Some of the Renowned Shia Ulama and Scholars

Compiled By: Syed Ali Shahbaz
On August 9, 1985 AD, the theologian, Ayatollah Mirza Mohammad Saqafi, passed away at the age of 90. Born in Tehran, he was a product of the Qom Seminary where he attained the status of Ijtehad. He spent a lifetime promoting Islam and writing books on exegesis of the Holy Qur’an, theology, jurisprudence and hadith. Among his works is 5-volume book in Persian titled” “Ravaan-e Javid”.
On 2nd of the Islamic month of Shawwal in 605 AH, the famous Imami scholar, Shaikh Saleh Abu'l-Hassan Warram Ibn Abi Farres, passed away in his hometown Hillah in Iraq. He was a descendent of the celebrated Islamic general, Malik Ashtar, whom Imam Ali (AS) had appointed as governor of Egypt and written for him the famous epistle on the most efficient way of governance, which is regarded till this day as the finest ever charter of human rights. Warram was the maternal grandfather of the renowned scholar, Seyyed ibn Tawous, and authored the book “Tanbih al-Khawater” which is also known as "Majmou-at-al-Warram".
On 27th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 648 AH, the celebrated scholar, Hassan Ibn Yusuf Ibn AliI Ibn Mohammad Ibn Mutahhar, was born in Hilla, Iraq. Renowned as "Allamah Hilli", he was a child prodigy, and after initial education under his qualified father, and acquiring of fiqh from his famous maternal uncle "Muhaqqiq Hilli", he proceeded to study from other masters of his era, including the celebrated scholars of Iraq Seyyed Ali bin Tawus and Seyyed Ahmad bin Tawus, as well as Maytham al-Bahrani of Bahrain and the Iranian Islamic genius, Khwaja Naseer od­Din Tusi, who taught him philosophy and logic.
Later, he held debates with scholars of the four Sunni schools of jurisprudence – Hanbali, Hanafi, Maleki, and Shafei. During one such debate in the Ilkhanid court, his rationality convinced the Buddhist-born and Christian-baptized Mongol Emperor of Iran-Iraq, Oljeitu Khodabanda, to become a Muslim and a staunch follower of the Ahl al-Bayt. Allamah Hilli's works include at least a hundred books and treatises on various subjects such as jurisprudence, theology, logic, philosophy, hadith, exegesis of the holy Qur'an and Rijal or evaluation of hadith narrators.
Each book of this great mujtahid is enough to portray his precocity and genius. Among the noteworthy works are "Ma'arej al-Fahm", "Qawa'ed al-Ahkaam", "Tadhkirat ul-Fuqaha" and "Tabsirat ul-Mutallimeen", the last being studied by seminary students till this day. He also wrote on proofs from the holy Qur'an, the hadith, and the intellect, on the right to caliphate of Imam Ali (AS) after the passing away of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). This famous book is titled "Nahj al-Haq wa Kashf as-Sidq". Allama Hilli was succeeded by his worth son, Mohammad – acclaimed as “Fakhr al­Muhaqqiqeen” (Pride of Researchers).
On 3rd of the Islamic month of Shawwal in 1315 AH, the prominent Iranian scholar, Ayatollah Mirza Hussein Shahrestani, passed away. He attained the status of Ijtehad at a young age. Later he became one of the prominent Sources of Emulation at Najaf seminary in Iraq. Among his most important books, mention can be made of “Lubab al-Ijtehad”, and “Tazkerat an-Nafs”.
On 4th of the Islamic month of Shawwal in 1260 AH, the prominent Indian Islamic scholar, Seyyed Mohammad Dildari, was born. He initially learned sciences under his father and later on under the renowned Islamic scholars of his day. Thereafter, he compiled numerous valuable books. Among the 40 works he left behind, mention can be made of “Emad al-Ijtehad” on jurisprudence.
On August 4, 1930 AD, Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani was born in the holy city of Mashhad, Khorasan, northeastern Iran, in a family of religious scholars. During the Safavid period, his ancestor Seyyed Mohammad was appointed by Shah Sultan Hussain to the office of Sheikh ol-Islam in Sistan province, where he settled, and hence became known as "Sistani".
