Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

The Response by Imam al-ʿAskarī’s Mother to Jaʿfar al-Kadhdhāb’s Political Activities after Imam al-ʿAskari’s Martyrdom

Document Type : Original Article

Author
nahid tayyebi
Professor, Jamiʿa al-Zahra Seminary, PhD in History of Ahl al-Bayt, researcher and manager of Muslim Woman Encyclopedia, Research Institute for Islamic Studies, Qom, Iran
10.22034/jis.2024.351111.1823
Abstract
After the martyrdom of Imam al-Ḥasan al-ʿAskarī, the Shias faced significant threats and challenges, including Jaʿfar al-Kadhdhāb’s claim to the Imamate. While Jaʿfar’s activities have been extensively studied, the political and social roles of Imam al-ʿAskarī’s mother remain largely unexamined and overlooked. This article employs a descriptive-analytic method and utilizes early historical sources to analyze the actions taken by the Imam’s mother in response to the political and psychological maneuvers of Jaʿfar al-Kadhdhāb following Imam al-ʿAskarī’s martyrdom. Research findings indicate that the challenges facing Imami Shiism included belief in an unknown and hidden Imam, the absence of an explicit will from Imam al-ʿAskarī, and various claims to the Imamate. The Imam’s mother took decisive actions such as hastening to return to Samarra, countering Jaʿfar’s claim to the Imamate by presenting Imam al-Mahdī, producing a will, claiming the inheritance, responding to Shia inquiries, and addressing their concerns. These efforts culminated in the defeat of Jaʿfar’s political and economic agendas.
Keywords
Imam al-ʿAskarī
Imam al-ʿAskarī’s mother
Imam al-Mahdī
Jaʿfar al-Kadhdhāb
the year 260 AH
Subjects
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Journal of Imamiyyah Studies
Volume 10, Issue 19 - Serial Number 19
September 2024
Pages 285-306