Did the Safavids and Ottomans harbor animosity toward one another because of their differing theological beliefs at every turn? This incident involving Junayd's voyage to Anatolia and Kurdistan is recounted by Aşıkpaşazade, an Ottoman historian from the 15th century. Shah Ismail's grandpa was Junayd. The ideas that would subsequently be central to polemical works were prevalent among Junayd's supporters. These beliefs were of little importance to the Ottoman sultan and other Ottoman leaders of this era.The Ottoman sultan was concerned that the Ottoman throne may collapse if Junayd was allowed to roam freely in Anatolia and Kurdistan. The apprehension was true. Sufi order shaykhs were the ones who could actually challenge and overthrow dynastic authority. The Ottomans were sponsoring the Safavid order until the assassination attempt on sultan Bayazid.
Sheikh Junayd, from the generation of Sheikh Safi, during the reign of Sultan Murad [r. 1421-1444, 1446-1451]... came to Rum [Anatolia] and sent gifts with one of his followers to the sultan, including a prayer rug, a copy of the Qur'an, and prayer beads [tesbih]. He said, "He shall give me the Kurtbeli [southern Anatolia] so that I can settle down and pray for him" The sultan accepted the gifts and consulted with his vizier Halil Pasha. He [ultimately] responded that there cannot be two sultans on one throne. He sent two hundred filori to the sheikh with his follower, as well as a thousand akcha for the other adherents of the order [who were in the presence of the sultan]. He [Sheikh Junayd] left the land of Osman [i.e., Anatolia].
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