Reviewing and Criticizing the Theory of the Deputyship of the Safavid Kings on Behalf of the Imam of the Time

In the early days of the Safavid government, there was a favorable ground for the claim of deputyship of the Imam of the Time for the Safavid kings. Some Western scholars studying the Safavid, having learned about these conditions and ideals of the Safavid kings to realize the establishment of the Shi’a religion, have suggested that the Safavid kings have claimed to be the deputy of the Imam of the Time for their own government. By examining the various factors influencing the arguments of these researchers, the incorrectness of this theory is proven. In this research, it has been attempted to present a proper and correct image of the beliefs and claims of the Safavid kings in relation to the issue of Mahdism and the type of relationship between the Safavid and Imam Mahdi’s government.