Naqshbandi's Sheikhs and Politics during the Timurid era

The origin of the Naqshbandi order can be traced to the Sufi tradition of Khojagan in Transoxiana. This order has continued to live as an active and universal one. In spite of the apolitical approach of the Khajagan, Naqshbandi's Sheikhs gradually entered into politics during the Timurid era. The aim of the present research is to find out why and how Naqshbandi's sheikhs has entered into politics during this period. According to the findings of this study, the close connection of Baha'addin Naqshband, the eponym of the order, with influential religious scholars, opened the line of Naqshbandi's sheikhs to politics. Moreover, the struggles of the Timurid princes over power after Shahrokh's death, increased the activity for the growing order of Naqshbandiyah, especially since Ahrar, the active Naqshbandi Sheikh at that time, was an influential figure among the Timurid.