An Exploratory Explanation from Functionality of Waqf in the Islamic Period Cities (Case Study: the Iranian City in the Early and Middle Centuries)

Relations of Waqf as a venerated tradition with the city, in spite of various functions in
“the Islamic period cities”, have not been studied appropriately as a serious topic among domestic scholars. The aim of this research is to present an explanation into why and how shaping and performance of Waqf was built in the early and the Middle centuries history of Iran until the Safavid period. In this study we are trying to find an appropriately theoretical model for linking entity of wagf and city and also we are searching for forces and motions of waqf, prevailing sketches of Awqaf and various functions and aspects of wagf. In this study, we have used a four layer inductive theoretical model based on mixed research approach and Exploratory method. Historical research strategy and content analysis technique were main guidance of research. The results indicated that the Waqf has been shaped in a historical context and has been influenced by various religious, cultural, political, social, economical and physical factors. In the Exploratory model, we first introduced Waqf as a dual nature with dependent and independent character and then the model is relied on the three-layer of ‘macro’, ‘meso’, ‘micro’ level which was also based on theoretical famework of research. Moreover, The Exploratory model has been enhanced by The ‘Einstein General Theory of Relativity’ Assumptions and ‘Pierre Bourdieu’ thougths. Meanwhile, the Dependent nature of Waqf was effected by three main domains including ‘cultural-religious elements’ of the Islamic period cities, ‘motivator factors’ and ‘indigenous changes’. Also, independent nature of Waqf was based on a ‘field’ which is constituted of various factors and agents in a ‘gravitational Orbit’ of Waqf. In mentioned centuries, the most emphesis of Awqaf were on buliding the mosques and villages were prevailing waqf endowments.Multiple Dimensions of Waqf have been focused on religious-schools, economical and physical, respectively. The ‘religious-schools functions’ were also most notable functions of Waqf in the old Iranian city. With internal perspective, ‘integrating function’ of Waqf had the greatest influence for synerging on shaping factors of the Waqf. Moreover, the function of Waqf for the state was ‘political’ and function for the city and its hinterland was ‘sustainability’. Thus, new dimension of this powerful religious institution is identified and its place in the history of the old Iranian-islamic city is being precise and the research gap is filled.