All orientalists who had travelled to Islamic countries had communicated with Sunnis, had only gone to Sunni countries, and had used Sunni books on Quranic exegesis and history [...] The orientalists had adopted these books as their reference for Islamic Studies, and had thus introduced Islam to the world from a Sunni point of view. Based on this approach, they viewed Shi'ism merely as a branch of Islam. Hence, they has not studied Shi'a works in exegesis, history, tradition, philosophy, and theology. That is why Shi'ism had not been introduced to the world [...] History books of the Sunnis contain numerous points which can be criticised for their invalidity, misrepresentation, or distortion. In addition, certain matters have been ascribed to the Messenger of Allah that do not fit the character of a prophet, not to mention their denial of the Prophet's infallibility. Thus, Islam has not appeared in the West with its true face.
Sayyid Muhammad Hussain Tehrani, Shining Sun
