Justice and Remembrance: Introducing the Spirituality of Imam 鈥楢li by Reza Shah- Kazemi is a new publication of the Institute which examines the thoughts and teachings of the first Shi鈥榓 Imam, 鈥楢li b. Abi Talib, as a spiritual, moral, ethical and political leader. It provides the first serious study on Imam 鈥楢li鈥檚 teachings in a Western language.
By analysing original sources, the author explores the wisdom of Imam 鈥楢li which has been described as an intellectual treasure locked in the Arabic language. 鈥淥ne of the things I tried to do in this book鈥, said Dr Shah-Kazemi, 鈥渋s to make some of the jewels of this treasury of spiritual wisdom accessible to those who cannot read Arabic. And to make that timeless spiritual wisdom speak across the ages in a dialect which is intelligible to contemporary readers.鈥
In Part One, the author describes the spiritual and ethical dimensions of Imam 鈥楢li鈥檚 teachings. The second chapter sheds light on the 鈥楽acred Conception of Justice鈥 in his teachings while the the third segment focuses on 鈥楻ealisation through Remembrance鈥. The book also includes two appendices, 鈥楾he First Sermon of Nahj al-balagha鈥 which contains the Imam鈥檚 letters, sermons and sayings, and 鈥楾he Letter of Imam 鈥楢li to Malik al-Ashtar鈥, with a selected bibliography for those who wish to broaden their reading on the subject.
鸟大大影院 organised a programme of book launches to the Ismaili Communities and academic audiences in Canada and the United States to generate greater awareness of this new publication. Dr Shah-Kazemi also spoke about his new book to participants from around the world at the Institute鈥檚 Summer Programme on Islam in August.
Justice and Remembrance; Introducing the Spirituality of Imam 鈥楢li is an important contribution to Shi鈥榠 studies and thought, and is a useful resource for scholars of Islamic studies. It will also be of general interest to all Muslims. The publication is a unique addition to the study of 厂丑颈鈥榠蝉尘See Shi鈥榓. and reinvigorates the teachings of Imam 鈥楢li, particularly as they relate to spirituality in Islam. The author expressed the hope 鈥渢hat this book will illustrate the importance of Imam 鈥楢li as he is regarded and remembered by all Muslims, and not just Shi鈥榓s, as the most important spiritual figure in Muslim history after the Prophet Muhammad himself.鈥
