Roman Catholics and Shi'i Muslims

Abstract

Comparing Roman Catholicism and Twelver Shi'i Islam suggests itself for several reasons: the parallel passions of Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad's grandson Husayn; the suffering of and devotion of their mothers, Mary and Fatimah; and perhaps most prominently in recent years, the powerful hierarchies of authority within each faith, headed by the Pope on the Catholic side and by several leading jurists (mljjtahidun) who bear the title of legal authority for laymen ( marji>al-taqlid) on the Shi'i side. In fact, the papacy is frequently mentioned in contemporary debates about the marji> al-taqlid's position within Twelver Shi'ism, often with a hint of envy. Some Shi'i thinkers aspire to the unity, efficiency, doctrinal uniformity, and political clout that a single, universally recognized legal authority for the Twelvers might provide. Bill and Williams' new publication is, however, the only work of which I am aware that undertakes this comparison in a sustained and rigor­ous manner. After two introductory chapters that provide the basic historical back­ground of the two faiths and the I ives of the Twelve Imams, the authors begin the comparison proper. Chapter 3, "Sacred Actors and Intercessors," compares the figures of Jesus and Husayn, Mary and Fatimah, and the lmamzadas (descendants of the Imams) and Catholic saints. Chapter 4, "Redemptive Suffering and Martyrdom," treats redemptive suffering and the importance attached to the concept of martyrdom in both faiths, stress­ing the rituals or passion plays through which believers participate in the tragedy of the deaths of Jesus Christ and Husayn ...