The Imamiyya's Position on Kisaniyya, Ghulat, Zaidis and Ismaili's Views on Badā

The Sunnis and Shiites are unanimous in not being able to attribute the literal meaning of badā’ to the Lord. The Sunnis, however, suppose that the Imamīs attribute the lexical meaning of badā’ to the Lord; the meaning which would result in attributing ignorance and remorse to Him, the most Exalted. There are, albeit, numerous frequently narrated reports and sayings that have ascribed the concept of badā’ to the Lord and Imami scholars accordingly have always attempted to explain its correct meaning in those reports. The Shiite denominations have had distinct and varied positions in this respect. The Zaidis explicitly denies the attribution of badā’ to God, and, like Sunnis, criticize the Imāmīs for believing in badā’. The Ismailis have also refused to accept badā’ or it runs counter to the belief in Imamate of Ismail. Kisaniyya equates badā’ with abrogation. Ghulat believe in badā, although they have been cursed and excommunicated by the Shiite prominent personalities. The present paper seeks to examine the Shiite prominent figures’ stance on the views held by the above-mentioned four sects about the doctrine of badā