Da'i
Dāʿī (Arabic: داعي, plural: duʿāt), in Islamic terminology, refers to religious-political missionaries whose mission is to invite people to religious teachings. This title was first used by the Mu'tazila and Abbasids for missionaries in Khorasan and then became prevalent among Shi'as, especially the Zaydiyya and Isma'iliyya. In Zaydiyya, the da'i played the role of leading the uprising and inviting to Alawid Imamate, while in Isma'iliyya, the da'i was an authorized representative for teaching the principles of beliefs and inviting to the esoteric and exoteric teachings. The Isma'ili da'wa organization expanded during the Fatimid period, and various ranks such as "Natiq", "Da'i al-Du'at", and "al-Da'i al-Mutlaq" were formed within it. In Imamiyya, da'wa simply means calling for the acceptance of the Imamate of the Infallibles and lacks a political aspect.
Literal and Terminological Meaning of Da'i
"Dāʿī" (plural: duʿāt) literally means "inviter" or "caller", and in the terminology of various Islamic groups, especially in Isma'ili theology, it refers to religious-political missionaries.[1] In the Qur'an, the root "da'wa" is also used in relation to God Almighty or false gods, and also referring to the actions of Prophets, which indicates the aspect of inviting to truth or falsehood.[2]
Shi'a Sects and the Position of "Da'i"
One of the first uses of the word "da'i" was by the early Mu'tazila and the Abbasids, who called their missionaries in the Khorasan region "da'i". After that, this title became prevalent among Shi'a groups such as the Zaydiyya, some Ghulat, and widely among the Isma'ilis,[3] reaching its peak during the Fatimid period.[4]
Zaydiyya: Da'i as Leader of Uprising and Inviter to Alawid Imamate
Based on historical reports, Zayd b. Ali, the son of Imam al-Sajjad (a) and the founder of the Zaydiyya movement, had da'is who invited people to pledge allegiance (Bay'a) to him.[5] In the period of subsequent Zaydi Imams, the concept of "da'wa" and the role of "da'is" were also raised as a religious-political program; because in Zaydi thought, inviting to oneself was considered a condition for the realization of Imamate, but the ultimate goal of this invitation was inviting to God and the path of truth, which has its roots in Qur'anic teachings.[6] Therefore, Hasan b. Zayd, the founder of the Alavids of Tabaristan dynasty (250/864), was known by the title "al-Da'i ila al-Haqq", "Da'i", or "al-Da'i al-Kabir", and his successors also used the same title "al-Da'i ila l-Haqq".[7] Including Hasan b. Qasim b. Hasan (d. 316/928), known as "al-Da'i al-Saghir".[8]
Isma'iliyya and Fatimids: Da'wa Organization and Emergence of al-Da'i al-Mutlaq
In the Isma'ili tradition, "da'i" means an authorized representative who has permission for da'wa and is also responsible for teaching the principles of beliefs.[9] The meaning of "da'wa" is also inviting people to accept the exoteric and esoteric teachings of this sect.[10] Da'wa in Isma'iliyya has a specific method[11] and for it, seven ranks[12] or ten ranks[13] have been mentioned.
With the establishment of the Fatimid Caliphate, especially from the year 362/973 and with the transfer of the capital to Cairo, the activities of Isma'ili da'is underwent transformation and expansion.[14] In the Fatimid da'wa organization, a specific hierarchy was formed which included ranks from "Natiq" to "Da'i al-Du'at" or "Bab" in the seven ranks,[15] and even women found a special place.[16] After the division of Isma'iliyya into two branches, Musta'li and Nizari, in the Tayyibi group of the Musta'li branch, the rank of "al-Da'i al-Mutlaq" was introduced as the highest representative of the hidden Imam and obligatory to obey, who is determined by the previous da'i.[17]
Imamiyya: Role of Scholars and Jurists as Da'is of Imami Beliefs
The Imams of the Imamiyya, since the formation of Zaydi uprisings in the era of Imam al-Sadiq (a), did not have a positive view of these uprisings and invitations.[18] Throughout the centuries, the concept of "da'wa" in Imami Shi'a has meant inviting people to accept the belief that the Infallible Shi'a Imams are "Muftarad al-Ta'a" (whose obedience is obligatory) and has not been accompanied by political uprising.[19] Some Imami figures who are introduced in Sunni sources with the title "Da'i to the sect" (da'i ila l-madhhab) did not have a political program, and their invitation was strictly limited to spreading Imami doctrinal beliefs.[20]
Notes
- ↑ Daftarī, "Dāʿī", vol. 16, p. 862.
