# Shi’a History and Identity ## expand\_more ![Image of Islamic manuscript](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/research-history-coffin_of_imam_ali-350px.jpg?itok=36XrWp3A) Shi’ism is much more than simply a denomination or sect of Islam beginning with the early dispute over the successorship of the Prophet Muhammad in 11/632. As long as there has been Islam, Shi’ism has been a part of the larger Muslim body politic and provided its own theological, legal, mystical, and philosophical traditions and worldview. Shi’ism is a major contributor to world culture and civilization with a rich and varied denominational landscape internal to the faith (including Twelver, Isma’ili, Zaydi, Alevi, Alawite, and other branches) and a vast history encompassing various novel political projects, social movements, and intellectual contributions across the Middle East, North Africa, Central and South Asia, and beyond. In this research focus, the Project on Shi'ism and Global Affairs looks to explore how the history of Shi’ism has impacted contemporary dynamics across the globe and how the legacy of diverse Shi’a institutions and historical memory contributes to modern debates of identity, institutions, and ideology. *Photo caption: Esoteric Imam Ali carrying his own funeral coffin as witnessed by his sons Imams Hassan and Hussein, from a Falnama of Ja'far al-Sadiq, ca. 1550s* Related Publications Related Events Visions Blog ## Related Publications ![hidden_imam_report_cover_page-1.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/hidden_imam_report_cover_page-1.jpg?itok=JiqI0Ill) Payam Mohseni and Mohammad Sagha. 6/2022. [The Hidden Imam and the End of Time: A Primer on the Mahdi, Islamic Theology, and Global Politics](/publications/hidden-imam-and-end-time-primer-mahdi-islamic-theology-and-global).[Abstract](https://shiism.hds.harvard.edu/publications/hidden-imam-and-end-time-primer-mahdi-islamic-theology-and-global) [The Hidden Imam and the End of Time: A Primer on the Mahdi, Islamic Theology, and Global Politics](https://prod-shiismglobalaffairs.drupalsites.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/shiism-global-affairs/files/the_hidden_imam_and_the_end_of_time_-_a_primer_on_the_mahdi_islamic_theology_and_global_politics_02.pdf) ![geopolitics_transcript_cover_template.png](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/geopolitics_transcript_cover_template.png?itok=o4Z3_lA-) Marieke Brandt. 3/11/2021. “[A Genealogy of Conflict: An Interior View of the War in Yemen](/publications/genealogy-conflict-interior-view-war-yemen).” Cambridge, MA: Harvard University WCFIA Project on Shi'ism and Global Affairs.[Abstract](https://shiism.hds.harvard.edu/publications/genealogy-conflict-interior-view-war-yemen) ![cover_page_-_diversity_and_unity_in_transnational_shiism.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/cover_page_-_diversity_and_unity_in_transnational_shiism.jpg?itok=RzHjW37q) Ali Asani, Payam Mohseni, and Mohammad Sagha. 12/2021. [Diversity and Unity in Transnational Shi’ism: Proceedings of the International Symposium at Harvard University (April 5-8, 2021)](/publications/diversity-and-unity-transnational-shiism-0). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Weatherhead Center for International Affairs.[Abstract](https://shiism.hds.harvard.edu/publications/diversity-and-unity-transnational-shiism-0) [Symposium on Diversity and Unity in Transnational Shi’ism - Harvard University 2021.pdf](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/shiism-global-affairs/files/symposium_-_diversity_and_unity_in_transnational_shiism_harvard_university_2021.pdf "Symposium on Diversity and Unity in Transnational Shi’ism - Harvard University 2021.pdf") ![0d32c1983b3fbb0b936640ab67732346.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/0d32c1983b3fbb0b936640ab67732346.jpg?itok=7y_VyXZd) Hassan Abbas. 3/2021. [The Prophet's Heir: The Life of Ali ibn Abi Talib](/publications/prophets-heir-life-ali-ibn-abi-talib). New Haven: Yale University Press. [Publisher's Version](https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300229455/prophets-heir)[Abstract](https://shiism.hds.harvard.edu/publications/prophets-heir-life-ali-ibn-abi-talib) ![51atz8s74ul._sx325_bo1204203200_.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/51atz8s74ul._sx325_bo1204203200_.jpg?itok=xJwO1x6I) Ali Asani. 2019. “[Nizari Ismaili Engagements with the Qur'an: The Khojas of South Asia](/publications/nizari-ismaili-engagements-quran-khojas-south-asia).” In Communities of the Qur'an: Dialogue, Debate, and Diversity in the Twenty-First Century, edited by Emran El-Badawi and Paula Sanders, Pp. 39-56. London, UK: One World Publications. ![51vcp4v2bzl._sx330_bo1204203200_.