User:Captain Killy/Shaykh Ahmad Draft
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Shaykh Ahmad ibn Zayn al-Dín ibn Ibráhím al-Ahsá'í (Arabic: شيخ أحمد بن زين الدين بن إبراهيم الأحسائي) (1753–1826), commonly known as Shaykh Ahmad or al-Ahsá'í, was a prominent 19th-century Muslim theologian and jurist who founded the influential Shaykhí school of Twelver Shiism, which attracted followers from throughout the Persian and Ottoman Empires.
- For the Indian Naqshbandi Sufi scholar, see Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi.
Shaykh Ahmad | |
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Born | Muhammad Husayn Boshru'i May, 1753 CE |
Died | June 27th, 1836 CE |
Occupation(s) | Shia Muslim Theologian and jurist |
He was a native of the Al-Ahsa region (Eastern Arabian Peninsula), educated in Bahrain and the theological centers of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq.[1] Spending the last twenty years of his life in Iran, he received the protection and patronage of princes of the Qajar dynasty.[2]
Shaykh Ahmad’s teachings diverged from the Usuli school on key issues related to eschatology, the role of the ulama, and the proper interpretation of the mystical hadith of the Twelve Imams. This divergences resulted in accusations of heresy from orthodox members of the Shia ulama, and instances of persecution against Ahsá'í and his followers occurred during and after his lifetime.
Today Shaykhí populations retain a minority following in Iran and Iraq. After the death of Shaykh Ahmad’s successor, Kazim Rashti, many Shaykhís converted to Bábism and theBahá'í Faith; the two Shaykhí leaders continue to be highly regarded by Bahá’ís, being seen as spiritual forerunners to that religion.