Amir-Moezzi’s Shiʿi Studies: A Critical Examination of Sources and Citations

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Associate Professor, Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought, Qom, Iran

10.22081/jti.2026.74842.1136

Abstract

In his studies on Shiʿism, Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi bases his historical analyses and reconstructions of early Shiʿism on a wide range of Shiʿi ḥadīth, narrative, and historical sources. The central concern of this study is to critically examine and evaluate his sources and references, assessing their reliability as well as the methodological coherence of his research in utilizing them. Adopting an analytical-critical approach, this study investigates the principal ḥadīth sources cited by Amir-Moezzi, his manner of employing these sources, and the critical assessments that have been raised regarding them.
 
The findings indicate that Amir-Moezzi’s source selection, evaluation of traditions, and analysis of data are marked by significant methodological shortcomings. These include extensive reliance on texts with questionable attribution or uncertain authenticity, insufficient attention to the criteria of ḥadīth criticism and biographical evaluation (ʿilm al-rijāl) in assessing reports, selective use of evidence, tendentious translations and interpretations, and imprecise or inconsistent references to primary sources. The study further demonstrates that some of his analyses are influenced by esoteric presuppositions and Orientalist approaches, which in certain cases have led to the imposition of particular readings upon transmitted traditions.
 
 

Keywords

Theosophia Islamica

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 02 June 2026

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