The Company of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

• The Company of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

The sweet company of the Grand Jurist, according to the dozens of people who have enjoyed it, is a gift that reminds every one of the Almighty God and the pure Household of the holy Prophet of Islam. Anyone who has experienced the company of the Grand Jurist has been cherished with the abundant blessings from the culture of the Prophet’s Household and the genuine Islam. In all of his meetings, the Grand Jurist, as a man of faith and devotion, gives unique and invaluable advices to all of his visitors and reminds them of their religious duties and social obligations.

The wise advices of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi always penetrates through the hearts of the visitors and helps them to get a new start and change their lives. In many cases, the visitors of the Grand Jurist state that the advices of his eminence moved them from inside and showed them the way out of their complex and many-sided problems. The peaceful and soothing face of the Grand Jurist is a token of the constant and powerful soul of his eminence which injects tranquility and serenity to all of his visitors.

• Along with People

With every person who comes to visit the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi, his eminence asks questions about the religious affairs, and the socioeconomic situations of the people of that area. These questions open a new door and a direct path towards understanding the needs and the problems of the people of different areas.

The Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi is always relentless about the problems of the Muslims in different corners of the world and always shows his sympathy and concern for all of their complications and problems. This intimate and close bond between the Grand Jurist and the people with different ethnicities has planted the seeds of compassion and love in the hearts of millions of Muslims around the world who see the Grand Jurist as their compassionate and concerned father and a comforting shelter. In holy Quran, God Almighty states:

“Surely (as for) those who believe and do good deeds, for them will Allah bring about love,”

Chapter 19, Verse 96

• The Statue of Piety

The great scientific and spiritual character of the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi leaves people with very few words to describe his eminence. In fact, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi is an Islamic jurist who has mastered Islamic knowledge, is recognized as a popular Islamic leader, and has acquired the moralities of the holy Prophet of Islam and Imam Ali, peace be upon them both. All these characteristics are the best means to describe a true and real Shia person to the entire world. The high manners of the Grand Jurist give us the notion of what the Islamic utopia and the perfection of piety and morals can be like in an exemplary time. In short, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi is a depiction of the famous hadith by Imam Ali, who describes the character of the pious and faithful people.

In this hadith, the commander of the faithful and the gate of knowledge, Imam Ali, peace be upon him, describes the pious people in these words:

“They possess pre-eminence and excellence because they always speak truthfully, rightly and to the point, their way of living is based upon moderation, and their mode of dealing with other men is founded on their good will, fellow feeling and courtesy towards them. They deny themselves the things prohibited by God. They concentrate their minds upon knowledge of things which will bring them eternal bliss.

They bear hardships and sufferings as happily as they enjoy comforts and pleasures. If God had not fixed the span of life for each one of them, their souls in desire of attaining His Heaven and out of fear of falling into His displeasure, would not have stayed in their bodies for long.”

“They have visualized mentally the glory of God in such a way that beyond him nothing in this world alarms, frightens or awes them. Everything other than His might appears to them as insignificant and humble. They believe in the Heaven and its blessings like a person who has been there and has actually seen everything of the Heaven with his own eyes.

Similarly, their faith in the Hell and its torments is as strong as that of a person who had passed through its sufferings. They feel that the tortures of the Hell are around them and very near to them.”

“The ways of worldly people make them sorry. They harm nobody. They do not indulge in excessive eating and pleasure seeking. Their wants are limited. Their wishes are few. They have accepted patiently sufferings and adversities in this mortal and transitory life for the sake of eternal bliss which by the grace of God proved for them a very profitable transaction.

The vicious world desired their fellowship but they turned their faces away from it. It wanted to snare them, but they willingly accepted every trouble and discomfort to free themselves from its clutches.”

“Their nights they spend in carefully studying the Quran, because, of their weaknesses and short-comings, and try to find ways from this Holy book for improvements of their minds. In the study of the Qur’an when they came across a passage describing the Heaven they feel highly attracted towards it and develop such a keen desire to reach it; that the Heaven with all its blessings is visualized by their minds, while a passage about the Hell frightens them and makes them feel as if they are seeing and hearing the raging fire and the groans and lamentations of those who are suffering the tortures of the Hell.”

“Nights they spend in praying before the Lord and requesting and beseeching Him to deliver them from the Hell. Days find them occupied with such works that clearly indicate their wisdom, depth of knowledge, virtuousness, and piety. Constant fasting, simple diet: avoidance of every aspect of luxury and regular hard work make them look lean and haggard, but they possess very sound and robust health.

When people hear them discussing various problems of life they often take them to be whimsical fanatic or even half-witted. But it is not so, they are not satisfied with the quality and quantity of the work done by them in the cause of religion and humanity .The more they work the less they feel satisfied. Having set up a very high standard of efficiency for their work they fell nervous that indolence may not make it impossible for them to attain those heights.”

“If anyone of them is praised for piety, virtuousness and the good deeds done by him, he does not like to be so complimented; he is afraid that such praise may not allure him towards vanity, self-flattery, and self-glorification. He says, I know my mind and my work more than others, and God knows much more than me.

O Lord! Please do not hold me responsible for what they have said about me. You know very well that I did not instigate them for such praises. Please Lord! Grant me excellence far greater than what they complimented me for. And Lord! Please forgive those of my sins short-comings which they do not know.”

