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Some of the Prominent Shia Ulama
Compiled By: Syed Ali Shahbaz
Ayatollah Mirza Abul-Qasem Kalantari
On 3rd of the Islamic month of Rabi as-Sani in 1292 AH, the prominent religious scholar, Ayatollah Mirza Abul-Qasem Kalantari, passed away in Tehran. He was a product of the well-known Najaf Seminary of Iraq, where he studied under the celebrated Sheikh Morteza Ansari, attaining the status of Ijtehad. He was highly influential among the people for his tireless efforts to promote Islamic teachings in society. He also wrote several books.
Ayatollah Mirza Ali Akbar Noqani
On February 16, 1951 AD, the jurist, theologian, poet, and calligrapher, Ayatollah Mirza Ali Akbar Noqani, passed away at the age of 68. He was born in the holy city of Mashhad in Khorasan, northeastern Iran. After completing his studies he left for Iraq at the age of 26 for higher studies at the famous Islamic seminary of holy Najaf. He was a master of the "naskh" and "nasta'liq" forms of calligraphy. He was a prolific writer, and among his books mention could be made of an annotation on the commentaries of the “Nahj al-Balagha” (Highway of Eloquence), the famous collection of the sermons, letters, and maxims of the Commander of the Faithful, Prophet Mohammad’s (SAWA) First Infallible Successor, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS). He also wrote a book titled "Rejection of Materialism".
Sheikh Ragheb Harb
On February 16, 1984 AD, the Friday Prayer Leader of Jibshit in Southern Lebanon and one of the founders of the Islamic Resistance Movement against the Zionist entity Israel, Sheikh Ragheb Harb, attained martyrdom at the hands of Israeli forces. Earlier he was detained by Zionist agents for calling the people of southern Lebanon to rise against the Zionist usurpers. After his release he continued his struggle against the occupation of southern Lebanon by the Zionist regime until his martyrdom. At the funeral procession of this Muslim combatant, clashes occurred between the youths of Jibshit and the Zionist forces resulting in the martyrdom and injury of a number of Muslim people of Lebanon.
Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Abbas Musawi
On February 16, 1992 AD, Secretary-General of Lebanon’s legendry anti-terrorist movement, Hezbollah, Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Abbas Musawi, attained martyrdom along with his wife, child, and three companions, when aircraft of the usurper Zionist entity targeted his car in southern Lebanon, while returning from ceremonies marking the 1st anniversary of martyrdom of the prominent religious leader, Sheikh Ragheb Harb. This act of Zionist state terrorism enraged Muslims worldwide, but the Western regimes, despite their claim to support human rights, not only did not condemn it, but tried to justify it. Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Hassan Nasrollah was elected as Hezbollah’s next Secretary-General and has remained in this post, leading the people of Lebanon to victory against Israeli crimes.
Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Sadeq as-Sadr
On February 18, 1999 AD, Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Sadeq as-Sadr was martyred in Iraq, along with two of his sons, by the Ba'ath minority regime of Saddam. The people of Iraq demonstrated against this act of state terrorism but were brutally suppressed. He was the father of the present leader of the Sadrist faction of Iraq, Hojjat al-Islam, Muqtada Sadr. A year earlier, Saddam had also martyred two other leading scholars of the Najaf seminary, Ayatollah Gharavi and Ayatollah Borujerdi.
Grand Ayatollah Shariat Isfahani
On 8th of the Islamic month of Rabi as-Sani in 1339 AH, the prominent Iranian scholar and exegete of the Holy Qur’an, Grand Ayatollah Shariat Isfahani, passed away in the holy city of Najaf in Iraq. He was from Isfahan in central Iran, was a prominent theologian, philosopher, literary figure and an authority in rational and traditions sciences of his era, especially on Hadith, in addition to be being a Source of Emulation for followers of the Prophet’s Ahl al-Bayt worldwide. He has left behind a large number of books, including “Qa’eda’eh Sodoor”.
