SHI’ITES
The loyal followers of Ali known as the Shi’at Ali, or “party of Ali” have continued to fight for what they consider to be divine rights in the rule of the Islamic world. The Shi’ites can be seen lacerating themselves during the annual commemoration of the martyrdom of past leaders.
The Shi’ite faction which became the state religion of Iran brought about new ideas regarding divine eligibility to the caliphate which is linked to the royal blood line of the prophet. Out of this conviction sprang an elite group of “Ismailites” who held a secret order similar to western Masonic mysticism in which members were led to believe they would hold the keys of the Talim or Secret Doctrine (that God is All) elevating them above every creed and law. This required a somewhat more allegorical interpretation of the Qur’an. It also required of course total obedience to the Dai-d-Duat, or Grand Master of the order. Often times esoteric views have been put forth related to numerology and transmigration of the soul from the dead to certain living leaders or Imams. Some of these ideas are most difficult for the western mind to grasp. Their numerology ideas are possibly linked to ancient Jewish mysticism called the kabballa, or even numerical patterns in the Bible. A group of twelve Imams, the “Twelvers,” in Iran claimed to direct the world’s future and around them developed a tradition of followers making pilgrimages to their tombs. A considerable business is maintained around the burial of corpses of the faithful around the cities where these tombs are found. They are carted here from considerable distances. Imam Husain, the grandson of the prophet being an important focus of honor. Husain is one of those martyrs for whom the faithful flail themselves with an assortment of blades during the Ashura, or traditional day of mourning at the memorial in Karbala, Iraq. It is a frenzied form of mourning that few in the west can wrap their minds around. Boys as young as five or six years old take part to show their bravery and devotion. A student of the Bible might have Old Testament scenes of the conflict with Elijah and the prophets of Baal come to mind. The prophets of Baal used similar methods for getting the attention of their god. The mystical idea of the reappearance of a Hidden Imam as the Mahdi (Guided One), who will bring peace and justice has been promoted through various leaders who have preached Islamic reform. This became the foundation of the Fatimid dynasty.
