Investigating works and thoughts of Mo’yed-bellah, Ahmad ibn Hussein Haroni

Mo’yed-bellah, Ahmad ibn Hussein Haroni is one of the outstanding shiite scholars and most famous and recognized Iranian Zaidi Imam who had special role in promoting the Zaidi denomination in northern Iran and Yemen. After the decline of political power of Alavian in Tabarestan, in 380, He arose in the East region of Gilan –Hosem- for the revival of Alavian and after several uprisings against the local governors of the area, in 387, succeeded in forming a small local government in Hosem. In addition to his political activity as a Zaidi imam, Mo’yed-bellah Haroni was a scientist who has written several excellent books in the field of Hadith, Islamic theology, Islamic jurisprudence, mysticism and poetry. Among the writings of Mo’yed-bellah Haroni exists rich theological works which shows his intellectual and religious concerns about these issues. His theological writings can be divided into two areas: works that he wrote to explain and demonstrate his religious Zaidi beliefs and works which reject the beliefs of the other denominations (Polemical treatises). Mo’yed-bellah Haroni’s anecdotal approach is also important in the Zaidi because in light of the hadith written works we can see the principles and general rules which exist in the Zaidi hadith. Although Zaidians had not given especial attention to mysticism and sufism, but Mo’yed-bellah was not only active in this field and wrote the book ‘Almoridin policy’, but also in practical mysticism, he was considered as example for his followers. His thoughts and social and mystical conducts in the book ‘the conduct of Imam Al-Mo’yed-bellah’ which was written by Morshed bellah Shajari are well reflected. Zaidi tradition that Mo’yed-bellah Haroni transferred to scholars after him, were later taken from Iran to Yemen by the Zaidi immigrants, where it continued to form some part of Yemen’s Zaidi tradition.