The Shi‘a of Baghdad at the time of the ‘Abbasid Caliphs and the Seljuq Sultanate (447–575 ah )

After the fall of the Buyids at the hands of the Seljuq Turks and the Seljuqs’ entry into Baghdad, the apparatus of the ‘Abbasid caliphs and the Sunnis once again gained control of Baghdad. However, this should not be considered as having been to the downfall or detriment of the Shi‘a, because it is in this period that we come across three powerful and influential forces in Baghdad: first, the ‘Abbasid caliphs and the Sunnis; second, the Seljuqs; and third, the Shi‘a. Despite the fact that the Seljuqs were followers and defenders of the Sunnis, their relationship with the ‘Abbasid caliphs had many ups and downs which saw them turn from allies to foes over time. Similarly, the position of the Seljuqs in relation to the Shi‘a was not such that they felt the Imami Shi‘a were a force that acted in opposition to them; rather, in certain instances, the Shi‘a would be treated favourably, peaceably, and respectfully by the Seljuq rulers. In this article we aim to show that in the period when the Seljuqs ruled Baghdad, the Shi‘a were recognized as a third effective power broker in the political and social scene, and there was no clear unified stance between the caliphs and the sultanate against the Shi‘a.