Grand Ayatollah Sistani began his religious education as a child, first in Mashhad and later in Qom. In 1951, Sistani traveled to Iraq to study in the famous seminary of the holy city of Najaf, and in 1960, at the young age of 30 years, attained Ijtehad. In 1992, following the deaths in quick succession of Grand Ayatollah Abu’l-Qassem Khoei and Grand Ayatollah Sabzevari, he became the leading authority of Iraq.
During the years of Saddam’s repressive rule, survived the violent Ba'thist repression and persecution that resulted in the martyrdom of several ulema. Since the overthrow of the Ba'th Party, Grand Ayatollah Sistani has played an increasingly prominent role in regional religious and political affairs and he has been called the "most influential" figure in post-invasion Iraq. He has a large worldwide following.
On 3rd of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 413 AH, the famous theologian, Mohammad Ibn Mohammad ibn N’uman, known popularly as “Sheikh Mufid”, passed away in Baghdad at the age of 77 and was laid to rest in Kazemain in the shrine of Imam Musa al-Kazem (AS), the 7th Infallible Successor of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA).
Over a hundred thousand people, both Shi'ites and Sunnis attended his funeral, the largest ever in Baghdad, with all weeping uncontrollably. The funeral prayer was led by his worthy student and scholastic successor, Seyyed Murtaza Alam al-Huda. He has left behind numerous works in almost all branches of Islamic sciences, some of which are: “al-Irshaad”, “Ahkaam an-Nisa”, “Aqsaam al-Mowla”, “al-Ifsah fi'l-Imamah Amir al-Mu'minin”, and “Tashih E`teqadaat al-Imamiyah” – the last named is a critical and edited version of his one-time teacher, Ibn Babwaih Shaikh Sadouq's “al-E'teqad”. Here it would not be out of context to relate how he acquired the epithet “Shaikh al-Mufid” or the Most Beneficial Scholar.
It happened that his tutor suggested that he attend the lessons in theology of the Mu’tazalite scholar, Ali Ibn Eisa ar-Rummani. To quote his own words: I entered his class, and was impressed by the great number of students. So I sat at the end of the crowd, managing to creep forward as members of the assembly left. Then I saw a person enter, saying there is someone at the door from Basra who insists on being admitted. On ar-Rummani’s permission the man entered, and after a long conversation, asked him: "How do you view the event of “Ghadeer” (the day the Prophet, on God’s commandment, proclaimed Imam Ali [AS] as his vicegerent on 18th Zilhijja, 10 AH while returning from the Farewell Hajj pilgrimage) and the report of the “Ghar” (the incident of the cave in which Abu Bakr accompanied the Prophet on the night of Hijrah)?" Ar-Rummani replied that "the report of “Ghar” was a recognised event, while “Ghadeer” was just a narrative; and a narrative is not as mandatory as a recognised event." The man from Basra then left without making any reply. Then I came forward and said: "I have a question," and being permitted, I asked him: "What do you say about the one who fights a Just Imam?" Ar-Rummani said: "Such a person would be an infidel."
Then, after a pause, he rectified himself and said: "He would be a transgressor." I asked: "What do you say about the Commander of the Faithful, Ali Ibn Abi Taleb (AS)?” He said: "I believe he was an Imam." So I asked: "Then what do you say about the Day of Jamal and about Talha and Zubair?" Ar-Rummani retorted that both of them had repented. I said: "The Battle of Jamal is a recognised event, while their repentance is a mere narrative." Upon hearing this, he said: "Were you present when the man from Basra put his question?" I said "yes." Then he asked: "What is your name and who is your tutor?" I said: "I am known as Ibn al-Mu’allem, and my tutor is Abu-Abdullah al-Jual." He said: Stay where you are. “Then he entered his room and came out with a letter, instructing me to hand it over to my tutor. When I gave the letter to my tutor, he read it and laughed, saying: What transpired between you in his class? He has asked me to confer upon you the title of “al-Mufid” (the Most Beneficial).”
On 29th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1272 AH, the virtuous scholar Seyyed Hassan Sadr Ibn Seyyed Hadi as-Sadr was born in the holy city of Kazemain, near Baghdad in Iraq. At the age of 16 he went to holy Najaf to study under the leading ulema and nine years later moved to Samarra to study under the celebrated scholar, Ayatollah Mirza Hassan Shirazi (famous for his fatwa against tobacco consumption in Iran). He returned to Kazemain seventeen years later and soon became the leading mujtahed.