“You will find every pious person possessing the following attributes. He is resolute though tender-hearted and kind. He is unwavering in his convictions and beliefs. He is thirsty for knowledge. He forgives those who harmed him, fully knowing that they have wronged him. Even when owning wealth his ways of life are based upon moderation. His prayers are models of humility and submissiveness to God. Even when starving he will maintain his self-respect. He will bear sufferings patiently.”

“He will resort only to honest means of living. Leading others towards truth and justice, will give him pleasure. He disdains avarice and greed. Though he does good deeds all the time, yet he feels nervous of his short-comings. Every night, he thanks God for having passed one more day under His Grace and Mercy.

Every morning finds him starting the day with the prayers of the Lord. Of nights he is cautious that he may not carelessly waste those hours in comfort and ease. He starts his days happy with the thought the Lord has given him another day to do his duty.”

“If his mind wishes for something unholy and impious he refuses to obey its dictates. He desires to achieve eternal bliss. Worldly pleasures do not interest him. His wisdom is mixed with patience. His deeds reciprocate his words (he does what he says). Inordinate desires do not trouble him. He has few defects in him. He is courteous to others.

He possesses a contended mind. He eats little, he does not harm anybody. He is easy to be pleased. He is strong in his faith. His passions are dead. His temper is controlled.”

“People expect good out of him and consider themselves immune from his harm. Even if he is found among godless people his name will be written in the list of Godly persons. If he is in company of those who always remember God, naturally his name will not be included amongst those who forget Him. He forgives those who harm him. He helps those who have forsaken him and have refused to help him.

He is kind to those who have been cruel to him. He does good to those who do evil to him. He never indulges in loose talks. He has no vice in him, and his good qualities are outstanding, noticeable, and prominent, when facing dangers and disasters he is calm and undisturbed. In sufferings and calamities he is patient and hopeful. In prosperity he is thankful to God. He would not harm his worst enemy. He will never commit a sin even for the sake of his best friend.”

“Before anybody has to bear testimony to his fault he accepts and owns it. He never misappropriates anything entrusted to him. He never forgets what he has been told. He does not slander anybody. He does not harm his neighbors.

When misfortunes befall any person he does not blame him, neither is he happy at the losses of others. He neither goes astray from the right path nor follows a wrong one. His silence does not indicate, his moroseness nor his laughters are loud and boisterous.

He bears persecution patiently and God punishes his oppressor. He is hard to himself and very lenient to others. He bears hardships in this life to attain eternal comfort and peace. He never wrongs a fellow being. If he avoids anybody it is to retain his piety and uprightness. If he forms contract with anybody it is on account of his kindness and clemency.

He does not avoid anybody because of his pride and vanity, and he does not mix with others with ulterior motives of hypocrisy, pretense, and vile.”

• The Youth

The Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi is very observant about the youth and always receives them with open arms and opens face to face dialogues with them. The youth also consider the Grand Jurist as a trusted and wise counselor who always gives his whole attention to their problems and needs.

With regards to the youth, the Grand Jurist has said: “In our modern age, which is titled as the age of information and technology, the crime rates have risen and we need to take care of the youth. We need to promote the public education and make the youth familiar with the bulk of the Prophet’s Household culture. We need to create an obstacle between the youth and the deceptive misleading paths, such as the deviating schools of thought, the satanic teachings, and the corrupt propaganda of this age.”

Additionally, the Grand Jurist always puts strong stress on the youth, when speaking to his representatives and deputies across the world. With full knowledge of the undeniable role of the youth in ushering the world into a better future, the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi always instructs his representatives and office members to attract the youth and help them with their needs and problems.

In one of his addresses to the Islamic preachers, the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi stated:

“Pay attention to the teenagers and the youth. Bring them together and teach them the Islamic principles, the Islamic beliefs, the Islamic morals and the Islamic laws. Make them familiar with the conducts of the pure Household and answer their numerous questions. Encourage them to engage in cultural, religious and social activism so that they are kept away from the corrupt and immoral currents and waves.”

Imam Sadiq, peace be upon him, also states: “Take care of the youth, because they are the quickest in all goodness.”

In another gathering of the Islamic preachers, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi emphasized on making the youth familiar with the genuine Islamic beliefs and said: “Protect the youth and try to bring them up with the faith in God, the holy Prophet of Islam and his pure Household. Help them to add to their pool of knowledge about the doctrine of the Prophet’s Household. We are responsible to introduce the Islamic Prophet and his pure Household to the youth using the same lexicon which was employed by the holy Quran and the Household. We should do away with all extremes and exaggerations. There are certain lexicons used by the enemies of Islam who try to describe the holy Household in a way to exaggerate or downsize their real positions in public.”

Then, the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi continued:

“We are not allowed to give even one of the divine attributes to the pure Household. Instead, we must make the youth familiar with the absolute and solid facts about the pure Household, such as their infallibility and their knowledge of the unseen.”

• The Thirst for the Culture of the Household

The youth have a strong thirst for the culture of the Prophet’s Household and all they need are the people who can lead them to this path and make them familiar with this sublime and inspiring culture.

Anyone off the road to guidance is like a sick person. The sick people, sometimes, fail to understand the instructions of their doctors, however the doctors are duty bound to take into consideration the needs and the cure of the people who have gone off the road to the genuine Islam.

