A Critical Review of Etan Kohlberg's 'The Imam and the Community in the Pre-Ghayba Period'

Shafiei, Mohammad; Mohammadi Mozaffar, Mohammad Hassan

doi:10.22034/jep.2026.492357.1639

A Critical Review of Etan Kohlberg's 'The Imam and the Community in the Pre-Ghayba Period'

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mohammad Shafiei ¹

Mohammad Hassan Mohammadi Mozaffar ²

¹ PhD student in Philosophy and Islamic Theology at the University of Qom

² Assistant Professor, Department of Shiite Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran.

10.22034/jep.2026.492357.1639

Abstract

Research on periods in which a religious tradition's founders were present is crucial to establishing the authenticity of its beliefs. In 'The Imam and the Community in the Pre-Ghayba Period,' Etan Kohlberg uses a historical-doctrinal approach to examine the Imam's status in Shi'i society and their reciprocal relations. This study critically evaluates that article. A descriptive-analytical assessment finds that Kohlberg's treatment neither fully covers its stated subject nor remains confined to it: many issues central to Imam-community relations are omitted, while numerous unrelated matters receive extensive discussion. In several cases Kohlberg also selects reports and arguments selectively. Despite his stated aim of presenting the Shi'i community's self-image, many of his conclusions diverge from the prevalent Shi'i understanding.

Keywords

Imam's knowledge

sources of the Imam's knowledge

increase in the Imam's knowledge

companions of the Imam

Imam-Shi'a relations

Etan Kohlberg

Subjects