Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
The tenth and eleventh Shia Imams, Ali al-Hadi and Hasan al-Askari, enjoyed significant political freedom under the Abbasid caliphate.
Answer: False
Explanation: The tenth and eleventh Shia Imams, Ali al-Hadi and Hasan al-Askari, were held under close surveillance in Samarra by the Abbasids and faced significant restrictions, not political freedom.
The Abbasid caliphate's imperial authority significantly increased during the time of the tenth and eleventh Imams, leading to consolidated power.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the era of the tenth and eleventh Imams, the Abbasid caliphate experienced a significant decline in imperial authority, with power shifting into the hands of Turkish military leaders, rather than consolidating under the caliph.
Caliph al-Mutawakkil initiated a violent prosecution of the Shia community partly due to renewed opposition from the Zaydi sect.
Answer: True
Explanation: Caliph al-Mutawakkil did indeed initiate a violent prosecution of the Shia community, a policy partly driven by renewed opposition from the Zaydi sect of Shia Islam.
Hasan al-Askari was able to receive visitors freely during al-Mu'tamid's reign, allowing direct contact with his followers.
Answer: False
Explanation: Caliph al-Mu'tamid kept the eleventh Imam, Hasan al-Askari, under house arrest, specifically preventing him from receiving visitors and thus limiting direct contact with his followers.
Restrictions were placed on al-Askari because the caliphate was aware of Shia traditions predicting he would father the eschatological Mahdi.
Answer: True
Explanation: According to Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai, the caliphate imposed restrictions on al-Askari due to their awareness of Shia traditions predicting his role as the father of the eschatological Mahdi.
Where were the tenth and eleventh Shia Imams, Ali al-Hadi and Hasan al-Askari, held under close surveillance by the Abbasids?
Answer: Samarra
Explanation: The tenth and eleventh Shia Imams, Ali al-Hadi and Hasan al-Askari, were held under close surveillance by the Abbasids in the garrison town of Samarra.
What significant shift in power occurred within the Abbasid caliphate during the time of the tenth and eleventh Imams?
Answer: Authority rapidly shifted into the hands of the Turks.
Explanation: During the period of the tenth and eleventh Imams, the Abbasid caliphate experienced a significant decline in imperial authority, with power rapidly shifting into the hands of Turkish military leaders.
What was Caliph al-Mutawakkil's policy towards the Shia community?
Answer: He initiated a violent prosecution of the Shia community.
Explanation: Caliph al-Mutawakkil initiated a violent prosecution of the Shia community, partly in response to renewed opposition from the Zaydi sect.
How did Caliph al-Mu'tamid restrict the eleventh Imam, Hasan al-Askari?
Answer: He prevented him from receiving any visitors by placing him under house arrest.
Explanation: Caliph al-Mu'tamid reportedly kept the eleventh Imam, Hasan al-Askari, under house arrest, thereby preventing him from receiving visitors and limiting his direct contact with followers.
According to Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai, why did the caliphate impose restrictions on al-Askari?
Answer: The caliphate was aware of traditions predicting he would father the eschatological Mahdi.
Explanation: Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai states that restrictions were placed on al-Askari because the caliphate was aware of Shia traditions predicting he would father the eschatological Mahdi.
The Minor Occultation began in 874 CE and lasted for approximately one hundred years, ending in 974 CE.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Minor Occultation began in 874 CE but lasted for approximately seventy years, concluding around 941 CE, not one hundred years.
Uthman al-Amri claimed immediately after al-Askari's death that the eleventh Imam had a young son named Muhammad who had entered occultation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Immediately following al-Askari's death, Uthman al-Amri asserted that the eleventh Imam had a young son, Muhammad, who had entered occultation to protect his life from the Abbasid threat.
Muhammad al-Mahdi's only public appearance during the Minor Occultation was to lead the funeral prayer for his uncle, Ja'far.
Answer: False
Explanation: Muhammad al-Mahdi's only public appearance during the Minor Occultation was to lead the funeral prayer for his father, al-Askari, not his uncle Ja'far.
