A'lam al-hidaya (book)

A'lam al-hidaya (book)
	The A'lam al-hidaya series
Author	Sayyid Munthir Hakim with the cooperation of a group of writers
Language	Arabic
Series	14 Volumes
Subject	Lives of the Fourteen Infallibles
Publisher	Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly
Publication date	1381/2002
Media type	Print

Aʿlām al-hidāya (Arabic: أَعْلامُ الْهِدایَة) is a fourteen-volume book series in Arabic regarding the lives of the Fourteen Infallibles (a), compiled and prepared by a group of researchers in the Cultural Deputy of the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly. The translation of the complete set or selected volumes has been published in Persian, Turkish, Urdu, and Malay.

Author

The research and compilation of the book were conducted in 1997. The author, Sayyid Munzir Hakim, was born in 1953 in Karbala. He is known in the Seminary for his works in the fields of Quranic exegesis and the history of Islam. In addition to the four-volume collection Tarikh al-Islam (History of Islam), his other works include Al-Nazariyya al-ijtima'iyya fi fikr al-Shahid al-Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr (Social Theory in the Thought of the Martyr Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr).^[1]

A group of researchers at the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly who collaborated with Sayyid Munzir Hakim in compiling the fourteen-volume A'lam al-hidaya series includes: 'Uday Gharibawi, Wisam Baghdadi, Sayyid Shahab al-Din Husayni, Sayyid Abd al-Rahim Musawi, Abd al-Razzaq Salihi, and Irfan Mahmud.^[2]

Motivation for Writing

A'lam al-hidaya was compiled with the aim of depicting the role played by the Imams (a) in accordance with the political, cultural, and social conditions of each era.^[3]

Sayyid Munzir Hakim states regarding the motivation for writing A'lam al-hidaya:

Books previously written regarding the Sira of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) usually had the issue that they discussed Amir al-Mu'minin (a), Fatima al-Zahra (a), Imam al-Hasan (a), and Imam al-Husayn (a) in detail, but when reaching the rest of the Imams (a), they contained no more than a few pages. For example, the best of them is the 14-volume book Sira-yi Pishwayan, in persian, some volumes of which are detailed and mature in writing, while others are somewhat briefer. Also, before the work we undertook, the collection Sitaragan-i dirakhshan, in persian, existed. In these collections, the Sira of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) was usually not viewed systematically, and one did not see that "theory of a 250-Year-Old Person" in these works. In those books, it was not precisely clarified that the Ahl al-Bayt (a) are all a single light (Nur al-wāḥid), and if any of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) were placed in the position of another in history, they would have played exactly the same role.^[4]

Methodology

The author and his colleagues were influenced by the views of Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr in writing the history of the Ahl al-Bayt (a), and attention was paid to the existence of distinct periods in the history of the lives of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) based on Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr's perspective.^[5]

Each volume of the Arabic version of A'lam al-hidaya is between 200 to 250 pages. One of the initial ideas for this work was to present a uniform volume of material for each of the Imams (a) and to release all volumes with a uniform appearance. This was intended to evoke in the audience the concept that the Ahl al-Bayt are a single light, and if any of them were in the place of another, they would have behaved identically.

In each volume, a summary of a few pages regarding the history of each Infallible's life and the most important historical highs and lows is presented first. Subsequently, the audience gains a deeper understanding of the life and Sira of that Imam and the historical conditions of that period through three different levels ranging from brevity to detail.^[6]

Features

The A'lam al-hidaya collection has a historical background, and addressing theological, jurisprudential, and hadith discussions appropriate to each Infallible does not cause it to lose its general line. The book does not enter into historical minutiae beyond the patience of the general audience and avoids Shādh (rare/irregular) narrations, unrenowned reports, and exaggerated (Ghuluww) narrations. The officials of the Assembly and the group of authors also had a view toward non-Shi'a audiences. Furthermore, A'lam al-hidaya has attempted to narrate the lives of the Ahl al-Bayt in a rational manner so that academic audiences exposed to modern theories in the humanities do not experience conflict or ambiguity when encountering it.^[7]

