The khānaqāh, as a sacred and multifunctional institution, has consistently played a fundamental role in organizing the socio-spatial order, transmitting mystical teachings, and representing the collective identity of Sufis. Among such institutions, the Khānaqāh of Ṣafī ʿAlī Shāh functioned not only as a gathering place for disciples and a site for performing spiritual rituals, but also as a visual medium for expressing mystical worldview, affirming the spiritual legitimacy of the Sufi master, and ensuring the continuity of the Niʿmatullāhī Sufi order.



This study undertakes a comparative examination of the wall paintings and tilework motifs of the khānaqāh–mausoleum of Ṣafī ʿAlī Shāh in relation to his social, mystical, and spiritual status. It seeks to demonstrate how visual art in this commemorative monument reflects his personal conduct, stages of spiritual wayfaring, and social role as a Sufi master within the context of Qajar-era Sufism.



Focusing on the semantics of tilework motifs and wall paintings in this complex, the article explores how the mystical lifestyle and spiritual path of Ṣafī ʿAlī Shāh are manifested in the selection of themes, symbols, poetic inscriptions, and human figures, and what factors influenced the formation of Qajar tilework motifs in mystical–funerary architecture. To this end, a descriptive–analytical research method has been employed, and data were collected through library research and inferential analysis. Examining Ṣafī ʿAlī Shāh’s lifestyle, his socio-mystical position among the Niʿmatullāhī dervishes, and comparing these with the visual motifs and poetic inscriptions on the tiles has enabled a symbolic interpretation of these artworks.



In this regard, the main objectives of the research are: first, to explain the reflection of Ṣafī ʿAlī Shāh’s mystical way of life in the visual art of his khānaqāh–mausoleum; and second, to identify the functions and formative factors of tilework motifs in Qajar-era mystical architectural monuments. The research questions are as follows:



How did the mystical lifestyle and spiritual path of Ṣafī ʿAlī Shāh influence the tilework motifs of his mausoleum?



What factors influenced Qajar tilework motifs in the context of mystical–funerary architecture?



The findings indicate that the paintings and tilework of the Khānaqāh of Ṣafī ʿAlī Shāh are not merely decorative elements, but possess semantic, educational, and legitimizing functions. Some concepts are conveyed to the viewer through the simultaneous integration of imagery, poetry, and visual symbols. These motifs depict the various stages of Ṣafī ʿAlī Shāh’s spiritual journey—while also consolidating his socio-spiritual status as a Sufi master in the collective memory of his followers.



In conclusion, the visual art of the Khānaqāh of Ṣafī ʿAlī Shāh can be understood as a tangible reflection of the interconnection between Sufism, art, and the social structure of the Qajar period. Its study offers deeper insight into the role of painting and tilework in conveying mystical experience and representing socio-spiritual identity in Iranian Sufi architectural spaces.