|
Some of the Prominent Iranian Scholars and Statesmen
Compiled By: Syed Ali Shahbaz
The Iranian philologist of Arabic,ad-Dinawari
On 15th of the Islamic month of Rajab in 276 AH, the Iranian philologist of Arabic, Abu Mohammad Abdullah bin Muslim ibn Qutaybah ad-Dinawari, passed away in Baghdad. He was born in Kufa in Iraq, while his father was from the Khorasani city of Merv in what is now Turkmenistan. Having studied hadith and philology he became qazi or judge in Dinawar, near Hamedan in western Iran, and afterwards a teacher in Baghdad. He was the first representative of the eclectic school of Baghdad philologists that succeeded the schools of Kufa and Basra. He is regarded by Sunni Muslims as an authority on hadith. Among his works are "Gharib al-Qur'an" on its lexical issues, "al-Imama wa al-Siyasa" in which he has exposed the deviation of the caliphate from its goals, and "ash-She'r wa'sh-Shu'ara" on poetry and poets.
The Iranian mystic and poet, Najm od-Din Zarkoub Tabrizi
On 15th of the Islamic month of Rajab in 712 AH, the Iranian mystic and poet, Najm od-Din Zarkoub Tabrizi, passed away. He is the author in Persian of the Futuwwat-Namah, on the rites of Jawan-mardi or chivalry into which Sufis are initiated for serving the cause of God and humanity.
The prominent Islamic scholar, Seyyed Abu-Torab Khwansari
On 17th of the Islamic month of Rajab in 1271 AH, the prominent Islamic scholar, Seyyed Abu-Torab Khwansari, was born in the central Iranian city of Khwansar. He was an authority on theology, jurisprudence, philosophy, and exegesis of Holy Qur'an. He has left behind numerous compilations, which prove his profound knowledge. Among his works, mention could be made of “Qasd as-Sabeel”, and “Mesbaah al-Salehin”. He passed away in 1346 AH at the age of 75 years.
The Iranian Islamic scholar, Ayatollah Mir Seyyed Ali Fani Isfahani
On May 29, 1989, the Iranian Islamic scholar, Ayatollah Mir Seyyed Ali Fani Isfahani, passed away at the age of 74. He studied in his hometown Isfahan, where after attaining the status of Ijtehad; he left for holy Najaf in Iraq, where he stayed for 30 years lecturing on theology, jurisprudence, exegesis of Holy Qur’an, and ethics. He returned to Iran in 1973 and until his death 16 years later, he used to lecture in the seminary of holy Qom. He has left behind more than 80 books, on various topics, including “Exegesis of Surah Fateha”, and “Arb’ain Hadith”.
The prominent poet and religious scholar, “Adib Peshawari”
On May 30, 1930 AD, the prominent poet and religious scholar, Seyyed Ahmad Peshawari, known as “Adib Peshawari”, passed away in Tehran. He was born near Peshawar in what is now Pakistan. He came to Iran to attend the classes of Islamic scholars such as Mullah Hadi Sabzevari. He also studied literary and philosophical books and wrote Persian poetry. His firm faith in Islam and indifference toward worldly matters are clearly evident in his poems. He has compiled a Divan of poetry in Persian language, which is a masterpiece.
Abu Hatem Sahl ibn Mohammad Sijistani
On 21st of the Islamic month of Rajab in 248 AH, Abu Hatem Sahl ibn Mohammad Sijistani of Iran passed away. He was an expert in Qur’anic sciences, hadith, literary techniques and poetry. He was also involved in social affairs. Among his valuable compilations, mention can be made of “Akhlaq al-Insan”, and “E’raab al-Qur’an”.
The prominent Iranian Islamic scholar, Mullah Ali Nouri
On 22nd of the Islamic month of Rajab in 1246 AH, the prominent Iranian Islamic scholar, Mullah Ali Nouri, passed away. He was an expert in Islamic philosophy, and among his numerous compilations, mention can be made of “Havashiy-e Asfaar” on the famous Safavid-era philosopher’s famous work “al-Asfaar al-Arba”.
The prominent Iranian theologian and Islamic scholar, Ayatollah Seyyed Hussein Kouh-Kamarai
On 23rd of the Islamic month of Rajab in 1299 AH, the prominent Iranian theologian and Islamic scholar, Ayatollah Seyyed Hussein Kouh-Kamarai, passed away. He was a student in holy Najaf of Sheikh Morteza Ansari, and in turn groomed at least 800 Ulema. He has left behind numerous books on Islamic sciences.
Sultan Mo'iz od-Din Ahmad Sanjar, the last great ruler of the Iran-based Seljuqid Empire
On 25th of the Islamic month of Rajab in 479 AH, Sultan Mo'iz od-Din Ahmad Sanjar, the last great ruler of the Iran-based Seljuqid Empire that included Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and parts of Turkey and Central Asia, was born. As son of Malik Shah I, he ruled for 36 years, initially as sultan of Khorasan until he gained the rest of the territory upon the death of his brother Mohammad I. His capital was Naishapur, and in addition to internal revolts, he faced external invasions from beyond the River Jaxartes in Central Asia, especially from the Sultan of Kashghar in what is now China, and the Qara Khitai Turks against whom he suffered a devastating defeat near Samarqand and lost all territory east of the Jaxartes. Oghuz Turks from Khuttal and Tukharistan captured Sanjar and held him prisoner for three years. A year after release he died in Merv which is presently in Turkmenistan and was buried there.
The prominent Iranian Islamic scholar, Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer Fesharaki
On 26th of the Islamic month of Rajab in 1314 AH, the prominent Iranian Islamic scholar, Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer Fesharaki, passed away. He compiled almost thirty books, including “Adaab ash-Sharif”.
The prominent Islamic scholar, Hojjat al-Islam Mullah Mohammad Ashrafi
On 18th of the Islamic month of Rajab in 1220 AH, the prominent Islamic scholar, Hojjat al-Islam Mullah Mohammad Ashrafi, was born in northern Iran. He left for Najaf Seminary for completion of his studies, and soon became an authority on hadith, exegesis of the holy Qur'an, and philosophy. He passed away in the year 1315 AH. He has left behind valuable compilations, including the book "Asrar ash-Shahada".
On May 24, 1982 AD, the southwestern Iranian city of Khorramshahr was liberated from the yoke of the Ba'thist invaders by Iran's Muslim combatants in the heroic Bayt al-Moqaddas Operations, after a year and 8 months of occupation. It was a decisive victory that completely turned the tide of the imposed war against Saddam, thereby shattering the equations of his backers in the West and the East, including the Arab reactionary regimes of the Persian Gulf, which had bankrolled his aggression on Islamic Iran. This historic event is marked every year as “The Day of Resistance and Victory”.
On May 26, 1908 AD, oil was recovered for the first time in Iran in the Masjid Suleiman area in the southwest, at a 60-meter depth, with oil gushing up to a height of 25 meters. The Masjid Suleiman area is of paramount importance in regard to its mines and oil facilities and up to now more than 250 oil wells have been drilled. Iran also possesses the world’s second largest natural gas reserves as well. Oil seepages had been noted for centuries in Iran, where the oozings were used for such purposes as the caulking of boats and the binding of bricks.
On May 28, 1980, Iran's post-revolution Majlis (parliament) started its first 4-year term – a landmark event for the Islamic Republic of Iran. There are 290 MPs in the Majlis, elected by the people's direct vote. Religious minorities, such as Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians, have their own elected representatives. The Majlis as the Legislative Branch coordinates its policies with the other two branches of government – the Executive and the Judiciary.
|
