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Black or White: The Turbanization of Shi‘i Islam
Author(s) -
Takim Liyakat
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the muslim world
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.106
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1478-1913
pISSN - 0027-4909
DOI - 10.1111/muwo.12258
Subject(s) - islam , tying , ideology , period (music) , history , sociology , religious studies , ancient history , art , political science , law , aesthetics , philosophy , politics , archaeology , computer science , operating system
The Turban has been worn by Muslims since the early period of Islamic history. This paper examines the significance of the turban in Twelver Shi‘ism. It argues that the turban and its color have been used to enhance the social and religious status of the descendants ( sayyids ) of the Prophet Muhammad. The paper also discusses the importance attached to the method of tying the turban and demonstrates how social pressure forced scholars to abandon a practice established by the Prophet and Imams. It will also argue that the method of trying the turban was used as an ideological tool among Shi‘i scholars.