This book is the result of certain academic and intellectual questions and problems that gradually became puzzles and enigmas in my understanding of the debates conducted by certain twentieth-century Shiʿi reformers in Iran. My study of Shariʿat Sangelaji and ‘Ali Shariʿati convinced me that, despite their differences, both men felt compelled at a certain point in their intellectual development to grapple with one towering religious figure of the past. In tune with their different temperaments, educational backgrounds, styles, degrees of scholarly thoroughness and religio-political agenda each engaged Mohammad-Baqir Majlesi as the symbol, architect and archetype of what needed to be reformed in Shiʿi Islam. From the works of these reformers, it seemed as though serious and meaningful reform of Shiʿism had to start with a critique of Majlesi. By 1997, it became evident to me that understanding modern Shiʿi reformism meant understanding Majlesi, who seemed to be its nemesis in the eyes of these early reformers. So the original idea of this book started with an interest in Mohammad-Baqir Majlesi's life, works, religious culture and politics, only to understand the arguments against and attacks on his colossal influence on popular Shiʿism. Needless to say that having started with the works of his critics, my reading of Majlesi was coloured by their criticisms.

The end of my study of Majlesi and Sangelaji overlapped with the flurry of news and rumours from Iran about supernatural observations, experiences, and statements among different segments of the society.