Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Associate professor of History, Department of History, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran,
2 history d. arak un. arak. marakazi province
Abstract
Iranian governments during the Middle Islamic centuries faced various political challenges and needs. Therefore, rulers and intellectuals utilized means such as prevailing societal beliefs and widely accepted public opinions to preserve and strengthen their power foundations, overcoming political obstacles and potential issues. Dreaming and feigning dreams were employed as tools for establishing a connection with the transcendent and divine realm, drawing inspiration from the sacred-metaphysical world. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, research addressed the fundamental question: What is the relationship between prophetic visionary roles and legitimacy during the 4th and 5th centuries AH in Iran? It revealed that grappling with legitimacy challenges was a key concern for Iranian governments during this period. Propagating future political events through prophetic inspiration in the form of dreams was integral to the agenda of those in power and surrounding intellectuals. The birth and survival of leaders amid doubts, achieving seemingly implausible power, establishing and sustaining governance, territorial expansion, suppression of enemies, and even the downfall of their rule were all encompassed in the content of prophetic dreams during these centuries. Many dreams are traced back to the inception of ruling governments, which themselves will be analyzable from the perspective of power justification. Some are also raised about the late stages of governments and from the viewpoint of justifying their decline. Additionally, to dispel doubts and have a greater impact on public perception, the use of symbols with profound meanings, embedded with prophetic concepts in dreams, was part of the agenda. However, given the significant overlap in the application of these symbols in dreams, it could be indicative of their fabrication.
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