The Safavid Legacy
Unveiling the spiritual and political journey of the Safavid Sufi order, its transformation, and its foundational role in the Safavid dynasty of Iran.
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The Safavid Order
Origins and Identity
The Safavid order, also known as the Safaviyya, was a significant Kurdish Sufi order (tariqa). Founded by the mystic Safi-ad-Din Ardabili (1252โ1334 AD), it initially adhered to the Shafi'i school of Sunni Islam.
Sociopolitical Influence
During the 14th and 15th centuries, the order held considerable influence in the society and politics of northwestern Iran. Its trajectory eventually led to the establishment of the renowned Safavid dynasty.
Spiritual and Political Evolution
Over time, the order underwent a profound transformation, notably adopting Twelver Shi'ism. This shift marked a significant departure from its Sunni roots and laid the groundwork for its future political ambitions.
Founder: Safi-ad-Din Ardabili
Mystic and Spiritual Guide
Safi-ad-Din Ardabili, the founder of the Safaviyya, was a revered mystic. His spiritual leadership was recognized even by contemporaries like Rashid-al-Din Hamadani, who advised his son to show proper respect to the mystic.
Early Recognition
Two letters from Rashid-al-Din Hamadani attest to Safi-ad-Din's importance. In one, he pledges an annual offering of foodstuffs; in the other, he advises his son on comportment towards the mystic, highlighting Safi-ad-Din's respected status.
Succession
Following Safi-ad-Din's death, leadership of the order passed through his descendants, father to son. This established a lineage that would eventually steer the order towards significant political and religious changes.
Transformation and Militancy
Shift to Twelver Shi'ism
By the mid-15th century, the Safaviyya, under the influence of Safi-ad-Din's descendants, began to adopt a more extreme and intolerant form of Twelver Shi'ism. This marked a pivotal shift in the order's religious identity.
Militant Stance
Under leaders like Shaykh Junayd and Shaykh Haydar, the order became increasingly militant. They proclaimed Jihad against the Christians of Georgia, demonstrating a clear move towards military action and political engagement.
Messianic Beliefs
The movement also developed "exaggerative" characteristics, embracing messianic beliefs concerning its leadership and adopting practices that deviated from the norms of Twelver Islam at the time.
Political Aspirations
Early Political Drive
From the early 14th century onwards, Safavid leaders actively pursued political power alongside their religious authority. This ambition generated unease and eventually open hostility from the rulers of western Iran and Iraq.
Resistance and Martyrdom
The growing political aspirations led to conflict. Three successive Safavid leadersโShaykh Junayd (killed 1460), Shaykh Haydar (killed 1488), and Shaykh Ali (killed 1494)โdied in battle, highlighting the risks associated with their movement.
Propaganda and Claims
The religious propaganda, known as *da'va*, evolved significantly. Initially asserting the leader as the Mahdi's representative, it later claimed the leader was the Mahdi himself or even a divine incarnation, bolstering their legitimacy and appeal.
Founding the Safavid Empire
Ismail I's Ascendancy
Despite the setbacks, the Safavid movement's strength culminated in the founding of the Safavid empire in 1501 by Ismail I. This marked the successful transition from a Sufi order to a ruling dynasty.
Establishing Twelver Shi'ism
Upon establishing the empire, Ismail I proclaimed Twelver Shi'ism as the state religion. To solidify this, he imported Shia *ulama* (scholars), primarily from Lebanon and Syria, to shape the religious landscape of Iran.
Royal Authority
Safavid kings based their authority on three core tenets: divine appointment to rule Iran, acting as earthly representatives of the Twelfth Imam (Muhammad al-Mahdi), and serving as the *morลกed-e kฤmel* (perfect spiritual guide) of the Safavid Sufi order.
Core Tenets and Beliefs
Spiritual Lineage
The order's foundation by Safi-ad-Din Ardabili established a spiritual lineage. Initially Sunni, its embrace of Twelver Shi'ism, particularly the concept of the hidden Imam (Mahdi), became central to its evolving identity.
Messianic Claims
The propaganda surrounding the Safavid leaders, especially before the empire's founding, included claims of the leader being the Mahdi himself or a divine incarnation. This elevated the leader's status beyond that of a mere spiritual guide.
Extremism and Antinomianism
The order's transformation into an "extreme and intolerant" form of Twelver Shi'ism also involved adopting "antinomian" practices, suggesting a departure from conventional interpretations of Islamic law and norms.
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References
References
- https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1345, Sheikh Safi al-Din
- Newman, Andrew J., Safavid Iran: Rebirth of a Persian Empire, (I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd., 2006), 152.
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