Assessing the Beliefs and Actions of Khajeh Shamsuddin in Sarbedaran Movement based on Alawite Doctrines in Malik al-Ashtar's Treaty

Sarbedaran's movement is the first historical experience on establishing a stable Shiite government in the occultation period. This movement's cultural and civilization effects provided a fertile ground for institutionalizing Shiite thought in forming a religious government based on Alawite doctrines. This article seeks to examine the degree of closeness and conformity of the ideas and actions of Khajeh Shamsuddin Ali Cheshmi, the sixth ruler of Sarbdari, with the teachings of Imam Ali in Malik al-Ashtar's treaty. Significant actions of Khajeh in three areas of economic, cultural, and military, are a complete and comprehensive example of the duties of an Islamic servant and ruler. These are the ones that Imam Ali (AS) has mentioned in Malik al-Ashtar's treaty, i.e., collecting taxes, fighting enemies, organizing people, and building up their cities. Khajeh Cheshmi's ideas and actions are closely related to the Alawite teachings in the treaty; for instance, in the economic field, his works included reforming the economic structure, paying attention to agriculture, trade, and industry. He emphasized simple living in cultural and civil works, accompanying people, building the Beyhaq grand mosque, and seriously fighting social corruption. In military affairs, he emphasized concern for the livelihood and welfare of the Sarbdar community, the military authority, and recognition of the territorial integrity of the Sarbdar government by Taghatimur and the victory over foreign opponents. However, a small part of his behavior due to his legal severity is not very compatible with the geometry of Alawite's way of thinking.