Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

A Critique of Nasser al-Qifari's Claim Regarding the Belief in Rajʿah (Return) in Shi'a Thought (Based on an Analysis of the Developmental Trajectory of the Doctrine of Rajʿah)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
seyed mohammad ebadi ardehaei 1
Mostafa Jafartayyari 2
Reza Shojaeimehr 3
1 PhD Candidate, Shiʿite Studies (Kalam), University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Shiʿite Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
3 Mahdaviyat [Mahdism] Researcher, Bright Future Institute)
10.22034/jis.2025.458402.1958
Abstract
Among the distinguishing features of Shi'a thought is the belief in rajʿah (the Return). Islamic theologians and scholars have produced numerous works to substantiate and rationalize this belief. However, what is frequently encountered in some contemporary research by Salafi thinkers and researchers is the assertion that the belief in rajʿah was introduced into the Shi'a doctrinal system from Jewish thought during the third and fourth centuries AH (ninth and tenth centuries CE) by ghulāt (extremists) such as ʿAbdullah ibn Saba'. Therefore, conducting an independent study to identify and explain the developmental trajectory of this doctrine seemed necessary in order to critique the aforementioned claim. Based on the findings of this research, which was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method, it is concluded that, besides the lack of sufficient evidence for the historical existence of Ibn Saba', there is no documentation indicating his belief in rajʿah or his attempt to inculcate such a belief among Muslims. Furthermore, the concept of rajʿah fundamentally has no place in Jewish religious texts. Consequently, attributing rajʿah to Jewish sources and its transmission to Shi'ism via ʿAbdullah ibn Saba' is historically invalid.
Keywords
Rajʿah (Return)
Shi'ism
Ahl al-Sunnah
ʿAbdullah ibn Saba'
Nasser al-Qifari
Subjects
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