Wilferd Madelung: Difference between revisions

'''Wilferd Madelung''' (b. 1930) is the German scholar of Islam and Shi'a studies who has written about 200 books and essays about Shi'a. ''The Succession to Muhammad (s)'' is among his most important works in which Shi'a's idea about succession after the [[Prophet (s)]] has been supported. He has had an important role in introducing S'i'a to the West.

== His Life and Education ==

Professor Wilferd Madelung was born on December 26th, 1930 in Stuttgart, Germany. After finishing primary and secondary educations, he went to University of Cairo and received B.A. in Islamic history and literature in 1953.

He then continued his higher educations in his country and in 1957, received his PhD in Islamic studies from University of Hamburg. Madelung finished his thesis under German Islamic scholars R. Strothmann and B. Spuler. He was the cultural agent of Western Germany in Baghdad for three years (1958 – 1960) and then continued his scientific life in Islamic studies.

== Some of His Scientific Records ==

* 1963: Professor's assistant in Islamic studies in University of Texas in Austin.

* 1964 – 1969: Professor's assistant and associate professor in Islamic studies in University of Chicago.

* 1969 – 1978: Professor of Islamic studies in University of Chicago.

* 1978 – 1998: Professor of Laudian chair in Arabic and Islamic studies in University of Oxford. Laudian chair is the highest chair of Islamic studies in the UK and one of the most important chairs of its kind in the world. Teaching Arabic in highest levels is among the conditions of this chair.

* Madelung taught in University of Colombia and many other universities in the United States and Europe as a guest lecturer. He is a member of many international communities of Islamic studies.

== His Methodology ==

He had a very accurate method in research and writing including usage of authentic and first hand references, distinguishing between Shia and Sunni sources, distinguishing between Twelver Shia sources and sources of other Shia branches, thematic classification of sources (theological, Tafsir, hadith) and also using many references. Accurate knowledge of distinguished Shia scholars and theologians, comprehensive and organized look to Shia and using orientalists' references has added to the importance of his researches.

== His Works ==

The Succession to Muhammad (s) is among his famous works.

By writing and correcting about 200 books and articles in research journals and encyclopedias and reviewing and introduction of 160 books, he has had a great role in achievement of knowledge about thought and history of Islam and especially Shia in middle centuries. His works are a collection of researches in theology, history, fiqh, schools and sects, biographies and bibliographies.