Hojjat al-Islam Mahallati
On February 19, 1988 AD, the US supported Ba'th minority of Saddam shot down an Iranian passenger plane in southwestern Iran, in violation of all international rules, resulting in the martyrdom of Hojjat al-Islam Fazlollah Mahallati and 39 other passengers including parliamentary members. Hoj. Mahallati was the representative of Imam Khomeini in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and had played a leading role both during the struggles against the Shah's despotic regime, and during the 8-year Iraqi imposed war.
Hojjat al-Islam Mostafa Zamani
On February 19, 1991 AD, Iranian researcher and writer, Hojjat al-Islam Mostafa Zamani died at the age of 58 years. He was imprisoned by the Shah's regime several times for his Islamic revolutionary activities, and after establishment of the Islamic Republic, in addition to teaching at academic centres, he wrote some 50 books in order to revive Islamic ideology amongst the young generation. His famous work is "Ibrahim Bot-Shikan ya Qahreman-e Towhid" (Abraham the Iconoclast or Champion of Monotheism).
Ayatollah Haj Mirza Abdur-Rahim Nahavandi
On 9th of the Islamic month of Rabi as-Sani in 1304 AH, the prominent Islamic scholar, Ayatollah Haj Mirza Abdur-Rahim Nahavandi, passed away. Born and brought up in Nahavand in western Iran, he went to holy Najaf in Iraq for higher studies, attending the classes of prominent ulema, especially the celebrated Ayatollah Sheikh Morteza Ansari Dezfuli. He groomed numerous scholars in Iraq and Iran
Ayatollah Mirza Hashem Amoli
On February 25, 1993 AD, the prominent jurisprudent, Ayatollah Mirza Hashem Amoli, passed away in Iran. He was from the city of Amol in Mazandaran Province, and after completing his religious studies in holy Qom he left for Iraq for higher religious studies at the famous seminary of holy Najaf. He reached the degree of Ijtehad and his classes were attended by a large number of scholars and students. He was known for his piety and among his works is the book "Kashf al-Haqa'eq". Ayatollah Mirza Hashem Amoli was the father of Iran's present judiciary chief, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, and Iran's current Speaker of the Legislature, Dr. Ali Larijani.
Ayatollah Mirza Ali Shirazi
On 18th of the Islamic month of Rabi as-Sani in 1355 AH, the Source of Emulation, Ayatollah Mirza Ali Shirazi, passed away in the holy city of Najaf in Iraq at the age of 68 years. He studied under such prominent scholars as Ayatollah Fesharaki Isfahani and Ayatollah Mirza Mohammad Taqi Shirazi, and at the young age of 22 years attained the status of Ijtehad – independent reasoning based on the Holy Qur'an and Prophet’s Hadith. He was an authority in theology, principles of theology, philosophy, medicine, history, and literature.
Ayatollah Haj Mohammad Ibrahimi Khorasani Karbasi
On 19th of the Islamic month of Rabi as-Sani in 1180 AH, the prominent religious scholar of Isfahan, Ayatollah Haj Mohammad Ibrahimi Khorasani Karbasi, was born. He completed his higher studies at the Najaf Seminary in Iraq, and on returning to his hometown, lived a life of piety. He has left behind numerous valuable works and passed away in Isfahan in 1261 AH at the age of 81.
Mullah Mohammad Baqer Va’ez Tehrani
On 21st of the Islamic month of Rabi as-Sani in 1313 AH, the religious scholar Mullah Mohammad Baqer Va’ez Tehrani, passed away at the age of 58. He has left behind a large number of books, including “Jannat an-Na’eem”, on the life of Prophet Mohammad’s (SAWA) prominent descendant, Hazrat Abdul-Azim al-Hasani (AS), whose shrine in Rayy, now a southern suburb of Tehran, is one of the leading centres of pilgrimage.
