The Proof of God : Shi'i Mysticism in the Work of al-Kulayni (9th-10th centuries) (Paperback)

Translators' Preface · Notes on the English Translation · Glossary Preface to the French Edition Note on Transliteration Note to the Reader (French Edition) Introduction to the French Edition Acknowledgments (French Edition) Important dates and milestones (1st/7th-4th/10th centuries) (Translated by O. Mir-Kasimov) PART ONE: Religion of the Divine Word Made Man Chapter I At the Beginnings of the History Chapter II - The Religion of the imam II-1. Some specific features of the Shi?i spirituality II-2. At the heart of the doctrine of the imam: the concept of walaya Chapter III - About some historical imams (Translated by O. Mir-Kasimov) Chapter IV - The Proof Beyond Time III-1. From the Origin of the World and its Development III-2. The End of Times (Eschatology) · The Collective Dimension · The Personal Dimension Chapter V - The Proof's Dual Nature V-1. The Imam as a Religious Scholar V-2. The Imam as the Master of Initiation and as Thaumaturge V-3. The Imam as the Locus of God's Manifestation Chapter VI - The Continuity of Prophecy VI-1. The Need for Discretion VI-2. Perpetual Communication between God and Mankind VI-3. 'The Sealing of the Prophecy' and its Meaning (Translated by M. De Cillis) PART TWO: The Mystical Nature of the Imam in The Book of the Proof Chapter I - Brief Remarks on Shi?i Holy Scriptures I-1. The Qur'an according to Shi?ism I-2. Shi?i Hadiths Chapter II - Al-Kulayni and the Book of the Proof II-1. The Historical Context in Several Important Cities II-2. A Quest for Knowledge in Iran and Iraq II.3 Al-Kulayni's Works Chapter III - Excerpts from the Book of the Proof III-1. Some Remarks on Our Translation III-2. The Book of the Proof (Kitab al-?ujja): Translated and Commented Excerpts (Translated by O. Mir-Kasimov) Epilogue Return to History: Between Mystical Wisdom and Political Temptation 1. Legacy of the Antique Gnosis 2. Shi?is at the heart of the Abbasid Empire 3. Consolidation of the Jurist-Theologians' Power 4. The State Religion in Iran 4.1. Rationalist Current and the Temptation of Political Power 4.2. Loyalty to the Origins (Translated by O. Mir-Kasimov) Appendices Table I: The Banu Hashim (major protagonists) and the Prophet's Family Table II: The Banu ?Abd Shams (major protagonists) Table III: Genealogy of the major Imams and the main divisions in Shi?sm Bibliography and Abbreviations General Index Index of Qur'anic Citations