The Position of Shiite Jurisprudents in the Religious and Social Relations of Iran in Safavid Era

Abstract

Safavid religious movement could provide distinctive services to the Shiite Islam by the establishment of government and the formal recognition of Shi’ism. It also provided the ground for the confirmation and achievement of gradual social position by the Shiite jurisprudents in Iran. Considering the background of Sufism of the Safavid, this article is to answer the question on what position did the Shiite jurisprudents have in cooperation with the government in terms of the function of religious legitimacy and how much was their authority in the social domain particularly the propagation and administration of Islamic decrees. The findings of research clarify that the religious legitimacy of Safavid government was not merely due to the Shiite jurisprudents, but the Safavid could achieve their religious authority through the diverse sources such as supporting the trend of Sufism as well as some titles providing authority such as lordship and subrogation of Imam. Some of the Safavid kings considered a significant position for the Shiite jurisprudents and in the court system, they were holders of numerous official positions. However, the real authority and the social penetration of the king was not comparable with the other position holders and the personal desires of the king was dominating on the destinies of the country. It was merely the end of Safavid era that reinforcement of powerful religious institution as well as the development of Mollabashi position improved the authority of the jurisprudents.

Keywords

• safavid era
• shiite jurisprudents
• safavid legitimacy
• sufis
• mollabashi position