A while ago, a young person, who had lost the way to guidance, came to me. I talked and unfolded to him some of the precious quotes of the holy Infallibles and the verses of the holy Quran. After a few minutes, I saw him shedding tears and expressing his remorse for what he had done in the past. I told him what’s done is done and that he should repent from all his past mistakes and start a new leaf, but he told me that he feels ashamed. These were the feelings of a young person who didn’t have a sound belief in God but in just a few minutes, he developed such a deep insight of the Almighty God that made him feel the presence of his Lord.

• The Youth and Islamic Sciences

The Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi, in all of his meetings with the youth, invites all young and motivated minds to join the ranks of Imam Mahdi, may the Lord hasten his reappearance, and enroll at the Islamic Seminaries. His eminence always says: “The only way to earn the good of this life and the next is to kneel before the school of Imam Sadiq, peace be upon him. No matter what your job and profession is, you can be a student of Imam Mahdi, may our souls be sacrificed for him, and you must know this fact that it is never late to put on the Islamic robe and join the Islamic Seminaries.”

• The Simple Lifestyle

The Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi is like a compassionate and sympathetic father to the poor and the needy. This special connection with the poor has made the Grand Jurist to lead a simple lifestyle like the poor. The humble lifestyle of the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi reminds the people of the simple living standards of the Grand Jurist’s late brother, the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi who was also well-known for his humility and modesty. The Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi, by leading a simple life like the poor, tries to sympathize with the lower classes of the society and makes them aware of the fact that poverty should not break them. In the meantime, the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi is engaged in many activities that are aimed to help the poor in order to promote their life standards while preserving their dignity and honor. In fact, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi is serious in helping the poor to have their life standards improved on the one hand, and on the other hand, his eminence tries to sympathize with the needy families by leading a simple lifestyle.

• A Comprehensive Character in Islamic Ethics and Sciences in the Words of a Lebanese Scholar and Intellectual

The Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi is a perfect example of purity, honesty, peacefulness, and serenity; he is the statue of piety and self-effacement. He is at the summits of true faith in the Lord and the pure Household. He is a source of inspiration and a shelter of knowledge. He is a figure of devotion, virtue and dedication. He is the lantern that leads to the roads of guidance.

He is the symbol of attachment to the God’s strong ropes. He is a holy scholar, a brave leader, and a wise jurist; the words fall short in giving him what he deserves and thus, his insightful character remains invisible to the public. He is the character whose life has been dedicated to serving the people by leading them towards the ark of salvation and the light of guidance, the pure Household of the holy Prophet of Islam.

Devotion, diligence, piety, and self-awareness on the one side, and firm willpower and action in preaching the genuine Islamic teachings has made the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi stand out among most of his contemporaries.

In order to strengthen and improve constant preaching of the Shia culture, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi has set up a wide network of institutional work which is run by several cultural, religious and social Islamic communities across the world. All these influential activities of the Grand Jurist root in a strong belief in the God’s promise in the following verse of the holy Quran:

“Say: ‘Allah will see your works and so will His Messenger and the believers; then you shall be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the visible, and He will inform you of what you were doing.”

Chapter 9, Verse 105

In this long path, the Islamic jurist Ayatollah Shirazi ignored the hardships and the obstacles, and step by step, continued his pace to serve the humanity by contributing to the creation of a faithful community where genuine and authentic Islamic tenets and beliefs are upheld. To actualize this far-fetched ideal community, the Grand Jurist employed all the means and tools necessary and went to great lengths to earn the satisfactions of the Almighty God and the holy Prophet of Islam.

In truth, the Grand Islamic jurist Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi, with his untiring spirits and hardworking attitude, and as a prolific and productive author, has lit up a lantern that calls all faithful people, regardless of their connections and blood relations to the genuine Islamic culture, which is based on the teachings of the holy Prophet of Islam and his pure Household. The unchanging manners of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi in these years, portrays the stern and firm stance of this Islamic jurist on preserving the morals and the ideologies of the holy Household and creating the means for unity and solidarity among all the believers. The continuous calls of the Grand Jurist for peaceful coexistence, and his longtime warnings for division among the Muslims also give us the implications of the Islamic utopia which is displayed by the Grand Islamic jurist Ayatollah Shirazi.

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The Scientific Dimension of the Character of

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

To appreciate the great scientific character of the Grand Islamic jurist, Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi, we might need to refer to the comments, quotes and the viewpoints of other great Islamic figures and jurists about his eminence.

Despite the fact that the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi is mostly famous for his unwavering piety and devotion, but many great Islamic figures have honored the Grand jurist for his scholarly and great scientific character in many different words. As a skilled and accomplished figure in Islamic jurisprudence, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi is also regarded as one of the top experts in the Arabic literature which paves the way for his eminence to make a deeper insight of the Islamic concepts and perceptions.

• The Peak of Knowledge

The wonder of the century and the master of all authors, the late Grand Islamic jurist Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi, who was the leading jurist of his time as testified by many great Islamic figures, referred many of the questions sent to his eminence to his noble brother, the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi. The reason behind this move can be better understood if one knows that the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi was the first assistant and a trustworthy company of his late brother whose earnest piety and mastership of the Islamic sciences was hidden to none.

In fact, the late Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi introduced his brother, the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi to all of his followers by referring them to his learned and knowledgeable brother.

It can’t be overlooked that such a great Islamic figure, the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi introduced his brother, the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi as the only person who can fill in his empty place after his departure. Here is the letter in which the late Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi unfolds the great scientific character of his brother.

 

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Praise belongs to the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure Household.

