Presence and Propagation of Shiism in Africa(from the first through the third centuries AH)

The scope of the presence and propagation of Shiism in northern Africa dates back to the early Islamic period from the first century through the third centuries AH (7th</sup>-10th</sup>). There is no doubt that the policies of Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates against the Shi’as led to the presence of Shiism in this part of the Islamic territory. This paper deploys a descriptive-analytic method and draws on historical sources to answer the question of how Shiism appeared and spread in Africa in this period. The findings show that since the conquest of Egypt, Shiism found its way to Africa through propagations by a number of the Prophet Muhammad’s as well as Imam ‘Alī’s companions. However, the spread of Shiism was obstructed by the political power and influence of non-Shiite groups. Notwithstanding this, the presence of Imām ‘Alī’s agents in Africa and the immigration of sadat (the progeny of Imams) to the continent created opportunities exploited by the Shi’as in these territories, leading to the establishment of Shiite governments in certain areas of Africa.