THE EFFECT OF DREAMS DURING THE TRANSITION OF THE SAFAVIDS FROM SUFI ORDER TO STATE

To understand the founding philosophy of the Safavid State established by Shah Ismail in 1501, it is important to take a look at the order process. Safiyuddin al-Ardabili, who rose to prominence after joining Sheikh Zahid’s order and gaining the rank of sheikh, founded the Safaviyye Sufi order in the early 14th century, shaping the region as an influential figure. The order, whose number of followers increased gradually, changed its identity over time and entered the process of becoming a state with its descendants. It is seen that dreams were used effectively in a period of approximately 200 years, from 1301, when Safiyüddin ascended the post, until the establishment of the State in 1501.The nature of dreams reflected in the sources varies according to time and situation. Dreams, which were understood to be aimed at strengthening the Sheikhs’ place in the order and placing them on a legitimate basis in the early periods, later served the purpose of establishing a political power. Dreams of this kind, recorded in sources after Safiyuddin’s death, date back to before his birth. The legitimacy source was announced to his mother before his birth, and after his birth, dreams were seen to built this process on solid ground. Successors who ascended the post after Safiyuddin generally attempted to gather followers by using dreams. This policy was succesful over time, and with the increasing number of followers, a tendency establishing a military power emerged. Military and political activities, which began during the period of Sheikh Cuneyd and continued during the time of Sheikh Haydar, were also supported by the use of dreams. During the time of Sheikh Haydar, the nature of dreams no longer indicated the sheikhly post but a political formation. With the dream seen by Sheikh Haydar, Safavid followers would adopt the name Kızılbash and gain motivation to transform the Safaviyya order into a state.