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/51vcp4v2bzl._sx330_bo1204203200_.jpg?itok=bKMyLYww) Ali Asani. 7/2019. “[Transmitting and Transforming Traditions: Salman Ahmad and Sufi Rock](/publications/transmitting-and-transforming-traditions-salman-ahmad-and-sufi).” In Sufism East and West: Mystical Islam and Cross-Cultural Exchange in the Modern World, edited by Jamal Malik and Saeed Zarrabi-Zadeh, Pp. 259–272. Brill. [Publisher's Version](https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004393929_012)[Abstract](https://shiism.hds.harvard.edu/publications/transmitting-and-transforming-traditions-salman-ahmad-and-sufi) ## Related Events [### Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Qur'an ](/event/ali-ibn-abi-talib-and-quran)October 28, 2024 | 4:00PM - 5:15PM EDT | Zoom Webinar - Online only In Person Ali ibn Abi Talib is one of the most important figures in the textual history of the Qur'an. In addition to being one of the Prophet’s scribes, he is reported to have played a key role in compiling the Qur'an into a single book shortly after the Prophet’s... ![Return of the Avenger poster](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/return_of_the_avenger_1.png?itok=kQyz3ih-) [### Book Talk on the Nahj al-Balaghah: The Wisdom and Eloquence of Ali ](/event/book-talk-nahj-al-balaghah-wisdom-and-eloquence-ali)September 11, 2024 | 12:00PM - 1:30PM EDT | Room 110 (Thomson Room) Barker Center, 12 Quincy St. In Person The Project on Shi'ism and Global Affairs is proud to co-sponsor a book talk on Nahj al-Balaghah, The Wisdom and Eloquence of Ali: Ethics, Aesthetics, Faith, and Politics in Early Islam by Tahera Qutbuddin (University of Oxford) on Wednesday, September... ![Nahj al-Balagha Talk (Imam Ali)](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/GWzxZDTWYAAPJT3.jpeg?itok=PZf44uPJ) [### Knowing the Imam Workshop ](/event/knowing-imam-workshop)Jul. 22 - Aug 2, 2024 | 12:00PM - 3:00PM EDT | Online zoom meeting Virtual Within Shi’a Islamic thought it would not be an understatement to say that the role and function of the Imam is of the utmost centrality and importance. It is through the Imam that humans reach true understandings of tawhid and the foundations of belief (... ![knowing imam](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/knowing_the_imam_workshop_poster_1.jpg?itok=emHZojuQ) [### Battle of Siffin: The Intrigues Against Imam Ali's Statebuilding Project & Its Legacy in the Modern Middle East ](/event/factions-siffin-battle-theology-reception-imam-ali-modern-middle-east)April 29, 2024 | 3:00PM - 4:30PM EDT | Swartz Hall - Room 125 - 45 Francis Ave In Person This talk explores the politics and legacy of the Battle of Siffin — a foundational moment in the early political memory and history of Islam that pitted Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib against a rebellion in Syria led by Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan. As the first Shi... ![siffin](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/battle_of_siffin_4.png?itok=qPOmEs22) [### The Maqtal of Hussain: al-Ṭabarānī's Approach to the Uprising in Karbala ](/event/maqtal-hussain-al-%E1%B9%ADabar%C4%81n%C4%ABs-approach-uprising-karbala)April 12, 2024 | 3:00PM - 5:00PM EDT | Swartz Hall - Room 125 - 45 Francis Ave In Person The term “ maqtal” originates from Arabic and denotes the place or time of a person’s killing. Initially used in early Arabic sources to record deaths resulting from battles or political turmoil, it later became a specialized term for compilations... ![Maqtal Hussain](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/maqtal_imam_hussein_event_poster.png?itok=mozUAyq6) [### The Family of ʿAlī as Political Actors: Tensions and Reflections ](/event/family-%CA%BFal%C4%AB-political-actors-tensions-and-reflections)April 4, 2024 | 3:00PM - 5:00PM EDT | Swartz Hall - Room 125 - 45 Francis Ave In Person What happened to the Muslim community after Muhammad's death? What makes a legitimate caliph? One of the most enduring sources of conflict among Muslims is the question of power and authority after the Prophet Muhammad. In their new book, Caliphate and... ![family of ali](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/copy_of_copy_of_project_on_shiism.png?itok=e_9KGdYO) [### The Consciousness of Being: An Introduction to Imamology ](/event/introduction-imamology)Mar 5, 2024 | 4:00PM EST | Harvard Divinity School - Location TBA In Person Shi’a Muslims consider the Prophet Muhammad and the Imams that follow him not only as political and spiritual leaders but also the center of creation, the