Zaydism

Zaydism, Zaydi Islam or the Zaydi Branch of Shiite Islam (Arabic: الزَّيْدِيَّة, romanized: az-Zaydiyya), also known as Fiver Shi'ism, is a branch of Shiism that emerged in the eighth century after Zayd ibn Ali unsuccessfully rebelled against the Umayyads.

Zaydism is one of the three main branches of Shi'ism, the other two being Twelverism and Ismailism.

Zaydism is typically considered a branch of Shi'ah that is closest to Sunni Islam, although the "classical" form of Zaydism (usually referred to as Hadawi) historically changed its stance on Sunni and Shia traditions multiple times, to the point where converts to Islam should bear witness, in front of an Imam that there is "no god but Allah, Muhammad is his prophet and Ali as the Wali of Allaah", meaning Ali was rightful successor to Prophet Muhammed was enough to consider them Shia.

Zaydis elevate rationalism over Quranic literalism and historically were quite tolerant towards Shafi'ist Sunni Islam, the jurisprudential school of about half of the Yemenis.

Today, most of the world's Zaydi population are located in northwestern Yemen, Najran in Saudi Arabia, and Tehran (province) in Iran.

Law

In matters of Islamic jurisprudence, the Zaydis follow Zayd Ibn 'Ali's teachings, which are documented in his book Majmu' Al-Fiqh (Arabic: مجموع الفِقه). Zaydi fiqh is similar to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence, as well as the Ibadi school. Abu Hanifa, the founder of the Hanafi school, was favorable and even donated towards the Zaydi cause. Zaydis dismiss religious dissimulation (taqiyya). Zaydism does not rely heavily on hadith, but uses those that are consistent with the Qur'an, and is open to hadith. Some sources argue that Zaydism is simply a philosophy of political government that justifies the overthrow of unjust rulers and prioritizes those who are Ahl al-Bayt.

Theology

Haider[46] states that mainstream Zaydism (Hadawi) is a result of the interaction of two currents, Batrism and Jarudism, their followers brought together during the original revolt of Zayd ibn Ali. The names, also designated as Batri and Jarudi, do not necessarily represent cohesive groups of people; for example, Batri ideas (proto-Sunni) were dominant among Zaydis in the 8th century, and Jarudism (Shia) took over in the 9th century.[46][47] The following table summarizes the differences between Batri and Jarudi beliefs per Haider:[48]