Socio-political Relations between Imamiyyah and Zaydism during the Era of the Presence of the Imams

Imamiyyah and Zaydism, which are the oldest Islamic sects, have always had relations with each other in various fields. This article examines the political and social relations between Imamiyyah and Zaydism during the period of the presence of the Imams (AS) and the initial era of the minor occultation. Examination of historical reports shows that there was a gradual divergence in political issues between Imamiyyah and Zaydism due to differences in the method of fighting oppressive rulers. However, some of the trusted companions of the Imams (AS), with their permission, participated in some of the Zaydi uprisings and provided the ground for the political connection between the Imamis and Zaydis. But the social relations between the two groups have often been convergent and the Imamis have established good social interactions with some Zaydi groups. In contrast, the beliefs of some other Zaydi groups, including the Botriyah, made the Imamis reluctant to establish social relations with them.