Usul Madhhab al-Shia al-Imamiyya al-Ithna Ashariyya - Ard wa Naqd -
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- Usul Madhhab al-Shia al-Imamiyya al-Ithna Ashariyya - Ard wa Naqd -
Usul Madhhab al-Shia al-Imamiyya al-Ithna Ashariyya: Ard wa Naqd ("Principles of the Twelver Shia Imami School: Presentation and Critique") is an extensive theological study and critique of Twelver Shia doctrines written by Nasir ibn Abd Allah al-Qaffari . Originally prepared as a doctoral dissertation in the Department of Creed and Contemporary Trends at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, the work was approved with first-class honors and recommended for publication and academic exchange .
Background and Purpose
Al-Qaffari’s engagement with Shia studies began during his master’s degree, which addressed the concept of rapprochement between Sunnis and Shiites . Although he initially planned to edit the first volume of Ibn Taymiyyah’s al-Jawab al-Sahih li-man Baddala Din al-Masih for his doctorate, faculty advisers encouraged him to pursue a comprehensive study of the Twelver Shia creed due to its contemporary relevance .
The author aimed to provide a systematic and objective exposition and critique of Twelver Shiism based primarily on its own canonical and recognized literature, rather than relying on secondary Sunni descriptions . The dissertation was initially supervised by Dr. Muhammad Rashad Salim until his death, after which Dr. Salim ibn Abd Allah al-Dakhil oversaw its completion .
Structure and Scope
The work is organized into an introduction, a preliminary study, five primary parts (abwab), and a conclusion :
- Preliminary Study (al-Tamhid): Examines the linguistic and Quranic usage of the term Shi'ah, the historical origins of Shiism, early sectarian divisions, and the various designations and sub-groups of the Twelver Shia .
- Part One: Analyzes the school's beliefs regarding the primary sources of Islamic legislation across three chapters: the Quran, the Sunnah, and consensus (ijma'), detailing their doctrines on textual alteration and the authority of transmitted narrations .
- Part Two: Investigates doctrines concerning foundational theology (usul al-din) across four chapters: tawhid al-uluhiyyah (divine worship), tawhid al-rububiyyah (divine lordship), tawhid al-asma' wa-al-sifat (divine names and attributes), and faith (iman) and its pillars .
- Part Three: Discusses distinctive doctrines specific to the Twelver Shia, including the Imamate—along with their attitudes toward the Prophet's Companions, Ahl al-Bayt, Muslim rulers, scholars, Islamic regions, sects, and the wider Muslim community—as well as infallibility ('ismah), dissimulation (taqiyyah), the Mahdi and occultation (al-ghaybah), the return (al-raj'ah), appearance (al-zuhur), al-bada' (alteration of divine intent), and the doctrine of the clay (al-tinah) .
- Part Four: Addresses contemporary Shiism and its link to early classical heritage across four chapters: connection to classical textual sources, ties to early sects, theological continuity between classical and modern scholars, and the "State of the Ayatollahs" (dawlat al-ayat) following the Iranian Revolution .
- Part Five: Evaluates the school from the perspective of Islamic scholarly jurisprudence and reviews its contemporary impact in the Muslim world across two chapters .
Sources and Methodology
Al-Qaffari adopts an internal critical method (al-naqd al-dakhili), citing passages directly from authoritative Shia texts to analyze their internal consistency, evaluate their arguments against the Quran, Sunnah, and historical records, and trace ideological evolution across generations .
His sources comprise:
- Hadith Compilations: The classical "Four Books" (al-Kafi by al-Kulayni, Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih by Ibn Babawayh, al-Tahdhib and al-Istibsar by al-Tusi), as well as later major compilations including Bihar al-Anwar by al-Majlisi, al-Wafi by al-Fayd al-Kashani, and Wasa'il al-Shia by al-Hurr al-Amili .
- Exegesis (Tafsir): Classical and later commentaries, including Tafsir al-Ayyashi, Tafsir Furat al-Kufi, al-Safi, and al-Burhan .
- Theological Treatises: Works such as Ibn Babawayh's al-I'tiqadat, al-Shaykh al-Mufid's Awa'il al-Maqalat, and contemporary manuals by Muhammad Rida al-Muzaffar and al-Zanjani .
- Biographical Dictionaries (Rijal): The foundational biographical works of al-Kashshi, al-Najashi, and al-Tusi .
Publication History and Reception
The book was first published in three volumes in 1414 AH (1993/1994 CE) . Subsequent editions followed, including a second edition published by Dar al-Haramayn in Cairo (1415 AH) and a fourth edition issued by Dar al-Rida in Egypt (1431 AH) .
Within contemporary Sunni scholarship, the work is widely cited as a major reference for academic research on Twelver Shiism . It is regularly referenced in academic dissertations, comparative theology manuals, and fatwas discussing Shia theological principles .
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