The second way is through the list of regions where the pure...

The second way is through the list of regions where the pure Imams ( ‘a ) designated proxies. The institution of deputyship { wikalah } had been founded since the time of Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ) and during the time of Imam al-Hadi and Imam al-‘Askari ( ‘a ) the activity of this institution had reached its climax. The regions where the Imams’ ( ‘a ) deputies were dispatched included Ahwaz, Hamedan, Sistan, Bust, Rey, Basrah, Wasit, Baghdad, Egypt, Yemen, Hijaz, and Mada’in.

(5) Of course, Kufah, Qum, Samarra, and Nayshabur were considered as the most important Shia-dominated cities till the end of the third century AH, and the Shia jurisprudence based on the traditions of the pure Imams ( a ) was taught there.

After the third century, nevertheless, Kufah declined in importance being gradually replaced by Baghdad, and with the arrival of the Al Buyah and the presence of distinguished figures such as Shaykh al-Mufid, Sayyid Murtadha, Sayyid Radhi, and Shaykh at-Tusi, the religious seminary in Baghdad flourished.

Regarding the Shia influence in Baghdad during the fourth century AH, Adam Mitch thus writes: But in Baghdad which was the capital of Islam in its true sense and where the waves of all intellectual currents were strong, all schools of thought had followers. Of all these schools of thought, two were the strongest and most uncompromising—Hanbali and Shia.

The followers of Shi‘ism were particularly concentrated around the market of Karakh and only at the end of the fourth, this direction to the major bridge in Bab at-Taq was also populated. In places west of Dajlah, especially Bab al-Basrah, Hashimis (‘Abbasid Sadat ) constituted a strong community with intense enmity toward the Shia.

Yaqut thus writes: “The residents of the district of Bab al-Basrah, between Karakh and Qiblah, were all Hanbali Sunnis, and those on the left and western parts of Karakh were also Sunnis. But the people of Karakh were entirely Shia and no Sunni could be found among them.” As recorded by historians, the first time the Shia of Baghdad gathered in Baratha Masjid in 313 AH, it was reported to the caliph that a group is gathering there to collectively curse the caliphs.

The caliph ordered for it to be besieged on Friday at the time of congregational prayer, and thirty worshippers were arrested and searched.