The occultation of al-Mahdi is believed to have taken place in a mosque in Samarra, specifically in a well known as Bi'r al-Ghayba.
Answer: True
Explanation: The occultation of al-Mahdi is traditionally believed to have occurred in the family home in Samarra, where a mosque now stands, and specifically in a cellar containing a well known as Bi'r al-Ghayba ('well of the occultation').
What was the primary duration of the Minor Occultation, during which the Four Deputies represented Muhammad al-Mahdi?
Answer: Approximately seventy years, from 874 to 941 CE.
Explanation: The Minor Occultation began in 874 CE and lasted for approximately seventy years, concluding around 941 CE, during which the Four Deputies served as intermediaries.
What was Muhammad al-Mahdi's only public appearance during the Minor Occultation?
Answer: To lead the funeral prayer for his father, al-Askari.
Explanation: Twelver sources confirm that Muhammad al-Mahdi's sole public appearance during the Minor Occultation was to lead the funeral prayer for his father, al-Askari.
Where is the occultation of al-Mahdi said to have taken place?
Answer: In the family home in Samarra, where a mosque now stands with a cellar and well.
Explanation: The occultation of al-Mahdi is traditionally believed to have occurred in the family home in Samarra, specifically in a cellar containing a well known as Bi'r al-Ghayba.
Despite house arrest, Hasan al-Askari communicated with his followers primarily through a network of representatives, including Uthman ibn Sa'id.
Answer: True
Explanation: Hasan al-Askari, while under house arrest, maintained communication with his followers through an established network of representatives, with Uthman ibn Sa'id being a notable figure among them.
Uthman ibn Sa'id was known by the nickname al-Samman because he was a renowned scholar of Islamic law.
Answer: False
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id earned the nickname al-Samman ('the fat seller') because he disguised himself as a seller of cooking fat to avoid detection by Abbasid agents while performing his duties.
Uthman ibn Sa'id was only twenty-one years old when he first served as an agent for the tenth Imam, Ali al-Hadi.
Answer: False
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id was only eleven years old when he first began serving as an agent for the tenth Imam, Ali al-Hadi.
Uthman ibn Sa'id was appointed as a representative by the eleventh Imam, al-Askari, in 256 AH (869–70 CE).
Answer: True
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id was formally appointed as a representative by the eleventh Imam, al-Askari, in 256 AH (869–70 CE), following the death of al-Hadi.
Uthman ibn Sa'id became a distant acquaintance of al-Askari, known for his occasional assistance.
Answer: False
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id was, in fact, the closest associate of the eleventh Imam, al-Askari, and was highly regarded for his trustworthiness, not a distant acquaintance.
Uthman ibn Sa'id collected religious donations by openly declaring his identity as an Imam's agent to gain trust.
Answer: False
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id collected religious donations discreetly by disguising himself as a seller of cooking fat to avoid detection by Abbasid agents, rather than openly declaring his identity.
After al-Askari's death, Uthman ibn Sa'id performed the funeral rites for the eleventh Imam, suggesting prior permission for this duty.
Answer: True
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id performed the funeral rites for al-Askari after his death, an act that implies he had received prior authorization from the Imam for this significant responsibility.
Uthman's claim to be the agent of the Hidden Imam was met with widespread rejection and disbelief among the Shia community.
Answer: False
Explanation: Uthman's claim to be the agent of the Hidden Imam was largely accepted by the Shia community, though there were some initial doubts regarding his authority to collect and distribute religious donations.
Uthman al-Amri died around 900 CE, several decades after al-Askari's passing.
Answer: False
Explanation: Uthman al-Amri is believed to have died around 880 CE, not long after al-Askari's passing in 874 CE, not several decades later.
How did Hasan al-Askari primarily communicate with his followers while under house arrest?
Answer: Through an established network of representatives.
Explanation: Despite being under house arrest, Hasan al-Askari maintained communication with his followers primarily through an established network of trusted representatives.