Sheikh Mohammad Taqi Razi, popularly known as “Aqa Najafi”
On 22nd of the Islamic month of Rabi as-Sani in 1262 AH, the prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Mohammad Taqi Razi, popularly known as “Aqa Najafi”, was born in Isfahan. He completed his preliminary studies under his father and thereafter left for Iraq to study at the famous seminary of holy Najaf, where he attended the classes of prominent ulema such as Mirza Mohammad Hassan Shirazi, and Sheikh Mahdi Kashef ul-Gheta. He attained the status of Ijtehad and on returning to Isfahan, became a Source of Emulation, a factor that made the British colonialists and their local agents in Iran, greatly fear him. Aqa Najafi was considered as one of the activists of the Tobacco Movement in Iran that forced Naser od-Din Shah Qajar to cancel the one-sided contract with the British Talbot Company. He has left behind several books, including “al-Ijtehad wa’t-Taqlid”, and “Asraar al-Aayaat”.
Allamah Ahmad Naraqi
On 23rd of the Islamic month of Rabi as-Sani in 1245 AH, the Iranian religious scholar and poet, Allamah Ahmad Naraqi, passed away at the age of 60. Son of the famous Mullah Mahdi Naraqi, he studied under his father in the city of Kashan, before leaving for Iraq for higher studies at the seminary of holy Najaf where he reached the status of Ijtehad. On his father’s death he returned to Iran and took over administrative affairs of the Kashan Seminary. He authored several works, including “Me’raj as-Sa’adah”, and “al-Asrar al-Hajj”.
Ayatollah Rabbani Shirazi
On March 8, 1982 AD, the prominent religious scholar, Ayatollah Rabbani Shirazi, passed away at the age of 54. Born in Shiraz, he was active against the Shah’s despotic regime as of 1963 and was banished to remote regions on several occasions. Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution, he was elected to the parliament.
Aqa Najafi Qochani
On 26th of the Islamic month of Rabi as-Sani in 1363 AH, the prominent Iranian theologian, Aqa Najafi Qochani, passed away in his hometown Qochan in northeastern Iran. He was a product of the famous Islamic seminary of holy Najaf in Iraq, where he reached the status of Ijtehad. On his return to Iran, he actively participated in the Constitutional Movement. He has widely elaborated on this era in one of his books: “Siahat-e Sharq”. He has left behind numerous compilations, including “Siahat-e Gharb”.
Mirza Yahya Bidabadi Isfahani
On 2nd of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 1325 AH, the religious scholar Mirza Yahya Bidabadi Isfahani passed away at the age of 75. He was a student of the famous Ayatollah Sheikh Morteza Ansari. He has left behind a large number of compilations, including the book: “Tafzil al-A’imma ala'l-Malaeka” on the superiority of the Infallible Imams of the household of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) over the other prophets and angels.
Seyyed Ismail as-Sadr
On 3rd of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 1337 AH, the prominent Islamic scholar, Seyyed Ismail as-Sadr, passed away in the holy city of Kazemain in Iraq. He was born in Isfahan to the scholar of Lebanese ancestry, Sadr ad-Din Saleh. After learning preliminary Islamic studies under his brother in Iran, he left for Iraq to study at the famous Najaf Seminary. He mastered theology, jurisprudence, ethics, and other Islamic sciences under prominent ulema such as Ayatollah Shaikh Morteza Ansari and Ayatollah Mirza Hassan Shirazi. He soon became the leading marja’ or source of emulation. Seyyed Ismail Sadr is the ancestor of the well-known and respected Sadr family spread over Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon. His elder son, Sadr ad-Din Sadr was the father of Seyyed Imam Musa as-Sadr of Lebanon, who was imprisoned in 1978 and later martyred by Mo’ammar Qadhafi of Libya, while his second son, Haidar as-Sadr, was the father of Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Baqer as-Sadr, who was tragically martyred by Saddam in April 1980. His fourth son, Mohammad Mahdi as-Sadr was the great grandfather of the current Iraqi religious-political leader, Seyyed Moqtada as-Sadr.
