IJBPAS, October, 2015, 4(10): 6082-6097 ISSN: 2277–4998 DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF CEREMONIES, RITUALS AND TRADITIONS OF THE SUFIS OF NEMATOLLAHI GONABADI DYNASTY IN TEHRAN 1KHADIJEH KESHAVARZ FARHADI, 2DR.MOHAMMAD HOMAYOUN SEPEHR 1Islamic Azad University, Tehran Markaz Unit, Tehran, Iran 2Assistant Professor, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Markaz Unit, Tehran, Iran *Author for Correspondence E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT One of the most important socio-cultural phenomena of Iran in Islamic period is emergence and spread of Sufism streams, since the streams have had determinant role in social and political evolutions of Iran. Since 6th century, with the establishment of Sufism schools, new features were occurred for Islamic Mysticism or Sufism and the school of Sufism was established. However, with the presence of disputes and conflicts among sheikhs of Sufism, a dynasty was established named Nematollahi Dynasty, which was one of the most famous dynasties of Sufism of conflict and unique branches. In this regard, the main objective of the present study is introducing customs, traditions and rituals of Sufis of Nematollahi Gonabadi Dynasty in Tehran. Applied method in this study is library, document, qualitative and deep- viewing method. In addition, presence in field of study in abbey of Amir Soleimani in Tehran and also abbey of Mazar Sultani in Bidokht Gonabad has specified qualitative and descriptive aspects of the study. Keywords: Sufism, nematollahi dynasty, Gonabad INTRODUCTION One of the most important socio-cultural has been always under effect of Sufism phenomena in Iran of Islamic Period is thoughts and beliefs and especially with the emergence and spread of mystical and entrance of Islam in this territory, different Sufism streams. Iran society, as a society Sufism sects were established because of with rich religious and cultural background, cultural reasons and had vital role in social 6082 IJBPAS, October, 2015, 4(10) Khadijeh Keshavarz Research Article and political evolutions of Iran in inherence and continue their activity and continuous centuries. Sufism is one of the life till the current age. most brilliant and attractive appearances of In this regard, through conducting a deep Islamic culture, which has always inspired study and using one of the novel methods many people. Based on theory of nature, it of anthropology on Gonabadieh, as one of could be mentioned that the truth of Sufism the most important branches of is rooted in divine nature of human and Nematollahi Creed that is currently as one hence, no religion or religious culture can of the most influent and developed be found that has not used Sufism dynasties of Sufism in Iran, the study has orientations. Islamic Sufism that is rooted investigated this issue. in Quran and tradition, in its most History of Nematollahi Sheikhs organized historical form that is Sufism, At the first, an overview should be has had considerable emergence. presented on history of Nematollahi Creed, With the establishment of Sufism schools brief assessment of life of sheikhs and since 12th century, Islamic Sufism created evolutions and manner of formation of new features of its history with many ups branches of the dynasty in regard with and downs and Sufism was begun. Each of estimating mind of readers with process of the mentioned creeds provided some events that can result in establishment of followers for them through claiming for Gonabadi creed. legitimacy, originality and monopoly Nematollahi dynasty, which is attributed to through redemption and began to compete Shah Nematollah Vali that his shrine is in with each other in regard with increasing Mahan Kerman, has been derived from their power and hence, gradually dispute several creeds from the dynasty that have and conflicts on polarity among Sufism some followers in Iran. Nematollahi Sufism sheikhs was increased. The disputes over was in India to the age of Zandieh and by the centuries and among Sufism was that time, Sayed Ma'sum Alishah Dakani enhanced in Qajar Era and then, came to Iran on behalf of Shah Alireza Nematollahi Dynasty found many branches Dakani to publish the sect from India. His as one of the most famous dynasties of first students were Feiz Alishah and his son Sufism and as a result, over the effective Noor Alishah. Nematollahi dynasty was stream of these branches, only a number of faced separating tendencies after Noor branches of Nematollahieh such as Alishah. Gonabadieh could preserve their form and 6083 IJBPAS, October, 2015, 4(10) Khadijeh Keshavarz Research Article Origin and parentage of Shah sometimes in Mahan. During residence of Nematollah Vali Sayed Nematollah Vali in Mahan, his fame His parentage reached to Prophet was reached to most regions of Iran and Mohammad with a mediator, since he states India and many people traveled to Mahan that: "my 19th ancestor is Prophet to visit