A Critique of the Claim to Divinity by Safavid Shah Ismaʻīl I

Throughout the pre-modern history and almost in all regions, kings have enjoyed special privileges in their people’s view, due to some special features and abilities. Shah Ismaʻīl I, is one of those historical figures who have attracted the attention of many researchers to his sophisticated, and engaging personality.
The extraordinary praise of his supporters during the Safavid period has led to some incorrect opinions about his ideas and motives. One of these views is the claim to divinity attributed to Shah Ismaʻīl. These opinions proposed mostly by Western scholars, were endorsed by some Iranian scholars.
In this research, we try to critically examine the evidence of the claim to divinity by Shah Ismaʻīl. Western scholars of Safavids seem to have proposed such opinion for some reason, including lack of knowledge of the cultural and social conditions of Iran during the Safavid era.