Quran, Culture And Civilization

Quran, Culture And Civilization

Studying and explaining the use of Quranic verses in the narration of the wars of the Safavid period

Authors
Mahmud Mehmannavaz 1
Yusuf Karami Chameh 2
Marzieh Jamshidnejhad 3
1 Associate Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Humanities, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran .
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Language and Literature, Amin Police University, Tehran, Iran.
3 M.A. in Islamic History, Faculty of Humanities, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran.
10.22034/jksl.2025.493783.1419
Abstract
The Safavid dynasty was established by Shah Ismāʿīl in 907 AH (1501 CE). The foundation and subsequent consolidation of Safavid rule were accompanied by numerous wars—both internal, against domestic rivals, and external, in response to foreign threats. These conflicts resulted in a mix of victories and failures. Safavid historians were responsible for narrating these wars, regardless of the outcome; however, their depictions had to be ideologically consistent and avoid offending the ruling monarchs. One of the key features of Safavid war historiography is the use of Qur’anic verses, known as āyeh-negārī (Qur’anic verse inscription). This study investigates the application of Qur’anic verses in Safavid war narratives. It argues that the primary function of invoking the Qur’an in historical accounts was to legitimize the military actions of the Safavid rulers. The findings show that Safavid historians strategically used verses to justify warfare, frame violent acts, rationalize defeats, and attribute victories to divine favor-often likening kings to prophets. The verses were chosen to affirm specific ideological aims. This historical-analytical study is based on library sources, with interpretation grounded in contemporary Safavid chronicles.

Graphical Abstract

Studying and explaining the use of Quranic verses in the narration of the wars of the Safavid period
Keywords
Safavid
Historiography
Qur’anic Verses
War
Narrative

Subjects

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Quran, Culture And Civilization
Volume 6, Issue 2 - Serial Number 20
Spring 2025
Pages 113-129

  • Receive Date 13 December 2024
  • Revise Date 30 January 2025
  • Accept Date 14 February 2025
  • Publish Date 22 May 2025