Qiṣaṣ Contribution to the Theory of Ghaybah in Twelver Shī‘ism

Abstract

In this paper, I analyze the role of qiṣaṣ (narrative stories) materials, which are often incorporated into the Twelver Shī‘ite theological discussions, by focusing mainly on the stories of the al-Khiḍr (or al-Khaḍir) legend in the tenth and the eleventh century ghaybah discussions. The goal is to demonstrate the essential function that the narrative elements have performed in argumentations of the Twelver Shī‘ite theory of Imam.
 The importance of qiṣaṣ materials in promulgating the doctrine of in the Twelver Shi‘ism tended to be underestimated in the previous studies because of the mythical and legendary representations of qiṣaṣ materials.
 My analysis makes clear that qiṣaṣ materials do not only illustrate events in the sacred history, but also open possibilities for the miraculous affairs to happen in the actual world. In this sense, qiṣaṣ materials have been utilized as a useful element for the doctrinal argumentations in the Twelver Shi‘ism.