Exploration of Heinz Halm’s Approach to Studying Shiism

Heinz Halm, the prominent German scholar who studied Shiism, conducted considerable studies on Shiism – especially from the formation of historical beliefs and evolutions of Shiism to the formation of Islamic revolution of Iran in 1979 – in the late 20th century. After translating those works into Persian and Arabic and attracting the attention of scholars and researchers on Shiism, his works – especially his best-known work entitled Shiism (1988) – were subject to review and criticism.  In addition to rereading Halm’s works, this article tries to evaluate his approach to Shiite studies and the background of its formation, i.e. the Shiite studies in the West in 20th century. The basic question of this inquiry is as follows: “Where has Halm’s approach to Shiite studies originated from and what issues has it answered in this regard in the West?” Halm’s major research activities that has formed his specialized academic sphere of activity have influenced his general efforts in identifying Shiism in the academic milieu in the West. Thus, investigating his views from this perspective and considering its proper share seems necessary. Besides, it must be noted that Halm’s Shiite studies can also be interpreted as a kind of scientific reaction to political events of the last decades of the 20th century in the Islamic world, especially in the Middle East.