Ayatollah Mirza Abu-Abdullah Shaikh al-Islam Zanjani
On 3rd of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 1360 AH, the prominent Islamic scholar and poet, Ayatollah Mirza Abu-Abdullah Shaikh al-Islam Zanjani, passed away at the age of 51. He was a product of the Islamic seminaries of Isfahan and Najaf, and settled in his hometown Zanjan, where he groomed a large number of students. He also travelled to Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, where the famous al-Azhar Academy appreciated his scholarship, and printed some of his works on the holy Qur'an in Arabic.
Haydar Qoli Khan Afghani
On 4th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 1371 AH, the Islamic scholar, Haydar Qoli Khan Afghani, known as Sardar Kabuli, passed away. He was an authority on such sciences as mathematics, astronomy, history, geography, logic, and Arabic literature. A devotee of the Ahl al-Bayt, he wrote a valuable book on the virtues of Imam Ali (AS), the First Infallible Successor of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). Sardar Kabuli also translated into Persian, the famous book, titled “al-Muraja’at”, on exchange of letters on the principles of faith between Allamah Seyyed Abdul-Hussain Sharafoddin of Lebanon and Dean of Egypt’s al-Azhar Academy, Shaikh Saleem al-Bishri. Sardar Kabuli’s Persian translation is titled Monazeraat.
Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini
On March 16, 1995 AD, Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini, the venerable son of the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA), passed away at the age of 50. He was the younger of the two sons of the Late Imam, and was born in the holy city of Qom. He learned Islamic sciences under his prominent father, and later joined him in exile in Najaf, Iraq, and Paris, France. During the Islamic Revolution, he played an important role in communications between late Imam and the revolutionaries. Following the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, he continued to be beside his father, who advised him against accepting any government post. During the six years, which he was alive after his father, Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini continued to support the Islamic Republic System and the leadership of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Ali Nakhchivani
On 17th of the Islamic month of Rabi as-Sani in 1334 AH, the renowned Islamic scholar, Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Ali Nakhchivani, passed away in the holy city of Karbala in Iraq. He was from the Iranian region of Nakhchivan – which is presently in Republic of Azerbaijan, and was the Source of Emulation for Muslims of the Caucasus and Azarbaijan. He was a student of Ayatollah Fazel Iravani and was considered a master of logic and Arabic literature. He has left behind numerous compilations, including the book “Ijtema al-Amr”
The theologian, Mirza Mohammad Baqer Zain al-Abidin Khansari
On 8th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 1313 AH, the theologian, Mirza Mohammad Baqer Zain al-Abidin Khansari, passed away in the central Iranian city of Isfahan. He was well versed in hadith and the biographies of ulema and scholars. He was head of the Isfahan Seminary. He has left behind numerous compilations, including the biographical work “Rowzaat al-Jannaat” in 8 volumes.
Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Abu-Torab Khansari
On 9th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 1346 AH, the celebrated Iranian scholar, Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Abu-Torab Khansari, passed away at the age of 75. After studying at the Isfahan Seminary he left for holy Najaf in Iraq for higher religious studies. He was an authority on theology, jurisprudence, philosophy, and exegesis of Holy Qur’an, which he taught to a large number of students. He has left behind numerous books, which prove his vast knowledge. Among his books, mention can be made of “Mesbah al-Salehin”.
Allamah Seyyed Jalal od-Din Ashtiani
On 11th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal, 1384 AH, the Iranian philosopher and thinker, Allamah Seyyed Jalal od-Din Ashtiani, passed away after a long bout of illness at the age of 80 years. He was a product of the Islamic seminary of Qom, where he studied under Grand Ayatollah Boroujerdi, Allamah Seyyed Mohammad Hussain Tabatabei, and the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA). He later on took up residence in the holy city of Mashhad, and spent the rest of his life lecturing at this city’s seminary and university, studying and compiling books. He was highly interested in Islamic philosophy and mysticism and mainly focused on the ideas and thoughts of the famous Gnostic of Islamic Spain, Mohi od-Din Ibn Arabi, and the prominent Iranian philosopher, Mullah Sadra. He has left behind a large number of books, including “Tafsir-e Surah Hamd” or Exegesis of the Opening Chapter of the holy Qur'an.
