Comparison of Shi'a imamate theory with ancient religion and culture

In this study, the imamate theory of Shia was tried to be examined by comparing with the ancient religions and cultures with examples. In this context, Iran, Indian, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Turkish, Japanese, Christianity, Judaism and Sâbiîsm from the ancient religions and cultures were examined and common and different elements related to imamate were determined. Shia, which made the imamate a principal of belief, accredited some superhuman qualities to imams. In our study, it was pointed out that the characteristics attributed to the imams by Shia, such as to be chosen by Allah, innocence and science were not only specific to Shiism, but superhuman qualities were also given to people described as a leader in the ancient religions and cultures. On the other hand, it has been revealed that the Mahdism belief, which became a principle of Shia, was not special to Shia and was seen almost in all of the previous societies. In the introductory part of our study, the Shiite imamate theory and the characteristics of the ancient religions and cultures in general are mentioned. In the first section, in accordance with the concepts of to be chosen one and divine kingdom, the rulers of ancient religions and cultures were compared with imams. In the second section, a comparison is tried to be made among the concepts of science, innocence and savior.