A Major Schism in the Early Isma'ili Movement

Abstract

The Isma'ili movement was rent by a major schism in the year 286/899, shortly after 'Ubayd Allah ('Abd Allah) al-Mahdi, the future Fatimid caliph, had succeeded to the central leadership of the Isma'ilis. As a result of this schism, brought to the attention of modern scholars by the recent progress in Isma'Ili studies, early Isma'llism was split into two rival factions, which later became generally designated as Fatimid Isma'ilism and Qarmatism. This article aims to investigate the circumstances and issues surrounding this schism, which centred around the variations in the doctrine of the imamate upheld by the early Isma'ilis. The origins of Ismd'ilism as a separate branch of Im~mi Shi'ism may be traced to the dispute over the succession to Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (d. 148/765). Often living clandestinely, and conducting their da'wa or missionary activities secretly, in order to escape persecution at the hands of their numerous enemies, the Ismd'llis have nevertheless had a very eventful history, extending over some twelve centuries and through many Muslim lands from North Africa to Central Asia and the Indian sub-continent. The Isma'ilis twice succeeded in establishing important states of their own, the Fatimid caliphate (297-567/909-1171) and the Nizarl state of Persia and Syria (483-654/1090-1256), in addition to winning many Muslim dynasties and individual rulers to their side. Ism'lilism has also undergone several major and minor schisms. The schism of the year 286/899 was the first major one in the Ism'lili movement, and it had important consequences for the history of Ismd'ilism.