Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Shirazi
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Grand Ayatollah Muhammad ibn Mehdi al-Hussaini al-Shirazi (1928-2001) was a Religious Authority, or Marja, to millions of Shi’a Muslims around the globe. A charismatic leader who was known for his high moral values, modesty and spirituality, Imam Shirazi was a mentor and a source of aspiration to his followers; and the means of access to authentic knowledge and teachings of Islam. He had tirelessly devoted himself, and his life, to the affairs of Muslims in particular, and to mankind in general. He had made extensive contributions in various fields of learning ranging from Jurisprudence and Theology to Politics, Economics, Law, Sociology and Human Rights.
Muhammad Shirazi was born in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, in 1347 AH or 1928 AD. He belonged to a distinguished family deeply rooted in Islamic sciences, literature and virtue. The Shirazi family has produced many great scholars and Marja’s (The Marja of Taqleed are clerics that have the authority to declare fatwas and decrees into all matters of Islamic jurisprudence. Only several exist at any given time) as well as renowned leaders. Two of the best-known leaders are Grand Ayatollah Mirza Hassan Shirazi, leader of the constitutional, also known as the Tobacco Movement in Iran, and Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi Shirazi, leader of the 1920 revolution in Iraq, which liberated Iraq from colonial powers. The Shirazi’s father, the late Grand Ayatollah Mehdi Shirazi, had been a famous and a highly respected scholar and the Marja’ of his time. They were descendants of the holy prophet Muhammad[citation needed]. Grand Ayatollah Imam Muhammad Al-Shirazi died in 2001.
Grand Ayatollah Shirazi was distinguished for his intellectual ability and holistic vision. He was recognized for his clear ideas and realistic solutions to issues of concern to mankind. He has written various specialized studies that are considered to be among the most important references in Islamic doctrine, ethics, politics, economics, sociology, law and human rights. He has enriched the world with his staggering contribution of more than 1200 books, treatise and studies on various branches of learning. His works ranged from simple introductory books for the young to literary and scientific masterpieces. Deeply rooted in the holy Qur’an and the teachings of the prophet of Islam, his vision and theories cover areas such as Politics, Economics, Government Management, Sociology, Theology, Philosophy, and History of Islamic Law. His work on Islamic Jurisprudence (al-Fiqh series) for example constitutes 150 volumes, which run into more than 70,000 pages. Through his original thoughts and ideas he has championed the causes of issues such as the family, human rights, freedom of expression, political pluralism, nonviolence, and Shura or Consultative System of Leadership.
Imam Shirazi had always opposed despotism. In 1971 he was exiled to Lebanon by the Ba’thist regime of Iraq. He later stayed in Kuwait until 1979 when he migrated to the holy city of Qum, Iran. His stay in Kuwait was an era of religious renaissance for Shi’a Muslims in that country, also indirectly affecting religious discourse among Sunni school of thought.
Imam Shirazi had established many Islamic centers, medical and charitable financial services, educational, welfare and social foundations, libraries, and Hawzah’s, or universities for Islamic Sciences, in different regions of the world.
Imam Shirazi believed in the fundamental and elementary nature of freedom in mankind. He called for freedom of expression, political plurality, debate and discussion, tolerance and forgiveness. He strongly believed in the Consultative System of Leadership and called for the establishment of the Leadership Council of Religious Authorities. He called for the establishment of the Universal Islamic Government to encompass all the Muslim countries. These and other ideas are discussed in detail in his books.
In his lifetime Imam Shirazi witnessed at first hand the deposition of the late Shah of Iran regime and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran by the late Ayatollah Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini. Despite this rare historic opportunity and the fact that he was one of the most revered Ayatollah’s of his time, Imam Shirazi opted to stand politically on the observing side as the new Islamic republic developed its own path in history. He was a man of religious conviction, idealism and holistic vision for all mankind. His views and opinions of the new regime were reservedly expected as feedback from an Imam like himself. His disagreements were eloquently stated and defended. Political observers in the region and worldwide often however misunderstood his long-standing philosophical convictions as signs of mutiny in the new republic.
After his departure, his legacy and school of thought was continued through the Hawzah’a which he had established. His brother Imam Sadiq Al-Shirazi [1] is at the helm of this school of thought [2]today. Imam Sadiq Al-Shirazi is Marga Taqlid and religious authority in his own rite today.
[edit] Books by Al-Imam Al-Shirazi published in English
1. The Qur’an When was it compiled?
In this book the author addresses the issues of when the Holy Qur’an was compiled, on what and whose instructions was this task carried out and who accomplished its compilation in the form that it is available today. In this work the author presents indisputable evidence as to address these crucial questions. Through historical, methodical and logical analyses, the author establishes how and when the compilation of the Holy Qur’an was achieved. In the latter half of the book the author cites many prophetic traditions on the significance of the learning and recitation of Holy Qur’an.