He passed away in 1354 at the age of 82. He groomed many students and wrote several books such as the “Role of Shi’ite Scholars in Development of Islamic Sciences”, The Shi’ite Muslims and Promotion of Islamic Arts”, and a refutation of the absurd viewpoints of the pseudo scholar Ibn Taimiyya.
On July 27, 1979 AD, the first Friday Prayer was held in Tehran, and was led by Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Taleqani at Tehran University, upon the orders of the Founder of Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini (RA). Friday Prayers were not usually held during the repressive rule of the Pahlavi regime. Fo0llowing the victory of Islamic Revolution, this major religious-social-political ceremony was revived, and every week Friday Prayers are held all over Iran drawing large multitudes.
On August 2,1909 AD, Ayatollah Shaikh Fazlollah Nouri was martyred in Tehran through hanging by agents of colonial powers. He strove to promote justice in society, playing a leading role in the Constitutional Movement against the despotism of the Qajarid Kings. After formation of the first national parliament and drafting of the Constitution, he voiced his protest to some of its clauses which were contrary to Islam. He staged a sit-in at the shrine of Hazrat Abdul-Azim in Rayy, south of Tehran, along with other leading activists, ending the protest when parliament promised not to contradict the shar'ia. Colonial agents plotted against him and martyred him on trumped up charges.
On July 13, 1991 AD, prominent Iranian thinker, Allamah Seyyed Taher Seyedzadeh Hashemi, passed away in Kermanshah, western Iran. He strove to promote Islamic teachings and in addition to compiling numerous books, he was a highly capable calligrapher. He was fluent in Arabic, Persian and Kurdish languages and wrote numerous odes in these three languages.
On July 15,1910 AD, the prominent freedom fighter of the Constitutional era, Ayatollah Seyyed Abdullah Behbahani, was martyred by terrorists. He was born in the holy city of Najaf in Iraq, where after learning Islamic sciences under his virtuous father, Seyyed Ismail Mojtahed Behbahani, he became a student of Ayatollah Mirza Hassan Shirazi. On coming to Iran, he became active in the Constitutional Movement in cooperation with Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Sadeq Tabatabai. He played a pivotal role in the victory of the Constitutional Revolution, making utmost efforts to this end, which led to his martyrdom.
On July 15,1994 AD, the renowned Iranian theologian, astronomer, philosopher, and poet, Ayatollah Shushtari Jaza’eri, passed away in southern Iranian city of Shushtar. He learned Qur'anic sciences, mathematics, and astronomy under his father, and later completed his studies under prominent ulema in the holy city of Qom, including the Reviver of the Qom Seminary, Grand Ayatollah Abdul-Karim Ha’eri Yazdi. He was a staunch opposition of the anti-Islamic Pahlavi regime, and spent a lifetime, grooming numerous students, in addition to writing books.
On July 8, 1985 AD, the revolutionary Islamic scholar, Ayatollah Mohammad Mahdi Rabbani Amlashi, passed away at the age of 51. Born in a religious family in the holy city of Qom, he started his Islamic studies in his hometown. He was politically active against the despotic regime of the Shah and was imprisoned for six years. After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, he was named by Imam Khomeini (RA) as a juriconsult member of the Council of Guardians.
On 27th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1110 AH, the prominent Islamic scholar, Allamah Mohammad Baqer Majlisi, passed away in his hometown Isfahan and was laid to rest beside his equally renowned father, Mullah Mohammad Taqi Majlisi the First. His grandfather, Maqsoud Ali was also a theologian and the genealogy of the family is traced back to the famous scholar, Abu Nu’aym Ahmad bin Abdullah Isfahani, the author “Hulyat-al-Awliya” and “Zikr-e Akhbar-e Isfahan.”
