Skip to main content

The Shadow of God and the Hidden Imam

Religion, Political Order, and Societal Change in Shi’ite Iran from the Beginning to 1890

Dismissing oversimplified and politically charged views of the politics of Shi’ite Islam, Said Amir Arjomand offers a richly researched sociological and historical study of Shi’ism and the political order of premodern Iran that exposes the roots of what became Khomeini’s theocracy.

Reviews

“This is an important book. . . . Arjomand has certainly challenged much contemporary Western scholarship and made an important contribution to the continuing debate on the subject of religion and politics in [Shi’ite] Islam.”

American Historical Review

"This book deserves to be read by anyone concerned with the relationship between religion and state in Iran and Islam."

New Republic

"A remarkable achievement in providing a sustained, solid theoretical perspective on a massive movement in modern Islamic studies, while advancing the sociological study of Islam to an unsurpassed level. . . . Supported by an impressive and unprecedented analytical examination of theological and juridical texts."

Contemporary Sociology

Be the first to know

Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!

Sign up here for updates about the Press