Ishwa helper Reged: 03/03/02 Posts: 553

Re: Gita: The eternal song of Love and Ultimate Wisdom [Re: Ishwa] #19116 - 08/08/02 03:33 AM Edit Reply Quote

Shi'ism The name "Shi'ism" is derived from the Arabic phrase "shi'at 'Ali," which literally means the partisans or party of 'Ali (d. 661). The cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, 'Ali was believed by most Muslim historians (but not all) to be the first male to embrace the Prophet's message of Islam. His partisans were those who believed that 'Ali was the rightful successor of the Prophet and that 'Ali had been chosen by the Prophet to succeed him in his role as the political and spiritual leader of the Muslims. This was in contrast to the belief of the Sunnis, who did not believe the Prophet had selected 'Ali to serve in that role. The vast majority of Shi'ites are the twelve imam or twelver shi'ites (ithna 'ashari) and live today primarily in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon. Isma'ili Shi'ism The Isma'ili Shi'ites (or 7-Imam Shi'ites), diverged from the majority Ja'fari or 12-Imam Shi'ites since they regarded the seventh and last Imam to be Isma'il, the eldest son of Ja'far al-Sadiq. In contrast, the 12-Imam Shi'ites do not accept Isma'il, who predeceased his father, as their seventh imam. Instead, after the death of Ja'far al-Sadiq (d. 765 CE), they followed his still living son, Musa al-Kazim (d. 799 CE) and, after him, his descendants. Not following Musa al-Kazim and his descendants, the Isma'ilis followed Muhammad the son of Imam Ismail and his descendants up to the present day. An important Isma'ili movement was the 9th century Qarmati movement in 'Iraq, comprised of followers of Hamdan Qarmat. See the brief summary of the movement, Qarmatiyyah, written by Bulend Shanay of Lancaster University (UK). More significant was the Ismaili Fatimid dynasty, which ruled in North Africa from the 10th to the 12th centuries. Another significant Ismaili movement was that of the Assassins (Thug-like killers) of 12th century Iran. Druzes (counted amongst Isma'ili Shi'ism) Doctrines Druze beliefs deviate markedly from those of mainstream Islam, consisting of an amalgamation of Neo-Platonic, Isma'ili, and extreme Shi'ite beliefs. The movement derives its name from an Isma'ili missionary, al-Darazi (d.1019/20), who proclaimed the divinity of the sixth Fatimid caliph, Abu 'Ali al-Mansur al-Hakim (985-1021). The principal figure, however, behind the formation of the movement's beliefs was Hamzah ibn 'Ali (d. 1021) who not only taught the divinity of al-Hakim but claimed that he himself was the cosmic intellect. The Druzes attach particular importance to speaking the truth among themselves (although it is permissible to lie to outsiders and even to pretend to accept the religious beliefs of the ruling majority). They believe that Hakim and Hamzah will return to the world and establish a just order ruled by Druzes. Some sects believe in reincarnation and the temporary manifestation of God in human form. They assemble for worship on Thursdays, rather than Fridays, and reject much of Islamic legal practice. The Druze scripture is the Rasa'il al-hikmah (Epistles of Wisdom), most of which was composed by Hamzah's successor, Baha al-Din al-Muqtana. (http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/islam/shia/druze.html)