Political Status of Shi'ism from the Fall of Safavid until Karim Khan e- Zand

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

Shiite religion prevalent in Iran in various forms and sects from the beginning of Islam could not be sanctioned until safavid time as well as the sanction of twelve-Imam Shi'ism. Along with the emergence of safavid, it was provided the ground for picking out shi'ism as an official religion and supported one by government. Following this, Shiite scholars were granted a highly effective position with a social, political authority. Following the fall of safavid through Afghans as the followers of Sunnite religion and community, it was greatly diminished the position of shi'ism and Shiite scholars. Furthermore, after the annihilation of Afghans, Nader shah made some restrictions for Shiite religion and its scholars in order to develop his political purposes, but in time of Karim Khan e-Zand, the position of shi'ism and Shiite scholars was greatly improved and actually, shi'ism was highly affected by ups and downs in these eras. The controversial issues of this article would be the way of treatment of governments during the fall of safavid until Afsharieh and Zandieh with Shiites and Shiite scholars and political, social, and cultural status of shi'ah in these eras.

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