The Role of the Alids in Spreading of Shiism in Nayshabur

Nayshabur, a city in northeastern Iran, was an important populous and scientific center of Sunni Muslims, but nowadays there is no sign of Sunnism in this city. This survey is in quest of finding the causes of the exchange of Sunnism for Shiism in this area. Undoubtedly, various factors have been effective in this regard. In this article the role of the "Alids" in spreading Shiism in Nayshabur is analyzed. In this regard, it is noteworthy that because of their high position in Islamic culture and subsequently, enjoying social popularity and prestige on one hand and their ample presence in Nayshabur and theirfidelity to Shiism and its promotion on the other hand, the Alids played a great role in the spread of Shiism in this region.