PLATO Society

1. PLATO Society Shi’ism and Theocratic Governance in the Islamic Republic of Iran January 18-February 22, 2019 Peter Krug

2. What is Shi’ism? • Shi’ism: a distinctive system of belief within the Islamic faith. • It has several branches; our focus will be on “Imami” (Twelver) Shi’ism. • In weeks 2-6, the focus will be on Twelver Shi’ism in Iran. But today: Shi’ism generally.

3. Today’s Meeting: • Course introduction • Shi’ism: its origins and distinctive elements • Factors underlying the Shi’ite-Sunni divide

4. My Interest in This Subject: • General interest in Islam, developed in Comparative Law courses at the University of Oklahoma • Last winter’s PLATO Islamic Law class: many questions about Shi’ism and the Shi’ite-Sunni divide • Interested in learning about Shi’ism itself and about Iran • Not a specialist in Islam or Iran

5. Course Objectives: 1. What is Shi’ism and what makes it distinctive within Islam?; 2. What reasons might explain the enduring nature of the Shi’ite-Sunni divide?; 3. How and why did Shi’ite clerics play such a large role in the 1979 revolution in Iran and creation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI)?; and 4. What is the nature of theocratic governance in the IRI?

6. Starting Points: • Not necessary: familiarity with the history or doctrines of Islam, or with the history and current politics of Iran. • Primary format: lectures • However: questions, comments, and discussion always will be welcome. • Feedback also appreciated.

7. Contact Information • My e-mail address: [pkrug@ou.edu] • My phone number: (608) 298-7233

8. Terminology: • The system of belief (noun): “Shi’ism” • (also “Shi’a Islam” or “Shi’i Islam”) • Believers (noun): “Shi’ites” • (also “Shi’a” or “Shi’i”) • Adjective: “Shi’ite”

9. Terminology: • “Islam” means “submission to God.” • A “Muslim”: one who practices Islam (submits).

10. Shi’ism is one Branch of the Islamic Faith • Islam is the world’s second-largest religious tradition, with an estimated 1.8 billion believers (roughly 24% of the world’s population). • The two largest branches of Islam: • Sunnis: 1.5 billion believers (85% of all Muslims; and • Shi’ites: 300 million believers (15%).

11. Shi’ite Populations: • Majority populations in Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and possibly Lebanon. • Significant Shi’ite populations also in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

12. Sunnis and Shi’ites in the Middle East This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

13. Shi’ites in the United States • It is estimated that there are some 400,000-700,000 Shi’ites in the U.S. The largest population is in the metro Detroit area. Most of these Detroit-area residents are from Lebanon and Iraq.

14. Course Outline: 1. Today: Shi’ism within Islamic faith 2. 1/25: Shi’ism in Iran, 1501-1979 3. 2/1: Shi’ism and revolution in Iran, 1970-79; the IRI, 1979-1983 4. 2/8: Governance in the IRI, 1983-1989 5. 2/15: Governance in the IRI, 1989-2005 6. 2/22: Governance in the IRI, 2005-2019

15. Today’s Focus: Shi’ism, a System of Belief 1. Origins of political and religious Shi’ism (630’s to 870’s) 2. Distinctive Elements of Shi’ism within the Islamic Faith 3. Spiritual leadership in Shi’ism: religious scholars 4. Concluding thoughts on the enduring nature of the Shi’ite-Sunni divide

16. Origins of Shi’ism • A leadership controversy that arose early in the history of Islam, in the period 632-680 • Islam emerged in western Arabia in the years 610-632. • Its primary tenets: monotheism and the Holy Qur’an as the revealed word of God.

17. Hijaz Region, Western Arabia

18. The Prophet Muhammad and the Incipient Islamic Community • The Prophet Muhammad was the leader of the growing community of believers. • He died in 632. • In the years 632-660, rapid territorial expansion.

19. Expansion and Formation of Islamic Empire: 632-660

20. Origins of Shi’ism: the Succession Struggle • Upon the Prophet’s death, division arose over the naming of the Prophet’s successor (Caliph). • The community did not choose Ali, the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law. • His supporters claimed that the Prophet had designated Ali as his successor.

21. The Succession Question: Shi’ites and Sunnis • Ali’s supporters became known as the Party of Ali (“Shiat Ali”): the Shi’ites. • Those who did not support Ali became known as “Sunnis” (“People of custom and thecommunity”).

