Sources

An Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelver Shi'ism

Citation Formats

General Reference

Divinity Atlas. "An Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelver Shi'ism." Accessed August 30, 2026. https://www.divinityatlas.com/sources/an-introduction-to-shii-islam-the-history-and-doctrines-of-twelver-shiism.

APA Style

Divinity Atlas. (n.d.). An Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelver Shi'ism. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from https://www.divinityatlas.com/sources/an-introduction-to-shii-islam-the-history-and-doctrines-of-twelver-shiism

BibTeX

@misc{divinityatlas-an-introduction-to-shi-i-islam-the-histo,
  author = {Divinity Atlas},
  title = {An Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelver Shi'ism},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://www.divinityatlas.com/sources/an-introduction-to-shii-islam-the-history-and-doctrines-of-twelver-shiism},
  note = {Accessed August 30, 2026}
}

Moojan Momen's study works from the classical and modern textual record of Twelver Shi'i theology and history, tracing the doctrine of the Imamate and the occultation of the twelfth Imam as the tradition's own sources present them, and the later historical development of the office of marja al taqlid. This record has not independently traced a documented history of scholarly disputes about Momen's specific readings, so its standing here rests on its continued use as a general introduction to Twelver doctrine rather than on any verified record of it correcting earlier errors. It is a strong source for the history and doctrine of Twelver Shi'ism specifically. Its focus is the Twelver branch, so a claim about a different Shi'i community, such as Ismaili or Zaydi Islam, needs a source specific to that community instead.

Facts

Citation

Author

Moojan Momen

Publisher

Yale University Press

Publication Year

1985

URL

https://archive.org/details/introductiontosh0000mome

Source Type

academic monograph

Assessment

Reliability Tier

A scholarly study from an academic press working from the classical and modern textual record of Twelver Shi'i theology and history, tracing the doctrine of the Imamate and the occultation of the twelfth Imam.

Notes

Used here for the doctrine of the Imamate, the occultation, and the development of the marja al-taqlid.

Claims Backed By This Source (455 claims)

This source backs 455 claims across the atlas. As facts: 275 well-attested, 1 scholarly debate. As cited relationships: 70 holds, 4 connected, 2 rejected Here, 16 held Differently. Plus 87 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.

Disposition By Topic

Articles, 74 claims: 62 well-attested, 4 connected, 8 general references.
Doctrines, 74 claims: 35 well-attested, 19 holds, 1 held Differently, 19 general references.
Beliefs & Restrictions, 44 claims: 31 well-attested, 13 general references.
Denominations, 43 claims: 22 well-attested, 12 holds, 2 rejected Here, 3 held Differently, 4 general references.
Sacred Sites, 34 claims: 23 well-attested, 5 holds, 6 general references.
Schools of Religious Law, 28 claims: 9 well-attested, 6 holds, 12 held Differently, 1 general references.
Practices, 22 claims: 19 well-attested, 3 general references.
Religious Offices, 20 claims: 14 well-attested, 3 holds, 3 general references.
Religious Roles & Titles, 16 claims: 5 well-attested, 6 holds, 5 general references.
Scriptures & Texts, 16 claims: 4 well-attested, 8 holds, 4 general references.
Religious Events, 15 claims: 9 well-attested, 5 holds, 1 general references.
Figures, 12 claims: 9 well-attested, 3 general references.
Other Writings, 10 claims: 5 well-attested, 1 scholarly debate, 3 holds, 1 general references.
Subcategories, 9 claims: 6 well-attested, 3 general references.
Sources, 8 claims: 8 well-attested.
Holidays & Festivals, 6 claims: 5 well-attested, 1 general references.
Religious Organization & Structure, 5 claims: 2 well-attested, 2 holds, 1 general references.
Pilgrimage Routes, 4 claims: 1 well-attested, 3 general references.
Historical Periods, 3 claims: 2 well-attested, 1 general references.
Sacred Foods, 3 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 holds, 1 general references.
Cities, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
Creeds & Confessions, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
Numbers, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
Historical Figures, 1 claims: 1 general references.
Hymns & Liturgical Texts, 1 claims: 1 general references.
Religions, 1 claims: 1 general references.