Shi‘ism, as the twin of Islam, was introduced into Egypt by some of the Companions and the Successors. However, it was challenged by the influence and power of the Shi‘ites’ opponents. The uprising of the Egyptian Muslims against ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan, which led to his murder, was one of the opportunities for Shi‘ism to show off in Egypt; and Imam Ali, having achieved the Islamic caliphate, installed his governors there.
The present article is seeking to show that the abovementioned condition was not a sign of the spread of Shi‘ism in Egypt. The influence of the opponents of Shi‘ism and the adherents of Uthmani-Umayyad rulers, resting upon widespread propagation and military power, was more deeply rooted in Egypt. Therefore, the Shi‘ism, after the establishment of the first Umayyad government, was enclosed in houses for a long period, thereby declining in Egypt.
The present article is seeking to investigate the way Shi‘ism originated in Egypt and the reasons for its decline in the first half century after the Islamic conquest. The approaches used by the present article are the review and investigation of historical sources and some views of the contemporary researchers as well as the interpretation of historical evidences based on the existing library resources.