Shiʿi Islam

Abstract

What does it mean to be a Shiʿi Muslim? What is the civilizational legacy of a faith practiced by over 150 million people across the world? In this course, we explore the vibrant history, thought, and institutions of the Shi'i interpretation of Islam. We will study the early Shiʿi milieu, Zaidi, Ismaʿili and Twelver schools of interpretation, and the development of Shiʿism from early to modern times.

The course is structured as an adventure. Each module is called a “Caravan Journey” and units within the modules are “Serais.” In the Muslim world, Serais were bustling stopping places that supported the flow of information, commerce, and people across trade routes through much of Asia, North Africa, and Southeast Europe. Writing about his experience at one such Caravanserai in China (known as a funduq), the famous Muslim traveler Ibn Battutah observed:

“China is the safest and best country for the traveller. A man travels for nine months alone with great wealth and has nothing to fear. What is responsible for this is that in every post station in their country is a funduq which has a director living there with a company of horse and foot…. He sends someone with the travellers to conduct them to the next post station and he brings back a certificate from the director of the funduq confirming that they have all arrived. If he does not do this he is answerable for them. This is the procedure in every post station in their country from Sin al-Sin to Khan Baliq. In them is everything the traveller needs by way of provisions, especially hens and geese” (Gibb and Beckingham 1994, 893-894).

Similarly, at each of our Serais, we provide our student travelers with all they need by way of provisions, though perhaps no hens or geese. With the guides and guidebooks we make available to them, we enable them to cross all their Serais to then board the next Caravan, safe and sound, certificates in hand.

Caravan Journeys include readings and multimedia, pedagogical activities, and assessments. They provide rich, engaging, student-centered experiences for learners. Over forty outstanding content and education specialists, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and expert consultants have assisted me to develop these materials. To the extent possible, the journey represents the dynamic pluralism of Shiʿi, showcasing diversity in terms of region, history, schools of interpretation, and gender. It incorporates both primary and secondary sources and goes beyond texts to incorporate video, sound, and images. Many living artists and musicians have contributed to the project.

The Caravan Journeys in this course on Shiʿi Islam include: 1. Studying Shiʿism 2. Spiritual Ethos 3. Early Shiʿism 4. History 5. People of the House 6. ʿAlid Devotion Beyond Shiʿism 7. Devotional Traditions 8. Art and Architecture 9. Leadership: Modern Times 10. Civic Engagement 11. Rituals 12. Revelation: Outer Form and Inner Meaning 13. Apologetics and Polemics 14. Wisdom and Walayah