The Legitimacy of the Safavid State and the Formation of Shi'a Religious Institutions

Abstract

Various components influence the formation of the culture of any nation or the followers of any religion. A comprehensive examination of the cultural history of any nation requires attention to all the causes and factors involved in the formation process of their cultural history. Among these causes and factors is the function of religion, which is considered one of the most influential elements in the cultural history of nations. In examining the Safavid rule, religion and its associated forces play a significant role. In fact, the government that Shah Ismail I established in 1501 was a religious government based on the existing religious indicators in society. The Safavid rulers managed to accelerate the process of forming their worldly power by relying on religious institutions. The role of religion in the formation, legitimization, continuity, and eventual decline of the Safavid state is entirely evident. Although the Safavid state was formed on the basis of religion and religious forces, the element of culture and its evolutionary course flourished significantly with the establishment and consolidation of the government. This study examines the role of religion and Shi'a Islam in the culture of Safavid-era Iran. The most significant achievement and finding of this work is the identification and analysis of some beliefs, rituals, institutions, and Shi'a symbols that had a positive role in shaping the culture of Iranians during this period. Thus, this text will explore the factors and subjects that influenced the social and cultural behavior and practices of Iranians during the Safavid era.