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secret movements that affected Islam, did to demolish the Arabic, Islamic supreme authority or to
demolish Islam or the trends that tried to destroy Islam from inside are called al‐ shi‘ubiya.[1]
Kurd ‘Ali sees that al‐ shi‘ubiya are the people who show fanaticism toward the Arabs and prefer
the non‐Arab to them.[2] This is the meaning of al‐ shi‘ubiya in the viewpoints of the linguists and
the modern writers. They all have not agreed on a certain definition for this word.
B. Its Beginning
According to the historical inquiry, this destructive movement started at the time of the Second
Caliph (‘Umar b. al‐Khettab), to the extent that he was the victim of it. That was when he was
assassinated by Abu Lu’lu’a as a result of the conspiracy among those forces who harbored malice
against him.
As for the factors of its beginning, they resulted from that the supreme authority did not treat the
Arabs and the non‐Arabs equally in rights and duties. For the Second Caliph gave a religious
verdict that none of the non‐Arabs had the right to inherit except those who were born in the
Arab land.[3] He also harassed them through taxes. Moreover, through his money policy, created
classes in Islam. For example, in giving, he preferred al‐Badriyyin[4], and the Emigrants to the
Ansar (the Supporters). This required classifying the people according to the tribes and their
lineage. So the genealogists became active to record the lineage and classifying the tribes
according to their origins. Of course, this made the non‐Arabs hate the Arabs and look for their
defects.
‘Uthman, the Third Caliph, also followed this policy. He ordered his governor over Baghdad to
prefer the Arabs to non‐Arabs.[5] This unjust policy brought about many difficulties and discords
to the Muslims. It divided their ranks and spread hatred and malice among them.
C. Its Development
The movement of al‐ shi‘ubiya greatly developed during the days of the Umayyad and the
‘Abbasid governments. This abominable fanatical instincts took place among the Muslims. The
Arabs showed pride toward the rest of other peoples. They praised their qualities. They said:
“Surely we have moral qualities by which we have been distinguished. We are the greatest of all
the people in entertaining guest, relieving the grieved, and helping the seeker of help. We
slaughter for night
[1] Al‐Judhur al‐Tarikhiya lil shi'ubiya, p. 11.
[2] Al‐Islam wa al‐Hidara al‐'Arabiya.
[3] Al‐Muwatta', vol. 2, p. 12.
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