2. The Family.
In this book the author highlights the problems he sees primarily in Islamic societies and particularly in the west today from the phenomenon of unmarried young men and women through the birth control and contraception. He surveys the idea of marriage in various religions and schools of thought. The author also discusses polygamy from the Islamic perspective. He calls for simplicity in the process of marriage and draws our attention to the Islamic teachings and laws in this vital area of life. As well as being a call to the Muslim world to revert to the true teachings of the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, this book can also be of use as an introduction to others who seek some answers to the social problems of today. This is because Islam has detailed teachings, which promise success in every area of human life on individual and societal levels, and what’s more their practicality has been historically proven.
3. On the question of the Bible and Christianity.
This book consists of two separate works. In the first part, the author presents his experiences, and the debates he had with the Christians. The debates concerned their impression of Islam and its doctrine and therefore the questions/objections they had, and the issues they raised, or on the other hand some of the discussions circled around their own religious beliefs. In this presentation the author shows how he invited non-Muslims to Islam through calm but rational and intellectual debates with them. The book makes an interesting read, especially when the reader can see the simple arguments put forward in these debates. In the second part, the author and presents some of the immoral and absurd features and traits that are attributed to God and his prophets in the Bible. The author refutes those false attributes given to messengers of God, concluding that these point to the distortion that have resulted – perhaps intentionally – in the Bible.
4. War, Peace & Nonviolence: An Islamic Perspective.
In this work the author addresses three controversial issues, which have come to be associated with Islam. Through his extensive knowledge of the teachings of Islam, the author presents the Islamic stand on war, peace and nonviolence, as found in the traditions and teachings of the Prophet of Islam, which could serve as exemplary models for the Mankind. Detailed accounts of the traditions of Prophet in his dealings with his foes during war or peace times are presented in this book, which gives the reader a clear insight into the way and the basis upon which the Prophet of Islam used to conduct his affairs in this respect.
5. Islamic Beliefs For All.
In this book the author discusses the five fundamental principles of Islam. These principles are Tawheed (the indivisible oneness of God), Divine justice, Prophethood, Imamah (the leadership of mankind after the prophet), and Resurrection. What distinguish this book are the author’s subtle approach in addressing the issues concerned and the simple examples given to illustrate the discussion. This authoritative work is not only important to Muslims, but it would also be of interest to the non-Muslims who seek to explore Islam and its doctrine. This easy to read book would be a valuable reference for Religious Education.
6. Hajj: Duties and Rulings.
In this concise Hajj guide the author presents the various categories of Hajj. In the cases of Hajj and Umrah, the author details the practices of each kind of hajj and then goes on to outline the obligatory duties and of the person performing the Hajj.
7. If Islam were to be established.
This book can serve as the Muslim’s guide to the Islamic government. If an opposition group has a plan for an Islamic government, this book would help to check various aspects of the plan. In the absence of such a plan, this book would present one. To the non-Muslim, the book presents a glimpse of a typical Islamic system of government. The book would also serve as a yardstick for anyone to check the practices of any government that claims to have implemented an Islamic system of government. In this book the author outlines the basic policies that must be adopted if a government were to establish a system of government based on the teachings of Islam. Some of the most important issues which the government address are general amnesty, gradual implementation of the teaching of Islam, the prerequisites for implementing the panel system, provision of freedom in all aspects of life, party-political pluralism, social justice, modesty of leaders, etc.
8. The Islamic System of Government.
In this introductory book the author outlines the basic principles of government based on the teachings of Islam. The author begins with the aim and objectives of the government according to Islam and the extent of its authority. He then addresses, from the Islamic view point, the significance and fundamental nature of such issues as consultative system of government, judicial system, freedoms, party political pluralism, social justice, minorities, foreign policy, etc. The author also outlines the policies of a government, based on Islamic teaching, on issues such as education, welfare, health, crime, services, etc. as well such matters as the governments income.
9. Aspects of the Political Theory of Ayatollah Muhammad Shirazi.
Muhammad Ayyub is a well-known Islamist political activist within the Iraqi circle who has established a long history of political struggle behind him. He was attracted by the views of the Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Shirazi in the fields of social and political sciences. This promoted the author to write this book-originally in Arabic- to introduce the reader to these views that have remained relatively unknown to the Muslim activists and reformists. This book deals with politics in general and the politics of Muslim countries in particular. In it the author presents the political views of one of the leading religious scholars in the Islamic world. It covers such aspects on politics and political-liberation movements as freedom of expression, party-political pluralism and organization, social justice, peace and nonviolence, consultation system of government and collaboration and unity of the various sects of the Muslim community.
Read some of his English books online at http://www.shirazi.org.uk/books.htm.