- ↑ Pākatchī, "Daʿwat", vol. 23, p. 711.
- ↑ Daftarī, "Dāʿī", vol. 16, p. 862.
- ↑ Daftarī, "Dāʿī", vol. 16, p. 865.
- ↑ Pākatchī, "Daʿwat", vol. 23, p. 715.
- ↑ Pākatchī, "Daʿwat", vol. 23, p. 715.
- ↑ Pākatchī, "Daʿwat", vol. 23, p. 715.
- ↑ Anūsha, "Dāʿī Ṣaghīr", vol. 7, p. 419.
- ↑ Daftarī, "Dāʿī", vol. 16, p. 862.
- ↑ Dādbih, "Daʿwat", vol. 7, p. 544.
- ↑ Sharīfī, "Barrasī-yi taṭbīqī-yi ahdāf wa uṣūl-i sāzmān-i daʿwat-i ʿAbbāsiyān wa Ismāʿīliyān", p. 152.
- ↑ Dādbih, "Daʿwat", vol. 7, p. 544.
- ↑ Dādbih, "Daʿwat", vol. 7, p. 546.
- ↑ Daftarī, "Dāʿī", vol. 16, p. 864.
- ↑ Daftarī, "Dāʿī", vol. 16, p. 865.
- ↑ Chilungar, "Jāygāh-i zanān dar tashkīlāt-i Fāṭimiyān", p. 108.
- ↑ Daftarī, "Dāʿī", vol. 16, p. 865.
- ↑ Pākatchī, "Daʿwat", vol. 23, p. 716.
- ↑ Pākatchī, "Daʿwat", vol. 23, p. 716.
- ↑ Pākatchī, "Daʿwat", vol. 23, p. 716.
References
- Anūsha, Ḥasan. "Dāʿī Ṣaghīr". In Dāʾirat al-Maʿārif-i Tashayyuʿ. Vol. 7. Tehran, 2nd ed, 1380 Sh.
- Chilungar, Muḥammad ʿAlī. "Jāygāh-i zanān dar tashkīlāt-i Fāṭimiyān". In Pzhūhish-hā-yi Tārīkhī-yi Īrān wa Islām, no. 15, Pāyīz and Zimistān 1393 Sh.
- Dādbih, Aṣghar. "Daʿwat". In Dāʾirat al-Maʿārif-i Tashayyuʿ. Vol. 7. Tehran, 2nd ed.
- Daftarī, Farhād. "Dāʿī". In Dānishnāma-yi Jahān-i Islām. Vol. 16. Tehran, Bunyād-i Dāʾirat al-Maʿārif-i Islāmī, 1390 Sh.
- Pākatchī, Aḥmad. "Daʿwat". In Dāʾirat al-Maʿārif-i Buzurg-i Islāmī. Vol. 23. Tehran, Markaz-i Dāʾirat al-Maʿārif-i Buzurg-i Islāmī, 1st ed, 1396 Sh.
- Sharīfī, Jaʿfar; et al. "Barrasī-yi taṭbīqī-yi ahdāf wa uṣūl-i sāzmān-i daʿwat-i ʿAbbāsiyān wa Ismāʿīliyān". In Tārīkh-i Islām, no. 62, Tābistān 1394 Sh.