Translated by: Seyyed Rahim Rastitabar

The Principles and Rules Governing the Process of Achieving Civilizations with an Emphasis on the Reasons for the Decline of Civilizations from the Viewpoint of Divine Revelation

Sayyid Muhammad Hussein Muhammadi*

A review of the evolution of societies and civilizations from their Course of development up to their decline shows that societies are constantly changing internally; it is because of these very changes that their dynamism is realized. In the process of dynamism and evolution of society, some problems and difficulties would arise, preventing the society from achieving its goal. This would create some oppositions and conflicts in society, threatens the social structure to a great degree, and would result in decline and annihilation of that civilization in the long run. In view of the previously presented discussions, some questions arise here: (1) What is the basis of evolutions in societies?

(2) How is the historical Course of civilizations? (3) Can we control the destiny and future of a society by discovering the rules governing history and society?

Muhazzab al-Dīn and His Role in the Seljuk State of Rome

Zahra Ali Muhammadi*

When Mongols launched their attacks on the Asia Minor under Jurmaghon and Bayjo, the Seljuk State of Rome (under Sultan Ghīyāth al-Dīn Keykhosro II) surrendered, and the Mongols carried out the massacre of people and destroyed Roman cities. Under these conditions, one of the Iranian statesmen called Muhazzab al-Dīn Ali, the vizier of Sultan Ghīyāth al-Dīn, took some strong measures against these attacks leading to positive consequences for the Seljuk State.

This article aims to investigate the personality of Muhazzab al-Din and the measures taken by him against Mongol invasion.

A Review of the Reasons for Suleyman bin Surad’s Absence from Karbala

Abdur-Reza Abu Zayd Abadi*

Suleyman bin Surad Khozaie was one of the prominent leaders of Iraqi Shi'ah and one of the close friends and companions of early Shi'ah Imams. He was present in most political events of the time; more specifically, he accompanied Imam Ali and Imam Hassan (PBUT) in their battles, having a good record in this respect. Although he was the forerunner in inviting Imam Hussein to Iraq, he was not present in Karbala. On his absence from Ashura incident, some views and probabilities have been presented, some of which will be reviewed in this paper. A realistic look at his performance can prepare the ground for cautionary readings of history, especially in regard with the role of the elite in determining the destiny of the history.

The Role of Ansār in the Wars under Amīr al-Muminīn (PBUH)

Sa’ied Taleqani*

The present paper is seeking to study the role of Ansār (the Helpers) in the battles under Amīr al-Muminīn. After the Prophet’s departure and the Saqīfa incident, Ansār as well as the Prophet’s household and the Hashemites were in an opposing camp against Abu Bakr and the caliphate machinery. Ansār were typically the proponents of Imam Ali, would glorify him, and would openly call him the Caliph. Many of the prominent Ansār leaders believed in Imam Ali’s vicegerency and playeda great role in the effort for Imam Ali’s accession to caliphate. Ansār were always accompanying Imam Ali and were actively present in the battles of Jamal, Seffīn, and Nahrawān.

Shi'ism of Abdullah b. Abbass in View of His Debates (II)

Majid Robat Jazi*

As seen in previous issue of the journal, after the departure of the Holy Prophet and usurpation of Caliphate, some of the Prophet’s companions such as Abdullah b. Abbass took defensive positions as to the rights of the Prophet’s Household, and defended the rights of Amir al-Mumenin and the Prophet’s Household through debates and other means such as stating the oppressions they underwent, questioning the opponent, underestimating the enemies of the Prophet’s Household, stating divine laws, and so on. In the previous issue, some of these debates were mentioned; in the present issue, Abdullah b. Abbass’ debates with Mu’awia, Amroās, Abdullah b. Zubayr and some other unknown persons are studied.

Islamic Bureaucratic System in the 1st Century AH (adopted from Iranian bureaucratic system)

Muhammad Ali Hatami Manesh*

After the conquest of Iran and exercising sovereignty over the vast Sasanid territory, Muslims faced the large Iranian bureaucratic system. Since Muslims had no experience in statesmanship, it was necessary for them to use the centuries-long experience of Iranian bureaucratic system so that they would be able to control this vast territory, confiscate properties and booties and to collect the tribute from the conquered lands. In this article, an attempt has been made to stady how Arabs were acquainted with the Iranian bureaucratic system at the end of Sasanid period, how it was adopted by Muslim Arabs, and how much the effect of the Iranian bureaucratic system was on the bureaucratic system of the Islamic Caliphate up to the late 1st century AH. The change of official language from Arabic to Persian has also been dealt with here.

Abstracts

Translated by:

Seyyed Rahim Rastitabar

Social History of Shi'ahs in Baqdad and Some Other Shi'ah Settlements in 4th Century AH*

Sayyid Muhammad Ehsani**

“Social history” is one of the new subjects which have recently found its way into the area of historical discussions. The special feature of this dimension of historical discussions is its concern with social strata instead of merely concerning with history of rulers and kings. In this paper, we have dealt with effective factors and elements of Shi'ah social history in 4th century – that is the era of Shi'ah rule over the whole Islamic world – which was mostly influenced by sectarian rivalries and conflicts. In that century, the Shi'ah affection towards the Prophet’s Household in the form of holding ritual celepation of Qadir, mourning in Ashura, and the like resulted in Sunni reaction in different forms, leading sometimes to great casualties and losses. In this research, in addition to an investigation of Shi'ah social history in that century, some social institutions such as chiefdom (niqābat), religious authority (marjaīyyat) and quality of education have also been discussed.

tVol.5, No. 4, Winter 2009 A.H.S

Proprietor: Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute

Licence Holder: Dr. Muhammad Reza Jabbari

Editor in Chief: Mahdi Pishvai

Executive Director: Majid RobatJazi

Editorial Board

Dr. Sadiq Ayinevand Professor, Instructor Training University

Dr. Muhsen Alviri Assistant Professor, Imam Sadiq Universit

Hujjat al-Islam Mahdi Pishvae Research Manager, History Department, Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute

Dr. Muhammad Reza Jabbari Assistant Professor, Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute

Hujjat al-Islam Ya'qub Ja'fari Professor & Researcher working on the Quranic Sciences and the history of Islam, Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute

Dr. Sayyed Asghar Mahmudabadi Associate Professor, Isfahan University

Dr. Asghar Muntazir al-Qaem Associate Professor, Isfahan University

Dr. Ali Muhammad Valavi Associate Professor, Al-Zahra University

Hujjat al-Islam Muhammad Hadi Yusefi Gharavi Professor & Researcher working on the history of Islam and Shiism

Scholarly Collaborators

Muhammad Allah Akbari

Faculty Member, International University of Mostafa

Muhammad Dashti A PHD Student and Researcher on the history of Islam and Ancient Iran

Muhsen Ranjbar Researcher working on the history of Islam and Shiism

Javad Soleimani Faculty Member, Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute

Muhammad Javad Sahebi Professor and Researcher working on the Intellectual and Religious Movement

Ali Gholami Dehaqi Assistant Professore' Isfahan Medicine University

Hamed Muntazerimuqaddam Assistant Professor, Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute

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