Knowing the Imam is an encyclopaedic work consisting of 18 volumes, which covers almost all aspects of the Imamate in Twelver Shi'ism, from the historical to the theological, and the philosophical to the mystical. It began life as a series of lessons before being transcribed. In volume 1, the author discusses the importance of knowing the concept of the Imamate, and the teachings and lives of the twelve Imams and their role in human life. He demonstrates...