By the age of 25, he gained certification of "riwayah" from the famous philosopher Mullah Sadra to teach. He was appointed Shaikh ol-Islam (Chief Religious Leader) by the Safavid King, Sultan Hussain. During his 84-year lifespan, he wrote and compiled as many as 600 volumes of books and treatises, including the famous encyclopedic work “Bihar al-Anwaar” on hadith. His books are considered as the most important reference books for Muslims. He also popularized the Friday Prayers and guided tens of thousands of people towards the school of the Prophet’s Ahl al-Bayt.
On July 18,1954 AD, Ayatollah Mohammad Hussain Kashef al-Gheta, passed away. Born in an academic family in holy Najaf, Iraq, he attained a high scholarly status by attending the classes of prominent lecturers, such as Akhound Khorasani. Ayatollah Kashef al-Gheta groomed numerous students. He traveled to Iran, Egypt, and Palestine to deliver lectures, and played a significant role in the Islamic movement of the Iraqi people against the British. He authored several books including “as-Siyasat al-Husainiyyah”.
On 12th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1343 AH, the renowned theologian, Ayatollah Shaikh Mahdi Khalesi, passed away at the age of 66. He was born in the holy city of Kazemain in Iraq, and built a reputation for promotion of virtue and prevention of vice in society. He opposed the British invasion of Iraq, and along with other scholars, such as Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi Shirazi and Shaikh Kashef al-Gheta, joined the revolution against the turning of Iraq into a monarchy led by the imported king, Faisal, a son of the British agent of Hejaz, Sharif Hussain. During his stay in Iran he taught at the howza. Books written by him include “Kifayat al-Osoul”, and “Anaween al-Osoul”.
On 13th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1328 AH, the Iranian theologian and mystic, Mirza Jahangir Khan Qashqai, passed away. He was born among Qashqai nomads in central Iran. He acquired knowledge and became a prominent Islamic scholar. Later on, he groomed numerous students in the seminary of Isfahan, including Ayatollah Seyyed Hassan Modarres, and Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Hussain Boroujerdi, during his 50-year teaching career. He passed away at the age of 85 years and was laid to rest in the city of Isfahan.
On 13th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1340 AH, the prominent theologian, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani, the grandfather of the present day Source of Emulation Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani of holy Najaf, passed away in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. The reason the family is called Sistani is because of the appointment of an ancestor to the religious post of Shaikh al-Islam in Greater Sistan Province by Shah Sultan Hussain Safavi, for promotion of the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt. Ayatollah Sistani, after completion of his studies in Najaf, returned home to Iran and settled in Mashhad. He used to lecture on theology and principles of jurisprudence, in addition to leading the Friday Prayers at Gowhar-Shad Mosque adjacent to the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the 8th Infallible Heir of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). He was jailed for a while during the Constitutional Movement due to his struggles against despotism.
On 14th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1248 AH, the Iranian scholar, Shams od-Din Behbahani, passed away. A student of the famous researcher, Mohaqqeq Behbahani, in addition to his mastery over theologian and jurisprudence, he was a pious mystic who spent most of his life compiling books. He has written a detailed annotation on “Ma’alem al-Osoul”, and treatises on the principles of religion.
On 16th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1277 AH, the scholar Shaikh Abdur-Rahim Borujerdi, passed away in Tehran. He was among the most famous ulema of the Iranian capital.
On 16th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1308 AH, the scholar Seyyed Abbas Ibn Seyyed Hussain Taleqani, passed away in holy Najaf, Iraq.
On 17th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1318 AH, the prominent Islamic scholar and Source of Emulation, Mirza Mohammad Hashem Khansari, passed away in Isfahan. He was an authority in theology, jurisprudence, hadith, and exegesis of the Holy Qur'an. He groomed many students and compiled several valuable books, including “Jawaher al-Uloum”.
On 17th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1322 AH, the well-known Source of Emulation, especially in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus, Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Fazel Sharbiani, passed away. Born in northwestern Iran, he became a unique lecturer of Islamic sciences, and besides mastery over Hadith and its sources, was a prominent exegete of the Holy Qur'an. He has left behind a nine-volume book on the treatises of the celebrated Iranian head of the Najaf Seminary, Ayatollah Shaikh Morteza Ansari.
