Shīʿism and the Quran
Do Shias believe the Quran was preserved? Explore what classical Shia scholars themselves wrote about alleged distortions, missing verses, and…
1258: The Fall of Baghdad
In 1258 the Mongol general Hūlākū sacked Baghdad, slaughtering over 800,000 of its inhabitants and killing the 37th and final Abbasid caliph…
The Christian King who resolved a Sunni – Shia Dispute
Below is a fascinating historical account involving three very different groups of people: Sunni, Shia, and a Christian king. Al-Ḥāfiẓ…
The Great Game: Iran, Israel, and Power Politics
Iran presents itself as the vanguard of resistance against Israel. But behind the rhetoric lies a calculated power struggle. Whose side is…
The Agha Khan and the Ismailis
The Agha Khan is celebrated in the West as a philanthropist and spiritual leader. But what do Ismailis actually believe?
Iran, Israel and the war against Islam
Iran presents itself as Islam's defender but history tells a different story. Explore Iran's covert ties with Israel, its role in Iraq, Syria,…
How Sunni Iran Became a Shia Country
Iran was overwhelmingly Sunni for centuries. Discover the political and religious forces that turned it into the world's largest Shia state.
The Martyrdom of Hussain: What Happened Next
The martyrdom of Hussain triggered a chain of events that transformed Shiasm. Read how a political opportunist used that grief to shape the…
The Martyrdom of Hussain
Hussain was invited to Kufa by 18,000 Shia who pledged to protect him. They then abandoned him and killed him. Discover what the Shia sources…
The Shi’i View on Legitimate Leadership
What do Shias believe about leadership after the Prophet? A brief guide to the Imamate, covering Twelvers, Ismailis and Zaydis and how they differ