Opinions on different branches of Shi'ism in Tabsirah Al-Awam

Penned in 1232 AD (630 A.H.), "Tabsirah al-'Awām fī Ma'rifah al-Makālāt al-An'ām" can be considered among the works on the history of Islamic sects (mazāhib) written in the classical era of Islam. It is one of the earliest works written in Persian by an author who was a Twelver (Imāmī) Shi'i. Researchers have shown a great deal of interest in this published work. Until recently, different opinions have been put forward about the identity of the author. In 1260 (658), not long after it was written, the work was translated into Arabic. And through the discovery of its Arabic translation do we learn the name of its author: Jamāluddīn Muhammad Rāzī. One of the classical sources on the history of Islamic sects, this work has its own authentic approaches while also benefiting from the preceding sources. The fact that its author was a Shi'i who took a different approach to the extremist/radical (ghālī) branches of Shi'ism, and that it was one of the earliest Persian works on the history of sects renders it interesting and significant. In this study, we provide information on the scientific and political situation of the time of its writing as well as of the place, which is Shiraz. We also give a general introduction about the content of the work, and the sources that were extensively used are referenced. The attitude that the author adopts toward his own branch (Twelver/Imāmī) differs from the one he takes when dealing with the other branches of Shi'ism. While employing defensive language as he deals with issues related to his own branch, when it comes to opinions against the other branches of Shi'ism, he merely narrates them, giving quotations directly from the sources of his opponents. Our study deals with the different attitudes adopted toward different branches of Shi'ism.