On 18th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1296 AH, the prominent Iranian literary figure and researcher, Mirza Abdul-Azim Khan Ghareeb, was born in the northeastern Iranian city of Gorgan. Following the completion of preliminary studies, he conducted extensive research on grammar, logic, mathematics, and literature, and later on lectured literature. He has left behind numerous compilations for promotion and introduction of Farsi language and literature, including the book: “Farsi Grammar”, and “Badaayat al-Adab, Fawaa'ed al-Adab”, which includes the best works of renowned Iranian authors and poets, and their biographies. He has also corrected a number of classical Persian literature works, including the famous Iranian poet, Sa’di’s "Boostan”, and “Golestan”.
On 20th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1286 AH, the eminent scholar, Shaikh al-Iraqayn, Abdul-Husain Ibn Ali Tehrani, passed away in Karbala, and was laid to rest in the holy shrine of the Chief of Martyrs, Imam Husain (AS). Iraq. An authority in theology, hadith, and exegesis of the Holy Qur’an, he groomed many students, including the famous Mirza Hussain Nouri, the teacher in turn of the celebrated Shaikh Abbas Qomi – the author of widely circulated prayer-supplication manual “Mafatih al-Jenaan”. He had a vast collection of books and before his death endowed his library for the use of scholars and researchers.
On 20th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1289 AH, the eminent jurist, Seyyed Mohammed Taqi Ibn Seyyed Mohammed Reza Ibn Seyyed Mohammed Mahdi Bahr al-Uloum, passed away.
On 21st of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1205 AH, the virtuous scholar Seyyed Sadeq Ibn Ali Ibn Hussain al-A'araj al-Fakhaam, passed away.
On 21st of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1292 AH, the scholar Seyyed Mohammed Reza al-Mazandarani al-Isfahani, passed away.
On 25th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1137 AH, the prominent Iranian Islamic scholar, Baha od-Din Mohammad ibn Taj od-din Isfahani, known popularly as Faazel-e Hindi, because of his long stay in India, passed away in Iran. He was an authority on theology and has left behind valuable compilations including an exegesis of Holy Qur'an and the book titled “Kashf al-Latham”.
On 4th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1325 AH, the prominent scholar Sheikh Hassan Ali ibn Haj Mahmoud Tehrani, passed away. He was a student of the scholar, Majd Shirazi.
On 5th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1236 AH, the prominent Islamic scholar, Mullah Ali Aliyari Tabrizi, was born in the city of Tabriz, northwestern Iran. He was an expert in theology, hadith, poetry, and literature, as well as in medicine, mathematics, and astronomy. In the holy Najaf Seminary in Iraq, he studied under such prominent figures as Ayatollah Sheikh Morteza Ansari, and Mirza Hassan Shirazi. On returning to Iran, he lectured and groomed numerous students. In addition to Islamic sciences, he also taught mathematics and astronomy. He compiled several books on theology and Islamic topics of importance.
On 7th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 511 AH, the famous Imami theologian, Seyyed Abu’l-Makarem Ibn Zuhra, was born in Aleppo, Syria. He studied in holy Najaf in Iraq under prominent students of the famous scholar Abu Ja’far Shaykh at-Tayefa Tousi, and on return to Syria groomed several scholars. He has left behind several books including "al-Ghunyah" on fiqh. He passed away in 585 AH.
On 9th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1325 AH, Ayatollah Shaikh Mohammad Bahari Hamedani passed away. A product of the famous Islamic seminary of Najaf, he was known for his piety, and among his books is “Tazaaker al-Muttaqin”.
On 26th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 1125 AH, the prominent Iranian Islamic scholar, Jamal od-Din Mohammad Khwansari, passed away. Born in a religious and academic family, he completed his studies in the Safavid capital Isfahan and became an authority on logic, philosophy, theology, principles of theology, and exegesis of Holy Qur'an. He has written an annotation on the philosophical masterpiece "ash-Shefa" of Iranian Islamic genius Abu Ali ibn Sina.
On 27th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 959 AH, the prominent theologian and Islamic scholar, Hassan bin Zain od-Din, was born in Lebanon to Shaikh Zain od-Din al-Jubai Shaheed Thani (Second Martyr). He was a product of the Najaf Seminary in Iraq and wrote the famous book “Ma’alem al-Usul”. On returning to his homeland he groomed numerous students and passed away in 1011 AH.