ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Alleged Role of Nasir Al Din Al Tusi in the Fall of Baghdad The Advent of Shiism in Iraq The story of the influence of Shi'ism in Iraq is a long one, to describe which even briefly is beyond the scope of this article. From the time Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (A) shifted his capital from Madinah to Kufah [^1] in order to cope with the difficulties and problems of his four and a half years reign, the seed of Shi'ism was planted in that city.

But this did not lead to any phenomenal increase in the number of Shi'ites in Iraq. However, in the 2nd/8th century and thereafter Shi'ism spread to other parts of Iraq. Much later Shiism spread in Baghdad with the efforts of Shi'i Ulama' and was able to survive despite the pressures and unlimited oppression of the Abbasids. This situation continued until the entry of the Buyids towards the middle of the 4th/10th century into Baghdad.

The Buyids supported the Shiites and over a period of one hundred years spread the influence of Shiism in collaboration with such Shii 'ulama' as al-Shaykh al-Mufid. [^2] Subsequently the Seljuq rule limited the Shi'i influence, but could not eliminate it altogether. With the passage of time, the power of the Alawids increased and the Shiis emerged as an important religious group in Baghdad. Moreover, they established another centre of Shiism at Hillah.

The growing importance of the Shi'is and their political influence led to conflict with and opposition by the Sunnis. The 'Abbasid caliphs often persecuted the Shi'is with the help of the Sunni group. The time of al-Nasir li-Din Allah, the 'Abbasid caliph, marked the beginning of the Mongol incursions into the eastern parts of the Muslim world.

The caliph tried to woo and enlist the support of the Shiis who formed a powerful community in Baghdad and had sympathizers among the Khwarazmshahis who had been hostile to the 'Abbasid caliph and supported the Shiis of Baghdad. His inclination towards the Alawids and the Shiites made some regard him as a Shii himself.

Ibn al-'Tiqtaqa writes about him that he believed in Imami doctrines and his ministers either showed particular inclination towards Shiism or were Shi'i themselves." [^3] This was deemed a political move for attracting the Shi'i support. [^4] Al-Sa'di mentions his appointment of Ibn al-Alqami, a Shi'i, to the ministerial office as a move to please the Shi'i scholar Radi al-Din Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja'far ibnTawus al-Hasani.