The hadith scholar and preacher, Mullah Ismail Sabzevari
On 14th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 1312 AH, the hadith scholar and preacher, Mullah Ismail Sabzevari, passed away in Tehran. He was born in the northeastern Iranian city of Sabzevar. He learned philosophy under the prominent philosopher, Mullah Hadi Sabzevari, and later left for the Najaf Seminary to complete higher studies. After attaining the status of Ijtehad – independent reasoning based on Holy Qur’an and Prophet’s Hadith – he returned to Tehran. He has left behind numerous compilations, including “Majma an-Noorayn”, and “Nawader al-Asaar”.
Grand Ayatollah Mirza Mohammad Hassan Shirazi
On 15th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 1230 AH, the Source of Emulation, Grand Ayatollah Mirza Mohammad Hassan Shirazi, popularly known as “Mirza-e Shirazi” was born in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz. He studied at the seminary of holy Najaf in Iraq under the celebrated scholar, Grand Ayatollah Shaikh Morteza Ansari, and attained the status of Ijtehad – independent reasoning based on Holy Qur'an and Prophet’s Hadith. He had a strong memory and was an eloquent speaker. He also paid attention to political topics. For instance, his famous Fatwa forbidding use of tobacco led to failure of the British colonialists’ conspiracies against Iran and forced Nasser od-Din Shah Qajar to cancel the contract with Talbot Company. He has left behind numerous valuable books. He passed away in 1312 AH.
The Iranian Islamic scholar, Seyyed Mohammad Ali Shah Abdul-Azimi
On 17th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 1258 AH, the Iranian Islamic scholar, Seyyed Mohammad Ali Shah Abdul-Azimi, popularly known as “Hedayat Husseini” was born. He left Iran for holy Najaf for higher studies and studied under the famous Ayatollah Sheikh Morteza Ansari. He was an authority on hadith and has left behind numerous compilations including “Wasilat ar-Rezwan”. He passed away in the city of Najaf in the year 1343 AH.
Shia scholar Shaikh Ali bin Abdul-Aali al-Maysi al-Ameli
On 25th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 938 AH the great scholar of what is now Lebanon, Shaikh Ali bin Abdul-Aali al-Maysi al-Ameli, passed away and was laid to rest in his homeland. He was known as Muhaqqeq or Researcher for his outstanding abilities, and was a teacher of the celebrated scholar Shaikh Zayn od-Din al-Juba’i, known as Shaheed Sani for his tragic martyrdom in Syria. Shaikh Ali al-Maysi’s son, Shaikh Lotfallah al-Maysi migrated to Safavid Iran and settled in the holy city of Mashhad in Khorasan, where he became a famous scholar. During those days, because of the persecution by the Ottoman Turkish rulers, many Shi’ite Arab scholars of Lebanon migrated to Iran.
Grand Ayatollah Allamah Mirza Mohammad Hussain Na'ini
On 26th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 1355 AH, the Source of Emulation, Grand Ayatollah Allamah Mirza Mohammad Hussain Na'ini, passed away at the age of 79. He was born in the central Iranian city of Na'in in a religious family. He completed his preliminary studies in his hometown before leaving for Iraq for higher studies at the famous seminary of holy Najaf.
He studied under such prominent ulema as Ayatollah Mirza-e Shirazi, whose historic fatwa against tobacco saved Iranian economy from British exploitation. Besides theology, Na'ini was well versed in mathematics, philosophy, and mysticism. Among his most important compilations, mention can be made of “Tanbih al-Ummah va Tanzih al-Millah” which outlines the duties of ulema and people and the necessity of campaign against tyrannical regimes.
