Safavid Religious Hegemony

Origins of Safavid Empire

Safi al-Din converted to Shi’ismSafavid Brotherhood – religious groupBecomes stronger using political methodsSafavids eventually become militaristic and religiousAllegiance to the “hidden Imam”

Origins cont.

Brotherhood begins waging holy warFought against Turkey and GeorgiaOttomans outlaw Shi’a Islam 1501 Safavids declare independenceIsmail I becomes king of Safavid Empire

Hegemony

Ismail I conquers most of IranSunni had been majority populationLaunches campaign to convert SunniSafavid dynasty conversion of IslamTwelver Shi’ism becomes official religion

Methods of ConversionShi’ism imposed as state religionReintroduction of Sadr (Arabic leader)

Responsible for disseminating Twelver Doctrine

Destruction of Sunni mosquesRitual cursing of first Sunni Caliphs Persecuted, and shed Sunni blood

The Positives

Religious and political power intertwinedPeople soon embraced new faithMajor educational establishments aroseSpread of philosophy and theologyEstablished borders with Turkey and Afghanistan

The Negatives

Shi’ism was foreign to IranSunni ulama left or were killedReligious leaders became political toolsEven persecuted other different ShiaReduced importance of the Hajj

Hajj

Other Outcomes

Clear line of hostility appears Sunni majority treated with brutalityCenturies of conflict soon ensue Established borders with Turkey and AfghanistanWas surrounded by Sunni majority

Sunni/Shia Map

Ismail II

From 1576 – 77Went crazy having been in prison Implemented a pro-Sunni policyPower reduction from Shia clerics Was poisoned in1577

Abbas I

Reigned from 1587 – 1629Came in during troubled timeContinued converting Iran into ShiaMilitary reform in Iranian armySolidified Shia control of Iran

Muhammad Baqir Majlisi

Lived from 1616 – 1698Cleric working to eradicate SunniIn1678 appointed Religious Leader “Persianized” Shia religious practices Further solidified Shia hegemony

Sultan Husayn

Reigned from 1694 - 1722Conquered part of AfghanistanAttempted to forcibly convert Sunni Afghanistan rebelled and wonCaused end of Safavid empire

Isfahan