him. Ahmad Shah Bahmani from Mohammad, is clear, not hidden". Sayed Dakan asked Sayed to travel to India. Nooredin Nematollah Ibn Abdollah Ibn Sayed sent his grandson to India and Mohammad known as Shah Nematollah provided preparations of transfer of Vali was founder of Nematollahieh sect and Nematollahi Dynasty and travel of Shah from Hosseini Sadat, whose parentage Khalil to Dakan. reaches Imam Ali through Ismail Ibn Jafar. Nematollahi dynasty, which was He was born in Halab on 731 A.H and established by him, became a support for since then, he used to show specific Sufism in Iran and India for long time. dignities and signs and used to do religious Caliphs of Nematollah went to India after prayers and tolerate hard austerities [1]. him and prevailed several Nematollahi However, Sayed Nematollah Vali learnt ways there [3]. official sciences from famous professors Personalities of Shah Nematollah Vali and went to Arabic countries for Hajj on and his Sufism compared to other sects 755 A.H in age of 24. After arriving in 1. He could enter Iranian Sufism to a Egypt and at the time of accommodation, new stage, along with Islamic he became student of Sheikh Al-Sheikhs religion, and could also impress Abu Abdollah Yafei. Although Sayed followers of other sects. Nematollah has been in interaction with 2. One of the differentiation aspects of many leaders and elders, he became student Nematollahi Sufism from other of Sheikh Abu Abdollah Yafei and position sects is its commitment to Islamic of Sheikh Abo Abdollah was reached to Sharia. Hyence, he used to observe Sheikh Ahmad Ghazali and Yafei was the orders and sentences of Islam great man and familiar with implicit and among students. explicit sciences [2]. 3. Shah Vali believed that presence of Sayed Nematollah Vali wnt to Kerman for leader is essential for guiding short time after tolerating many difficulties wayfarers. and went from Kerman to Mahan and spent his rest of life to 25 years in Kerman and 6084 IJBPAS, October, 2015, 4(10) Khadijeh Keshavarz Research Article No wayfarer can reach perfection position, 1. Cloak is position of guidance, who has not reached perfection (Collection which is granted to the student by of Poems, 60). sheikh of Sufism and is not special 4. Nematollahi Sufism has no specific clothes, although it has been clothing. They believe that business common among some Sufism sects is pleased function by God and to make clothes by pieces of other businessman is friend of God. clothes. However, in Sufism sect no 5. They respect to all obligations of specific clothes is considered and law and rules of Islamic religion they believe that the best clothes are [4]. Virtue and piety. Rituals and customs 2. Commemorate circle refers to In anthropology, ritual has been defined as community of dervishes in the customary ceremonies and preparations and convent and commemorating God the aim by ritual is a series of words, and his orders. conducted actions and manipulated subjects 3. Secret commemorate is and objects, which have been exactly commemorate of God's names that codified that are associated with the belief is expressed by heart, not by tongue. related to active presence of extraordinary 4. Clear commemorate is one of the creatures. Hence, for example religion can divine names or a phrase that is also be defined through being relied on belief in expressed by tongue like Allah or extraordinary creatures and some effective Rahman or Towhid, etc. behaviors against these creatures and also 5. Contentment stone: in some being relied on certain way for contacting dynasties, in regard with austerity them and this way is same Sha'ayer (Rites) they close a stone to their stomach, [5]. The aim by rites and ceremony in this so that they would not become paper is all behaviors, symbols, customs, hungry. rites and specific traditions that can 6. Lasso of unity is submitted to the differentiate Gonabady Dynasty from other Murshid (sheikh), under orders of sects and is sometimes similar and whom he can pass over the Sufism sometimes different from other ceremonies process, so that to reach positions of and common customs in the society. destruction of actions and Terms of Nematollahi Gonabadi personalities and nature of God. Dervishes 6085 IJBPAS, October, 2015, 4(10) Khadijeh Keshavarz Research Article 7. Love thorn is burning and melting Repent and trust of true love, which can sometimes Repent in word means reference and return result in attraction. and based on order of law, repent refers to 8. Sitting in the temple of monotheism turning back from sins and leaving them refers to sitting and saying prayers. and taking way of the Almighty God. 9. Sama is expansion, which can be In Sufism, repent is not same as repent in achieved under condition of religion and sharia, so that a Sufis can submergence in obtained repent from sins, but also the aim by repent commemorate and can be moved is leaving the material, world and taking sometimes unintentionally.