Attempts have been made for the analyses presented in this collection to be logical, consistent with conventional and acceptable sociological and psychological teachings, and understandable.^[8]

In the analyses, an effort has been made not to include unseen matters that are far-fetched or very difficult to accept. Even the miracles and acts of wonder mentioned are not such that their acceptance would be difficult for the mind; rather, they are materials that construct life and offer a lifestyle model to individuals. The aim is to deepen both the Imamate and the Sira of that Imam for the audience, making one feel as if they are moving alongside the Imam from birth to Martyrdom.^[9]

Book Titles

Volume One

The first volume of the A'lam al-hidaya collection is the book Khatam al-Anbiya'. This book has five chapters:

Chapter 1: The glad tidings of the prophets regarding the appearance of the Holy Prophet (s) and manifestations of his personality.
Chapter 2: The birth, upbringing, and marriage of the Prophet (s) up to the Bi'tha (Mission).
Chapter 3: Discussions regarding the period of the Prophet's (s) presence in Mecca and the stance of Banu Hashim toward him until the Hijra (Migration) to Medina.
Chapter 4: The Migration to Medina and the Ghazwas (battles) of the Prophet (s).
Chapter 5: The Conquest of Mecca, the presence of Islam outside the Arabian Peninsula, and the scientific legacy of the Prophet (s).

Volume Two

The second volume is Amir al-Muiminin, Ali b. Abi Talib (a). This book has four chapters:

Chapter 1: Manifestations of the personality of Imam Ali (a).
Chapter 2: Stages of the life of Imam Ali (a) from birth to the Demise of the Prophet (s).
Chapter 3: The life of Imam Ali (a) after the demise of the Prophet (s) until the Killing of Uthman.
Chapter 4: The Allegiance (Bay'a) of Muslims with Ali (a), wars, and his scientific legacy.

Volume Three

The third volume is about Fatima al-Zahra (a). This book has three chapters:

Chapter 1: The personality and virtues of Lady Zahra (a).
Chapter 2: Birth, upbringing, and marriage until the demise of the Prophet (s).
Chapter 3: Saqifa, Fadak, the sermon of Lady Fatima (a) in the Mosque of Medina, and her scientific legacy.

Volume Four

The fourth volume is about Hasan b. Ali (a), containing three chapters:

Chapter 1: His personality and virtues.
Chapter 2: Stages of the life of Imam al-Hasan (a) from birth to the Martyrdom of Imam Ali (a).
Chapter 3: Issues of allegiance up to the Peace Treaty, the text of the treaty, the fate of the treaty, the martyrdom of Imam al-Hasan (a), and his scientific legacy.

Volume Five

The fifth volume is about Husayn b. Ali (a), containing three chapters:

Chapter 1: An overview of the personality of Imam al-Husayn (a) and his virtues.
Chapter 2: Birth and stages of life until the martyrdom of Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a).
Chapter 3: The era of Imam al-Husayn's (a) Imamate, discussing the anti-Islamic actions of Mu'awiya, Imam al-Husayn's (a) stances against him, the historical course and motives of the Uprising of Imam al-Husayn (a), his martyrdom, the results of the Husayni uprising, and his scientific legacy.

Volume Six

The sixth volume is about Imam al-Sajjad (a), containing five chapters:

Chapter 1: The personality and virtues of Imam al-Sajjad (a).
Chapter 2: Birth and stages of his life.
Chapter 3: The life of Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a) after the tragedy of Karbala and his martyrdom.
Chapter 4: Characteristics of the times and life of Imam al-Sajjad (a).
Chapter 5: His scientific legacy, Risalat al-huquq, and al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya.

