargahi, Qom: Sheikh Mofid Congress. [in Arabic]
Nobakhti, Hasan ibn Musa. 1983. Feragh al-Shiah (Shiite Sects), Beirut: House of Lights. [in Arabic]
Pierce, Matthew. 2016. Twelve Infallible men: The Imams and the Making of Shi’ism, Harvard University Press.
 
Rahimi, Asadollah. 2020. Barresi wa Naghd Elm Gheyb Imaman (AS) dar Ketab Maktab dar Farayand Takamol: Mabani, Rawesh wa Mohtawa (Reviewing and Criticizing Imams' Knowledge of the Unseen in the Book School in the Process of Evolution: Basics, Method and Content), PhD Thesis, Supervisor: Hoseyn Abd al-Mohammadi, Qom: Higher Education Complex of History, Culture and Civilization Affiliated to Al-Mustafa International University. [in Farsi]
Razi, Abu Ali Meskawayh. 2000. Tajareb al-Omam (Nations Experiences), Researched by Abolghasem Imami, Tehran: Sorush, Third Edition. [in Arabic]
Safari Forushani, Nematollah. 2005. "Mohammad ibn Jarir Tabari Amoli & Dalael al-Imamah", in: Hadith Sciences, yr. 10, no. 37-38, pp. 223-240. [in Arabic]
Saffar, Mohammad ibn Hasan. 1983. Basaer al-Darajat fi Fazael Al Mohammad (S) (Insights Degrees in the Virtues of the Family of Mohammad), Researched & Edited by Mohsen Kucheh Baghi, Qom: Ayatollah Marashi Najafi Library. [in Arabic]
Sharif al-Razi, Mohammad ibn Hoseyn. 1993. Nahj al-Balaghah, Researched & Edited by Sobhi Saleh, Qom: Hejrat. [in Arabic]
Sobhani, Mohammad Taghi; Safari, Nematollah; Wasei, Ali Reza. 2009. "Neshast Naghd Ketab Maktab dar Farayand Takamol (Review Meeting of the Book School in the Process of Evolution)", in: Ketab Mah Din, no. 142, pp. 40-63. [in Farsi]
Tabari, Mohammad ibn Jarir. 1967. Tarikh al-Tabari: Tarikh al-Omam wa al-Moluk (The History of al-Tabari: History of Nations and Kings), Researched by Mohammad Abolfazl Ibrahim, Beirut: House of Heritage, Second Edition. [in Arabic]
Tusi, Mohammad ibn Hasan. 1993. Al-Amali, Researched & Edited by Al-Bethah Institute, Qom: House of Culture, First Edition. [in Arabic]
Unknown Author. 1971. Akhbar al-Dawlah al-Abbasiyah wa fih Akhbar al-Abbas wa Waladeh (The News of the Abbasid State Including the News of al-Abbas and His Son), Researched by Abd al-Aziz al-Dawri & Abd al-Jabbar al-Motallebi, Beirut: Al-Taliah House. [in Arabic]
www.britannica.com/topic/hagiograph
Yaghubi, Ahmad ibn Abi Yaghub. n.d. Tarikh al-Yaghubi, Beirut: Sader House. [in Arabic]
Zahabi, Mohammad ibn Ahmad. 1962. Mizan al-Etedal fi Naghd al-Rejal (Balance of Moderation in Criticism of Men), Researched by Ali Mohammad al-Bajawi, Beirut: Knowledge Institute. [in Arabic]
Zahabi, Mohammad ibn Ahmad. 2003. Tarikh al-Eslam wa Wafayat al-Mashhir wa al-Alam (History of Islam and the Deaths of Figures and Personages), Researched by Bashar Awwad Maruf, Beirut: Islamic West House. [in Arabic]
 
 

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics