query: religion safi of persia
supports: The Safavid dynasty ("Dudmn e Safavi") was one of the most significant ruling dynasties of Iran, often considered the beginning of modern Iranian history. The Safavid shahs ruled over one of the so-called gunpowder empires. They ruled one of the greatest Iranian empires after the 7th-century Muslim conquest of Iran, and established the Twelver school of Shia Islam as the official religion of the empire, marking one of the most important turning points in Muslim history. Shia ("Shah", from "Shatu Al", followers of Ali) is a branch of Islam which holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor (Imam). Shia Islam primarily contrasts with Sunni Islam, whose adherents believe that Muhammad did not appoint a successor. Instead they consider Abu Bakr (who was appointed Caliph through a Shura, i.e. consensus) to be the correct Caliph. Sam Mirza ( 1611 -- 12 May 1642 ) , ( Persian :     ) , better known by his dynastic name of Shah Safi ( Persian :     ) was Shah of Iran from 1629 to 1642 . He was the sixth ruler of the Safavid dynasty . Twelver (Athn'ashariyyah or Ithn'ashariyyah ) Shia Islam or Imamiyyah is the largest branch of Shia Islam. Twelver belief is based on the Quran and the message of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad attested in hadith, and on hadith taught by their Imams. The term "Twelver" refers to its adherents' belief in twelve divinely ordained leaders, known as the Twelve Imams, and their belief that the last Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, lives in occultation and will reappear as the promised Mahdi. According to Shia tradition, the Mahdi's tenure will coincide with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ ("Isa"), who is to assist the "Mahdi" against the "Masih ad-Dajjal" (literally, the "false Messiah" or Antichrist).
candidates: islam muslim shia islam
answer: islam