{"id":3983,"date":"2020-02-24T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/3983\/historical-references-relevant-to-the-history-of-shiism\/"},"modified":"2020-02-22T15:21:08","modified_gmt":"2020-02-22T15:21:08","slug":"historical-references-relevant-to-the-history-of-shiism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/3983\/historical-references-relevant-to-the-history-of-shiism\/","title":{"rendered":"Historical References relevant to the history of Shi\u2018ism"},"content":{"rendered":"

Historical References relevant to the history of Shi\u2018ism<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In this writing, I do not claim to be able to comprehensively study and analyze everything that is relevant to the history of Shi\u2018ism. Instead, I shall try to cite the most important references and citations, and to present and analyze them concisely.
\nSince there have been many books on history and books about the life account of the Infallibles {ma\u2018sumin}[8][9] (\u2018a) as well as books on hadiths and rijal,[9][10] which are related to the history of Shi\u2018ism, I have divided the references dealing with the history of Shi\u2018ism into two: (1) special references and (2) general references, which we shall deal with in two lessons.<\/h4>\n

Special References<\/strong><\/span>
\nIn this lessons, some of the references on the history of Shi\u2018ism have been cited. These references which have been introduced in brief are the following:
\n1. Maqatil at-Talibiyyin;
\n2. Ad-Darajat ar-Rafi\u2018ah fi Tabaqat ash-Shi\u2018ah;
\n3. A\u2018yan ash-Shi\u2018ah;
\n4. Tarikh ash-Shi\u2018ah;
\n5. Shi\u2018eh dar Tarikh;
\n6. Jihad ash-Shi\u2018ah; and
\n7. Tarikh-e Tashayyu\u2018 dar Iran az Aghaz ta Qarn-e Haftum-e Hijri.<\/h4>\n

1. Maqatil at-Talibiyyin<\/strong><\/span>
\nOne of the most significant references dealing with the history of Shi\u2018ism is the book Maqatil at-Talibiyyin. Its author, Abu\u2019l-Faraj \u2018Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Isfahani, was born in 284 AH in the city of Isfahan. He grew up in Baghdad and was educated under the guidance of scholars and learned men there. His genealogy can be traced back to the Umayyads but he is a Shi\u2018ah {\u2018alawi madhhab}.[10][11]
\nAs indicated in its title, the book deals with the descendants of Abu Talib {talibiyyun} who were killed at the hands of the oppressors and tyrants of the time, as the author thus writes:
\nIn this book of mine, by the help and will of Allah, I shall give a summary of the reports on the murdered ones among the descendants of Abu Talib from the time of the Messenger of Allah (S) up to the moment when I started writing this book in Jumadi al-Awwal 313 AH (circa July-August 925 CE). It includes those who were killed by means of eating or drinking poison; those who escaped from the ruler of the time, hid somewhere else and died there; and those who died while languishing in prison. And in mentioning them, I observed the chronological order of their deaths and not their merits\u2026[11][12]
\nThis book is generally divided into two parts. The first part covers the period from the time of the Prophet (S) up to the establishment of the \u2018Abbasid caliphate while the other part covers the \u2018Abbasid period.
\nAlthough this book deals only with the life account and martyrdom of the martyrs among the descendants of Abu Talib {al abi talib}, including life account of the Imams (\u2018a), martyred leaders and leading figures among the \u2018Alawis (descendants of \u2018Ali (\u2018a)) and their own followers, a part of the history of Shi\u2018ism can be extracted from every part of it. Of course, since this book is more relevant to Shi\u2018ism\u2019s political history, it is less beneficial with respect to other aspects of the history of Shi\u2018ism.<\/h4>\n

