Episode 23
23 - The Shi'ite Opposition - the Isma'ilis
December 26, 201852m 20s
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (mcdn.podbean.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
By the eleventh century, the great Abbasid empire was beginning to crumble. The Caliphs had been weakened, the Turkish military dominant. On the periphery of the empire, rebellious groups were forming new states. Among these, the Isma'ili Shi'a would become the most powerful, establishing a rival caliphate that overshadowed the Abbasids. The line of Isma'ili Imams continues to this day. In this episode, we look at the Isma'ili Shi'a: where they came from, what they believe and why they posed a threat to the Abbasid Caliphate.