What Dialects? It is al-Ṭabarī (d. 310) who comes closest to deciphering the meaning of ‘the Qur’an was sent down per Seven Aḥruf’ when he interprets this prophetic statement as referring to seven different wordings being revealed for a common point in the Qur’an without changing the basic meaning. Al-Ṭabarī asserts that these alternative wordings … Continue reading Tahrif or Not? A Shi’i Perspective on the Seven Ahruf Reports (Pt. II) →

Introduction Did the companions all recite the Qur’an in the same way? If not, did this variation go back to the prophet (he taught it differently to different companions) and ultimately the Divine Author, or was it a result of the natural human condition (they tried their utmost to remain faithful to the original prophetic … Continue reading Tahrif or Not? A Shi’i Perspective on the Seven Ahruf Reports (Pt. I) →

Introduction Where do we draw the line as far as the Taqiyya that the Imams had historically engaged in is concerned? The standard view of the Madhhab is that the Imams would not purposely mislead the overwhelming majority of their own Ashab through statements given in Taqiyya. My own argument in support of the standard … Continue reading Does the Imam Misguide His Companions? (A Response) →

Introduction[1] Why did disputes occur after the death of some of the Imams such that the main-body of Imami Shi’is splintered into groups - with each group backing a different candidate as Imam? How can we reconcile between this undeniable historical phenomenon with the presence of Nass reports (in which the Imam names his successor) … Continue reading How to Know Your Imam (Pt. I) →