The Caliph and the Heretic: Ibn Sabaʼ and the Origins of Shīʻism

This book is an examination of the traditions and legends concerning early Islam's first and most infamous heretic, the Yemenite Jew known as ʿAbd Allāh ibn Sabaʾ. Tracing the evolution and transformation of the many stories and narratives about Ibn Sabaʾ as adapted by Sunnī and Shīʿī scholars alike, this work attempts for the first time to give a comprehensive account of the formation of the image of Ibn Sabaʾ as the quintessential heretic of Islam's early years. It also offers a new interpretation of the historical importance and beliefs of Ibn Sabaʾ and those early Shīʿa reviled as his followers, the Sabaʾīya. The end result is a revolutionary, new portrait of Shīʿite origins and early Islamic sectarianism. "This book is an examination of the traditions and legends concerning early Islam's first and most infamous heretic, the Yemenite Jew known as ʿAbd Allāh ibn Sabaʼ. Tracing the evolution and transformation of the many stories and narratives about Ibn Sabaʼ as adapted by Sunnī and Shīʿī scholars alike, this work attempts for the first time to give a comprehensive account of the formation of the image of Ibn Sabaʼ as the quintessential heretic of Islam's early years. It also offers a new interpretation of the historical importance and beliefs of Ibn Sabaʼ and those early Shīʿa reviled as his followers, the Sabaʼīya. The end result is a revolutionary, new portrait of Shīʿite origins and early Islamic sectarianism"--Provided by publisher This book is an examination of the traditions and legends concerning early Islam s first and most infamous heretic, the Yemenite Jew known as Abd All h ibn Saba . Tracing the evolution and transformation of the many stories and narratives about Ibn Saba as adapted by Sunn and Sh scholars alike, this work attempts for the first time to give a comprehensive account of the formation of the image of Ibn Saba as the quintessential heretic of Islam s early years. It also offers a new interpretation of the historical importance and beliefs of Ibn Saba and those early Sh a reviled as his followers, the Saba ya. The end result is a revolutionary, new portrait of Sh ite origins and early Islamic sectarianism. List of TableAcknowledgmentsAbbreviationsIntroductionChapter One. Ibn SabaÊ3⁄4 and the Sayfian CorpusChapter Two. Sayf ibn Ê¿Umar and the SabaÊ3⁄4iya (I): The Caliphate of Ê¿Uthman ibn Ê¿AffanChapter Three. Sayf ibn Ê¿Umar and the SabaÊ3⁄4iya (II): Ê¿Ali ibn Abi Talib the Battle of the CamelExcursus: The Sayfian Corpus in the Riwaya of Nasr ibn MuzahimChapter Four. Ibn SabaÊ3⁄4 and the HeresiographersChapter Five. The Execution of Ibn SabaÊ3⁄4Chapter Six. The Parousia of Ê¿Ali ibn Abi TalibExcursus 1: Ê¿Ali in the CloudsExcursus 2: The Letter of Ê¿Ali Given to Ê¿Abd Allah ibn Wahb al-HamdaniChapter Seven. The SabaÊ3⁄4iya of the Umayyad PeriodConclusionBibliography Index Ibn Sabaʻ And The Sayfian Corpus -- Sayf Ibn ʻumar And The Sabaʻiya (i): The Caliphate Of ʻuthman Ibn ʻaffan -- Sayf Ibn ʻumar And The Sabaʻiya (ii): ʻali Ibn Abi Tālib The Battle Of The Camel -- Excursus: The Sayfian Corpus In The Riwaya Of Naṣr Ibn Muzaḥim -- Ibn Sabaʻ And The Heresiographers -- The Execution Of Ibn Sabaʻ -- The Parousia Of ʻali Ibn Abi Ṭalib -- Excursus 1: ʻali In The Clouds -- Excursus 2: The Letter Of ʻali Given To ʻabd Allah Ibn Wahb Al-hamdani -- The Sabaʻiya Of The Umayyad Period. By Sean W. Anthony. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 319-333) And Index. This Book Offers An Examination Of The Origins Of Sh??ite Islam As Viewed Through The Lens Of The Traditions Surrounding Its Earliest And Most Infamous Heretic, ?abd All?h Ibn Saba?, And The Sectarian Movement He Purportedly Founded, The Saba??ya. This book offers an examination of the origins of Shi'ite Islam as viewed through the lens of the traditions surrounding its earliest and most infamous heretic, 'Abd Allah ibn Saba', and the sectarian movement he purportedly founded, the Saba'iya.