Immovable Endowments to Astan Quds Razavi in the Safavid Era

Farzaneh, Mostafa; Nazarkardeh, Azam

doi:10.22034/chs.2025.508575.1081

Immovable Endowments to Astan Quds Razavi in the Safavid Era

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

mostafa farzaneh ¹

azam nazarkardeh ²

¹ Ph.D. in Political Sociology, Allameh Tabataba'i University, and Expert at the Organization of Libraries, Museums, and Documents Center of Astan Quds Razavi, Mashhad, Iran

² Master of History and Head of Document Indexing and Recording Affairs, Organization of Libraries, Museums, and Documents Center of Astan Quds Razavi, Mashhad, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/chs.2025.508575.1081

Abstract

Endowment (Waqf) to Astan Quds Razavi has always been a subject of interest to both the government and the people, and the Safavid period is one of its most significant flourishing eras according to historical documents from that period. Examining the status of Astan Quds Razavi's endowments in the Safavid era and analyzing the context and factors influencing it can lead to a refinement of historical knowledge. Using the historical method and a descriptive-analytical approach, emphasizing endowment documents and utilizing library resources, this article addresses the following questions: What was the status of Astan Quds Razavi's endowments in terms of donors (waqifs), type of usage (consumption) and endowed assets (raqaba), and spatio-temporal distribution during the Safavid period? And how can the developments that occurred be explained? Based on the findings, in the Safavid era, the most common type of endowed asset was farmland, mostly located around Mashhad; in other words, the distribution of endowments across the country was limited. In this period, although endowments for religious ceremonies did not grow in parallel with the government's actions to promote religious rituals, endowments for the [Imam's] Households (Boyutat) were aligned with the policies of the kings and the role the clergy played, and had the highest frequency. Also, despite the compelling need for providing security, no endowments were provided for this purpose. An increase in endowments can be observed after Shah Abbas I in this era; based on frequency, the largest number of endowments belong, in order, to the periods of Shah Soleiman, Shah Sultan Hossein, and Shah Abbas I. Stability and security, the consolidation of central government’s authority, the actions and approach of the Shah, the organizational order of Astan Quds Razavi, and the trustees selected from among Sayyids and clerics who had influence and independence, were effective in endowments. In addition to these, the empowerment of Shiite mujtahids and also emphasis on the status of the Infallible Imams (AS) based on their special role in minds and daily life according to the concept of coexistence, were very effective in the prosperity of endowments in this period.

Keywords

Endowment (Waqf)

Astan Quds Razavi

Safavid

Social context

Politics

Religion

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