Causes and consequences of Hanafi (Samaki) and Shafi'i (Sadaqi) religious fanaticism in Sistan during the Saffarid period, from the captivity of Amr Al-Layth to the fall of the Saffarids (393-287 AH).

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Zabol.Zabol. Iran

2 . Associate Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran,

Abstract

After the reign of Yaqub and Amr ibn Layth (247–287 AH), the region of Sistan became a center of growing religious fanaticism, particularly between the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools, which were sometimes referred to as Samaki and Sadaqi. These sectarian tensions were deeply rooted in the ethnic and tribal identities of Muslim Arabs who had migrated to Sistan. Although Yaqub and his brother Amr ibn Layth managed to curb such divisions to a large extent, after the capture of Amr Layth, these conflicts intensified under his successors, eventually becoming a dominant political and social phenomenon until the fall of the Saffarid dynasty. Accordingly, this study-conducted using a historical method and a descriptive–analytical approach based on library sources-aims to investigate the religious prejudices between the Hanafi (Samaki) and Shafi'i (Sadaqi) groups, and to analyze their political, social, and economic effects in Sistan during the Saffarid period. Political instability, weak and ineffective governance, power rivalries, social inequalities, the influence of scholars and religious leaders in spreading sectarianism among the masses, and the general ignorance prevailing in society are identified as the main political and social causes behind the rise of sectarian prejudice and conflict between these two sects. These factors led to the weakening of political authority, the intensification of insecurity and chaos, increased foreign incursions, and ultimately the downfall of the Saffarid government. Furthermore, they contributed to growing hostility among the populace, the disintegration of social unity, the escalation of violence and bloodshed, the destruction of economic infrastructure, and the widespread poverty and misery of the people of Sistan.
Sistan,
The Saffarid dynasty 
Religious fanaticism, Hanafi (Samaki),
Shafi'i (Sadaqi),
Yaqub Layth,
Amr Layth.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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  • Receive Date: 25 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 08 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 15 July 2025

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