Tasavvufun irfani tecellileri Şah İsmail’in manevi liderliğinde

As the Safavid dynasty ushered in a transformative era in Azerbaijani history, its founder Shah Ismail I not only ascended the throne but also assumed spiritual leadership of society as a Sufi mürshid (guide). Drawing upon the tenets of Sufism, he became the community’s spiritual leader and spearheaded the officialization of Twelver Shia Islam in Azerbaijan. The Sufi movement of that era was the culmination of a long transformative process spanning from the time of Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabil, the Safavid dynasty’s grand ancestor, poet, and scholar, to the reign of Shah Ismail. During this developmental phase, values such as asceticism and piety, secrecy, obedience, and submission played a pivotal role in Shah Ismail’s unification of his followers and the establishment of a powerful dynasty. Moreover, the spiritual and philosophical aspects of Sufism were clearly evident in Shah Ismail’s spiritual leadership. Historical sources provide compelling evidence of Sufism’s significant role in the transformation of this period. This article examines some of the terminology and literature employed in the Sufi discourses of that era. The aim of this article is not to delve into the essence of Sufism or to add new knowledge to our understanding of this field. Rather, it seeks to elucidate the political, social, and spiritual dimensions of Shah Ismail’s emotional connection with his followers by expounding upon certain Sufi symbols and spiritual aspects.