Qiblah-ye Kaʿba-zād

A Three-Volume Study of the Virtues of Imam Ali (a)

Lantern Publications has begun the English translation of Qiblah-ye Kaʿba-zād, an extraordinary three-volume work by Hujjat al-Islam Hamed Kashani devoted to the life, virtues and unique personality of Amir al-Muʾminin, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a).

Originally published by Maaref Publishing House, the work grew from Shaykh Hamed Kashani’s widely followed lectures and was subsequently edited, expanded and documented for publication.

Across three volumes, the author presents a rich and accessible portrait of Imam Ali (a), drawing upon the Qur’an, Prophetic traditions, historical reports, and both Shia and Sunni sources.

80 Virtues of Amir al-Muʾminin (a)

At the heart of the collection is an exploration of approximately 80 distinctive virtues and qualities of Imam Ali (a).

Each section examines a particular dimension of his character and life, including his:

• courage and sacrifice;
• knowledge and wisdom;
• justice and leadership;
• worship and devotion to Allah;
• loyalty to the Messenger of Allah (s);
• defence of truth and justice;
• care for the poor and vulnerable;
• generosity, mercy and moral excellence.

Rather than simply recounting events from history, the work seeks to help readers understand why Imam Ali (a) occupies such a unique position in Islam and why his example continues to inspire generations of Muslims.

Rooted in Shia and Sunni Sources

One of the distinguishing features of Qiblah-ye Kaʿba-zād is its extensive use of historical and narrational sources.

Shaykh Hamed Kashani draws not only upon the rich heritage of Shia scholarship, but also upon important Sunni works when documenting the virtues and distinctions of Imam Ali (a). The result is a work that brings together a wide body of evidence while remaining readable and accessible to the general reader.

The books also address a number of historical questions and misconceptions, providing readers with the sources and context needed to examine these subjects more deeply.

More Than a Biography

Many of us have heard individual narrations about the virtues of Amir al-Muʾminin (a), but few have had the opportunity to encounter them in a systematic and carefully documented work.

Qiblah-ye Kaʿba-zād brings these accounts together and allows the reader to encounter Imam Ali (a) through the many dimensions of his remarkable personality.

It is not simply a book about a great figure of Islamic history. It is an invitation to better know the man whom the Messenger of Allah (s) placed at the heart of the Islamic tradition—and whose knowledge, courage, worship, justice and devotion to truth remain profoundly relevant today.

Help Us Bring This Important Work into English

Despite the importance of this work, it is currently unavailable to the vast majority of English-speaking readers.

Lantern Publications has now begun translating the complete three-volume collection into English.

A project of this scale requires considerable investment in professional translation, scholarly review, editing, typesetting, design and publication.

We invite you to help us make this important work available to readers throughout the English-speaking world.

Support the Translation and Publication

Your contribution will directly support the translation and production of the three-volume English edition of Qiblah-ye Kaʿba-zād.

Whether large or small, every contribution brings us closer to making this valuable work accessible to students, families, scholars, speakers and readers seeking to deepen their understanding of Amir al-Muʾminin Imam Ali (a).

Help us bring the words, virtues and legacy of Imam Ali (a) to a new generation of English-speaking readers.