Ismailism in Iran: from the beginning to the decline of the Samanides with emphasis on Khorasan and Transoxiana

This paper focuses on how the Ismailits expanded and penetrated in the Jebal area and Khorasan after discussing how it departured from shiahsim. The disagrrement among a minority of extremist shiahs about the succession of Imam Jafar Sadegh (pbuh) was the cause behind the formation of the Ismailism, which greatly expanded due to the propaganda of its followers and benefiting from the social circumstances of the time. Since the scope of their activity encompassed a vast area from Hindu Kush to Mediterranean, the native culture of each area picked up different characteristics. Apart from the religious transitions and the division among Ismailis, the perspective and the function of non- Ismailis towards them was the main factor of identity shaping of the Ismailis. The disappearance and reappearance of Ismailism is expressive of this truth. By studying the relationship between Ismailism and the Samanides government we can better understand the patiently religious efforts and the political efforts put into the expansion and the establishment of their own religious governance by the Imams, followers and leaders of Ismailism.