Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi (Taqi) Bahjat Foumani (1913 – 17 May 2009) was an Iranian Twelver Shi'a Marja with political and social views close to fundamentalist schools. He was a student of the famous mystic, Sayed Ali Qadhi Tabatabaei, and also a student of Abulhasan Isfahani and Mirza Naini. Ayatollah Bahjat was among one of the most revered Shia clerics, whose religious decrees were followed by many Shia Muslims.
He was born in Fouman, Gilan Province, Iran. At the age of 14, he moved to Karbala, Iraq to continue his religious studies. Four years later, he moved to Najaf to complete his studies under Ayatollah Taleghani and Ayatollah Naeini. He taught in the Seminary of Qom, Iran.[2]
Bahjat died at the age of 96, at the Vali-e-Asr Hospital in the city of Qom on Sunday 17 May 2009, from heart disease.[1],[2]
Contents |
'[according to Quran] if we act according to what we are sure about and be cautious about what we don't know, God reveals the path'
His followers saw him as a living example of a great Muslim. He was famous for being modest, silent and living a simple life despite access to considerable Khoms funds.
People saw him or his office heads (in different cities) as rather reluctant to meddle in some of the political affairs. He was however involved in some parts of the Iranian politics indirectly. One of his heads of offices was a member of Assembly of Experts, who supervise the Iranian leader. He used to encourage his students to engage in politics with the aim of reform.
Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi who used to attend his classes said in an interview that his advice had influenced him to engage in politics.
‘The United Nations who claim to be after human rights do not support weak governments.' (Dar Mahzar-i Hazrat Ayatollah Bahjat, v.1, p. 316)
'Those who seek reform [in the society] should reform themselves first.' [probably an indication of lack of enough spirituality in the reformist parties of his country]
'We [Muslims? A group of Muslims?] harm each other and we want the others not to harm us!'
He has once called Ruhollah Khomeini a 'great man'.
Watching sport games in TV or stadium is a useless act and not recommended [3]
Ayatollah Bahjat was against depiction of human or animals (which have a soul), while he allowed keeping the already made ones.[4]