2. Ad-Darajat ar-Rafi\u2018ah fi Tabaqat ash-Shi\u2018ah<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe author of this book is Sayyid \u2018Ali Khan Shirazi who was born on Jumadi al-Awwal 5, 1052 AH (August 2, 1642) in the holy city of Medina where he was educated. In 1068 AH (circa 1657-8) he migrated to Hyderabad, India where he lived for 48 years. He then went to Mashhad, Iran for the ziyarah {visitation} of Imam ar-Rida (\u2018a). During the reign of Shah Sultan Husayn Safawi, he went to Isfahan in 1117 AH (circa 1705-6) where he stayed for two years. Thereafter, he proceeded to Shiraz where he shouldered the religious and educational management of the city.[12][13]
\nThe book, Ad-Darajat ar-Rafi\u2018ah fi Tabaqat ash-Shi\u2018ah, is one of the works of this high-ranking Shi\u2018ah scholar. Although the subject of this book is a description of the condition of the Shi\u2018ah and their history, general history of Shi\u2018ism can also be deduced from it for two reasons. One reason is that it is a study of the conditions of the Shi\u2018ah in the different periods and places, while the other reason is that the author himself has dealt briefly with the history of Shi\u2018ism especially during the Umayyad period of strangulation. He thus says in the introduction: Be aware that\u2014may God be merciful to you\u2014 in every epoch and period the Shi\u2018ah of the Commander of the Faithful {Amir al-Mu\u2019minin} (\u2018Ali) (\u2018a) and other Imams (\u2018a) from among his descendants were hiding in the nook and corner, keeping away from the attention of the rulers\u2026[13][14]
\nThen, he described the beginning of repression from the time of the Umayyads up to the period of the \u2018Abbasids.
\nThis book, as it is noted by the author in the introduction, has been arranged in 12 classes. That is, he has classified and then examined the Shi\u2018ah into the following 12 classes:
\n(1) As-Sahabah {Companions of the Prophet (S)};
\n(2) At-Tabi\u2018un {Followers};[14][15]
\n(3) Al-Muhaddithun alladhi rawu \u2018an al-A\u2019immah at-Tahirin {Scholars of Hadith who Narrated Traditions from the Pure Imams (\u2018a)};
\n(4) \u2018Ulama\u2019 ad-Din {Religious Scholars};
\n(5) Al-Hukama\u2019 wa\u2019l-Mutakallimin {Philosophers and Scholastic Theologians};
\n(6) \u2018Ulama\u2019 al-\u2018Arabiyyah {Scholars of Arabic Language};
\n(7) As-Sadah as-Sawfiyyah {Commoners};
\n(8) Al-Muluk wa\u2019s-Salatin {Kings and Sultans};
\n(9) Al-Umara\u2019 {Rulers};
\n(10) Al-Wuzara\u2019 {Viziers and Ministers};
\n(11) Ash-Shu\u2018ara\u2019 {Poets}; and
\n(12) An-Nisa\u2019 {Women}.
\nWhat is available so far from this valuable reference is the first class, i.e. the Class of the Companions in complete form, part of the fourth class, and a small portion of the 11th class.
\nThis book is considered the most significant reference on the subject of Shi\u2018ism among the Companions and in this respect, it has also a good sense of comprehensiveness. The writer of this book was able to compile the views and opinions of the Shi\u2018ah scholars and biographers {rijaliyyun} regarding the Shi\u2018ah among the Companions, and as such, he has not much engaged in expressing his own views, opinions, analyses, and investigations.<\/h4>\n

