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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books History of Shi'ism: From the Advent of Islam up to the End of Minor Occultation Leswson 2: General References After having a general survey of some of the special references on the history of Shi‘ism, we shall examine the general references for this history.

The general references with respect to their subjects are as follows: Tarikh-e ‘Umumi {General History}; Zendeginameh-ye Imaman (‘a) {Biography of the Imams ( ‘a )}; Kitab-ha-ye Fitan va Hurub {Books on Revolts and Wars}; Kitab-ha-ye Rijal va Tabaqat {Books on Rijal and Classes}; Kitab-ha-ye Jughrafiya {Books on Geography}; Kitab-ha-ye Akhbar {Books on Narrations}; Kitab-ha-ye Nasab {Books on Genealogy}; Kitab-ha-ye Hadith {Books on Hadith s}; Kitab-ha-ye Milal va Nihal {Books on Nations and Religions}.

General History In this book’s survey of the history of Shi‘ism, the most widely used books are those relating to the general history of the first centuries hijri and the history of the caliphate, such as Tarikh al-Ya‘qubi , Murawwij adh-Dhahab , Tarikh at-Tabari , Al-Kamil fi’t-Tarikh , Al-‘Abr , Al-Imammah wa’s-Siyasah , Tarikh al-Khulafa’ , Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah of Ibn Abi’l-Hadid, including even the analytical history research and books written by contemporary writers.

Among the general history books, I have used Tarikh al-Ya‘qubi and Murawwij adh-Dhahab extensively. In these two books, historical events and occurrences have been recorded fairly impartially and without any attempt at concealing the truth.

Ya‘qubi has expressed in detail the oppositions of of the Prophet (S) with the caliphate of Abubakr, criticizing the groupings after the demise of the Prophet (S).[^1] He has embarked, as far as he could, on mentioning the events relevant to the history of the Shi‘ah such as the government of the Commander of the Faithful ( ‘a ),[^2] the peace treaty of Imam al-Hasan ( ‘a ),[^3] the martyrdom of Hujr ibn al-‘Addi,[^4] ‘Amru ibn Hamq[^5] and that of Imam al-Husayn ( ‘a ),[^6] more or less presenteing the truth of the matter.

Mas‘udi is also among the historians who had no intention of concealing the truth.