Mukhammasah Sect
Who were the Mokhammasa sect, and what were their beliefs?
The Mokhammasa sect is recognized as one of the extremist groups (Ghulat) and were followers of Abu al-Khattab, the founder of the Khattabiyya sect. The Mokhammasa believed that God had manifested and incarnated in the forms of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Imam Ali (AS), Fatima (SA), Hasan (AS), and Husayn (AS). They considered these five individuals to be eternal lights and believed in reincarnation. They also practiced antinomianism (Ibaha). Among their other beliefs was that Salman al-Farsi, Miqdad, Ammar, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, and Umar ibn Umayya al-Damri were appointed by God to manage the affairs of the world, and they attributed the rank of prophethood to Salman.
The Mokhammasa believed that Imam Husayn (AS) was in occultation and was the awaited proof (Hujjat al-Muntazar).
Following Abu al-Khattab and the Khattabiyya
The Mokhammasa were followers of Abu al-Khattab, the founder of the Khattabiyya sect.[1] Abu al-Khattab, Muhammad ibn Miqlas al-Asadi al-Kufi, also known as Abu Zaynab al-Asadi, was initially a companion of Imam Sadiq (AS) but later became an extremist.[2] He founded the Khattabiyya sect.[3] When Imam Sadiq (AS) became aware of his exaggerated beliefs, he disassociated himself from him and cursed him. After this, Abu al-Khattab invited people to follow him, claiming to be an idol and believing that the prophets had delegated authority to him, making obedience to him obligatory. He believed that all Imams were prophets, affirmed the divinity of the Imams, and claimed that Hasan and Husayn (AS) were the sons of God.[4]
Belief in the Incarnation of God in Five Individuals (Reincarnation)
The first proponents of reincarnation among Muslims were the Ghulat (extremists), who primarily understood reincarnation as the transfer of the divine spirit into the Imams. For example, the Kaysaniyya or Mukhtariyya believed that the spirit of God had incarnated in the Prophet (PBUH), then transferred to Imam Ali (AS), Imam Hasan (AS), and Imam Husayn (AS), and finally to Muhammad ibn Hanafiyya, the son of Imam Ali (AS). Various sects derived from these, such as the Harithiyya, Harbiyya, Bayaniyya, and other extremist groups like the Khattabiyya, Rawandiyya, Janahiyya, Mokhammasa, and Alba'iyya, believed in the reincarnation of the divine spirit in their Imams.[5]
The Mokhammasa believed that God had manifested in the forms of five individuals: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Imam Ali (AS), Fatima (SA), Hasan (AS), and Husayn (AS).[6] Some said the Mokhammasa considered these five individuals to be God.[7]
The Mokhammasa is also attributed to another sect associated with the Karakhi family. This sect was founded by Qasim ibn Ali ibn Muhammad al-Karakhi. This sect believed that the Prophet of Islam (PBUH), Imam Ali (AS), Fatima (SA), Hasan (AS), and Husayn (AS) were five eternal lights that had always existed and would exist forever.[8] What can be inferred from the beliefs of Qasim al-Karakhi and his descendants is that the Mokhammasa believed these five individuals existed as eternal and everlasting lights, which is why they were called Mokhammasa.[9]
Antinomianism (Ibaha)
The Mokhammasa were one of the antinomian sects. A characteristic of this group was the suspension of Islamic obligations and traditions. They followed the Khattabiyya, who believed in the divinity of Imam Sadiq (AS) and the prophethood of Abu al-Khattab. They considered some forbidden acts permissible and were lenient in performing obligatory acts such as prayer, fasting, Hajj, and Zakat.[10]
Other Beliefs
The Mokhammasa sect believed that there were no inanimate objects in the world and that what people considered lifeless were actually living beings undergoing punishment.[11] The Mokhammasa considered Imam Husayn (AS) to be in occultation and the awaited proof (Hujjat al-Muntazar).[12]
References
- ↑ Soleimani Behbahani, Abdolrahim, "Khattabiyya," Encyclopedia of the Islamic World, Islamic Encyclopedia Foundation, Vol. 15, 2014, under the entry.
- ↑ Hilli, Hussein ibn Yusuf, Muntaha al-Matlab, Mashhad, Islamic Research Foundation, 1st edition, 1415 AH, Vol. 4, p. 71.
- ↑ Soleimani Behbahani, Abdolrahim, "Khattabiyya," Encyclopedia of the Islamic World, Islamic Encyclopedia Foundation, Vol. 15, 2014, under the entry.
- ↑ Jazaeri, Sayyid Nematollah, Nur al-Barahin, Qom, Islamic Publishing Institute, 1417 AH, Vol. 2, p. 310.
- ↑ Minai, Fatima, "Reincarnation," Encyclopedia of the Islamic World, Islamic Encyclopedia Foundation, Vol. 7, 2014, under the entry.
- ↑ Noori Tabarsi, Hussein, Khatimat al-Mustadrak, Qom, Al al-Bayt Institute, 1st edition, 1415 AH, Vol. 1, p. 163.
- ↑ Mashkur, Muhammad Jawad; Madarshanechi, Kazem, Culture of Islamic Sects, Mashhad, Astan Quds Razavi, n.d., p. 185.
- ↑ Ahadith Nur al-Nabi wa Ahl Baytih (AS), authored by Al-Mustafa Center, p. 41.
- ↑ Yaqut al-Hamawi, Mu'jam al-Buldan, Beirut, Dar Sader, 1995–1996, Vol. 4, p. 447, under "Karkh al-Basra."
- ↑ Lashi, Hussein, "Ibaha," Great Islamic Encyclopedia, Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, under the entry.
- ↑ Minai, Fatima, "Reincarnation," Encyclopedia of the Islamic World, Islamic Encyclopedia Foundation, Vol. 7, 2014, under the entry.
- ↑ Al-Musawi al-Khwansari, Muhammad Baqir, Rawdat al-Jannat fi Ahwal al-Ulama wa al-Sadat, Vol. 7, p. 133.