"A study of contemporary Shi‘i philanthropy was long overdue, and Sara Rizvi Jafree delivers it with insight and rigor. Based on rich data from lay Shi‘a and religious scholars, the book delves into the religious ethics and practices behind welfare provision as expressions of lived Shi‘ism. By addressing tensions between ideals and everyday realities, it provides valuable practical guidance for overcoming challenges in social welfare development.”-- Dr. Elvire Corboz, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Islam and Middle East, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, The University of Edinburgh, UK, Author of ‘Guardians of Shi’ism: Sacred Authority and Transnational Family Networks.’“This book will become a key reference in Islamic Studies and the Social Sciences. Rizvi Jafree not only explores religious teachings and historical figures, but through qualitative and quantitative data, she analyzes inner workings of contemporary engagement with Islamic social welfare instruments and the mobilization of Shi‘a (social) capital globally.”-- Dr. Mara Leichtman, Department of Anthropology, Muslim Studies Program, Michigan State University, Author of ‘Shi'i Cosmopolitanisms in Africa: Lebanese Migration and Religious Conversion in Senegal.’ “The twelve Shia Imams are globally significant, but poorly understood. Many have been waiting for a book such as this. Although now hidden, the twelfth Imam still lives within the hearts of hundreds of millions of Muslims. Jafree's elegant writing reveals an entire world where deep faith inspires and is confirmed by deep humanitarianism."-- Dr. Christopher Candland, Department of Political Science, Wellesley College, USA, Auhor of ‘The Islamic Welfare State: Muslim Charity, Human Security, and Government Legitimacy in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.’“Through her sociological study of the beliefs and practices that shape religious welfare in contemporary Shia communities in Muslim and non-Muslim countries, Jafree, member of this community, provides valuable insights and analysis into global Shia communities. Her rigorous, comprehensive study, which pursues a transnational perspective, pays particular attention to the central role that historical religious women have played in leading movements for justice and equality.”-- Dr. Katrin Langewiesche, Department of Anthropology and African Studies at the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany, Author of ‘Dialectics between transnationalism and diaspora: The Ahmadiyya Muslim community’ In Routledge International Handbook of Religion in Global Society.“This groundbreaking book fills a critical gap in religious welfare studies through rigorous empirical research on the Twelver Shia community. By bridging theology, lived experience, and policy relevance, it offers a valuable foundation for scholars, faith leaders, and practitioners seeking faith-based solutions to contemporary welfare challenges.”-- Dr. Ali Akbar Tajmazinani, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, & Associate Professor Social Policy, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran, Author of ‘Social Policy in the Islamic World.’ “With this book, Jafree offers us an important study of religious financing for social welfare among Twelver Shia communities worldwide. This book is rich in empirical data, and offers specific policy recommendations aligned with UN SDGs. Jafree makes a wonderful contribution to the literature. I recommend it enthusiastically.”-- Dr. Paul Christopher Manuel, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Georgetown University, USA, Author of ‘Faith-Based Organizations and Social Welfare: Associational Life and Religion in Contemporary Africa and Latin America’ “Speculation abounds on Shia welfare networks and the extent to which community members pay 20 percent of their income (khums) to leading Grand Ayatollahs. This important work draws on empirical data to trace religious and financial commitment–and asks what prevents believers from living up to obligations they themselves acknowledge.”-- Dr. Simon Wolfgang Fuchs, Associate Professor of Islam in South Asia and the Middle East, Dept. of Asian Studies and Dept. of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.“This meticulously researched volume combines scholarly depth with rare empirical insight to illuminate the moral economy of Twelver Shia religious financing and social welfare. Dr. Jafree’s analysis is original, compelling, and consequential, offering a powerful framework for advancing faith-based welfare toward global justice and sustainable development".-- Dr. Syed Adnan Haider, PhD, Public Policy Expert, and Professor, School of Economics & Social Sciences, IBA, Pakistan“This wonderful volume offers an invaluable analysis of Shia views and practices regarding social welfare and its financing. It illuminates the richness of thought, acknowledges challenges, and offers deeply insightful practical suggestions on how to strengthen religious welfare financing in an era of great need.”-- Dr. Miguel Glatzer, Department of Political Science, La Salle University, France, Author of ‘Politics Matters: Globalization and the Future of the Welfare State’, co-edited with Dietrich Rueschemeyer.“Drawing on original global surveys and interviews, this book offers a remarkable examination of how Twelver Shia beliefs shape social welfare ethics and religious financing. It analyzes khums, zakat, waqf, and charity, identifies barriers to collective action, and advances a novel Eschatological Welfare Deficit Theory with significant global policy implications.”-- Dr. Muhammad U. Faruque, PhD, Islamic Philosophy and Environmental Studies, University of Cincinnati, USA, Former Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, Author of ‘From the Divine to the Human: Contemporary Islamic Thinkers on Evil, Suffering, and the Global Pandemic.’
