The relationship between Shia and protests in sight of Madlong and Halm

Abstract

The study scrutinizes the relationship between Shia and protest in the era ending in the time of Imam Asgari [Peace be upon him]. Two high-cited orientalists, Madlong and Halm, are considered in this reviewing study and it is similarly but with different deductions inferred from both that the role of Imam in social protests is confirmed. A continuous identified history is given by Madlong for Imam Shia, at least after Imam Jafar Sadegh [P.B.U.H]. He believes that Imam Jurisprudence had completely illuminated the basic concepts of this gilder (Shia) such as Imamat (pontificate) itself. He generally claims a leadership role for Imam in all the aspects of the society including protest. But Halm thinks the main identification of Imam Shia has been recognized in the beginning of the Short Occultation and not before that. Hence the relationship between Shia and protest could not be relevant to Imam Asgari or his ancestors. However, it is possible to look at the topic for all of Imams separately.

Key Words: Shia, Protest, Orientalist