Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

The Role of the Umayyads in Creating Doctrinal Crises for the Shi'a in the Three Spheres of the Ummah, Imamate, and Shariʿa

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
ali farsimadan 1
Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Comparative Law and Jurisprudence, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran(Full member of the Scientific Association of Religions and Sects)
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic History, Faculty of History, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
10.22034/jis.2025.523515.2030
Abstract
According to historical sources, the Umayyads faced crises in legitimacy, religiosity (i.e. religious observance), and deviation from Islamic principles. To overcome these, they sought to transform Islamic society in accordance with their own methods. Accordingly, using a descriptive-analytical method and relying on historical reports and narratives, this study aims to investigate the role of the Umayyads in creating doctrinal crises for the Shi'a in the three spheres of the Ummah, Imamate, and Shariʿa (Shariah). By creating a crisis in the sphere of the Ummah, the Umayyads sought to undermine the unity of the community and the obligation of enjoining good and forbidding evil, leading to their crisis and destruction. Regarding the issue of Imamate, by normalizing the violation of the oath of allegiance (bayʿah) with the aim of introducing a new governing structure, they actualized the system of hereditary succession (wilāyat al-ʿahd) in order to eliminate the Imamate. By creating a crisis in the sphere of religion and Shariʿa, they sought to obliterate Islamic rites and oppose divine and prophetic tradition, which resulted in the two tragedies of al-Ḥarrah and the desecration of Mecca. By enacting laws such as the cursing and vilification of Imam ʿAlī (AS), they aimed to humiliate Shi'a society and erase Islamic teachings and values. To consolidate their measures, the Umayyads promoted theological determinism (jabr), pursuing three main objectives: legitimizing the Umayyad government, consolidating their self-proclaimed Imamate through the structure of hereditary succession, and absolving themselves of blame for the tragedy of Karbala.
Keywords
Umayyads
Sphere of the Ummah
Sphere of Shariʿa
Sphere of Imamate
Subjects
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