The Shi'a of India

Book excerpt: Illustrations: 1 B/w illustration Description: J.N. Hollister's The Shi'a of India is a comprehensive study of the rise of Shi'ism, its coming to India, its role in the spread of Islam and its adjustments with Hinduism. The first cleavage in Islam occurred immediately after the passing away of the prophet. Efforts to path up the Schism, though successful initially, resulted ultimately in the division of Muslims into Shias and Sunnis. The animosity generated then continues even now to plague these two. The reasons for this persisting hostility is made clear in this book by the accounts of the personalities of the Prophet, 'Ali-the first Imam and his successors. The doctrines of the Shias are compared with those of the Sunnis to give a clear exposition of the religion of the Shias-Ithna' Ashariya. The history of the Shias from the time of their reaching this country till now along with a wealth of details regarding their rites, festivals, places of pilgrimage and celebration of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain at Kerbala are given. This is followed by a similar treatment to the branches of Shi'ism-Fatimids, Bohras and Khojas. The scholars who were hampered for want of a book on Shias will find this book a mine of information on the subject.