Imamiyyah Cultural Status in Iran (Seljuk era)

While Imamiyyah blossomed in Buyid dynasty’s time with the supports of Shi’ite Emirs who were interested in culture, noticeably this process encountered some problems at the begging of Seljuk ruling by the strictness of bigot sultans and viziers like Nizam al-Mulk. Through analyzing the time sources, Shia Muslims contributions in building mosques, schools and libraries in Shiite cities such as Qom,Kashan, Rey, Aveh, Varamin, Sabzevar and Sari are quite obvious. It also demonstrates how young Shiite Muslims were scientifically and religiously trained. Especially because of competition between Nizamiyyah schools,they did a great job in training educated, scholar, poet and minister Muslims.Shia artists were pioneer in architectural styles of mosques, madrasah,minaret, pottery and handicrafts. On the other hand, educated Shi’ites influenced the court of Seljuk in developing Shia culture in Iran. In addition,cultural situation of twelvers in Seljuk era is analyzed through this paper.