The Origins and Early Development of Shi'a Islam

In this book, Dr. Jafri has reconstructed and presented the development of an Islamic ideal in the form of Shi'ism. This is a particular vision of religious leadership which derives its authority directly from the person of the Prophet, therefore enjoying divine sanction to all decisions made on issues of conscience. He traces the Shi'a response to this ideal, from its origins among a group of the Prophet's Companions until the Imamate of Ja'far as-Sadiq, by which time all the fundamental elements of Shi'ism had appeared.