What was Uthman ibn Sa'id's nickname, and how did he earn it?
Answer: Al-Samman, for disguising himself as a seller of cooking fat.
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id was known as al-Samman ('the fat seller') because he adopted the disguise of a seller of cooking fat to avoid detection by Abbasid agents while carrying out his duties.
Who was the first of the Four Deputies?
Answer: Abu Muhammad Uthman ibn Sa'id al-Asadi
Explanation: Abu Muhammad Uthman ibn Sa'id al-Asadi, also known as Uthman al-Amri, was the first of the Four Deputies.
At what age did Uthman ibn Sa'id first begin serving as an agent for the tenth Imam, Ali al-Hadi?
Answer: Eleven years old
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id reportedly began serving as an agent for the tenth Imam, Ali al-Hadi, at the young age of eleven.
When was Uthman ibn Sa'id appointed as a representative by the eleventh Imam, al-Askari?
Answer: 256 AH (869–70 CE)
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id was appointed as a representative by the eleventh Imam, al-Askari, in 256 AH (869–70 CE), following the death of al-Hadi.
What was Uthman ibn Sa'id's relationship with the eleventh Imam, al-Askari?
Answer: He was the closest associate and highly regarded for his trustworthiness.
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id was the closest associate of the eleventh Imam, al-Askari, and was highly regarded for his trustworthiness by both al-Hadi and al-Askari.
How did Uthman ibn Sa'id manage to collect religious donations for al-Askari while avoiding Abbasid agents?
Answer: He disguised himself as a seller of cooking fat, concealing donations in containers.
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id disguised himself as a seller of cooking fat, using the containers to conceal religious donations and thus avoid detection by Abbasid agents.
What significant role did Uthman ibn Sa'id perform immediately after al-Askari's death?
Answer: He performed the funeral rites for the eleventh Imam.
Explanation: Uthman ibn Sa'id performed the funeral rites for the eleventh Imam, al-Askari, after his death, an act that suggests prior permission for this important duty.
What was the initial reception of Uthman's claim to be the agent of the Hidden Imam among the Shia community?
Answer: It was largely accepted, though with some initial doubts regarding his authority to collect donations.
Explanation: Uthman's claim as the agent of the Hidden Imam was largely accepted by the Shia community, although there were some initial doubts concerning his authority to collect and distribute religious donations.
Abu Ja'far Muhammad, the second deputy, was appointed by al-Askari as an agent for his son, Muhammad al-Mahdi.
Answer: True
Explanation: According to Shaykh Tusi, the eleventh Imam, al-Askari, had appointed Abu Ja'far and his father as agents for his son, Muhammad al-Mahdi.
Abu Ja'far Muhammad's main achievement during his deputyship was establishing a new Shia sect separate from the mainstream.
Answer: False
Explanation: Abu Ja'far Muhammad's significant achievement was unifying the mainstream Shia community behind al-Askari's son as the twelfth Imam, not establishing a new sect.
Abu Ja'far Muhammad authored *Kitab al-Ashriba*, a book focused on Islamic jurisprudence related to beverages.
Answer: True
Explanation: Abu Ja'far Muhammad did author *Kitab al-Ashriba*, a work on Islamic jurisprudence specifically concerning beverages.
Who succeeded Uthman al-Amri as the second deputy?
Answer: Abu Ja'far Muhammad
Explanation: Uthman al-Amri was succeeded in his role as deputy by his son, Abu Ja'far Muhammad.
What was Abu Ja'far Muhammad's significant contribution during his approximately forty-year term as deputy?
Answer: He unified the mainstream Shia community behind al-Askari's son as the twelfth Imam.
Explanation: Abu Ja'far Muhammad is credited with the significant achievement of unifying the mainstream Shia community behind al-Askari's son as the twelfth Imam, who was in concealment.
Who assisted Abu Ja'far Muhammad in spreading Twelver beliefs, leveraging his connections with the Abbasid court?