And so, I acknowledge that the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi, may his services be continued, has mastered the Islamic sciences with a thorough understanding and that he has acquired piety and justice to its brims. I believe he has earned all the qualifications of an Islamic Jurist, someone who can release fatwas and be referred to by the believers.

Therefore, I declare it is permissible for all the believers to refer to his eminence in all of their religious matters, on the condition of the permission by the just Islamic jurists. And I ask him to preserve piety, which is the path to salvation. I also ask my believing brothers to follow his eminence in all related affairs.

God, the Almighty, is the one who determines success and power, and He is the only helper.

Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi

• The Mastership of Ijtihad

Ijtihad and Jihad are two fundamental elements of the Shia Islam.

In fact, the term Ijtihad refers to the deduction of the Islamic law from the holy Quran and the traditions and Jihad denotes the actualization and implementation of the Islamic justice, Islamic law and other Islamic concepts in the world.

Ijtihad, which is considered complementary to the holy Quran and the traditions, does also assist the Islamic scholars and experts to find answers and solutions to the most recent queries, while Jihad is responsible to pave the way for the divine justice in a society where Islamic values and tenets are upheld.

These two theoretical and practical efforts to build up a genuine Islamic society have seen many great sacrifices in the disturbed course of the Islamic history. For these two sacred causes to survive, Imam Ali, peace be upon him, who was the loudest voice of justice and the widest gate of knowledge, was unfairly martyred in the mosque of Kufa, where he was praying to his Lord. This path was also colored red by the pure blood of the third Shia leader, Imam Husayn, who was also sacrificed in the sacred land of Karbala. The concepts of Ijtihad and Jihad, each signifying the theoretical and practical aspects of a sound Islamic community, have outlived the long history by the sacrifices of many great men and women.

In our time, which is the time when the twelfth leader, Imam Mahdi has been kept from the humanity, these two fundamental elements of Shia Islam have become even more crucial since they can guarantee the survival of Islam in the long centuries ahead. In modern history, Ijtihad and Jihad, which both translate into the deduction of Islamic law and its implementation respectively, have become the burden of the deputies of Imam Mahdi, may he reappear soon. These deputies are just people, who have specialized in the Islamic jurisprudence; they fulfill the two important elements of Ijtihad and jihad by providing comprehensive responses to the most recent queries about Islam and working tirelessly to practice the Islamic justice in the leadership of the Muslim community.

The late Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi describes his brother, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi in these words:

“He (the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi), as I have known for sure, have acquired the highest levels of Ijtihad, (Islamic jurisprudence).” This rather short sentence shows the strong faith of the late Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi in his brother as the future leader of the Shia Muslims and the right person to continue his path.

The late Grand Jurist also adds:

“I recommend my dear brothers and sisters to reunite by the side of this great scholar and benefit his presence in all domains.”

This sentence also signifies the comprehensive character of the Grand Islamic Jurist Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi, since the late Grand Jurist recommended the entire Muslim populace to enjoy and benefit the presence of the great Islamic scholar in all domains and respects.

In another occasion, the late Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi described his brother, the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi as his perfect reflection in all aspects and features:

“He has achieved high ranks of devotion and knowledge and he is a skilled Islamic scholar who is capable of deducing the Islamic law from the reliable sources. Therefore, I appoint him as my second-in-command in all religious and personal affairs. His hand is mine, his words are mine, his acts are mine, and his decisions are my decisions.”

Now, we can better appreciate the words of the Christian thinker and scholar who said:

“After the loss of the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi, the Islamic Jurist Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi is the best person to fill out the place of his brother and continue in his path. The empty place of the late Ayatollah will be filled with his brother, and his honorable path will be continued with strong determination.”

• Scholarly Character of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi in the Words of the Late Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Murtida Haeri Yazdi, the Son of the Founder of Qom Islamic Seminary

The Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Murtida Haeri Yazdi had inherited the deep insight of his father, the founder of Qom Islamic Seminary in both spiritualties and the Islamic sciences. This great scholar who was considered as one of the outstanding Shia Islamic scholars of his time, kept the continuous company of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi in the holy city of Qom. The high ranks of this Islamic scholar in spiritualties and Islamic sciences have been testified by many great figures and renowned characters.

In the biographies written about the life of the Grand Ayatollah Haeri Yazdi, it is said:

“Whenever the Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Murtida Haeri Yazdi ran into a problem in some discussions and topics, he used to visit the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi in his home and asked about his opinions on the matter. Then, the two scholars discussed their opinions and debated each other’s reasons on the matter.”

• Scholarly Character of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi in the Words of the Late Ayatollah Faqih Imami

The late Ayatollah Sayyid Ahmed Faqih Imami was one of the prominent and popular Shia scholars in the Islamic Seminary of Isfahan in Iran.

When listening to the words of this great scholar, who described the deep and profound knowledge of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi in all realms of the Islamic sciences, everyone were struck with wonder and astonishment.

In his final years, the late Ayatollah Sayyid Ahmed Faqih Imami used to say:

“I hope the Almighty God gives two more years to live, so that I can leave off my personal works and be at the service of the great scholar, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi and enjoy his deep knowledge of the Islamic sciences and appreciate his matchless piety and morals.”

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The Comprehensive and Scholarly Character of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

To establish a better understanding of the great scholarly character of the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi, we referred to the words of some great Islamic scholars and jurists. Now, we asked Ayatollah Fedayi, one of the distinguished students of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi, to clarify on the scientific and scholarly character of his teacher.