cosmos, and consciousness. Who is the figure of the Imam, and how can we understand the station and... ![Imamology](/sites/g/files/omnuum3186/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/shiism-global-affairs/files/project_on_shiism.png?itok=Zh20mreA) ## Visions Blog [### Five Myths of Sectarianism within Islam in the Contemporary Middle East ](/news/2022/04/five-myths-sectarianism-within-islam-contemporary-middle-east) April 13, 2022 Since the turn of the century and the increased global focus on the Middle East and Muslim world, many scholars have been quick to recognize the wide gap of knowledge and understanding of Islam in the West, including in the United States. While some... [Payam Mohseni](/people/payam-mohseni) , [Mohammad Sagha](/people/mohammad-sagha) [### Los cinco mitos sobre el sectarismo en el islam en el Medio Oriente contemporáneo ](/news/2022/04/los-cinco-mitos-sobre-el-sectarismo-en-el-islam-en-el-medio-oriente-contemporaneo) April 13, 2022 Traducido al español por Mateo Toquica y Alejandra Londoño Desde el cambio de siglo y el creciente enfoque global en el Medio Oriente y el mundo islámico, muchos académicos se han apresurado en reconocer la gran brecha de conocimiento y comprensión del... [Payam Mohseni](/people/payam-mohseni) , [Mohammad Sagha](/people/mohammad-sagha) [### El imamato exotérico como esoterismo omnipresente en la hiero-historia chiíta ](/news/2022/02/el-imamato-exoterico-como-esoterismo-omnipresente-en-la-hiero-historia-chiita) February 05, 2022 Publicado originalmente el 4 de septiembre, 2019 ¿Qué rol juega el tiempo sagrado (o “hiero-historia”) en la cosmovisión chiíta? ¿cómo impacta esto en las interpretaciones chiítas de la historia y la justicia? Traducido al español por Valeria Páez y... [### 1452 varas a Karbalá ](/news/2022/02/1452-varas-karbala) February 05, 2022 Publicado originalmente el 12 de octubre, 2019 Arbaín marca el cuadragésimo día después de la tragedia de Karbalá. Durante siglos, los chiítas han protestado contra las opresiones y discriminaciones hacia la casa del Profeta en el día de Arbaín. Saddam... [### Al-Ghadir: el manantial del chiísmo ](/news/2021/07/al-ghadir-el-manantial-del-chiismo) July 27, 2021 El 18 de Dhu-l Hijja, los musulmanes chiítas de todo el mundo conmemoraron el Eid al-Ghadir, el día en que el Imam Alí ibn Abi Talib ㅡel primer imam chiítaㅡ fue abiertamente declarado por el Profeta Muhammad como su maula (o sucesor, de acuerdo con la... [Mohammad Sagha](/people/mohammad-sagha) [### Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III: Laying the Foundations for Ismaili Women’s Progress ](/news/2020/10/imam-sultan-mahomed-shah-aga-khan-iii-laying-foundations-ismaili-womens-progress) October 24, 2020 On November 2, Shi'a Nizari Ismaili Muslims across the world will commemorate the birth anniversary of their forty-eighth Imam, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, the grandfather of the present Imam, Karim al-Husseini Aga Khan IV. On this anniversary, we... [### The Bektashi Shi’as of Michigan: Pluralism and Orthodoxy within Twelver Shi’ism ](/news/2020/02/bektashi-shias-michigan-pluralism-and-orthodoxy-within-twelver-shiism) February 15, 2020 Project Associate Mohammad Sagha writes on the Bektashi Shi'a community based in Michigan, USA for the Visions Blog. He explores debates on orthodoxy and heterodoxy within Islam and the need to examine the diversity and pluralism within modern Shi’ism... [Mohammad Sagha](/people/mohammad-sagha) [### 1452 Poles to Karbala ](/news/2019/10/1452-poles-karbala) October 12, 2019 Arbaeen marks the 40th day following the tragedy of Karbala. For centuries the Shias have protested against the oppressions and discriminations against the Prophet's household during Arbaeen. Saddam Hussein banned the Arbaeen walk during his rule, but... [### The Exoteric Imamate as the Omnipresent Esoteric in Shi’a Hiero-History ](/news/2019/09/exoteric-imamate-omnipresent-esoteric-shia-hiero-history) September 04, 2019 What role does sacred time (or “hiero-history”) play in Shi’a worldview? And how does this impact Shi’a interpretations of history and justice? Unlike certain classical histories of the Islamic world, the Shi’a worldview does not fixate on golden ages of... [### Al-Ghadir: The Fountainhead of Shi’ism ](/news/2019/08/20/al-ghadir-fountainhead-shiism) August 20, 2019 On August 20th, Shi'a Muslims across the world commemorated Eid al-Ghadir, the day on which Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first Shi’a Imam, was openly declared by the Prophet Muhammad to be his mawla (i.e. successor in the Shi’a worldview) in front of... [Mohammad Sagha](/people/mohammad-sagha)