Apocalypse and authority in Islamic Tradition: the emergence of the Twelve Leaders

Abstract

This article analyzes the numerous versions of an Islamic apocalypse predicting the emergence of twelve leaders among the Muslims. It is contended that the earliest versions of this apocalypse were put into circulation during the Umayyad period, around AH 100, when the number of the caliphs was approaching 12. The numeric coincidence between the symbolic numbers 12 and 100 triggered an apocalyptic mood which brought about the circulation of the earliest versions of the apocalypse. These versions use the biblical model of the twelve princes of Ishmael who have been identified with the twelve Islamic leaders. The article goes on to examine many revised versions of the basic apocalypse, which reflect later political conditions that developed during late Umayyad and early ‛Abbāsid period. In these revised versions the biblical model has been replaced by a Quranic model (the twelve chieftains —nuqabā’— of Moses), as well as by an Arabian one (Quraysh). The article also scrutinizes the function of the apocalypse in Twelver Shī‛ism.