''Al-Irshad'' (), also called the ''Book of Guidance into the Lives of the 12
Imam
Imam (; , '; : , ') is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Islam, Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a prayer leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Salah, Islamic prayers, serve as community leaders, ...
s,'' is a biography of the lives of the 12 Shia Imams. It describes their historical circumstances, miracles and virtues.
The book also includes evidence for
Imamate
The term imamate or ''imamah'' (, ''imāmah'') means "leadership" and refers to the office of an ''imam'' or a Muslim theocratic state ruled by an ''imam''.
Theology
*Imamate in Shia doctrine, the doctrine of the leadership of the Muslim commu ...
s among
Shia
Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib () as both his political successor (caliph) and as the spiritual leader of the Muslim community (imam). However, his right is understood ...
.
Author
Shaykh Mufid was a prominent
Twelver
Twelver Shi'ism (), also known as Imamism () or Ithna Ashari, is the Islamic schools and branches, largest branch of Shia Islam, Shi'a Islam, comprising about 90% of all Shi'a Muslims. The term ''Twelver'' refers to its adherents' belief in twel ...
Shi'a
Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib () as both his political successor ( caliph) and as the spiritual leader of the Muslim community ( imam). However, his right is understoo ...
theologian.
He was the son of Muallim, and was called
Ibn Muallim. Mufid was taught by
Al-Shaykh al-Saduq,
Ibn Qulawayh,
Abu Abdallah al-Basri and al-Rummani. He passed his teachings to his own students, including
Sharif al-Murtaza and
al-Shaykh al-Tusi. Only 10 of his 200 works have survived, including ''Amali'', ''Al-Irshad'', ''Al-Muqni'ah'', and ''Tashih al-Itiqadat''.
Content
He described the situation and life of each Imam and the circumstances of each of their deaths. He mentioned the disappearance of the last
Muhammad al-Mahdi
Muhammad al-Mahdi () is believed by the Twelver Shia to be the last of the Twelve Imams and the eschatological Mahdi, who will emerge in the end of time to establish peace and justice and redeem Islam.
Hasan al-Askari, the eleventh Imam ...
. The work reflects Mufid's perspective on history and hadith rather than theology or philosophy.
This book begins by praising Allah, prophet Muhammad and Shia's twelve Imams. Nearly half of the book is dedicated to Imam Ali and his characteristics and virtues.
Translation
This book was translated into English by I.K.A. Howard.
The book is available in many languages such as Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Hindi, Azeri and German.
External links
Introduction to Kitab al-IrshadObituary of I.K.A. Howard
Great Shia Works Kitab al-IrshadKitab al-Irshad
See also
*
Ja'fari jurisprudence
The Jaʿfarī school, also known as the Jafarite school, Jaʿfarī fiqh () or Ja'fari jurisprudence, is a prominent school of jurisprudence (''fiqh'') within Twelver and Ismaili (including Nizari) Shia Islam, named after the sixth Imam, Ja'fa ...
References
{{Reflist, 30em
History books about Islam
Biographical books