Throughout the second century AH...

Throughout the second century AH, the ‘Alawi uprisings were related to one another more on the basis of the Zaydi ideology though the ‘Abbasids capitalized greatly on the uprising of Zayd. As Amir ‘Ali, one of the contemporary historians, says in this regard: The death of Zayd strengthened the ‘Abbasid campaigners and confirmed the campaigns in full swing at the time for the caliphate of the descendants of ‘Abbas.

That barrier of probable competition was removed from their way and it turned well suitable with the trend of the events related to Abu Muslim such that it was built for the overthrow of the Umayyads.[^3] a. The Uprising of Zayd Zayd, the noble son of Imam as-Sajjad ( ‘a ) and brother of Imam al-Baqir ( ‘a ) rose up and staged an uprising against the cruelties of the Umayyad caliph Hashim and his agents.

Zayd who went to Damascus to complain against Yusuf ibn ‘Amru, the then governor of Iraq, was belittled and reproached by Hashim, and upon his return from Sham, he was surrounded by the Shi‘ah in Kufah, urging him to rise up against the Umayyads.

But because of the wound he suffered at the heat of his fight, his uprising did not succeed and he himself attained martyrdom.[^4] Regarding the personality and uprising of Zayd, various narrations have been transmitted with a group of narrators who reproach him. The Shi‘ah scholars and authorities, however, are of the opinion that Zayd was a noble and meritorious man and strong evidence fails to prove his deviation.

Shaykh al-Mufid has this to say concerning him: Many of the Shi‘ah regard him as Imam and the reason for this is that Zayd rose up and called on the people for the pleasure of Muhammad’s progeny.

The people thought that he was referring to himself though it was not the case because he knew that his brother, Imam al-Baqir ( ‘a ), was the rightful Imam and the Imam also introduced to him the Imamate { imamah } of his son, Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ).[^5] After reporting the narrations related to Zayd, ‘Allamah Majlisi also writes, thus: Be it known that the reports concerning the status of Zayd are varied and contradictory but there are more reports expressing his dignity, grandeur and merit and that he had no incorrect assertions and most of the Shi‘ah ‘ulama’ have praised him.