Answer: Abu Sahl al-Nawbakhti
Explanation: Abu Sahl al-Nawbakhti, a renowned Twelver theologian with connections to the Abbasid court, assisted Abu Ja'far Muhammad in spreading Twelver beliefs.
What was the title of the notable book authored by Abu Ja'far Muhammad?
Answer: Kitab al-Ashriba
Explanation: Abu Ja'far Muhammad authored *Kitab al-Ashriba*, a book focused on Islamic jurisprudence related to beverages.
Ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti, the third deputy, was respected in the Abbasid court due to his strong ties with the Banu al-Furat family.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti was respected in the Abbasid court due to his close ties with Abu Sahl al-Nawbakhti, the leader of the influential Nawbakhti family, not the Banu al-Furat family.
During Ibn Ruh's term, communications with the Hidden Imam, which had been absent for approximately twenty-five years, were resumed.
Answer: True
Explanation: A significant event during Ibn Ruh's deputyship was the resumption of communications with the Hidden Imam, which had notably lapsed for about twenty-five years prior.
Ibn Ruh was imprisoned by Caliph al-Muqtadir for political dissent against the Abbasid rule.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ibn Ruh was temporarily imprisoned by Caliph al-Muqtadir for financial reasons, following the downfall of the Banu al-Furat family, not for political dissent.
Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Shalmaghani challenged Ibn Ruh's authority by claiming to be the rightful agent and denouncing the occultation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Shalmaghani did challenge Ibn Ruh's authority, asserting his own claim as the rightful agent and repudiating the concept of occultation.
Ibn Ruh's authority was weakened after al-Shalmaghani's challenge, leading to a decline in his influence.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ibn Ruh's authority was significantly strengthened after al-Shalmaghani's challenge, as he received another note from the Hidden Imam denouncing al-Shalmaghani's claims.
Who was the third of the Four Deputies?
Answer: Abu al-Qasim al-Husayn ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti
Explanation: Abu al-Qasim al-Husayn ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti, commonly known as Ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti, was the third of the Four Deputies.
Why was Ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti respected in the Abbasid court?
Answer: Due to his close ties with Abu Sahl al-Nawbakhti, leader of an influential family.
Explanation: Ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti was respected in the Abbasid court due to his close ties with Abu Sahl al-Nawbakhti, the leader of the influential Nawbakhti family.
What significant event regarding communication with the Hidden Imam occurred during Ibn Ruh's term as deputy?
Answer: Communications with the Hidden Imam, which had lapsed for approximately twenty-five years, were resumed.
Explanation: During Ibn Ruh's tenure, communications with the Hidden Imam, which had been absent for approximately twenty-five years, were notably resumed, marking a crucial period for the Shia community.
Why was Ibn Ruh temporarily imprisoned by Caliph al-Muqtadir in 312 AH (924–25 CE)?
Answer: For financial reasons, following the downfall of the Banu al-Furat family.
Explanation: Ibn Ruh was temporarily imprisoned by Caliph al-Muqtadir for financial reasons, specifically following the downfall of the influential Twelver family Banu al-Furat.
How was Ibn Ruh's authority reaffirmed after Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Shalmaghani challenged him?
Answer: He received another note attributed to the Hidden Imam, denouncing al-Shalmaghani's claims.
Explanation: Ibn Ruh's authority was significantly strengthened when he received another note, purportedly from the Hidden Imam, which specifically denounced al-Shalmaghani's claims.
The fourth and final deputy, Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri, held his office for approximately ten years.
Answer: False
Explanation: Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri held the office of deputy for approximately three years, not ten years.
Al-Samarri received a letter from al-Mahdi predicting his death and announcing the commencement of the Major Occultation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Al-Samarri did receive a letter from al-Mahdi shortly before his death, which predicted his passing and announced the beginning of the Major Occultation.
Al-Mahdi's letter specified that the Major Occultation would end when a specific number of years had passed, regardless of global conditions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Mahdi's letter stated that the Major Occultation would persist until God granted him permission to manifest himself again, specifically when the earth was filled with tyranny and injustice, not after a fixed number of years.