Volume Seven

The seventh volume is regarding Imam al-Baqir (a), containing four chapters:

Chapter 1: The personality and virtues of Imam al-Baqir (a).
Chapter 2: Stages of his life.
Chapter 3: Important events of the era of Imam al-Baqir (a) and his role in correcting abnormalities.
Chapter 4: The founding of the group of righteous elites; Imam al-Baqir (a) sought to reform the social situation of society by establishing this group. The end of this chapter addresses the martyrdom and legacy of Imam al-Baqir (a).

Volume Eight

The eighth volume is about Imam al-Sadiq (a), containing four chapters:

Chapter 1: The personality and virtues of Imam al-Sadiq (a).
Chapter 2: Birth, upbringing, and stages of his life.
Chapter 3: Political situation, intellectual conditions, needs of the time of Imam al-Sadiq (a), and his role in founding the group of righteous elites.
Chapter 4: The end of Umayyad rule and the beginning of Abbasid rule, Imam al-Sadiq's (a) stance towards events, his martyrdom, and his legacy.

Volume Nine

The ninth volume is regarding Imam al-Kazim (a), containing four chapters:

Chapter 1: Virtues and personality of Imam al-Kazim (a).
Chapter 2: Upbringing and stages of his life.
Chapter 3: Characteristics of the era of Imam al-Kazim (a), his stance against al-Mansur, al-Mahdi, and al-Hadi, and his activities.
Chapter 4: Characteristics of the era of Harun al-Rashid, Imam al-Kazim's (a) stance towards his government, the Imam's efforts to strengthen the political connection of Shi'as with the line of the Ahl al-Bayt (a), his imprisonment, martyrdom, and legacy.

Volume Ten

The tenth volume is dedicated to Imam al-Rida (a), containing four chapters:

Chapter 1: Personality and virtues of Imam al-Rida (a).
Chapter 2: Stages of his life.
Chapter 3: Socio-political conditions of Imam al-Rida (a) and his performance and intellectual and religious role in society.
Chapter 4: Events prior to the heir apparency, activities of Imam al-Rida (a) during the heir apparency, debates, and his legacy.

Volume Eleven

The eleventh volume is about Imam al-Jawad (a), containing four chapters:

Chapter 1: Virtues and Karamat of Imam al-Jawad (a).
Chapter 2: Stages of his life until the martyrdom of Imam al-Rida (a).
Chapter 3: Characteristics of the era of Imam al-Jawad (a), characteristics of the rulers contemporary to him, his scientific activities, and his scientific legacy.
Chapter 4: General demands of the Islamic expanse, needs of the group of the righteous, the school, and the scientific legacy of Imam al-Jawad (a).

Volume Twelve

The twelfth volume is regarding Imam al-Hadi (a), containing four chapters:

Chapter 1: Personality and virtues of Imam al-Hadi (a).
Chapter 2: Stages of his life until the time of the martyrdom of Imam al-Jawad (a).
Chapter 3: The position of Imam al-Hadi (a) in the process of comprehensive cultural change and the conditions of his time.
Chapter 4: The needs of the Islamic society in the era of Imam al-Hadi (a), his stance against the Exaggerators and deviant sects, the phenomenon of Ziyara and its role in doctrinal immunization (such as Ziyara al-Jami'a al-Kabira and Ziyara al-Ghadiriyya), the martyrdom of Imam al-Hadi (a), and his school and scientific legacy.

Volume Thirteen

The thirteenth volume is about Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a), containing four chapters:

Chapter 1: Personality and virtues of Imam al-Askari (a).
Chapter 2: Birth and stages of his life until the martyrdom of Imam al-Hadi (a).
Chapter 3: Characteristics of the era of Imam al-Askari (a) and the introduction and performance of the rulers of that era.
Chapter 4: Needs of the Islamic society in the time of Imam al-Askari (a), the preparation of Shi'as for the Occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (a), and the legacy of Imam al-Askari (a).