3. A\u2018yan ash-Shi\u2018ah<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe writer of this unique book is the great Shi\u2018ah researcher and scholar, the late Sayyid Muhsin Amin. The book, A\u2018yan ash-Shi\u2018ah, as its title indicates, is a book concerning the life account and description of the leading Shi\u2018ah figures. This book has three introductions. The first introduction explains the author\u2019s method of writing. The introduction begins thus: \u201cIn stating our method in this book which is as follows\u2026\u201d and then he explains in detail in 14 parts the method of his writing.
\nThe second introduction, meanwhile, is about the general history of Shi\u2018ism, which is consisted of 12 discussions. The third introduction deals with the references and authorities used in the book:
\nDiscussion 1: The meaning and connotation of the word Shi\u2018ah; other Shi\u2018ah terminologies; criticizing the view of the Ahl as-Sunnah writers regarding the Shi\u2018ah sects.
\nDiscussion 2: The emergence of the Shi\u2018ah and their expansion; the Shi\u2018ah among the Companions; Shi\u2018ah Companions; growth of the Shi\u2018ah.
\nDiscussion 3: Points to the some of the oppressions perpetrated against the Ahl al-Bayt (\u2018a) and their Shi\u2018ah.
\nDiscussion 4: Unjust treatment of the Shi\u2018ah of the Ahl al-Bayt (\u2018a).
\nDiscussion 5: Incessant attacks against the Ahl al-Bayt (\u2018a).
\nDiscussion 6: The existence of many calumnies against the Shi\u2018ah and a summary of the Ja\u2018fari Shi\u2018ah Ithna \u2018Ashari beliefs.
\nDiscussion 7: Factors behind the spread of Shi\u2018ism in the Muslim lands.
\nDiscussion 8: The virtues of the Ahl al-Bayt (\u2018a) and their services to Islam.
\nDiscussion 9: On the beliefs of the Shi\u2018ah Imamiyyah.
\nDiscussion 10: Concerning the Shi\u2018ah \u2018ulama\u2019, poets, men of letters, and writers, and their works.
\nDiscussion 11: Viziers and ministers, rulers, judges, and chiefs among the Shi\u2018ah.
\nDiscussion 12: Enumeration of the Shi\u2018ah-populated cities.[15][16]
\nIt must be beyond our responsibility to talk about the importance, reputation and value of the book, A\u2018yan ash-Shi\u2018ah, as it is an ocean of historical knowledge and information which we cannot fathom, overcome, or measure. Rather, we can benefit from it in proportion to our capability. The articulacy of writing, depth of the subjects, approach to the subjects, arrangement of the topics, logical order, and the like are among its merits.
\nWith regard to the points of criticism that can be made against it, secondary cases may be indicated such as the following: On the discussion of the other terms for the Shi\u2018ah, they are mentioned very briefly and only the names such as Imamiyyah, Muta\u2019awwalah, Qizilbash, Rafidhiyyah, Ja\u2018fariyyah, and Khassah have been enumerated,[16][17] whereas the names applied to the Shi\u2018ah are more than these. Only in the first century hijri, the labels such as \u2018Alawi, Turabi, Husayni, etc. have been applied to the Shi\u2018ah.
\nThe other criticism that can be made with respect to this book is related to the meaning of Shi\u2018ah. The Shi\u2018ah writers of rijal do not regard as Shi\u2018ah some of the people whom he counted as Shi\u2018ah because although these people were Shi\u2018ah in the political sense, they cannot be considered as such in the ideological sense.
\nThat is to say that in the political disputes they took the side of the Ahl al-Bayt (\u2018a), but in terms of belief, they did not benefit from that fountainhead {of knowledge} (Ahl al-Bayt (\u2018a)). A separate section is supposed to be allotted to this discussion, and the beginning should have stated to whom the label Shi\u2018ah refers.<\/h4>\n

4. Tarikh ash-Shi\u2018ah<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe book, Tarikh ash-Shi\u2018ah, written by the late great \u2018Allamah Shaykh Muhammad Husayn Muzaffar, is one of the important references and authorities on the history of Shi\u2018ism. This book, reprinted many times, has been translated into Persian by Prof. Sayyid Muhammad Baqir Hujjati.
\nThe late Muzaffar has surveyed and discussed in 82 headings the history of Shi\u2018ism from the time of the Prophet (S) up to his own time. In general, the topics of this book can be summed up in three parts:
\n(1) periods of the spread of Shi\u2018ism,
\n(2) Shi\u2018ah-populated places, and
\n(3) Shi\u2018ah governments.
\nThe late Muzaffar has been an able writer and erudite scholar whose pen, apart from being versatile and fluent, has the necessary power and firmness.
\nOne of the most important merits of the book, Tarikh ash-Shi\u2018ah, is its comprehensiveness as it has examined the presence of the Shi\u2018ah in all parts of the world. This book can be one of the most important references and authorities for the researchers dealing with the history of Shi\u2018ism in every period and epoch.
\nIn spite of all these merits that Tarikh ash-Shi\u2018ah does possess in comparison with other books, on account of its brevity, it fails to present the absolute truth except in topics such as the meaning of Shi\u2018ah, the specific time when the label Shi\u2018ah was applied to the sympathizers of the Ahl al-Bayt (\u2018a), the beginning of Shi\u2018ism, and the spread of Shi\u2018ism, which are related to the main discussions about Shi\u2018ah. In these cases, he has engaged in giving a detailed account, which is appropriate to the subjects. The late Muzaffar thus says in the introduction of this book: \u201cI have no other aim but to let the people know that Shi\u2018ism commenced at the time of the Receiver of Message (Muhammad al-Mustafa (S)), and the Iranians and Ibn Saba\u2019 had no hand in founding it.\u201d
\nThe other defect of this book that can be cited is its lack of scholarly character. Due to the observance of brevity, the honorable writer has failed to quote and analyze the views of others.
\nParts of this book dealing with the formation of Muslim states are supposed to be completed. For, with the passage of time, main changes and developments in the Shi\u2018ah states under discussion have occurred and some of them have even ceased to exist, but the honorable translator of the book has not discussed some of the new states and not conducted up-to-date research. As a result, it has been translated in such a form that the sections dealing with the Shi\u2018ah states gives an impression of antiquity.<\/h4>\n

5. Shi\u2018eh dar Tarikh<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe book, Ash-Shi\u2018ah fi\u2019t-Tarikh {Shi\u2018eh dar Tarikh}, written by Muhammad Husayn Zayn \u2018Amili, has been translated into Persian by Muhammad Rida \u2018Ata\u2019i and published by Astan-e Quds-e Radhawi (Custodianship of Imam ar-Rida\u2019s Holy Shrine). As one of the authorities on the history of the Shi\u2018ah, this book consists of five chapters and the concluding part:
\n\u00e0 The first chapter is about the meaning, concept, background, and a summary of the Shi\u2018ah beliefs.
\n\u00e0 The second chapter deals with the sects and groups that have separated from the Shi\u2018ah.
\n\u00e0 The third chapter covers the history after the Prophet (S) up to the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (\u2018a) and an analysis of the events and occurrences during that period.
\n\u00e0 The fourth chapter is about the position of the Shi\u2018ah during the Umayyad and \u2018Abbasid caliphates.
\n\u00e0 The fifth chapter deals with the Shi\u2018ah disavowal {bara\u2018ah} of ghulu {extremism} and ghulat {extremists}.
\nThe book, Shi\u2018eh dar Tarikh, is a good authority on the discussion of the splits within the Shi\u2018ah, it has especially analyzed various factors behind the separation of groups and sects from the Shi\u2018ah.
\nAs a book on the history of Shi\u2018ism, it does not cover all the topics and subjects dealing with the Shi\u2018ah. This is because at times the discussion drifts away from the subject of Shi\u2018ism, embarking on such subjects as the Khawarij (Kharijites)[17][18] and the history of caliphate, which are not so relevant to the history of Shi\u2018ism.<\/h4>\n

6. Jihad ash-Shi\u2018ah<\/strong><\/span>
\nAnother reference for the history of the Shi\u2018ah is the book Jihad ash-Shi\u2018ah (even though its main focus is the armed struggles and movements of the Shi\u2018ah). This book is written by Dr. Samirah Mukhtar al-Laythi, university professor at the \u2018Ayn Shams University, Egypt. The Beirut-based Dar al-Jayl publisher has published Jihad ash-Shi\u2018ah in 1396 AH (1976) with 424 pages, 16.2×22.9 cm size, and hard-bound cover.
\nAfter the introduction, this book has been arranged into 5 parts and a conclusion, and its subject is the jihad of the Shi\u2018ah. It has examined and discussed the subject approximately up to the end of the 2nd century hijri. In other words, the author of the book, on one hand, talks about the armed struggles and movements of the Shi\u2018ah against the \u2018Abbasids, states the \u2018Alawi uprisings and factors for their defeat, and discusses the role of the Shi\u2018ah movements and sects in the socio-political currents and conditions of that period.
\nOn the other hand, she has also analyzed the policy of the caliphs toward the Holy Imams (\u2018a) and the Shi\u2018ah. Topics on the general history of the Shi\u2018ah have been discussed in a certain section of the first part which covers such topics as: Shi\u2018ah in the lexicon; the concept of Shi\u2018ah; history of the emergence of the Shi\u2018ah; the impact of the jihad of Imam al-Husayn (\u2018a) in the emergence of the Shi\u2018ah; the Shi\u2018ah jihad in Iraq; the emergence of the Kaysaniyyah sect; and the Shi\u2018ah Imamiyyah. In discussing the emergence of the Shi\u2018ah, she has advanced various views and opinion regarding the history of the Shi\u2018ah.
\nOne problem that can be cited with respect to the book is in elucidating the \u201cpolitical theory\u201d of the Holy Imams (‘a) whom the author has described as \u201cthe Imams of the Imamiyyah sect\u201d. As the author is not a Shi\u2018ah, she has failed to discern and explain the foundation of the political thought of the Imams (\u2018a). As such, she describes the basis of Imamate after Imam al-Husayn (\u2018a) as spiritual and intellectual Imamate, regarding their method as different from that of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Husayn (\u2018a).[18][19]<\/h4>\n

