THE FIRST SHIA GROUPS OF IRAN (ZAYDIS, ISMAILIS, QARMATIANS, AND THE ROLE OF TWELVER SHIAS IN THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MALAKAT)
Keywords:
Shia Islam, Zaydis, Ismailis, Qarmatians, Twelver Shias, Malakat, early Islamic era, religious movements, cultural contributions, political dynamics, Islamic scholarship, social justice.Abstract
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the emergence and evolution
of the first Shia groups in Iran, namely the Zaydis, Ismailis, and Qarmatians, while also
exploring the significant role of Twelver Shias in the historical development of Malakat, a
key region in the Islamic world known for its cultural and intellectual contributions. The
study delves into the theological foundations, political strategies, and socio-cultural impacts
of these early Shia movements, emphasizing their influence on the religious identity of Iran
and their broader contributions to Islamic civilization. Through a multidisciplinary
approach that integrates historical research, religious studies, and cultural analysis, the
article highlights the diversity within Shia Islam and its lasting legacy in shaping the
political, intellectual, and cultural history of Malakat. The findings reveal that these early
Shia groups not only played a crucial role in the formation of Iran’s religious landscape but
also contributed to the intellectual and political dynamism of the Islamic world, particularly
through their resistance against oppression, establishment of scholarly traditions, and
promotion of social justice.
References
Daftary, F. (1990). The Isma’ilis: Their History and Doctrines. Cambridge University
Press.
Halm, H. (1996). The Empire of the Mahdi: The Rise of the Fatimids. Brill.
Madelung, W. (1988). Religious Trends in Early Islamic Iran. State University of New
York Press.
Momen, M. (1985). An Introduction to Shi’i Islam: The History and Doctrines of
Twelver Shi’ism. Yale University Press.
Tabataba’i, M. H. (1975). Shi’ite Islam. Translated by S. H. Nasr. SUNY Press.
Al-Tabari, A. J. M. (1989). The History of al-Tabari (Tarikh al-Rusul wa’l-Muluk), Vol.
Translated by G. H. A. Juynboll. SUNY Press.
