Following Muhammad,
pages 168-174
The spirituality of Shi`ism
- origins of spiritual authority in Shi`ism
- the Imam
- branches of Shi`ism
- charismatic guidance
- lamentation and redemptive suffering
- intermediaries
- anti-Shi`i reactions
Berkey, pp. 130-140
- Shi`ism developed distinctive identity despite
lack of popular success
- disappointment at the Abbasid betrayal, new revolt
in 762 by great-grandson of Hasan, claiming rightful authority
- emergence of Shi`ism in Persia (Qum, Caspian coast)
- Ja`far al-Sadiq (sixth Imam, d. 765) and evolution
of doctrine of the Imam, designation of successor, free of sin,
authoritative on religious and political affairs
- "the rejection of the actual course of early
Muslim history" combined with political quietism
- Shi`i notables in Baghdad and official positions
in the caliphate (which they rejected), the concession of making the
eighth Imam heir to the caliph
- dissimulation (taqiyya) of Shi`i identity
permitted in time of persecution
- 10th and 11th imams virtual prisoners, destruction
of tomb of Husayn in 850 to discourage pilgrimage
- disappearance of 12th Imam, awaited as Messiah
- formation of Shi`i hadith, triumph of Shi`i
dynasty of Buyids over the weakened caliphate (945)
- Isma`ili
Shi`ism ("Seveners") emerging from split after sixth Imam, "a highly
disciplined missionary campaign" eventually producing the Fatimid dynasty in North Africa and
Egypt (969)
- another branch, the Qarmatis, besiege Mecca and
burn down Ka`ba (eliminating the external forms of religion)
- Isma`ili doctrine of cyclical history, "speaking"
prophets followed by "silent" successors, the external and the internal
aspects of religion, messianic belief