Tarikh Islam

Imamate" is one of the most important issues discussed among Muslims, and the disagreements on this subject can be regarded as the chief reason for the emergence of [different] Islamic sects. As a result of such disagreements and a wide divergence of opinion, the term "Imam", in effect, took on different meanings and, semantically speaking, "its semantic teatures or components changed". These divergences of opinion can be taken into consideration both in their historical development and in the domain of various sects and thoughts. Being central, this subject in the Shi'i thought is of immense significance; especially in that the study of the semantic changes of this term affects the Shi'i beliefs significantly as far as the familiarity with "Imamate" and its course of development is concerned. Of course, such an inquiry is not sought to judge the veracity of each of these meanings; this article is in principle not intended to validate these usages. The theological dimensions of this discussion are beyond the scope of this article, even though its close relationship to theological discussions can not be ignored. In this article, through using some modern semantic teachings, some instances of the semantic and etymological changes have been mentioned. A briedf mention has also been made of the role of historical events in semantic changes in notions or their development or transformation