American University in Cairo AUC Knowledge Fountain Theses and Dissertations 2-1-2016 Radicalization of Zaydi Reform Attempts Maysaa Shuja al Deen Follow this and additional works at: https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds Recommended Citation APA Citation Shuja al Deen, M. (2016).Radicalization of Zaydi Reform Attempts [Master’s thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/607 MLA Citation Shuja al Deen, Maysaa. Radicalization of Zaydi Reform Attempts. 2016. American University in Cairo, Master's thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/607 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by AUC Knowledge Fountain. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of AUC Knowledge Fountain. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The American University in Cairo Radicalization of Zaydi Refrom Attempts A Thesis Study Submitted by: Maysaa Shuja al Deen Department of Arab and Islamic Civilizations Summer2016 In partial fulfillment of the degree of Masters of Arts Adviser: Professor Mohamed Serag Readers: Dr. Amina El Bendary Dr. Abd al Rahman Salem 1 Abstract This thesis is studying the development of the Zaydi doctrine in order to understand the reasons of emerging the Zaydi radical group, the Houthis. The studies about Zaydism are few, since it is a doctrine that only exists in Yemen, so it is considered a doctrine of a minor group. The studies about the contemporary Zaydism are much fewer, which leads to misunderstand the Houthi phenomenon. Zaydism has a long history in Yemen and the Zaydi Imamate controlled Yemen or the northern parts of Yemen for hundreds years. Therefore, the overthrow of the Imamate in 1962 and the establishment of t republican system were the biggest challenges that Zaydism has ever faced, since the Zaydi Imamate political theory is the main theme of the Zaydi doctrine. This thesis will demonstrate the main features of Zaydism; its main theological aspects and Social dimensions to study the contemporary Zaydism since the nineteenth century, when it shifted from a revolutionary doctrine of rebelled tribes to a state’s doctrine. Then, it will deal with the last period of the Imamate during the twentieth century and its collapse in 1962. The establishment of the republican system resulted profound outcomes on the Zaydi doctrine. After almost three decades of the republican revolution, the Zaydi revival groups emerged and established the Zaydi political parties and the Zaydi clubs to teach the Zaydi youth the Zaydi doctrine; all of these changes will be examinedin the thesis. These different phases that Zaydism passed through led to emerge the Houthi group. The reasons of emerging the Houthis group and the shift from a Zaydi revivalist movement to a radical one will be also discussed in this thesis. 2 Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 7 Radicalization of Zaydi Reform ..................................................................................................................... 7 Between Sunnism and Shiite ................................................................................................................ 7 The Zaydi Imamate ................................................................................................................................ 8 The Distinction between Zaydism and Twelve ..................................................................................... 9 Zaydism between Revolution and State ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.1 Zaydi state in Yemen ........................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.3 Contemporary Zaydism ....................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.6 Zaydism from Revival to Radicalism .................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.7 Thesis Chapters ................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.8 Literature ............................................................................................................................................ 20 Chapter One:The Zaydi Crises ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.7 Authenticity Issues ....................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.8 Divisions within Zaydism ............................................................................................................................. 30 Imam al-Hadi School .................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.2 Mu’tazilite and Zaydism ............................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.5 Rebellion Dilemma ...................................................................................................................................... 40 Divided Yemen ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.2 3 Zaydism and Tribes ...................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.4 Social Hierarchy............................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.6 Conclusion: .................................................................................................................................................. 50 Chapter Two:The Early Reform Attempts ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. The Sunni Influence on Zaydism .................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. The Compromise Attempt between Sunnism and Zaydism .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Zaydism and Companions .............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. HadawiOpposition ....................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.4 Sheykh al Islam and the Qasimi State .......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.7 Al-Shawkani and Wahhabism ..................................................................................................................... 70 Shawkani Influence ...................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.2 Conclusion .................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.4 Chapter Three:The Late Reform Attempts .................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.6 Shift towards Kingdom ................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. The Sacred National Charter .......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Post Revolution .............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Salafi Ideology ................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Clashing with Zaydism .................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Hizb al Haq ..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Al Wazir Family............................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 4 Further Publications ....................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. The Believing Youth ....................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Believing Youth Division ................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Conclusion ...................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter Four:The Emergence of Houthis ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Sa’da War ..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.3 Al- Houthi Family .......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.6 Houthis’ Ideas .............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.7 Houthis in Depth .......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.2 Zaydi Scholar’s Statement on Sa’da War ................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.26 Houthis as a Radical Group ........................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.28 Radicalization