The Just Ruler in Shi’ite Islam

The Just Ruler in Shi’ite Islam

This book is a good history of development of the power of Muctehids in shi'ite Islam. Author takes from the time of fifth Imam to current day and explains the development of the concept of Vilayat. Various forms of Vilayat is discussed as they are developed in time due to socio-political and theological reasons. Author dwells consifdearly on few major Muctehids, Tusi, Hilli, Mufid and Al-Murtada, with whom all started. The current interpretation by Sabzawari, Burujurdi or Humeyni are not covered with necessary depth. At the end the book has a nice appendix regarding the Khums and whom it belongs. I wish the book was to finalaze more exposition of current conditions and rulings. the concept of Vilayat had too many dimensions and author covers all of them with patient. Time to time you think that you already read that concept in prior paragraph but they all have small nuances depending on their definition. One needs to read very slowly. The best part of the book is that, Author with full patient when he uses a phrase that has a concept associated in it and was covered before repeats same in brackets to remaind readers what it was, so you do not have to refer any dictionary in the back of the book.