A review of "Shia or Sunni" by Farhad Amirebrahimi.
Most of this little book isn't really about the
difference between Sunni and Shia. Rather, it consists of general arguments in
favor of Islam. Indeed, I'm not sure if "arguments" is the right word
for it. Rather, they are declarations or even declamations. I admit this might
be because of the short format. But then, it's also possible that the author is
a simplistic fundamentalist. Several other reviewers claim that he is a Salafi
(a “Wahhabite”).
As for the Sunni-Shia divide, most of the arguments seek to refute the Shia claim that Ali was appointed by Muhammad to become his successor. The author further points out that the Quran never mentions the Shia Muslim Imams. Of course, Shia Islam claims to have access to an esoteric message not explicitly recorded in the exoteric scriptures. The author, by contrast, believes that the plain and simple words of the Quran (and Quranic-derived traditions) are the only authority, not the "esoteric" speculations of mere men.
Only two stars, due to the rather cursory treatment of the Sunni-Shia differences, despite the title.
As for the Sunni-Shia divide, most of the arguments seek to refute the Shia claim that Ali was appointed by Muhammad to become his successor. The author further points out that the Quran never mentions the Shia Muslim Imams. Of course, Shia Islam claims to have access to an esoteric message not explicitly recorded in the exoteric scriptures. The author, by contrast, believes that the plain and simple words of the Quran (and Quranic-derived traditions) are the only authority, not the "esoteric" speculations of mere men.
Only two stars, due to the rather cursory treatment of the Sunni-Shia differences, despite the title.
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