The Concept of Imamate from the Perspective of the Zaydi Sect

Abstract

The doctrine of Imamate is one of the most significant and debated subjects among Muslims. Within the Shi'a community, it serves as both a point of convergence and divergence. The Zaydis are regarded as Shi'a and followers of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib due to their belief in his immediate succession after the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). However, Zaydi Shi'ites hold a distinctive view of the Imamate. They consider the Imamate to be the highest form of authority within the Islamic state. They acknowledge the Imamate of Ḥasan and Ḥusayn (peace be upon them) and believe that the Imamate remains within the progeny of the Prophet. According to Zaydi belief, the Imamate following Imam Ḥusayn is not based on explicit divine designation nor infallibility. Instead, it is a form of leadership assumed by a qualified individual who rises in opposition against tyrannical and unjust governments and assumes responsibility for leading the Islamic community. They hold that Imam Ḥusayn did not appoint a successor. Consequently, they refrained from recognizing a specific Imam after him until the uprising of Zayd ibn ʿAlī in Kūfa, whereupon they pledged allegiance to him. Most Zaydis did not accept the Imamate of Imam ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn (commonly known as Imam Sajjād). However, they accepted the Imamate of Zayd ibn ʿAlī and any descendant of Fāṭima who was known to be a just, courageous, and learned figure who actively rose up and invited others to follow him. They believe that the Imam is not characterized by infallibility (ʿiṣmah) or divinely inspired knowledge (ʿilm ladunī). Accordingly, they do not consider spiritual guidance of the community toward God to be among the duties of the Imam; rather, the Imam’s primary function is to implement penal laws (ḥudūd), lead jihād, and carry out state governance. This study utilizes a descriptive-historical method and draws upon primary Zaydi sources to examine the doctrine of Imamate within Zaydism.