Safavids and the Issue of Friday Prayers: A Case Study of the Shah Ismail's and Shah Tahmasb's Eras (907-984 AH)

Friday prayer was one of the religious duties hold at the macro level gradually for the first time in Iran due to some political and religious considerations with the recognition of the Shiite religion by the Safavids. These considerations were due to the religious irony of the Ottomans and the efforts of the scholars and the Safavid government to unify the beliefs of the people and create a sense of solidarity. Discussions were hold and treatises were written on defense and the how of holding Friday prayers after issuing fatwas of its optional or determinative obligation and even not holding it with the fatwa of sanctity in the absence of the Imam of the time. The main issue of this research is to study the roles and causes of the agreement and opposition of the kings and scholars with holding Friday prayers. Findings show that the preparations for Friday prayers have been provided since the first decade of Shah Ismailchr('39')s reign during the conquest of some cities, and later during the Shah Tahmasbchr('39')s reign, with the empowerment of Jabal Amel scholars and the issuance of fatwas, and then the establishment of Shaykh al-Islam position and the appointment of Friday prayer Imams.