Anti-ahl al-Sunnah policies of Safevids

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While Safavids are originally a Sunni sufi order,it has become Shiite over time and realized the process of becoming a state by taking advantage of the political turmoil in its period. Safavids,initially being a sufi-order,has gradually transformed from sheikhdom to Shahsystem. In terms of Ottoman-Safavid relations,it has a particular importance that its founding members and community were from Turkmen tribes. Beginning from Khoja Ali,Ardabillodge (Erdebil Tekkesi),which became rapidly Shi ite,established Safavid State under the leadership of Shah Ismail and aimed to govern regions under own control by propagating Shi a thought. These activities were not only in the Iranian region which was under Safavids control,but also they became effective in Anatolia,where they aimed to rule over. Thus,becoming effective of Shi ism by compelling and forced practices,it has become the dominant sect with the center of Tabriz in the Iranian region,where until 1500s the dominant sect was Sunnism. On the other hand,Safavîds focused on Shi a propaganda to rule over Anatolia. In this context,they performed many activities in religious,economic,social and cultural fields to spread Shi ism,apart from Safevîd-supported rebellions,such as Şahkulu and Nur Ali Halife. This article begins giving a brief account on the establishment of Safavid State and its development,the process how Shah Ismail came to power,and the relations with the Ottoman State. Then,it deals with the practices that Safavids applied during the spread of Shi ism,such as compelling Sunnis to do some practices,inşadü l-menakib,Shii adhan (callforprayer),sebü s-sahabe.

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Ahl al , Sunnah , Ottoman , Safavid relations , Shah Ismail , Shi ite propaganda , The Safavids

Turkish Culture and Haci Bektash Veli Research Quarterly

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Turkish Culture and Haci Bektash Veli Research Quarterly