In this regard, Ayatollah Fedayi said:

“I am in no place to evaluate or accredit the great scholarly character of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi; however, I, as a student of his eminence, will tell you about my personal opinion of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi as a unique Islamic scholar.

The Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi is born into a family that is renowned for their long history in the Islamic sciences and jurisprudence. His eminence is grown in an environment which was entwined with the precious bits of knowledge from the holy Prophet of Islam and the infallibles. The Grand Jurist’s eyes were always fixed on the path leading to knowledge and truth, and he, since his childhood, was a under the education of many great Islamic scholars. As a young child, he has been at close company of books and he spent his life studying the scientific discussions. He has spent all his power and time in the path of knowledge and he never let anything else interrupt this path.

I have heard that once, his eminence started writing a book on the Arabic grammar. The approach of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi to this topic was new and groundbreaking and this book could surpass all other books in Arabic grammar, either by grammarians in the past or the present time. However, his eminence talked to his late father, the Grand Ayatollah Mirza Mahdi Shirazi about this book, and the Grand Jurist’s father asked his son not to lose track of the main path, which is the path of the pure Household of the holy Prophet of Islam. The Grand Jurist’s father asked him to dedicate his entire life to acquiring the knowledge of the Prophet’s Household and the genuine Islamic culture. The Grand Ayatollah Shirazi accepted the advices of his late father and stopped writing that book on Arabic grammar. Since then, his eminence spent all his efforts to remain in the path of the Prophet’s Household and in this way, he has dedicated his scientific studies to the Islamic jurisprudence. All these years of nonstop researches and studies into the Islamic jurisprudence have resulted in the Grand Jurist surpassing all other contemporary scholars in these fields. In particular, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi is considered a complete master in the field of Usul, and the Grand Jurist’s book named “Bayanul Usul” has become one of the best and exceptional publications in this field. This book has managed to stand out among the large number of publications in the field of Usul, as it encompasses all aspects of the Islamic jurisprudence.

In this regard, a similar story occurred to the author of the book Sharia. It is said that the author of this precious book departed his family to engage in the Islamic studies. After a while, the father of this great Islamic scholar wrote a letter to him and inquired about his son’s conditions. In response, this author wrote a poem to his father in which he explained his good health and success in the Islamic sciences. The scholar’s father, after receiving and reading that letter, understood that it must have taken a long time for his son to write down such a great piece of poetry. He also concluded that such activities would make his son to have less time for studying the Islamic jurisprudence; therefore, he wrote back to his son and asked him to leave off all other works and focus on acquiring the knowledge of the Prophet’s Household and the Islamic jurisprudence. The great author accepted his father’s advice and dedicated his whole time to his studies in the different fields of Islamic sciences. Finally, this great scholar succeeded to write the extraordinary book of Sharia which has been unique and exceptional ever since.

The two books of “Bayaul Usul” and “Bayaul Fiqh” are clear signs of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi’s deep and profound knowledge of the Islamic jurisprudence. With the help of these two books, we can easier understand the distinctive and matchless scholarly character of the Grand Jurist among his contemporary scholars.

These two invaluable books cover a large number of topics and discussions addressed in former books of the Islamic jurisprudence and they present a full set of impeccable and delicate discussions in the fields of Usul and Fiqh.

• The Books of Bayaul Usul and Bayanul Fiqh Indications of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi’s Great Scholarly Character

The book of Bayanul Usul by the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi comes in ten volumes. This book enjoys an expressive and eloquent language that unfolds the most complicated and convoluted discussions in the field of Fiqh. In this book, the Grand Jurist has employed an innovative method to make a better approach to the comparative narrative between the theoretical and practical usage of Fiqh, and in this way, his eminence has managed to make sure that all his Usuli principles are well-defined and addressed to.

What’s more, the book of “Bayanul Fiqh”, which is a commentary on the precious book of “Urwatul Wuthqa”, written by the late Sayyid Muhammad Kazim Tabatabaei Yazdi, is a good proof to the leading role of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi as an Islamic jurist and expert. The Grand Jurist has also written a detailed commentary on the 72 topics presented in the book of Urwatul Wuthqa, the section of Ijtihad and Taqlid. This commentary consists of four volumes and is regarded as one of the best commentaries in the Islamic Seminaries. This commentary addresses topics such as: the necessity for Taqlid proven by logic and hadiths, the opinions and viewpoints of contemporary and preceding scholars, the conditions of a mujtahid (Islamic Jurist), the signs of a leading (most knowledgeable) jurist, comprehensive and partial potency to deduce Islamic law, the difference in initial and continuous Taqlid, shifting Taqlid from one Marja (jurist) to another, issues bound or unbound by Taqlid, the rulings that have changed due to a change of opinion by the Marja or a change of the Marja, and the issues regarding people who have failed to choose the leading (most knowledgeable) Marja. This detailed commentary presents a full table of discussions with logical and well-founded responses in an expressive and easy-to-read tone. In fact, these four volumes have mirrored the strong mastership of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi in the topics of Ijtihad and Taqlid. This commentary has been an exceptional work which has stood out all other similar works in the fields of Ijtihad and Taqlid. Apart from these two complicated topics, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi has proven his inclusive and wide-ranging knowledge in other fields of Islamic jurisdiction and Fiqh. In the topic of Khums, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi has employed the same innovative approach in his two volume book, “Bayanul Fiqh: Khums”. In this book, not only the Grand Jurist proved that the Khums tax is an obligatory duty, but also his eminence, using the Quranic verse of Khums, the noble narrations and hadiths, and the words of some preceding Islamic scholars, developed a new principle in the matter of Khums tax that says: One fifth of any income that one gains, regardless of its amount, does not belong to the owner. The Quranic verse of Khums makes it clear that one fifth of every income belongs to God, the holy Messenger, the pure Household, and the orphaned, poor and needy people from the line of the Islamic Prophet. No one has the right to make use of his or her income unless they spare one fifth of it to its owners. Then, the Grand Jurist proves that if a person sets a timing for his or her yearly incomes and pays one fifth of his or her income as the Khums tax, they are permitted to use all the profit business and income they earn during the year, before the coming of the next year’s timing for Khums tax. This new and exceptional understanding of Khums tax, was an innovative and inventive principle which was put forward by the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi.

