for iʿtizal originated in Basra, whereas Rafidism arose among the Kufans. Shiʿism was more widespread in Kufa, while the people of Basra inclined in the opposite direction. Later, after the time (1) of al-Bukhari, during the rule of the Daylamite Buyid dynasty (2) (3), Jahmism took root among the Rafidites together with most of the Muʿtazilite fundamentals. The Qarmatians likewise rose to great prominence, and (4) momentous events ensued. The Qarmatians built their creed on elements drawn from the religion of the Magians and from that of the Sabians (5): from the former they borrowed the doctrine of light and darkness (6), and from the latter the notions of intellect and soul. They then fashioned for themselves a new religion that was neither this nor that, overlaying it with certain Rafidite hallmarks so that the uninformed would imagine them to be Rafidites, whereas in truth they were zanādiqah—hypocritical heretics. They adopted this guise because ignorance and base desire are found among the Rafidites to a greater extent than among the other sects of deviation (7).
(1) In manuscript S: “zaman min” (an anomalous reading).
(2) In Nawubawaih: They are three brothers: ‘Imād al-Dawla Abū al-Ḥasan ‘Alī, Rukn al-Dawla Abū ‘Alī al-Ḥasan, and Mu‘izz al-Dawla Abū al-Ḥusayn Aḥmad—sons of Abū Shujā‘ Buwayh ibn Fannakhshrow ibn Tamām. They are called the Daylamites because they settled among the Daylamites for a time. Their father was extremely poor. Their power emerged and their rule began in 321 AH. See Ibn al-Athīr, al-Kāmil, vol. 8, p. 264ff; and Ibn Kathīr, al-Bidāya wa al-Nihāya, vol. 11, p. 194ff.
(3) In manuscripts S and T: “al-Daylam.”
(4) In S: “ajrā,” which is a scribal error.
(5) In T: “the Sabaeans.”
(6) In T: “the unjust.”
(7) Abu Sa‘īd al-Dārimī relates in his book al-Radd ‘ala al-Jahmiyya (p. 112): “Al-Zahrānī Abū al-Rabī‘ told us that among these Jahmiyya was a man whose apparent view was al-Rafd (rejectionism) and professed love for ‘Alī (may Allah be pleased with him). One of his companions, knowing his creed, said: ‘I see you will never return to Islam or profess its beliefs, so what has led you to al-Rafd and to claiming love for ‘Alī?’ He replied: ‘Very well; I will speak honestly: even though we openly express the view we truly hold, we are branded as unbelievers and heretics…’”