User:Positron010/History of Shi'ism in Bahrain

The history of Shi'ism in Bahrain is long and multifaceted. This article focuses on the history of Shi'ism in island of Bahrain which constitutes the major part of the modern country of Bahrain. References to the broader historical region of Bahrain shall be specified.

Advent of Islam in Bahrain
Prior to the dawn of Islam, Bahrain came under the influence of numerous foreign powers and empires. This is in part due to the strategic location of the island as a trade center, and its arability. These factors, among others, contributed to a diversity of ethnicities and religions on the island. Thus, Jews, Nestorian Christians, Zoroastrians, as well as idol worshipping Arab bedouins all could be found on the island.

Islam entered Bahrain in the year 8 AH/630 CE, when Prophet Muhammad sent al-Ala al-Hadhrami as a his representative to the Sasanian governor of the region of Bahrain, al-Mundhir ibn Sawa as to invite the people of the region to Islam. Ibn Sawa, which was a Christian, accepted the invitation, along with most of the inhabitants of Bahrain. Abd al-Qays, a tribe inhabiting Bahrain, which were Christians prior to their conversion, sent a delegation of 20 individuals leaded by Abd Allāh al-Ashajj, Munqid ibn Ḥayyān and al-Jārūd to Medina, as to meet the prophet, and gain knowledge of the new religion.

The region of Bahrain seems to have held a special status in Islam. For instance, it is reported that prior to the migration to Medina, God offered His Prophet the choice to migrate to Bahrain. In addition, the second Friday prayer in Islam was performed in Jawatha in the region of Bahrain.

Early connections with Shi'ism
It seems that Shi'ism in its primitive form was born in Bahrain almost simultaneously with the acceptance of Islam. This is reflected in that after Prophet Muhammad passed away, the governor of Bahrain was Aban ibn Sa'id ibn al-As, which is narrated to have not paid allegiance to Abu Bakr until Banu Hashim paid allegiance.

Then, during the caliphate of Imam Ali, the region of Bahrain was entrusted to Maabad ibn Abbas, and Umar ibn Abi Salama, which is the son of the Prophet's wife Umm Salama. Preaching by such governers seem to have ingrained the loyalty to Imam Ali in the arguably most influential tribe in the region, namely Abd al-Qays. Indeed, during the turbulent caliphate of Imam Ali, this tribe mobilized with Imam Ali against his enemies in battles including Battle of Jamal, with names as such as Sa'sa'a bin Sohan, and his two brothers Sayhan, and Zayd, from the tribe, taking an active part in the battle.