The Functions of Fatalism in the Interpretation of Beyhaghi's Historical Macro-narratives and Micro-narratives

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.

10.22103/jis.2024.23201.2595

Abstract

Purpose: Abulfazl Beyhaghi (385-470 AH) has left a book as a souvenir for Iranians, which can be examined from other aspects in addition to its historical and literary values. For example, from the point of view of political thought and showing the traditions of statehood in one of the important periods of Iran's history after Islam. Therefore, in this essay, with the aim of getting to know Beyhaghi's attitude in finding the causes of historical events, the fatalism in Beyhaghi's history and belief in the role of fate in shaping events have been examined.
Method and Research: In fact, this research is A developmental research and in it, the deterministic attitude of Abulfazl Beyhaghi in historiography has been investigated by descriptive-analytical method. The sources used were also library sources.
Findings and Conclusions: Some of the conclusions and findings of the research are: In History of Beyhaghi, the main events as "macro-narratives" are attributed to destiny. In connection with this, the secondary events that can logically lead to the main event are also considered due to fate. Sultan Masoud's reign and his defeat of the Seljuqs are two macro-narratives in History of Beyhaghi. By providing a deterministic interpretation of the occurrence of these two events, other events related to them also have a deterministic aspect. The reason for the monarchy is only God's will, and this is how it is given legitimacy. In this way, some events are also formed: for example, a holy figure predicts that reign. Also, when the defeat in wars is due to the will of God and the transfer of power is tied to fate, the reason for a group of events is fate. Therefore, one should not blame the king and accuse him of failing to do things and being imprudent.

Keywords

References

Ālam, Abdul Rahman (2014). Foundations of political science. 27th Ed. Tehran: Ney Publication. (In Persian).
Beyhaghi, Abulfazl Muhammad ibn Hossein (2002). History of Beyhaghi. Khalil Khatib Rahbar (Expl.). 8th Ed. Tehran: Mahtab Publication. (In Persian).
Ferdowsi, Hakim Abulqasem (2018). Shahnameh. Jalal Khaleghi Motlagh (Emend.). 4th Ed. Tehran: Sokhan Publication. (In Persian).
Feyrahi, Dawood (2016). Power, knowledge and legitimacy in Islam (middle period). 16th Ed. Tehran: Ney Publication. (In Persian).
Ghāzi Moradi, Hassan (2018). Dictatorship in Iran. 2nd Ed. Tehran: Kitab Ame Publication.
Hamidi, Jafar (1993). Tariknegaran. Tehran: Shahid Beheshti University Publication. (In Persian).
Homayun Katouzian, Mohammad Ali (2008). Conflict between the state and the nation: the theory of history and politics in Iran. Alireza Tayyeb (Trans.). 6th Ed. Tehran: Ney Publication. (In Persian).
Ibn Khaldoun, Abdul Rahman (2000). Moghaddameh Ibn Khaldoun. Mohammad Parvin Gonabadi (trans.). 9th Ed. Tehran: Elmi va Farhangi Publication.
Iskandarbeyg Turkaman (2003). Tarikh Ālam-āra Abbasi. Iraj Afshar (Emend.). 3rd Ed. Tehran: Amir Kabir Publication. (In Persian).
Karmi, Hossein (2004). "Destiny and fate in Persian literature and its influence on the culture of Iranian people". Journal of Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, University of Tehran. winter and spring Vol.168 and 169. Pp. 129-150. (In Persian).
Lahiji, Mohammad (2012). Mafatih al-Ijaz dar Sharh Golshan Raz. Mohammadreza Barzegar Khaleghi and Effat Karbasi (Emend.). Tehra: Elmi Publication. (In Persian).
Mehman Nawaz, Mahmoud and Nouri, Jafar (2022). "Examination and analysis of the thought of fatalism in the Abbasid world". Faslnameh Elmi Sokhan Tarikh. Vol. 16. N. 39. Fall. Pp. 37-64. (In Persian).
Nizam al-Mulk Tusi, Hasan bin Ali (2021). Siyar al-Molouk. Mahmoud Ābedi (Emend.). 2nd Ed. Tehran: Farhangestan zaban va adab farsi. (In Persian).
Poladi, Kamal (2017).  Dar Sodaye Nizame Dad: Iranian cosmology and political thought. Tehran: Markaz Publication. (In Persian).
Qoshiri, Abdul Karim Ibn Hawazen (1428 AH). Lataif al-Esharat: Tafsir Qoshiri. Abdul Latif Hasan Abdul Rahman (Expl.). Beirut: Dar al-Kotob al-Alamiya Publication. (In Persian).
Rouzbahani, Mohammadreza (2019). The transformation of the foundations of the legitimacy of the monarchy from the invasion of the Mongols to the rise of the Safavids. 2nd Ed. Qom: Mofid University Publication. (In Persian).
Tabari, Ehsan (2014). Abulfazl Beyhaghi and the Ghaznavi community. Tehran: Ferdous Publication. (In Persian).
Tabatabaei, Seyedjavad (2013). An introduction to the history of political thought in Iran. 11th Ed. Tehran: Kavir Publication. (In Persian).
Tabatabaei, Seyedjavad (2007). A reflection on Iran: the theory of the rule of law in Iran, the foundations of the theory of constitutionalism. Tehran: Setoudeh Publication. (In Persian).
Waldman, Marilyn (1996). Beyhaqi's time, life and career. Mansoureh Ettehadiyeh (Nizam Mafi) (Trans.). Tehran: Tarikh Iran Publication. (In Persian).
 
William A. Darity Jr. (editor in chief). (2008). International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 2nd. Ed. New York: Macmillan reference USA.
Yousofi, Gholamhossein (1997). Didari ba Ahle Ghalam. 6th Ed. Tehran: Elmi Publication. (In Persian).
 
Journal of Iranian Studies
Volume 23, Issue 46 - Serial Number 46
December 2024
Pages 435-453

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics