The Imamiyyah's view on Muhammad b. al-Hanafiyya and Kaysaniyyah

This research examines the life of Muhammad b. Hanafiyya, who holds a significant place in the history of Islamic sects, his contributions to Shiite thought, and the approach of the Imamiyyah faction towards him. The position of Muhammad b. Hanafiyya within the Imamiyyah sect is the general purpose of the study. In the first part of the research, the life of Muhammad b. Hanafiyya is discussed, and his place in Shiite thought has been attempted to be identified through the fundamental concepts that constitute Shi'a. The second part involves a review of Imami literature concerning Muhammad b. Hanafiyya and examines the criticisms made by the Imamiyyah faction against the claims put forth about him. Muhammad b. Hanafiyya was one of the children of Ali (d. 40/661) who was not born from Fatimah (d. 11/632). He lived during the reigns of the first four caliphs following Abu Bakr (d. 13/634) and until the time of Umayyad Caliph Abdul Malik bin Marwan (d. 86/705). At times, he stayed a step behind his brothers Hasan (d. 49/669) and Husayn (d. 61/680), and at other times, he carried his father's flag at the forefront during battles like Camel and Siffin. After the event of Karbala, Muhammad b. Hanafiyya became a favorite among the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt. During this period, he strived for the unity and harmony of the Islamic community, exerting great effort to prevent any sedition and the shedding of Muslim blood. After the death of Muhammad b. Hanafiyya, the Kaysaniyya sect claimed that he was chosen as an Imam, had not died, was in occultation at a mountain called Radwa, and would one day return. The Imamiyyah faction, which forms the main body of the Shi'a, countered these claims by asserting that he did not claim Imamate and had indeed died, criticizing the Kaysaniyya. In later periods, claims about Muhammad b. Hanafiyya such as occultation, return, Mahdism, and possessing secret knowledge became fundamental beliefs of the Imamiyyah sect.