"Scientific Interactions of the Ja'fari School in the Abbasid Era: Analyzing the Role of Elite Cultivation in Imam al-Sadiq’s (AS) Educational System"

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Document Type : Original Article

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Theology and Islamic Studies Education, Farhangian University, Ayatollah Taleghani Campus, Qom, Iran

10.52547/has.2026.3101.1090

Abstract

The Abbasid era, characterized by significant socio-cultural and political shifts, provided a conducive environment for the consolidation of the Ja'fari School. Within this context, Imam al-Sadiq (AS) utilized his comprehensive pedagogical system to establish "elite cultivation" as a pivotal strategy for disseminating Shiite doctrines. Employing a historical-analytical approach and drawing upon Shiite narrative (hadith) sources, this research examines the role of such elite-building. It illustrates how talent selection based on ethical-narrative criteria, dynamic instructional methods—including lectures and debates—and the promotion of piety as the bedrock for intellectual development, transformed disciples into an elite class. Their scholarly engagements, which encompassed value transmission, social cohesion through Hadith chairs and academic circles, and interaction with state institutions, rendered the Ja'fari School resilient against sectarian challenges and Abbasid repression.



The literature review highlights a gap in the integrated analysis of this role, leading the study to offer a conceptual framework and key definitions. The historical inquiry explores socio-political backgrounds, while case studies of prominent disciples—such as Muhammad ibn Muslim, Safwan al-Basri, Zurarah ibn A'yan, Abu Basir al-Asadi, and Hisham ibn al-Hakam—validate the practical application of these principles. The conclusion emphasizes the study's innovation in linking pedagogy with scholarly interactions, proposing avenues for future research and offering a model for elite cultivation in contemporary Islamic societies.

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