• The Encyclopedia of AhlulBayt in Quran, a Masterpiece by the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

The encyclopedia of “AhlulBayt in Quran”, written by the Grand jurist Ayatollah Shirazi is a groundbreaking work about the pure Household of the holy Prophet of Islam. This encyclopedia has been a monumental work in the big pool of books that were written about the holy Prophet of Islam and his pure Household; this work has filled out the ideological, doctrinal and cultural gap that existed before. According to reliable narrations and hadiths, the Almighty Lord has specified a quarter of the holy book, Quran to praise and defend the holy Household. The next quarter of the holy Quran is specified to denounce the enemies of the Household; these staunch enemies fought against the God’s chosen people and usurped their right to rule over people. Unfortunately, the truth about the holy Household is still hidden and overlooked and their real position and ranks are still in the dark. However, the encyclopedia of AhlulBayt in Quran enjoys a unique tone that addresses the followers of other schools of Islam who have turned a blind eye to the virtues and the real position of the pure Household of the holy Prophet of Islam. In this end, the encyclopedia of AhlulBayt in Quran employs the narrations and hadiths accredited by the Sunni references to prove the high ranks of the holy Household, peace be upon them. In fact, the Almighty God has left enough signs and proofs in holy Quran to show the real status, position, and the rank of the holy Household (AhlulBayt) and this encyclopedia has employed these proofs and their interpretations from the Sunni references. This unique publication of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi has been successful to put forward the hidden aspects and dimensions of the Quranic verses about the Prophet’s Household and unfold the truth to its lovers.

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Written Works and Publications of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

The books- as explained in the hadiths- are a translation of human thought and intellect. The books are the scales of man’s wisdom and knowledge and a measurement for understanding and perception. The publications of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi, which exceed one hundred in number, are also a translation of the Grand Jurist’s thoughts, scientific position, and cultural attitudes.

