Editing Islam in Iran (section)

===Iranian influence on Muslim civilization===
[[Image:Ghotb2.jpg|thumb|right|Photo taken from medieval manuscript by [[Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi|Qotbeddin Shirazi]] (1236–1311), a Persian Astronomer. The image depicts an epicyclic planetary model.]]

The [[Islamization of Iran]] was to yield deep transformations within the cultural, scientific, and political structure of Iran's society: The blossoming of [[Persian literature]], [[Iranian philosophy|philosophy]], [[Science and technology in Iran|medicine]] and [[Persian art|art]] became major elements of the newly forming Muslim civilization. Inheriting a heritage of thousands of years of civilization, and being at the "crossroads of the major cultural highways",<ref>Caheb C., Cambridge History of Iran, ''Tribes, Cities and Social Organization'', vol. 4, p305–328</ref> contributed to Persia emerging as what culminated into the "[[Islamic Golden Age]]". During this period, [[List of Iranian scientists and scholars|hundreds of scholars and scientists]] vastly contributed to technology, science and medicine, later influencing the rise of European science during [[the Renaissance]].<ref>Kühnel E., in ''Zeitschrift der deutschen morgenländischen Gesell'', Vol. CVI (1956)</ref>

The most important scholars of almost all of the Islamic sects and schools of thought were Persian or live in Iran including most notable and reliable [[Hadith]] collectors of [[Shia]] and [[Sunni]] like [[Shaikh Saduq]], [[Mohammad Ya'qub Kulainy|Shaikh Kulainy]], [[Muhammad al-Bukhari|Imam Bukhari]], [[Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj|Imam Muslim]] and [[Hakim al-Nishaburi]], the greatest [[Kalam|theologians]] of Shia and Sunni like [[Shaykh Tusi]], [[Al-Ghazali|Imam Ghazali]], [[Fakhr al-Din al-Razi|Imam Fakhr al-Razi]] and [[Al-Zamakhshari]], the greatest [[physicians]], [[Islamic astronomy|astronomers]], [[Logic in Islamic philosophy|logicians]], [[Islamic mathematics|mathematicians]], [[Metaphysics|metaphysicians]], [[Early Islamic philosophy|philosophers]] and  [[Islamic science|scientists]] like [[Al-Farabi]], [[Avicenna]], and [[Nasīr al-Dīn al-Tūsī]], the greatest [[Shaykh of Sufism]] like [[Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi|Rumi]], [[Abdul-Qadir Gilani]].

[[Ibn Khaldun]] narrates in his [[Muqaddimah]]:<ref>Translated by F. Rosenthal III, pp. 311–15, 271-4 [Arabic]; R.N. Frye (p.91)</ref>

<blockquote>''It is a remarkable fact that, with few exceptions, most Muslim scholars… in the intellectual sciences have been non-Arabs, thus the founders of grammar were [[Sibawaih]] and after him, [[al-Farsi]] and Az-[[Zajjaj]]. All of them were of [[Persian people|Persian]] descent... they invented rules of [[Arabic grammar|(Arabic) grammar]]. Great jurists were Persians. Only the Persians engaged in the task of preserving knowledge and writing systematic scholarly works. Thus the truth of the [[Hadith|statement]] of the prophet ([[Muhammad]]) becomes apparent, "[[q:Persians|If learning were suspended in the highest parts of heaven the Persians would attain it]]"… The intellectual sciences were also the preserve of the Persians, left alone by the [[Arabs]], who did not cultivate them… as was the case with all crafts… This situation continued in the cities as long as the Persians and [[Persian World|Persian countries]], [[Iraq]], [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]] and [[Transoxiana]] (modern Central Asia), retained their sedentary culture.''</blockquote>

==== Persian vs. Arabic ====
{{See also|Shu'ubiyya}}
In the 9th and 10th centuries, non-Arab subjects of the [[Ummah]], especially Persians created a movement called [[Shu'ubiyya]] in response to the privileged status of Arabs. This movement led to resurgence of [[Persia]]n national identity.<ref>Enderwitz, S. "Shu'ubiyya". ''Encyclopedia of Islam''. Vol. IX (1997), pp. 513-14.</ref> Although Persians adopted Islam, over the centuries they worked to protect and revive their distinctive language and culture, a process known as [[Persianization]]. Arabs and Turks also participated in this attempt.<ref>Richard Frye, The Heritage of Persia, p. 243.</ref><ref>Rayhanat al- adab, (3rd ed.), vol. 1, p. 181.</ref><ref name="britannica-Seljuq">[[Encyclopædia Britannica]], ''"Seljuq"'', Online Edition, ([http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9066688 LINK])</ref>

As the power of the Abbasid caliphs diminished, a series of dynasties rose in various parts of Iran, some with considerable influence and power. Among the most important of these overlapping dynasties were the [[Tahirids]] in [[greater Khorasan|Khorasan]] (820–72); the [[Saffarids]] in [[Sistan]] (867–903); and the [[Samanids]] (875–1005), originally at [[Bokhara]]. The Samanids eventually ruled an area from central Iran to Pakistan.<ref name="Islamic Conquest">{{cite web|url=http://www.iranchamber.com/history/islamic_conquest/islamic_conquest.php|title=History of Iran: Islamic Conquest|website=www.iranchamber.com|access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref> By the early 10th century, the Abbasids almost lost control to the growing Persian faction known as the [[Buwayhid dynasty]] (934–1055). Since much of the Abbasid administration had been Persian anyway, the Buwayhid, who were [[Zaidiyyah|Zaidi]] [[Shia]], were quietly able to assume real power in Baghdad.

The [[Samanid dynasty]] was the first fully native dynasty to rule Iran since the Muslim conquest, and led the revival of Persian culture. The first important Persian poet after the arrival of Islam, [[Rudaki]], was born during this era and was praised by Samanid kings. The Samanids also revived many ancient Persian festivals.  Their successor, the [[Ghaznavids|Ghaznawids]], who were of non-Iranian Turkic origin, also became instrumental in the revival of Persian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iranchamber.com/history/samanids/samanids.php|title=History of Iran: Samanid Dynasty|website=www.iranchamber.com|access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref>