The Origins and Early Development of Shia Islam is based mainly on the oldest historical sources, rather than on heresiographical works, thus filling a serious gap in the field of academic study. The author has compiled authoritative references and sources universally acceptable, and synchronizes his conclusions. The logical flow of his analyses based on historic facts allows one to discern the realities not presented before. The book primarily uses four well regarded historians from among both Sunni and Shia Muslims in addition to the well-documented letters written by the Sunni Caliphs and Shia Imams which further elaborate the points being made in the book and allow for readers to draw their own conclusions. This book sketches a balanced approach to decipher and extract the motives behind the political battles that raged internally, and the development of a strategy by master planners to select a successor of Mohammed without his input.


Available at http://www.karbala-najaf.org/shiaism/shiaism.html