Imamate of Zaydis in Ancient Iranian Zaydi Sources: A Partial Study of the Manuscripts of Kitab al-Ebana

Imamate is one of the most important theological issues raised in different Shia sects with many differences. The position of Imam and matters related to Imamate in some Shia sects have been accompanied by exaggerated explanations, and in others, they have been expressed by belittling and degrading the dignity of the Imam. In the meantime, the approach of the followers of Zaydism to Imamate as an important and influential issue has always been the focus of special attention of researchers. This article has paid particular attention to the approach of the Zaydis of the northern region of Iran and their most important figure, Naser Kabir (d. 304 A.H.), and has examined such issues as the definition of Imamate, the necessity of Imam's existence and the reasons, the ways of knowing the Imam, the difference between designated imams and imams of invitation, the conditions and duties of the imams of invitation, the possibility of two imams at the same time, etc. The research has been done by referring to the manuscripts of Al-Ebana, the copies of which have not been published yet, though they are among the most important texts of the Zaydis of northern Iran and reflect the views of Naser Kabir and the followers of the Naseriyah School of Zaydism. Al-Ebana, as a jurisprudential book, was written by Abu Jafar Mohammad ibn Yaghub Hosami, one of the prominent Zaydi scholars in Iran in the fifth century. After writing the book, the Zaydi jurists and scholars of this region added many annotations and notes to it over several centuries.