Volume Fourteen

The fourteenth volume is regarding Imam al-Mahdi (a), containing five chapters:

Chapter 1: The glad tidings of holy scriptures regarding the appearance of the Savior and his occultation in the Qur'an and narrations of Shi'a and Sunnis.
Chapter 2: Growth and upbringing of Imam al-Mahdi (a) and stages of his life until the martyrdom of Imam al-Askari (a).
Chapter 3: Discussions on the Minor Occultation, its causes, and the actions of Imam al-Mahdi (a) during this era.
Chapter 4: The Major Occultation, its causes, actions of Imam al-Mahdi (a), and duties of Shi'as during the Major Occultation.
Chapter 5: Signs of Reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (a), his Sira in the era of Reappearance, and narrations from him.

This series begins with a reminder of the Quran's emphasis on reflecting upon the Sira of the prophets and the importance of the element of guidance in human movement toward perfection,^[10] and ends with the mention of a Ziyara from the book Misbah al-za'ir by Sayyid Ibn Tawus regarding the Imam of the Time (a).^[11]

Publication and Translation

The first edition of this collection in Arabic, titled Mawsūʿat aʿlām al-hidāya, was published in 2002.

Translations of the complete set or selected volumes have also been published in Turkish, Urdu, Persian, and Malay, and translations into English, French, Tajik, Azeri, Norwegian, and Bosnian are underway.^[12]

Production of A'lam al-Hidaya Software

The A'lām al-hidaya software in Arabic and Persian was produced by the Information Department of the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly in November 2009 and unveiled in a ceremony.^[13]

Notes

↑ "Pīshnahādī barāy-i muṭālaʿa-yi sīra-yi Ahl-i Bayt (a)", *Sāyt-i Khamenei.ir*.
↑ Derived from the *Aʿlām al-hidāya* software.
↑ Derived from the *Aʿlām al-hidāya* software.
↑ "Chirā Pīshwāyān-i hidāyat khwāndanī ast?", *Abnā*.
↑ "Chirā Pīshwāyān-i hidāyat khwāndanī ast?", *Abnā*.
↑ "Pīshnahādī barāy-i muṭālaʿa-yi sīra-yi Ahl-i Bayt (a)", *Sāyt-i Khamenei.ir*.
↑ "Pīshnahādī barāy-i muṭālaʿa-yi sīra-yi Ahl-i Bayt (a)", *Sāyt-i Khamenei.ir*.
↑ "Chirā Pīshwāyān-i hidāyat khwāndanī ast?", *Abnā*.
↑ "Chirā Pīshwāyān-i hidāyat khwāndanī ast?", *Abnā*.
↑ Jamʿī az nuwīsandagān, *Aʿlām al-hidāya*, 1435 AH, vol. 1, p. 17.
↑ Ibn Ṭāwūs, *Miṣbāḥ al-zāʾir*, 1417 AH, p. 445.
↑ "Pīshnahādī barāy-i muṭālaʿa-yi sīra-yi Ahl-i Bayt (a)", *Sāyt-i Khamenei.ir*.
↑ "Rūnamāyī az narm-afzār-i Aʿlām al-hidāya".

References

"Chirā Pīshwāyān-i hidāyat khwāndanī ast? Why is Leaders of Guidance worth reading?", *Abnā*.
Ibn Ṭāwūs, ʿAlī b. Mūsā. *Miṣbāḥ al-zāʾir*. Qom, Āl al-Bayt, 1417 AH.
Jamʿī az nuwīsandagān. *Aʿlām al-hidāya*. Qom, Majmaʿ-i Jahānī-yi Ahl-i Bayt, 1435 AH.
"Pīshnahādī barāy-i muṭālaʿa-yi sīra-yi Ahl-i Bayt (a) A suggestion for studying the Sira of the Ahl al-Bayt (a)", *Sāyt-i Khamenei.ir*.
"Rūnamāyī az narm-afzār-i Aʿlām al-hidāya Unveiling of A'lam al-Hidaya software".

