Twelve Infallible Men: The Imams and the Making of Shi’ism

Twelve Infallible Men by Matthew Pierce explores how narratives of the twelve Shi'a imams shaped a distinct Shi'a identity. In the tenth century, scholars compiled biographies of the imams, portraying them as pious miracle workers who were ultimately betrayed and martyred. These stories offered a sacred history, helping Shi'a Muslims preserve their heritage and resist the pressure to forget their past. By invoking shared memories and inspiring communal mourning practices, these biographies became central to Shi'a religious imagination and cultural memory for centuries.