The Role of Endowments and Offerings in Disseminating the Ashura Rituals in Iran from the Period of the Buyid Dynasty to the Safavid Dynasty

Endowments and offerings have played an important role in the spread of Ashura rituals in Iran. The participation of the political and popular classes in economic, cultural and social activities has made this presence bolder and more tangible over time. From the time of the Buyid dynasty to the beginning of the Safavid era (1501 to 1736), samples of endowments and offerings for the dissemination and implementation of the Ashura rituals can be analysed. Among the measures taken by the Shiites and the followers of the purified progeny of the Holy Prophet are the numerous endowments and offerings dedicated to the construction of the holy shrines of the Shiite Imams, the building of schools, libraries, a gathering spot for the Sayyids and conducting the mourning ceremonies. By scrutinizing the existing historical data, this descriptive-analytic research seeks to examine the extent of the effects of the endowments and offerings of these periods in disseminating the Ashura rituals in Iran. By studying different sources, it was finally concluded that endowments, offerings, and charities were very effective in promulgating the Ashura rituals and led to the growth of Shi'ism among the people of Iran.