The Revelation of John in Early Shi‘i Islamic Literature

This article examines the early Shi‘i engagement with the Book of Revelation, focusing on the interpretations of ʿAbdullāh Ibn Sulaymān, a 10th-century scholar who identified descriptions of the Prophet Muhammad in the Injīl (Evangel, Gospel, or New Testament ). By analysing parallels between Shi‘i eschatological traditions and Johannine literature, the study highlights shared motifs, such as the concept of Ṭūbā (a tree in paradise) and the “tree of life” in Revelation, as well as the eschatological significance of divine figures like ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib and the Lamb. The research examines intertextual connections, including the seven seals in Revelation and the Shi‘i waṣīyya (Sealed Covenant), and draws attention to overlapping sacrificial imagery, particularly between the slain Lamb and Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī. These findings reveal a profound dialogue between Shi‘ism and Christianity, demonstrating how shared eschatological symbols were understood within distinct religious frameworks.