• The Titles of Books Written by Grand Ayatollah Shirazi
• Bayanul Usul (Arabic)
• Bayanul Fiqh fi Sharhul Urwatul Wuthqa (Arabic)
• AhlulBayt in Quran (Arabic)
• Islamic Politics (Persian, Arabic, English)
• Commentary on Urwatul Wuthqa (Arabic)
• Commentary on Al-Samadiyah (Arabic)
• Commentary on Tabseratul Muta’allemin (Arabic)
• Commentary on Sharaei Al-Islam (Arabic)
• Commentary on Luma’ah (Arabic)
• Mujiz fi Al-Manteq “Logics in Brief” (Arabic)
• Islamic Ruling (Persian, Arabic, English)
• Chosen Islamic Ruling (Persian)
• The Islamic Law (Persian)
• The Islamic Law in Brief (Persian)
• Queries about Music and Song (Arabic)
• Congregational Prayers and its Place in Islam (Arabic)
• Fasting and its Rulings (Arabic)
• Queries about Haj and Umrah (Arabic)
• Manasek Haj “Haj Rites” (Persian)
• Women’s Ruling in Haj and Umrah (Arabic)
• Women’s Ruling (Persian)
• The Rulings of the Youth (Arabic)
• Reply to Doctrinal Questions (Arabic)
• Rulings of Sacred Sites (Arabic)
• 1000 Rulings in Western Counties (Arabic)
• Reply to Questions Related to Imam Husayn, peace be upon him (Arabic)
• Islamic Rulings and Novel Issues (Arabic)
• Medical Rulings (Arabic)
• Selective Islamic Rulings (Arabic)
• Rulings of Islamic Transactions (Persian)
• Lady Fatima in holy Quran (Arabic)
• Mahdi in holy Quran (Arabic)
• Mahdi in Quran and Tradition (Arabic)
• Shia in holy Quran (Arabic)
• Mahdi in Tradition (Arabic)
• The Promised in Quran (Persian)
• Topics of Islamic Economy and Usury (Persian)
• A Path to Islamic Banking (Persian and Arabic)
• Shia and False Accusations (Persian)
• Repercussions of Ignoring Hijab (Persian)
• Land Reformations in Islam (Arabic)
• Comparative Methods in Islamic Jurisdiction (Arabic)
• Truth about the Shia (Arabic)
• Preliminary Beliefs (Arabic)
• The First and Second Martyrs (Arabic)
• Breeze of Guidance (Persian and Arabic)
• The Beauty of Good doers (Arabic)
• Lessons from Imam Sadiq, peace be upon him (Persian)
• Fragrance of Mercy (Arabic and Persian)
• Spiritual, Intellectual and Public Lectures (Arabic)
• Oh, Abu Dhar (Arabic and Persian)
• Useful Knowledge, the Way to Salvation (Arabic)
• Honoring the Rites of Lady Fatima, Peace be Upon Her (Arabic)
• Reviving Ashura (Arabic)
• Perks of Ghadir (Arabic)
• Iraq’s Future and Reconstruction (Arabic)
• Ghadir, the Fountain of Wilayat (Persian)
• Ramadan and the Pattern for Serving God (Persian)
• Moral Discussions (Arabic)
• The Secret to Visiting Karbala (Arabic and Persian)
• Who is Fatima? (Persian)
• The Shipmaster of Guidance (Persian)
• Ghadir, A Gift to Mankind (Persian)
• God’s Law above All and Imam Husayn Rites Are Permitted (Arabic)
• Honoring the Fatimi Rites (Persian)
• How to Improve Soul and Society (Arabic)
• You don’t Know Fatima! (Arabic)
• Iraqis and Awakening (Arabic)
• A Slice of Ghadir (Persian and Arabic)
• Iraq’s Future (Persian)
• The Gifts of Imam Husayn Sacrifice (Arabic)
• High Ranks and Immortal Monuments (Arabic)
• Lessons from Ashura (Persian and Arabic)
• Women’s Rights in Islam (Arabic)
• A Drop of the Ocean of Tragedy (Persian)
• Lessons of Imam Mahdi, may he reappear soon (Arabic)
• Relation with God (Persian)
• Sanctities Violated (Arabic and Persian)
• A Glimpse at the Prophet’s Lifestyle (Persian)
• To Actualize Imam Husayn’s Purposes (Arabic)
• Future Iraq and its Horizons (Arabic)
• Ramadan, the Month to Improve Soul and Society (Arabic)
• How to Live in God’s Light (Arabic)
• The World Suffered by Missing Ghadir (Arabic)
• Imam Husayn’s Sacrifice and Gifts (Arabic)
• Plan of God’s Action (Arabic)
• Effects of Deeds (Arabic)
• Islamic Prophet, Best Guidance to Mankind (Arabic)
• Imam Husayn, the Savior of Faith (Arabic)
• The Lifestyle of Imam Sajjad, Peace be Upon Him (Arabic)
• The Gifts of Ghadir (Arabic)
• Freedom in Islam (Arabic)
• What Happens After His Reappearance? (Arabic)
• Gleams from Imam Husayn (Persian)
• Imam Husayn in the Face of Tragedies (Arabic)
• Marriage and Facilitations (Arabic)
• Advices to Men of Faith (Arabic)
• The Blood of Husayn and Our Responsibility (Persian)
• We Must Turn to Quran and the Household (Arabic)
• Future Government in Iraq (Persian)
• Wise Choice (Persian)
• Imam Mahdi in Quran (Persian)
• Punishment of Sins in Islam (Persian)
• Fasting, Why and How? (Persian)
• Violence and Nonviolence (Arabic)
• The Hope (Arabic)
• Imam Husayn, A Universal Concern (Arabic)
• We Must Know Our Imams (Arabic)
• The Last Imam is the God’s Favor upon the Oppressed (Arabic and Persian)
• Imam Husayn, the Exception of Universe (Arabic and Persian)
• Honest Step towards Husayn (Persian and Arabic)
• No Day Like Yours, Oh Husayn (Arabic)
• Imam Husayn, the Gem of the History (Arabic)
• Compete in Reviving Husayni Rites (Arabic)
• He Was My Hope (Persian)
• School of Ashura (Arabic)
• Ashura and the Doubters (Persian and Arabic)
• Ghadir and Ashura, Essentials of Shia (Arabic)
• Samarra, the Ruined Paradise (Persian)
• Islam and Universal Preaching (Persian)
• To Earn the Satisfaction of Infallibles (Arabic)

And more …

• A Brief Introduction of Some Books Written By Grand Ayatollah Shirazi
• Bayanul Fiqh (six volumes): A commentary on the book Urwatul Wuthqa

This collection is a study on the topics of Ijtihad and Taqlid (Four Volumes) and Khums (Two Volumes). This book collection is a detailed study on the famous book of Urwatul Wuthqa, written by the great scholar and author, Sayyid Muhammad Kazim Yazdi.

The author addresses different views and opinions on different juridical topics and then makes a logical and simple approach to his own views on the matter.

This book was written by the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi, during his residence in the holy city of Qom, and it was republished later, with new appendixes and revisions in holy Qom, Iran.

• Bayanul Usul (Ten Volumes)

In one volume of this book, the Grand Jurist clarifies on the principle of “There is neither harm nor malice in Islam.” The next three volumes of this book addresses the subject of “Istishab”, and the next two volumes cover the subjects of “Certainty and Doubt” and “Ta’adul Va Tarjih” respectively. This book is published both in holy Qom and Lebanon.

This book offers a detailed and scientific approach to the most technical discussions in the field of Usul; it also clarifies on the Quranic verses and the hadiths, which are related to these discussions. This book contains a full table of discussions, along with narrations, problems, and critiques written by prominent scholars in the field of Usul. The author has been successful to cement his own views on each of these discussions by employing a scientific and rational approach.

The book of Bayanul Usul is one of the books written by the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi, during his residence in the holy city of Qom. This precious book has been republished for several times.

