Zaydiyya: Difference between revisions

After the martyrdom of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]], some Alids regarded military revolt against unjust rulers as a condition of [[imamate]]. After the demise of [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)]], the adherents of this idea supported [[Zayd b. Ali]] in his uprising against [[Hisham b. 'Abd al-Malik]] and regarded him as their Imam. This marked the formation of Zaydiyya in early 2nd century AH.

Jarudiyya or Sarhubiyya are the followers of [[Abu l-Jarud]] Ziyad b. Abi Ziyad. This sect is the earliest or one of the earliest Zaydi sects. Like [[Imamiyya]], they believed that the [[Prophet (s)]] clearly designated Imam Ali (a) as his successor. Jarudiyya rejected the imamate of [[Abu Bakr]] and [['Umar]] and criticized most of the [[companions]]. The belief in [[Mahdawiyya]], limiting imamate to the descendants of [[Lady Fatima (a)]], and the belief in the divinely-inspired knowledge of the Imams are some of their beliefs that are similar to those of the Imamiyya. However, unlike Imamis, Jarudis believe in the role of election in choosing the Imam —though some sources have attributed to them the belief in the imamate of any descendant of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] and Imam al-Husayn (a) who rises up against unjust rulers and calls people to himself.

* From the time of al-Hadi ila al-haqq in 284/897 until the second half of the fourth century AH at the time of [[al-Mansur bi Allah]], al-Qasim b. Ali al-'Iyani, a descendant of al-Qasim al-Rassi. This period came to an end by the beginning of the fifth century AH when [[Isma'ili]] Sulayhids repeatedly defeated Zaydi Imams, resulting in a period of decline which lasted until the end of the sixth century AH.

* The second period started in the late sixth century AH by 'Abd Allah b. Hamza and lasted until the eleventh century AH when Isma'il al-Mutawakkil 'ala Allah (d. 566/1170-71) was the Imam.

Although Zaydis were not able to gain a firm footing in Iran until the third century AH, their activities led to the promotion of Zaydism in Iran in the third century AH and afterwards.

From the fourth century onwards, Zaydis were greatly supported and respected by the Buyids, such that, according to some historians, Zaydi Imams reached the zenith of their power and had Tabaristan, Daylam, [[Gilan]], and Gorgan under their control. An important development in Zaydi history in this period was the increase of intra-faith scholarly debates and conflicts.