Shi`a Pajoohi

Shi`a Pajoohi

The Influence of Imami Shia Epistemic System on Legitimacy Disputes Between the Alawite and Abbasid Caliphates

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD student, History of Islam, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
2 PhD, Shiite sects, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
3 Assistant of Theological Religions Department, University of Religions and Religions, Qom, Iran
4 PhD student, Wahhabi Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
Abstract
Following the Prophet’s demise, Arabian tribes, which had previously not leaned toward centralized governance, began to shift toward such systems. The issue of the caliphate’s legitimacy, especially among Imam Shiites, became a significant concern in Islamic history. Imami Shiites emphasize the principles of legitimate authority in Islam and have developed an epistemic framework that has profoundly influenced the Islamic community. This article explores how this epistemic system impacted disputes over the legitimacy of the Abbasid and Alawite caliphates. These conflicts arose from doctrinal and political differences between the two groups. The Abbasids, perceiving themselves as less legitimate compared to the Alawites, sought to establish their authority through religious and political arguments. In contrast, the Alawites claimed their legitimacy through their kinship with the Prophet, their inheritance rights, noble lineage, and Imamate, presenting themselves as the rightful heirs of the Prophet’s Household. Analyzing the Imami Shiite epistemic system in these controversies offers a deeper understanding of these historical developments and their enduring effects on the Islamic world.
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Keywords
Subjects

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