22. Civil Governance and Religious Leadership • The Prophet exercised dual functions: civil governance (e.g., commander of the faithful) and spiritual (religious) leadership. • The succession dispute initially was a political struggle: civil governance. Religious differences did arise until after 680.

23. The Early Caliphs: • The Party of Ali did not favor the first three Caliphs (632-656). • Ali did become Caliph (656-661), during a time of strife within the Empire. • Upon Ali’s death in 661, a Sunni Caliphate was established in Damascus, Syria.

24. Expansion and Formation of Islamic Empire: 632-660

25. Hostility Continued in the 660’s-670’s • Shi’ites: Contrary to Islam, the Syrian regime a monarchy, rife with immoral conduct. • The Sunni regime: Shi’ites potential usurpers. • Instituted public cursing of Ali.

26. A Pivotal Moment: the Battle of Karbala (680) • Husayn, a son of Ali and grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, led some fifty Shi’ite supporters (some armed) from Mecca toward Kufa. • A much larger Sunni force from Damascus intercepted him in the desert near Karbala (50 miles from Kufa).

27. Husayn’s Journey

28. The Battle • Husayn’s small force was defeated. • He and many of his followers died.

29. Aftermath of Karbala: • The Shi’ites’ defeat did not end the political rivalry -- -- indeed, it has experienced varying degrees of intensity ever since. • The leadership struggle of the 7th-8th centuries had a lasting impact on Shi’ite-Sunni relations. • But Karbala a pivotal event in Shi’ism.

30. Why was Karbala Pivotal? • In the aftermath, Shi’ism became more than a political movement; it took on a lasting religious dimension. • In the 680’s, Shi’ism and Sunnism began to develop as distinct systems of faith.

31. Religious Shi’ism: Distinctive Elements 1. Religious practice and manifestations of popular piety. 2. Theology and system of doctrinal and legal authority.

32. Religious Practice and Popular Religion • Sunnism and Shi’ism share many elements of religious practice and observance • For example, the “Five Pillars” of Islam:

33. The Five Pillars of Islamic Faith: 1. Testimony of Faith (“There is no God but God, and Muhammad is God’s Prophet”); 2. Daily prayer; 3. Alms for the needy; 4. Fasting in the Month of Ramadan; 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca.

34. Popular Religion • It is in popular religion (collective religious consciousness) that Shi’ism is more distinctive. • The forging of a collective religious identity in Shi’ism goes back to the Battle of Karbala and its aftermath.

35. Shi’ism: Rituals and Shrines • A distinctive aspect of Shi’ism is the emphasis on collective rituals and veneration of shrines. • These remind Shi’ites of the central events of their faith and reinforce their collective spiritual identity.

36. Karbala and Religious Piety • The Battle of Karbala (680) is central to this spiritual consciousness. • Shi’ites view Husayn’s death as a martyr’s act of self-sacrifice: a refusal to accept injustice. • He is called the “Prince of the Martyrs”.

37. Husayn at Karbala

38. A Shi’ite Historian (S.H.M. Jafri) in 1979: • Husayn chose not to organize adequate military support. Instead, he sought a “complete revolution in the religious consciousness of the Muslims”…to be “achieved though sacrifice and sufferings.”

39. Ashura • Annual Ashura processions for centuries have commemorated Husayn’s sacrifice. • “Ashura” means tenth (of the month of Muharram): the date of the battle.

40. Ashura Procession

41. Taziyeh (Passion Play) • The events of Karbala also have long been commemorated in highly-ritualized dramatic performances (Taziyeh).

42. Taziyeh

43. Taziyeh

44. Shrines • Shi’ite shrines are found in many cities in Iran and Iraq. • They are the destinations of annual mass pilgrimages.

45. Shrine of Husayn (Karbala)

46. Shrine of Ali (Najaf, Iraq)

47. Theology • Alongside popular religion, in the 700’s began the development of a distinct theological basis for Shi’ism.

48. Theology: Shared Core Tenets of Islam • Monotheism: no God but God • Anti-idolatry • Prophethood: Muhammad the messenger of God • The Holy Qur’an: God’s revelation • Day of judgment • Sacred law (Sharia)

49. Sacred Law (Sharia) • A set of principles for living in accord with God’s will • An individual Muslim is responsible before God for her or his choices • Rules and ethicse for individual conduct and relations with others • Few differences between Shi’ism and Sunnism

50. Shi’ite Theology • Within this common fabric, what is distinctive about Shi’ite theology? • The central tenet of Shi’ite theology is the doctrine of the Imamate.