Political-Social Relations of Yemeni Iranians (Abna') in the first three centuries A. H)

Abstract

One of the issues worthy of research in the history of Iranians' relations with Islam is the political and social relations of Iranians with Yemenis and their role in the development of Zeidiyeh government in that region. Zeidiyeh as a Shiite sect emerged in the early second century A. H in time of Umayyad. Before the arrival of Islam in Yemen, Khosrow I (628- 570 A. D) sent an army to that land due to the request of Saif bin e- Zi Yazan, the ruler of Yemen. This army, under the command of Vaharz Deilami, settled in the same region after the war with Ahbash and their expulsion from Yemen. This Iranian minority, who became known as "Abna'", were able to become the absolute rulers of those areas. In the 6th year A. H, one of the Iranian governors of Yemen named "Bazan" converted to Islam and following this event, a large group of Iranians and San'a tribes converted to Islam with no war or bloodshed.This article, relying on the method of historical research based on description and analysis, seeks to explore the role of Iranians in Zeidiyeh government of Yemen and their relations with this government from the beginning to the third century A. H. The findings of the research show that the Iranians were of important role in the development of Zeidiyeh government and this action was a kind of reaction against the Islamic caliphate. Moreover, the greatest service that the Abna' provided in favor of Islam was the suppression of Ahle Raddah and other seditions that the Islamic society was suffering from at that time.

Keywords

• iran before islam
• yemen
• abna
• zaidiyyah
• shiite history