تحولات الإمامة في أدب الشيعة

Abstract EN

This article traces the evolution of the Shiites’ political theory since its appearance until the end of the Umayyad caliphate, in the light of Shiites’ literary work, both prose and poetry.

Through in-depth analysis of relevant sources and thorough examination of relevant materials, the article concludes that the evolution of the Shiites’ Imamate is an inevitable result of the political situation prevailing at that time.

The article traces the developments of such political theory in Shiites’ literary works and assesses the influence of the prevailing political circumstances.

It suggests that the early political thoughts are devoid from “Al Wasiya” (the doctrine of divine appointment as the Prophet’s successor to Ali bin Abi Talib) and instead only focused on general principles of inheritance and succession.

These conclusions clearly emerge upon examination of the Shiites’ political documents and literary work over different periods.

The article concludes by pointing to the fact that “Al Wasiya” developed over time and was not present in the Shiites’ early literary work.

It was in fact a new doctrine unknown to the traditional Arabic mentality.