The Imamite activities during the period of al-Kazim...

The Imamite activities during the period of al-Kazim (148-183/765-799) As a consequence of al-Sadiq's death the Imamites became so weak that even if military rebellion might have been possible during his life­time, there was little chance of it now.

The rise of the Isma'ilis during al-Sadiq's lifetime, followed by the rise of the Fathiyya sect, which included most of the Imamite fuqaha' ,[^14] made the position of al-Sadiq's successor, Musa al-Kazim, very weak, and obliged him to follow the quiescent policy of his father. For this reason al-Mansur(d. 158/774) did not take any action against him or his followers during his life-time. However he continued his pursuit of the representatives of the revolutionary branch of the Hasanids[^15].

The regime of al-Mahdi, who was installed in the Caliphate after the death of his father al-Mansur in 158/774,[^16] was distinguished by his "orthodox" policy. He encouraged the traditional muhaddithun , pursued the zindiqs , and oppressed the People…