Imam Ali ΄s Studies

Imamate and Walayat in Nematullahi Sufism: Reflection of Imam Ali (AS) and the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) in the Early Nematullahi Texts until the Safavid Era

Document Type : .

Authors

Mostafa Gohari Fakhrabad 1
Ruhollah Solgi 2
Mojtaba Soltani Ahmadi 3
Zahra Sayyafi 4

1 History and Civilization of Islamic nations,theology faculty, Ferdowsi university of Mashhad

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Institute of Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran

3 Ph.D. in History and Civilization of Islamic Nations, associate professor, Department of The History and Civilization of Islamic Nation, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran

4 PhD student in Islamic History, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

10.30465/alavi.2026.52811.2758
Abstract
Based on historical evidence and the statements of Shah Nematullahi Wali and his followers, until the rise of the Safavid state, the Nematullahi tariqa was within the framework of Sunni jurisprudence and theology. However, a study of their works and teachings shows that this tariqa gradually distanced itself from the traditional foundations of Sunnis, especially in the field of religious leadership and guidance of the nation. In Nematullahi thought, the divine saints who possess miracles and the position of guidance have manifested themselves after the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the form of the twelve Shiite Imams; although the Companions had a respected position, the complete path of guidance passes only through the path of the infallible Imams. Since the religion of the Iranians in the pre-Safavid period is still associated with ambiguities, this study attempts to clarify the religious landscape of the Iranians before the formalization of Shiism in the Safavid era by posing the question, “What was the position of Imam Ali (AS) and the Ahl al-Bayt?” The findings of the study indicate that the Nematullahiyyah, although they remained Sunni from a jurisprudential and theological perspective, considered the Shiite Imams as the main source of guidance in the realm of mysticism and spiritual leadership, and thus had an early tendency towards Shiism.

Keywords

Nematullahiyyah
religion in 9th century Iran
Imam Ali (AS)
Twelve Imams

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