Al-Mahdi's letter warned that any future individual claiming deputyship was to be considered an imposter.
Answer: True
Explanation: The letter from al-Mahdi explicitly warned that any individual claiming to be the Imam's deputy from that point forward should be considered an imposter, thereby ending the direct deputyship.
Who was the fourth and final of the Four Deputies?
Answer: Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri
Explanation: Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri, also known as Abu al-Husayn al-Samarri, was the fourth and final of the Four Deputies.
The Four Deputies served as direct communicators between the Hidden Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, and his followers during the Major Occultation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Four Deputies served during the Minor Occultation, not the Major Occultation. Their role was to act as intermediaries between the Hidden Imam and his followers during this specific period.
The terms 'Gates', 'Emissaries', and 'Agents' were all used to refer to the Four Deputies, emphasizing their role as direct communicators.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Four Deputies were indeed known by various terms such as *abwāb* (Gates), *sufarāʾ* (Emissaries), and *wukalāʾ* (Agents), all of which highlighted their function as direct communicators or representatives of the Imam.
The office of deputyship remained in Samarra throughout the entire Minor Occultation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The office of deputyship relocated from Samarra to Baghdad sometime after 279 AH (879 CE), mirroring the movement of the Abbasid court.
The Twelver leadership in Baghdad received support from powerful Twelver families who served the Abbasids.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Twelver leadership in Baghdad indeed relied on the support and protection of influential Twelver families, such as the Ibn al-Furat and Banu Nawbakht, who were in the service of the Abbasids.
The primary duties of the Four Deputies included managing religious and financial affairs, collecting taxes, and conveying questions and responses to and from the Hidden Imam.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Four Deputies indeed served as de facto leaders, managing religious and financial affairs, collecting taxes, and acting as crucial intermediaries for questions and responses with the Hidden Imam.
Early Shia sources consistently limited the number of agents representing the Hidden Imam to exactly four.
Answer: False
Explanation: Early Shia sources did not initially limit the number of agents to exactly four; this specific notion evolved and became prominent in later Shia literature.
Al-Kulayni's *Kafi fi ilm al-din* only mentioned the first two agents and no other trusted men of the Hidden Imam.
Answer: False
Explanation: Al-Kulayni's *Kafi fi ilm al-din* referenced written decrees to various pious men, including the first two agents, and also mentioned other trusted men of the Hidden Imam operating in different cities, indicating a broader network.
The notion of exactly four successive agents became prominent in Shia literature only after the works of later scholars like Ibn Babawayh and Tusi.
Answer: True
Explanation: The specific concept of four successive agents gained prominence in Shia literature only with the later works of scholars such as Ibn Babawayh and Tusi, indicating an evolution in the understanding of the deputyship.
According to Klemm, the idea of a single agent representing the Hidden Imam was established from the very beginning of the Minor Occultation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Klemm suggests that the idea of a single, sole agent gained popularity during the term of the third agent and was then applied posthumously to the first two, not established from the very beginning.
Which of the following was NOT an alternative name used to refer to the Four Deputies?
Answer: The Imams
Explanation: The Four Deputies were known as the Gates (*abwāb*), the Sufara (*sufarāʾ*), or the Wukala (*wukalāʾ*), but not as 'The Imams' themselves, as they were representatives of the Imam.
When did the office of deputyship relocate from Samarra to Baghdad?
Answer: Sometime after 279 AH (879 CE).
Explanation: The office of deputyship relocated from Samarra to Baghdad sometime after 279 AH (879 CE), mirroring the movement of the Abbasid court.
Which powerful Twelver families provided support and protection to the Twelver leadership in Baghdad?
Answer: The Ibn al-Furat and Banu Nawbakht families.
Explanation: The Twelver leadership in Baghdad received support and protection from influential Twelver families such as the Ibn al-Furat and Banu Nawbakht, who served the Abbasids.