Confrontation of Mohaqqeq al-Karaki with positioning of Safavid rule in Shah Esma il I era (1501-1523A.H.)

Safavid era was the first and most comprehensive experiment in the interaction of religious leadership with political institution following the establishment of Shi’ism as the official religion in Iran. On one hand, in this period and particularly in the times of Shah Esma’il 1501-1523, the first fundamentals of the political institution behavior in the political, economic, and social fields formed by description and explanation of the religious leadership. On the other hand, this circumstance caused insight differences amongst the clergy, which were followed by compiling argumentative treatises. In this article, the attention is on Mohaqqeq al-Karaki's life and his manner of practical and theoretical behaviour as one of the most effective jurists of sixteenth century in confrontation with Safavid rule in era of Shah Esma’il I. His vivid presence and participation in the first problems of Shah Tahmasb rule (1523-1576) has allowed less opportunity for a critical outlook versus his position in era of Esma’il I. The position which theoretically formed with compiling treatise in the subjects of Kharaj, Friday prayer and deputyship (niyaba) theory; and in some cases were challenged from clergymen including Sheikh Ebrahim al-Qatifi and Mir Jamal-o-Din Astarabadi. The aim of this research is to examine conceptually these treatises using information from other sources along with explanation of his behaviour and connections with the society, Safavid rule and religious policies in particular.