Dr. Hamid Algar

[Yusuf Ibn Adam]

I have a lecture in which Hamid Algar is discussing the 12 Imams (as). I am only about 1/5 through it, but I am suprise to hear Dr. Algar say

"Radi Allah unhu" after mentioning the names of the first 3 caliphs. Is this common for Shi'as to say?

[Abu Tufayl]

I have a lecture in which Hamid Algar is discussing the 12 Imams (as). I am only about 1/5 through it, but I am suprise to hear Dr. Algar say

"Radi Allah unhu" after mentioning the names of the first 3 caliphs. Is this common for Shi'as to say?

No it is indeed not. Perhaps he's saying it with the intent that they be forgiven OR for the sake of unity...

Unity! Allahuakbar! =D

[siszolaviola]

I have a lecture in which Hamid Algar is discussing the 12 Imams (as). I am only about 1/5 through it, but I am suprise to hear Dr. Algar say

"Radi Allah unhu" after mentioning the names of the first 3 caliphs. Is this common for Shi'as to say?

assalamu alaikum

I wasn't aware than he had become shia. Isn't he still a sunni? He was sunni years ago. Why don't you write him a letter and ask him.

[bkt900]

assalamu alaikum

I wasn't aware than he had become shia. Isn't he still a sunni? He was sunni years ago. Why don't you write him a letter and ask him.

Algar used to be Sunni? I thought he was Shia from the very beginning (his conversion).

[Yusuf Ibn Adam]

Upon watching the whole lecture, I get the impression that Dr. Algar is very interested in unity, hence showing the first 3 caliphs respect. As for whether or not he used to be Sunni, I also thought he was always Shia. Again, he seems interested in unity (alhumdulillah) and is very scholarly in all Islamic matters. May Allah accept his and our efforts.

[BintAlHoda]

He was practicing Sunni Islam for many years although he was very knowledgable about the Imams (as) and history of Shia Islam and openly became Shia about a decade ago. Perhaps the lecture dates from before that time. Or perhaps he had other reasons to say it. Anyway, inshallah, the rest of the lecture is beneficial; these are only a few words.

[skylight1]

These lectures are some of the best around on the lives of Imams (as) --- one of the strengths of Hamid Algar is to convey this history in the English language that is accessible and authentic for English speakers. It is rare to find these kinds of lectures in English.

Additionally Hamid Algar remains true to Islam, i.e. he does not use the excuse of being an "academic" to water down, or present this history in skeptical manner (as is often the rule amongst (both non-Muslim and Muslim) academics when discussing Islamic history).

Algar's Roots of the Islamic Revolution is also a must reading.

[Ruq]

I like that he sounds a little like James Mason.

[YariAzQuran]

Imam Khomeini (rah) called Dr. Algar the star of the West (there's a story behind that). I'm actually around the Berkeley community where Dr. Algar regularly lectures, and I can say that although he's knowledgeable in Islamic history and has huge roots and ties to the Islamic Republic, he is not very supportive of Wilayate Faqih and was siding with the green movement during the Iranian elections.

Edited September 16, 2011 by Zulfiqar14

[Ruq]

Imam Khomeini (rah) called Dr. Algar the star of the West (there's a story behind that).

Do please tell it Zulfiqar14. I saw he had some lectures on YT regarding Iran but havent yet watched.

Edited September 17, 2011 by ~Ruqaya's Amal~