The Emergence Of Imamiyya Shiism, Its Doctrinal Views, And Its Division Into Sects

Abstract

This article presents a scholarly and comparative analysis of the historical emergence, doctrinal principles, and internal sectarian divisions of the Imamiyya (Twelver Shi‘a) tradition, which developed between the seventh and ninth centuries as the largest branch of Shiism. The study examines the theory of the Imamate as the central pillar of Imamiyya doctrine, the line of the Twelve Imams descended from Ali ibn Abi Talib, and their perceived role in Islamic society. It also discusses key elements of Imamiyya theology, including the infallibility of the Imams (ismah), divinely granted knowledge (ladunni knowledge), extraordinary phenomena, the doctrines of occultation (ghaybah) and Mahdism, the principle of taqiyyah, mut‘ah marriage, and beliefs concerning the “Mushaf of Fatimah,” drawing on religious and historical sources. The article analyzes the causes behind the emergence of groups associated with the broader Shi‘i and Imamiyya milieu, including the Kaysaniyya, Zaydiyya, Isma‘iliyya, Musawiyya, Waqifiyya, and Ithna Ashariyya, and highlights their principal doctrinal differences. It further outlines the Imamiyya approach to the sources of Islamic law the Qur’an, Sunnah, ijma, reason, and ijtihad. Finally, the article summarizes Sunni scholarly critiques of Imamiyya doctrines, historical assessments of the movement, its modern geographical distribution, and aspects of its socio-political influence.