This was an effective step by Grand Ayatollah Na'ini in awakening the Iranian people, whose struggles against local despotism and foreign hegemony triumphed under the guidance of the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA). Among his other books mention could be made of “Wasilat an-Najaat”.
Fakhr al-Muhaqqin Mohammad ibn Hassan al-Hilli
On 20th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 682 AH, Fakhr al-Muhaqqin Mohammad ibn Hassan al-Hilli, was born in Hilla in Iraq. He was the son of the celebrated scholar Allamah Hilli, under whose guidance he grew up and reached the status of Ijtehad – independent reasoning based on Holy Qur'an and Prophet’s Hadith. He lived a life of piety. He wrote prolifically on a wide variety of topics including exegesis of the holy Qur'an, theology, jurisprudence, and philosophy. Among his books, mention can be made of “al-Kafia”, and “Tahsil an-Nejaat”. He passed away in the year 771 AH.
The Iranian religious scholar Mirza Yahya Bidabadi Isfahani
On 7th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Akher in 1325 AH, the Iranian religious scholar Mirza Yahya Bidabadi Isfahani passed away at the age of 75. He was a student of the famous Ayatollah Sheikh Morteza Ansari Dezfuli. He has left behind a large number of compilations, including the book “Tafzil al-A’imma ala'l-Malaeka” on the superiority of the Infallible Imams of the household of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) over the other prophets as well as angels.
The Iranian Islamic scholar and exegete of Holy Qur'an, Mohammad Taqi Shariati
On April 20, 1987 AD, the Iranian Islamic scholar and exegete of Holy Qur'an, Mohammad Taqi Shariati, passed away at the age of 80 years. He was studied Islamic sciences in the holy city of Mashhad, and published several books after setting up the Association for Publication of Islamic Facts. He was the father of the sociologist Ali Shariati, who was martyred by the Shah's dreaded security force, SAVAK, in London.
Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Qasem Ordo-Abadi
On 29th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Awwal in 1274 AH, the prominent Iranian Islamic scholar and literary figure, Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Qasem Ordo-Abadi, was born in the northwestern city of Tabriz. Following the completion of studies, he left for holy Najaf in Iraq to attend the classes of prominent ulema of his day. After attaining the status of Ijtehad, he returned to his hometown, Tabriz. Ayatollah Ordo-Abadi wrote numerous books. Among his works mention could be made of “ash-Shahaab al-Mobeen fi Ejaaz al-Qur'an al-Kareem” on the Immortal Miracle this heavenly scripture is. He passed away in 1333 AH.
The Muslim scholar and researcher, Mir Seyed Hassan Modarres Isfahani
On 3rd of the Islamic month of Jamadi as-Sani, in 1273 AH, the Muslim scholar and researcher, Mir Seyed Hassan Modarres Isfahani, passed away at the age of 63. He was an expert in theology, jurisprudent, and other sciences. His classes in Isfahan attracted students from all over Iran. He authored several books, including a commentary on the famous work titled “Shafaa”, of the Iranian-Islamic genius, Abu Ali Ibn Sina.
The poet and scholar, Abu'l-Hassan Mahyar Daylami Ibn Marzawayh
On 5th of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Akher, in 428 AH, the poet and scholar, Abu'l-Hassan Mahyar Daylami Ibn Marzawayh, passed away. A descendant of the pre-Islamic Sassanid Emperor, Anoushirvan, he was born as a Zoroastrian, who under the guidance of the great scholar, Seyyed Razi, embraced the truth of Islam. Mahyar Daylami avidly learned religious sciences and techniques of poetry under Seyyed Razi, the compiler of the famous book “Nahj al-Balagha”, which is a collection of the sermons, letters, and aphorisms of Imam Ali (AS).
