“An Inquiry into Theological Evolution of Shaykhism from the Beginning until Now”

The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate and clarify the evolution of the Shaykhism’s theology from the beginning until now. The method of this research is a descriptive-analytical study that used library and field research to investigate the theoretical evolution of the early and middle-class Shaykhism, then examine the contemporary Sheikh’s theological evolution and, finally, differentiate their beliefs with Babi’s teachings. The hypothesis that followed in this essay was that the verbal beliefs of this cult have evolved since the time of its emergence. Findings of the research indicate that the Shaikhis sect is one of the new Shiite divisions that were based on Sheikh Ahmad Ehsaee’s particular beliefs. He believed in various theological issues, including physical resurrection, the Prophet Mohammad, and beliefs that led to the opposition of the scholars and jurisprudents of the Imami and caused the issuance of his decree of excommunication and the rejection of his followers. Following him, his pupil Sayyed Kazem Rashti, who had the same beliefs and belief in rationality, became more formal in this cult, after which some of his views gave rise to the secession of the Shiite figure. After Rasht, the sect has been split, which can be mentioned from the Shaykhs of Kerman, Azerbaijan and Bagherian. These three branches, from the very beginning to the present, have undergone various developments in the field of verbal discourse, to the extent that they propose new beliefs despite the claims of their two main leaders (Ehsaee and Rashti). The results of this study are that between this emerging group, various challenges and ideologies of verbal, ideological and intellectual thought that their research was studied. In contemporary times, individual perceptions also led to the separation of some followers of the Shaikhic groups and even the cursing and excommunication of some of them by others.