Religious Policy at the Seljukites

Abstract

The 11th (A.H.4th) century when the Seljukites emerged in the historical scene was an era of sectarian conflict in the region where they began to expand. This led the Seljukites to adapt a regional policy such as supporting the majority Sunnis against the spreading and extreme Shia-Esoteric trends supported by the Fatimîds. They were, however, careful not to create any disturbance among other religious communities and sects. Through this policy, the Seljuki state managed to rely not only on the Sunni majority support in their region but also receive the support of the Sunnis living under the Esoteric Fatimids, therefore weakening their power. The overall justice and tolerance in applying this policy of balance brought to the Seljukites the sympathy of not only the Sunnis but other moderate religious communities and schools. The Nizamiyyah madrasas founded by Nizam al-Mulk with the support of Alparslan and Malikshah had a crucial place in providing cultural and scholarly ground for the ‘sunnification’ policy of the Seljukites