Customer Reviews

On the Sociology of Islam: Lectures

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This is a very good look at this important Iranian thinkers views. These lectures are a great sampling that illustrates just how revolutionary Shariati was. Shariati took no prisoners in his approach to intellectual and religious pursuits and teaching. He not only took on the regime but attacked the entrenched religious establishment as well. In this book some of his most scathing criticism is for the religious leaders in Iran. Right from the beginning he takes on these leaders and teachers, and criticizes them for helping to keep the masses ignorant not just of spiritual matters but in all things.

This is where Shariati was truly revolutionary; he spoke to the people in a language they could understand. His goal was to lift up the people spiritually and intellectually, and the reason why he is so influential, and remains so, is because of his ability to translate complex ideas into simple language. His was not a top down approach but a bottom up approach designed to enlighten the masses so that they would demand change of the status quo and force the religious leaders out of their lethargy as well as bring down the parasitic regime of Reza Pahlavi.

This is the best example of Shariati's ideas. It shows his intellectual approach as well as explaining how he blends his religion in with his intellectual ideologies. It gives the reader a good picture of how this man thought and how he developed his ideas and created this symbiosis between Western philisophy and scientific studies and Iranian Shi'ism.

This is one of the most influential Iranians of the last hundred years. His importance rivals that of Khomeini, and without Shariati there very well might not have been a Khomeini. With that said, it is clear that he would have been seen as an enemy of the Islamic Republic, then and now, just as much as he was of the Sha's regime, while he was still alive. This is why he is still relevant today. His ideas are still just as dangerous to the Iranian regime of today as the one in the 70's, if not more so.

This man is very important to read. His ideas are still influencing events today, and are essential to understanding the history of Iran over the last 40 years. He was not only a radical, intellectual and revolutionary but also a man of the common people. Unlike many of his contemporaries he did refused to remain in the ivory towers of university life or religious schools, but instead got in amongst the people to help raise them up. As I learn more about him and read deeper into his works I keep thinking that if only he would have been more popular than Qutb then the Middle East might be a very different place today. I recommend this and other works by this author.

This work, like all of Shariati's other works is exceptional. Shariati does a good job uncovering the divine symbolism in the Holy Prophet's life. Furthermore, Shariati incorporates the principles of sociology into this symbolism. This is a great book for everybody.

Shariati's style is breathtaking and takes you step by step throughout a subject that an entire islamic nation seems to be confused about.