فصلنامه تاریخ فرهنگ و تمدن اسلامی
پیاپی 1-2 (بهار 1390)

Knowledge on pure Amams` biography is based upon the awareness of the sources in the field. The sources can be classified in different classes with their own properties. This paper has studied related classes of the field and introduced them with regard to their characters. The sources include the works by Shiites and Sunnis, original and secondary and new ones.

Omar ibn Khattab, presenting his sermon in a Friday prayer, talked about the happenings of Saqifah; the speech has been taken as an important document in the views of historians. Omar, taken as the only remaining witness of his friends in the meeting of Saqifah, unveiled the truths on Saqifah in the Friday prayer for people; namely the truths having been reported and propagated untruly for many years. This paper has intended to study Omar`s sermon deeply with regard to historical events. The content of his sermon includes accusing Ansar, proclaiming the allegiance to Abubakr to be hastily, the opponents against allegiance, serious objections, fear of opposition and dissension.

The holy Quran as mobin, a profound scripture, and tibyanon likulli shiyin, explanations for everything, mentioning frequently the history of the people living in the past with a special method, has been affecting Muslim historiography. The holy book has explained the reason why and how of some events, failures and victories and refers to some cases of distortion, exaggeration and covering the truths. History has been always studied critically, particularly by philosophers. Those scholars in the field of history have established necessary methods for studying history and, in this way, attained the method of explanation in historical problems and discovered scientific methos for historical events and realities to be discovered the most important of which is the interpretative. Interpretation has always been an essential element of the Quranic verses. Again the Quranic approach on history is a critical way and the question at hand consists in the Quranic method for the explanation of historical narration. The paper has intended to study the Quranic method in the field.

Historiography of martyrdom epic may be considered as one of the basic branches of Kufi school,  being aware of its elements, one can be led to its parts and to some causes for bibliography of the epic. Such elements as the stories of Ayyamularab, the days of A`rab, current literature in Iranian school, its resemblances to the method of Iraqi historiography or development of the translation of Iranian works to Arabic language and bold presence of affection and episode may be known as the basic elements; the effect of traditionalism, however, may be known as secondary. This paper has studied these elements.

Safavid Shah Ismāil, having attained the highest degree of leadership in Sufism, with the help of his followers and after long wars and struggles, established a long life and powerful government in Iran and proclaimed Shiism the official religion of Iran.  Shah Ismāil`s military forces or Qizilbashes, being mainly of tribal roots, were very faithful to Sufi`s system and beliefs. These forces were of overstatement to Shiism and considered Shah Ismāil I as the shadow of God and the son of the Prophet.  Shāh Tahmāsp I, however, was of a religious and peaceful character and paid special attention to fuqaha for strengthening Safavid kingdom. Shah`s material and spiritual supporting of fuqaha led to the legality of his kingdom on one hand and to the foundation of new system of Shiite religion on the other. Furthermore, Muhaqqiq Karaki, an outstsnding faqih from Jabal Amol proposed the problem of Shiite faqih`s discourse of authority and confirmed Safavid government as the one supporting Shiism.

In the view of Shiism, Imam Ali (a) is known to be the divinely chosen successor for the Prophet as established by the testament of the holy Prophet himself in Ghadir  Khom to guide people in religious and political fields. Some historians have recorded the happening of Ghadir Khom in detail while some other has recorded it briefly. One of the problems recorded differently is the number of the present population in Ghadir Khom or the population accompanying the Prophet from Medina to Mecca. Therefore, Sunni and Shiite sources have recorded differently. The difference should be studied for the matter to be made clear. It is necessary for the repeated state of the hadith of Ghadir Khom to be made clearly established in such a manner that one never can oppose it. For such a purpose, this paper, studying the documents of the event in an analytic-descriptive manner, has focused the views of the fariqein on the population.

Among those deeply interested in human guidance and attempting in keeping Islam and for flourishing it, one can clearly refer to the revered Abutalib, the Prophet`s uncle and Imam Ali`s father. His special care and support of the Prophet during all his life should be considered of vital importance for Islam. May not such a devotion be considered as originating from Abutalib`s strong belief to God and truth? Some prejudiceds have charged him with the great sin of polytheism. This paper has studied the misleading claim of his opponents. In this way, some undeniable proofs have been presented for his hearty belie  in momotheism.