7. Tarikh-e Tashayyu\u2018 dar Iran az Aghaz ta Qarn-e Haftum-e Hijri<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe writer of this book, Mr. Rasul Ja\u2018fariyan, is among the valuable researchers of the Islamic Theological Center in Qum. This book is a well-researched and distinctive one in its own right, and it is one of the best writings and literary works of this author. It is also one of the most important research references on the history of Shi\u2018ism.
\nThis book has valuable historical information and data, which no researcher on the history of Shi\u2018ism will be needless of. Among the merits of this book is its rich content. If it has any defect, it (only) pertains to the form and appearance. For example, its footnotes have not been printed in a standard and technical manner.
\nThe other one is that some subjects such as critique of the references used in the book are inserted in the (main) subjects, which gives confusion to the readers. Of course, it would have been better to discuss them in a separate chapter with the same heading, or at least, they must have been mentioned in the footnotes so as to cause no disruption to the main subjects.<\/h4>\n

Summary<\/strong><\/span>
\nAll history books can be good references for the research on the history of Shi\u2018ism. Among the special references on the history of Shi\u2018ism, however, are the following:
\no Maqatil at-Talibiyyin \u2013 the life account of the descendants of Abu Talib {talibiyyin} who were murdered at the hand of the tyrants of their respective times.
\no Ad-Darajat ar-Rafi\u2018ah fi Tabaqat ash-Shi\u2018ah \u2013 the history of the Shi\u2018ah and not history of Shi\u2018ism, but a part of the history of Shi\u2018ism can be learned from its survey of the conditions of the Shi\u2018ah as well as from its introduction.
\no A\u2018yan ash-Shi\u2018ah \u2013 Although it is about the conditions of the Shi\u2018ah, its second introduction is about the general history of Shi\u2018ism.
\no Tarikh ash-Shi\u2018ah \u2013\u201cThis book has surveyed the periods of the spread of Shi\u2018ism, the Shi\u2018ah-populated places, and Shi\u2018ah states.\u201d {The late Muzaffar}
\no Shi\u2018eh dar Tarikh \u2013 \u201cIt has explained the meaning and concept of Shi\u2018ah, the Shi\u2018ah beliefs and its sects.\u201d {Muhammad Husayn Zayn al-\u2018Amili}
\no Jihad ash-Shi\u2018ah \u2013 Examines Shi\u2018ah uprisings till the end of the 2nd century hijri.
\no Tarikh-e Tashayyu\u2018 dar Iran az Aghaz ta Qarn-e Haftum-e Hijri \u2013 This book contains precious information regarding the history of Shi\u2018ism in Iran, which no researcher can be needless of in his research.<\/h4>\n

shiastudies.com<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

All history books can be good references for the research on the history of Shi‘ism. Among the special references on the history of Shi‘ism, however, are the following:
\no Maqatil at-Talibiyyin – the life account of the descendants of Abu Talib {talibiyyin} who were murdered at the hand of the tyrants of their respective times.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9765,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7453,7759],"tags":[18049,7556],"class_list":["post-3983","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bank-of-subjects-of-articles","category-history","tag-historical-references-relevant-to-the-history-of-shiism","tag-shiastudies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3983","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3983"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3983\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3983"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3983"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3983"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}