Note 607 — A NARRATIVE OF ITALIAN TRAVELS IN PERSIA. (continued 4)
Eugene Armand Roy translation
The followers of what is called the “Shiah sect”, curse the memories of Abu Bekr, Omar, and Othman, whom they look upon as usurpers of Ali’s rights; and they despise all the “Soonee”, or body of traditions collected during their reigns, which are venerated by all orthodox Mahometans. They believe that Ali, the beloved son-in-law of Mohammed, is almost equal to the Prophet himself; and that if Mohammed is the Apostle, Ali and his descendants, the twelve Imaums, were the Vicars of God. These Imaums all suffered martyrdom, except Mahadi, the last, and he is said to have mysteriously disappeared, and is believed to be still alive. The twelve Imaums are—
1. Ali, the son-in-law of Mohammed.
2. Hassan } his sons.
3. Hossein }
4. Zein al Abudeen. Put to death by Caliph Walid I.
5. Mohammed al Badkir. Put to death by Caliph Hashem.
6. Jaffier al Sadiek.
7. Moôssâh Kazim, from whom the Suffavean family is descended. } All put to death, generally by order of the Caliphs.
8. Ali Riza; buried at Meshed. }
9. Mohammed al Takec. }
10. Ali al Nukec. }
11. Hassan Askeri. }
12. Mohammed al Mahadi. Mysteriously disappeared.