Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Sheikh Sadr al-Din (1305-794/1391-92) was the son and successor of Safi-ad-din Ardabili. His mother was Bibi Fatima, daughter of Sheikh Zahed Gilani. Sheikh Sadr al-Din directed the Safaviya (sufi order) for 59 years. During this time, the activities of the Safaviya were viewed with favour by Timur, who provided an endowment for the shrine of Safi-ad-din Ardabili in Ardabil, and allowed Sheikh Sadr al-Din to collect taxes. Timur also offered Sheikh Sadr al-Din to request any favour from himself, and Sheikh Sadr al-Din asked for the release of Turkish prisoners captured by Timur from Diyarbakir. Timur accepted this request, and the freed prisoners became Sheikh Sadr al-Din''s loyal disciples. The descendents of these freed prisoners, emigrating by the thousands into Gilan Province, would later aid his family to found a dynasty.