ABSTRACT
The Shi'ism of the first two 'Abbasid centuries has not been adequately studied. The most important instance of some of the features mentioned is in respect of the recognition of the twelve imams of the Imamite branch of Shi'ism. The Imamite branch of Shi'ism was not the only one that took definite shape about the period. The impression given by Shi'ite writers, and even by Sunnite heresiographers, is that during their lives they were recognized by a wide circle of followers, indeed by most of the Shi'ite movement. Scrutiny of the Shi'ite accounts of the imams, however, makes it clear that most of them were politically insignificant, and were not really recognized by anyone at all. It follows from that during the ninth century up to 874 the main body of Shi'ism—assuming there was such a main body—was not a body of people recognizing the imams who have been named.
