Shi'i Scholars of Nineteenth-Century Iraq
The 'Ulama' of Najaf and Karbala'

Explores the social and political dynamics of nineteenth-century Shi'ism and through this sheds light on modern debates.

Meir Litvak (Author)

9780521892964, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 2 May 2002

272 pages
23.2 x 15.9 x 1.8 cm, 0.4 kg

"Litvak has made an important and original contribution to our understanding of nineteenth-century Iraqi Shi'ism, and alo to the relations of the shrine cities with both Istanbul and Tehran...I learned a great deal from this balanced, nuanced, and carefully argued book." MESA Bulletin, Peter Sluglett, University of Utah

In the nineteenth century, the shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala in Ottoman Iraq emerged as the most important Shi'i centres of learning. In a major contribution to the study of pre-modern Middle Eastern religious institutions, Meir Litvak analyses the social and political dynamics of these communities. Tracing the historical evolution of Shi'i leadership, he explores the determinants of social status amongst the ulama, the concept of patronage, the structure of learning, questions of ethnicity, and financial matters. He also assesses the role of the ulama as communal leaders who, in the face of a hostile Sunni government in Baghdad, were often obliged to adopt a more quietest political stance than their counterparts in Iran. This is an important book which sheds light on the formation of contemporary Shi'ism and the surrounding debates.

Acknowledgements
Note on transliteration
List of abbreviations
Map
Introduction
Part I. The Community: Learning and Leadership: 1. The community of learning: concept and organization
2. Leadership in the age of multiple centers
3. Monopolization of leadership in Najaf
4. Diffusion, centralization and politicization
5. Determinants of status and leadership
Part II. The 'Ulama' Between the Ottomans and Qajars: 6. The shrine cities, the Mamluks and Iran
7. The 'ulama' and the reassertion of direct Ottoman control
8. The 'ulama' and Ottoman centralization policy
9. The changing political triangle, 1875–1904
Conclusion
Appendix
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], Asian history [HBJF]