He soon became a prominent Arabic poet. He looked at the world through the prism of an ascetic and in his poetry he has expressed gratitude to the Ahl al-Bayt of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), for guiding him towards Islam. He also expresses devotion to Imam Ali (AS) for transforming the sensibilities of the Iranian people. He has lamented the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS) and castigated the enemies of the Ahl al-Bayt. Among his books, mention could be made of a 4-volume Diwan.
Ayatullah Mirza Hassan Aqa Tabrizi
On 2nd of the Islamic month of Jamadi al-Akher, in 1338 AH, the Iranian religious scholar and literary figure, Ayatullah Mirza Hassan Aqa Tabrizi, passed away. After preliminary studies in his hometown Tabriz, he left for holy Najaf in Iraq for higher studies. He attended the classes of prominent lecturers, such as Ayatollah Sheikh Morteza Ansari Dezfuli, Seyyed Hussain Kouh-Kamarei, and Mullah Ali Nahavandi. After attaining the status of Ijtehad, he returned to Tabriz where he taught Islamic sciences for almost 40 years. He was a supporter of the Constitutional Movement, and later opposed the deviations that took place under the Constitutionalists.
The renowned hadith scholar, Hassan ibn Dawoud Hilli
On 11th of the Islamic month of Jamadi as-Sani in 647 AH, the renowned hadith scholar, Hassan ibn Dawoud Hilli, was born in Hillah in Iraq. He was a student of such great scholars as Seyyed Jamal od-Din Ahmad bin Musa Ibn Tawous, and Shaikh Najm od-Din Muhaqqiq Hilli (maternal uncle of the famous Allamah Hilli). He is the author of a famous book on Rijal or biographical evaluation of hadith narrators. He was the first person to arrange the names along with the names of fathers and grandfathers. He included in his book all the information available in other books of Rijal, although at times he seems to have erred in tracing genealogical tables, but not in his objections to the mistakes of earlier authors. Ibn Dawoud Hilli has many other works to his credit relating to jurisprudence, both in prose and poetry.
Ayatollah Murtaza Boroujerdi
On April 22, 1998 AD, Ayatollah Murtaza Boroujerdi was martyred in the holy city of Najaf at the age of 70 by agents of Saddam’s Ba’th minority regime, because of reviving the Friday congregational prayer at the Grand Mosque of Kufa. Two months later the regime also martyred another prominent religious scholar of Najaf, Ayatollah Gharavi.
Grand Ayatollah Mirza Habibollah Rashti
On 14th of the Islamic month of Jamadi as-Sani in 1312 AH, Grand Ayatollah Mirza Habibollah Rashti, passed away. He was a product of the famous Islamic seminary of holy Najaf in Iraq and studied under prominent scholars such as Ayatollah Sheikh Morteza Ansari Dezfuli. Among his works, mention could be made of the book: “Badi al-Afkaar”.
The prominent scholar, Fakhr al-Muhaqqin
On 15th of the Islamic month of Jamadi as-Sani in 771 AH, the prominent scholar, Fakhr al-Muhaqqin Mohammad ibn Hassan al-Hilli, passed away at the age of 89. He was the son of the celebrated Allamah Hilli, under whose guidance he attained the status of Ijtehad. He wrote prolifically on a wide variety of topics including exegesis of the holy Qur'an, theology, jurisprudence, and philosophy. Among his books are “al-Kafia”, and “Tahsil an-Najaat”.
Hojjat al-Islam Mahdi Shahabadi
On April 26, 1984 AD, Hojjat al-Islam Mahdi Shahabadi attained martyrdom at the warfronts against Saddam’s despotic Ba’th minority regime. He was active in the struggles against the Shah’s dictatorship and was incarcerated and ruthlessly tortured on several occasions. Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution, he was elected as a lawmaker. With the outbreak of the imposed war, he left for the warfronts to defend the country. He would say: “If martyrdom can safeguard our monotheistic system; and if martyrdom can convey our Islamic thoughts to the world; we are prepared for martyrdom.”
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