What does Al-imamya mean?

Islam > Glossary > Al-imamya

Discover the meaning of the term Al-imamya (إمامية) in Islamic vocabulary.

Definition Al-imamya

Al-imamya according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

They are those who affirmed the existence of an explicit text designating the imamate of Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, and declared the companions to be disbelievers. They are the ones who rebelled against Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, at the time of arbitration and declared him a disbeliever. They numbered twelve thousand men who were constant in prayer and fasting, and it is concerning them that the Prophet, may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, said: One of you will belittle his prayer in comparison to their prayer, and his fasting in comparison to their fasting, but their faith will not pass beyond their collarbones.

Al-imamya according to Dustur al-'Ulama (Al-Ahmadnagari)

They are those who affirmed the existence of an explicit text designating the imamate of Ali, may the nobility of his face be honored by Allah, and declared the companions to be disbelievers. They are the ones who rebelled against Ali, may Allah the Most High be pleased with him, numbering twelve thousand men, and who traced the imamate down to Jafar al-Sadiq. They differed regarding the designated successor after him, and their settled opinion is that the rightful imam after the Messenger of Allah, may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, is Ali, may Allah the Most High be pleased with him, then his son al-Hasan, then his brother al-Husayn, then his son Ali Zayn al-Abidin, then his son Muhammad al-Baqir, then his son Jafar al-Sadiq, then his son Musa al-Kazim, then his son Ali al-Rida, then his son Muhammad al-Taqi al-Jawad, then his son Ali al-Taqi al-Zaki, then his son al-Hasan al-Askari, then his son Abu al-Qasim Muhammad al-Qaim al-Muntazar al-Mahdi, may the prayers and peace of Allah the Most High be upon their noble ancestor and upon all of them. They have claims and proofs for this assertion detailed in comprehensive works.

Al-imamya according to At-Tawqif (Al-Munawi)

A sect that affirmed the existence of an explicit text concerning Ali and declared the companions to be disbelievers, may Allah be pleased with them. They are the ones who rebelled against him at the time of arbitration, numbering twelve thousand, devoted to prayer and worship, wearing cloaks and having a humming sound in their recitation like the humming of bees.

Related terms: Al-imamya