Legalised Pedigrees: Sayyids and Shi.i Islam in Pakistan

This article draws on a wide range of Shi'i periodicals and monographs from the 1950s until the present day to investigate debates on the status of Sayyids in Pakistan. I argue that the discussion by reformist and traditionalist Shi'i scholars ('ulama) and popular preachers has remained remarkably stable over this time period. Both 'camps' have avoided talking about any theological or miracle-working role of the Prophet's kin. This phenomenon is remarkable, given the fact that Sayyids share their pedigree with the Shi'i Imams, who are credited with superhuman qualities. Instead, Shi'i reformists and traditionalists have discussed Sayyids predominantly as a specific legal category. They are merely entitled to a distinct treatment as far as their claims to charity, patterns of marriage, and deference in daily life is concerned. I hold that this reductionist and largely legalising reading of Sayyids has to do with the intense competition over religious authority in post-Partition Pakistan. For both traditionalist and reformist Shi'i authors, 'ulama, and preachers, there was no room to acknowledge Sayyids as potential further competitors in their efforts to convince the Shi.i public about the proper 'orthodoxy' of their specific views.