The Development of
Sectarianism
Carl Ernst
Reli 180, Introduction to Islamic Civilization
Upcoming quiz September24
In class quiz, 25 minutes
A list of 25 names and terms will be
circulated a week in advance
The quiz will contain 10 names and terms
The task is to correctly identify and explain
the significance of 5 names and terms, in
relation to key issues in the course
2
Hints for studying for the quiz
Use the glossary in Egger (p. 319)
Use the index both in Egger and Following
Muhammad
Write down notes in the margin of the book
after you look things up, or take notes on
your computer.
Think about names and terms in relation to
key issues in the course
3
`Ali and the politics of division
Recap of first four Caliphs
Abu Bakr, 632-634
`Umar, 634-644
`Uthman, 644-656
`Ali, 656-661
Tensions created by favoritism of `Uthman
toward Meccan elites (nepotism), leading to
his assassination
Resentment of those who favored `Ali
4
The declaration of Ghadir
Khumm
“him for whom I
am the master, so
this Ali is his
master”
“master” can also
mean “client,”
“ally,” etc.
Was `Ali named as
Muhammad’s
successor?
5
`Ali’s Caliphate: Shi’ites and
Kharijites
`Ali’s popularity among opponents of
`Uthman
Cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet,
married to Prophet’s daughter Fatima,
father of Prophet’s grandsons, Hasan and
Husayn
Seen as champion of outsiders including
non-Arabs
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`Ali’s Caliphate: Shi’ites and
Kharijites (2)
`Ali battles opponents near Kufa (Battle of
Camel, then is challenged by Mu`awiya and
submits to arbitration
Shi`a = “faction, party” [of `Ali, or whoever]
Shi`i (Shi’ite) = “partisan, supporter” [of Ali]
Kharijites (“seceders”), one-time supporters of
`Ali who reject him when he agrees to
arbitration
Kharijite movement becomes extremist; sinners
[everyone else!] should be killed
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Ali’s death, Karbala, and
martyrdom
`Ali’s death “a profound shock to his
followers”
Mu`awiya establishes Umayyad dynasty,
which is criticized for immorality
Hasan gives up claim on caliphate
Husayn raises revolt, massacred in Karbala
(680) by army of Yazid (son of Mu`awiya)
Kufans failed to support him, suffered deep
guilt , origin of lamentation rituals
8
Karbala
9
Husayn
10
The Abbasid Revolution
Other revolts against Umayyads
Ibn Zubayr in Mecca (682-692)
Mukhtar revolts in name of `Ali’s son, Ibn alHanafiyya, claimed to be Mahdi (messiah)
• Doctrine of Jesus as Mahdi
After death in 700, Ibn al-Hanafiyya said to be
“in concealment”
Should Imam-Caliph be related to `Ali (be an
Alid), or more generally to the Prophet?
Descendents of Prophet’s uncle `Abbas =
11
Abbasids
Abbasid strategy
Abbasids claim succession to Ibn alHanafiyya as spiritual heirs
Pretend to postpone the decision on caliph
until after overthrow of Umayyads\
Abu Muslim organizes propaganda in Iran,
“black banners” unfurled
Umayyads overthrown in 750 with great
slaughter, `Abbasids claim caliphate, to
great disappointment of Alids
Shi`ite identities
Ghulat (“extremists”) and Zaydis
Husayni Alids: descendents of Ali via
Husayn become respected figures or Imams
(Muhammad al-Baqir, Ja`far al-Sadiq)
Development of doctrine of Imam:
designation of successor, extraordinary
spiritual knowledge, renouncing politics
Crisis of succession after Ja`far when his
son Isma`il predeceases him
13
Imami Shi`is (Twelvers)
Dissimulation of religious identity
permissible under threat
Death of the 11th Imam (Hasan al-`Askari,
874), doctrine of 12th (“hidden”) Imam
Represented by deputies during Lesser
Concealment (874-941)
After 941, Greater Concealment, 12th Imam
expected to return as Mahdi
Dominant religion in Iran, Iraq
14
Isma`ilis (Seveners)
Broke away from Imamis after Isma`il died
Preoccupation with esoteric knowledge
Imam believed to be concealed
Missionaries find Berbers receptive,
establish Fatimid caliphate in North Africa
(910), `Abd Allah recognized as ImamCaliph and Mahdi (compare to Dune)
• Shi`is as “embattled minorities”
15
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Sunnis as majoritarians
Claim to follow sunna or example of
Prophet, accept political authority
Texts are authorities, not Imams
Ritual practice: proclamation of faith, ritual
prayer, alms giving, fasting, pilgrimage
Tension between Shi`i emphasis on
charismatic leaders and Sunni acceptance of
tradition
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