The Event of Qadir Khom and Theological Aspects in Safavid Paintings

From the point of view of Shiites and Shiite commentators, the event of Qadir Khom and the announcement of the succession of Imam Ali (PBUH) by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is one of the greatest historical events of the beginning of Islam and beholds a special position particularly to substantiate the legitimacy of Amir al-Momenin (PBUH). Among the explanations of the hadith and the narration of Qadir Khom many references have been made to the verses revealed by God in this regard, including the verse of “Tabliq” and the verse of “Akmal”. This event has received exceptional responses due to its prominence and position among Shiites in various fields of art, society, politics and also in the daily life of Muslims. In the meantime, Islamic-Iranian painting has provided the painters with an opportunity to portray and display various stories and themes, specifically sacred and religious themes. Qadir Khom is one of the themes that has been written and illustrated by the order of Shiite and religious rulers and supporters. Most of the paintings obtained from this subject belong to the Safavid manuscripts that follow a unique Shiite approach. Such artworks include the works of Al-Baqiyah, Habib al-Sir, Fal-nameh, the works of Al-Muzaffar, Ahsan al-Kabar, Rozat al-Safa, the attack of Heydari, and the paintings of Master Farshchian. Most of the handwritten drawings from this copy display the event with almost the same description and interpretation of the Qadir hadith in Dasht-e Farakh, nevertheless a number of the drawings behold diverse symbols and concepts; furthermore, they demonstrate the dignity of the Imam's guardianship according to the hadiths, narrations and verses of the holy Qur'an. This article, considering the dignity and status of Imam Ali's (PBUH) guardianship has explained and examined the event of Qadir Khomin the paintings and samples obtained.