External Links

[1] "Pīshnahādī barāy-i muṭālaʿa-yi sīra-yi Ahl-i Bayt (a)", *Sāyt-i Khamenei.ir*.

[2] Derived from the *Aʿlām al-hidāya* software.

[3] Derived from the *Aʿlām al-hidāya* software.

[4] "Chirā Pīshwāyān-i hidāyat khwāndanī ast?", *Abnā*.

[5] "Chirā Pīshwāyān-i hidāyat khwāndanī ast?", *Abnā*.

[6] "Pīshnahādī barāy-i muṭālaʿa-yi sīra-yi Ahl-i Bayt (a)", *Sāyt-i Khamenei.ir*.

[7] "Pīshnahādī barāy-i muṭālaʿa-yi sīra-yi Ahl-i Bayt (a)", *Sāyt-i Khamenei.ir*.

[8] "Chirā Pīshwāyān-i hidāyat khwāndanī ast?", *Abnā*.

[9] "Chirā Pīshwāyān-i hidāyat khwāndanī ast?", *Abnā*.

[10] Jamʿī az nuwīsandagān, *Aʿlām al-hidāya*, 1435 AH, vol. 1, p. 17.

[11] Ibn Ṭāwūs, *Miṣbāḥ al-zāʾir*, 1417 AH, p. 445.

[12] "Pīshnahādī barāy-i muṭālaʿa-yi sīra-yi Ahl-i Bayt (a)", *Sāyt-i Khamenei.ir*.

[13] "Rūnamāyī az narm-afzār-i Aʿlām al-hidāya".

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v t e The Shia History Sources
1st Century	Kitab Sulaym b. Qays al-Hilali
2nd Century	Waq'at Siffin
3rd Century	Al-Gharat • Tarikh al-Ya'qubi
4th Century	Al-Jamal • Tarikh Qom • Maqatil al-Talibiyyin • Masarr al-Shi'a • Tajarib al-'Umam • Muruj al-dhahab • Al-Tanbih wa l-ishraf • Ithbat al-wasiyya
5th Century	Dala'il al-imama • Al-Irshad
6th century	Rawdat al-wa'izin
7th Century	Nuzhat al-kiram • Kashf al-ghumma • Al-Luhuf • Kamil Baha'i • Muthir al-ahzan • Dhawb al-nudar • Manaqib al-tahirin
8th Century	Adab al-Sultaniyya • Rahat al-arwah
11th Century	Athar al-wuzara' • Waqa'i' al-sinin wa l-a'wam
10th Century	Athar Ahmadi • Anis al-mu'minin • Tasliyat al-majalis
11th Century	Al-Tatimma fi tawarikh al-a'imma • Hayat al-qulub • Hilyat al-abrar • Waqayi' al-sinin wa l-a'wam
12th Century	Jala' al-'uyun • Riyad al-abrar • Fara'id al-fawa'id
13th Century	Tufan al-buka' • Fayd al-dumu' • Rawdat al-shuhada' • Nasikh al-tawarikh
14th Century	Sulh al-Hasan (a) • Muntaha l-amal • Nafas al-mahmum • Lawa'ij al-ashjan • Dhakhirat al-darayn • Maqtal al-Husayn (by al-Muqarram) • Al-Anwar al-bahiyya • Sirat al-a'imma al-ithna 'ashar • Ibsar al-'ayn • Al-Shia wa l-hakimun • Qurrat al-basira • Kuhl al-basar • Bayt al-ahzan • Tatimmat al-muntaha
15th Century	Jannat al-'asima • Bahjat qalb al-Mustafa • Al-Sahih min sirat al-Nabi al-A'zam • Risala fi tarikh al-Nabi wa l-Al • Ma'sat al-Zahra' (a) • Furugh-i abadiyyat • Jihad al-Imam al-Sajjad • A'lam al-hidaya • Hayat fikri wa siyasi imaman Shia • 'Abd Allah b. Saba' wa asatir ukhra