• An Interpretation on Shara’e Al-Islam (Four Volumes)/ Published in 1968

This book is an interpretation of the book, Shara’e Al-Islam, written by Muhaghegh Hilli. This precious book offers thousands of interpretations and explanations on different chapters of Islamic jurisdiction, such as acts of worship, transactions, and so on and so forth.

This book was written by the Grand Jurist in the holy city of Karbala, in the year 1967, and it was widely embraced by the Islamic Seminaries and Universities. This book became a textbook in many courses and has been republished for several times.

• A Commentary on the book Tabseratul Muta’allimin (Two Volumes)/ Published in 1962

This book is a short and brief study on “Tabseratul Muta’allimin”, one of the famous works of the late scholar, Allamah Hilli. This book was authored in the holy city of Karbala, in 1962. This book has been republished for many times.

• A Commentary on Al-Suyuti (Two Volumes)/ Published in 1967

It is a brief commentary on the book “Al-Bihjatul Marziya Fi Sharh Al-Alfiya.” This book is regarded as one of the important textbooks in the Islamic Seminaries in the fields of Arabic grammar. This book was firstly published in holy Karbala in 29 November 1966, coinciding with the fifteenth of Sha’aban, the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi, may he reappear soon. This book has been republished after it was widely welcomed by the students of Islamic sciences.

• A Commentary on Al-Lumʿa al-Dimashqiyya (Ten Volumes)

This book is a detailed and complete commentary on the precious work by the famous Shia Islamic scholar and author, the second martyr,       Muhammad b. Makki al-Jizzini al-‘Amili on the Islamic Fiqh. The book’s name which is titled as “Al-Lumʿa al-Dimashqiyya” has been chosen as a textbook in the Islamic Seminaries. This commentary has not been published yet.

• Al-Mujiz Fi Al-Mantiq (Logics in Brief)/ Published in 1965

This book uses an innovative method to approach Islamic logics, which can be very helpful to the elementary students of Islamic sciences. This book which has been used as a textbook in some Islamic seminaries, was published in 1965, in holy Karbala, Iraq.

• Ali, peace be upon him, in Quran (Two Volumes)

Many Quranic verses were revealed to honor the great character of Imam Ali, peace be upon him. In this book, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi discusses the occasions of the revelation of 711 verses of Quran, using famous Sunni source books and references. This book was written in holy Karbala and has been republished for eight times.

• Fatima Zahra, peace be upon her, in Quran

As the title suggests, this book has brought together the Quranic verses about Lady Fatima Zahra, peace be upon her, using the famous source books and references from the Sunni Islam. This book was published in holy Qom, and has been republished for seven times.

• AhlulBayt, peace be upon them, in Quran

This book is a study on the Quranic verses that relate to the holy AhlulBayt of the holy Prophet of Islam, peace be upon them all. In this book, the Grand Jurist has used famous source books and references from the Sunni Islam. This book was published in Kuwait.

• Al-Mahdi, may he reappear soon, in Quran

This book comprises of 110 verse of the holy Quran, which were revealed to honor the great character of the twelfth Shia leader, Imam Mahdi, may he reappear soon. In this book, the Grand Jurist has used famous source books and references from the Sunni Islam. This book has been republished and translated into Persian.

• Al-Mahdi, may he reappear soon, in Traditions

This book contains a full table of traditions, narrations and hadiths about the savior of humanity, Imam Mahdi, may he reappear soon. All the traditions and hadiths used in this book are quoted from the holy Prophet of Islam, based on famous source books and references from the Sunni Islam. This book was written by the Grand Jurist in holy Karbala, and it has been republished for several times.

• Shia in Quran

This book includes the set of Quranic verses that are about the followers and the Shia of the commander of the faithful, Imam Ali, peace be upon him. The occasions of revelation and the interpretation of verses are all based on famous source books and references from the Sunni Islam, which were compiled and ordered by the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi.

• Truths about Shia

This book presents a full table of questions and answers about the Shia ideology in the forms of a dialogue between two Shia and Sunni characters. The dialogues and the approach to different questions and their answers are easy to understand and brief.

This book was written by the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi in holy Karbala and it has been republished tens of times. This book has been translated into Persian with the title of “Shia and the False Accusations.”

• Comparative Methods in Islamic Jurisdiction

This book sheds light on the much-debated topic of comparison in Islamic jurisdiction. In this book, the Grand Jurist employs series of the Quranic verses and the hadiths by the holy infallibles to prove that comparative methods have no place in the deduction of Islamic law. This precious book was written in holy Karbala, Iraq.

• Congregational Prayers

This book presents a full set of hadiths and narrations about the great rewards, the philosophy and the rulings regarding the congregational prayers. This book was written by the Grand Jurist in Kuwait.

• Fasting

This book explains the philosophy and the rulings regarding the act of fasting in a very simple and attractive tone. This book was compiled by the Grand Jurist, during his residence in holy Karbala and it was published in holy Najaf, Iraq.

• Hajj

This book presents a simple and expressive discussion on the philosophy and rulings of Hajj ritual. This book was published in holy Karbala, Iraq.

• Overtures of the Islamic Economy

This book is a complete study on the field of economics and its significance in Islam; it also proposes solutions and guidelines from the Islamic economics. This book was published in Kuwait.

• Usury, an Economic Disease

This book sheds light on the repercussions and damages of usury in the world economy. In this book, the Grand Jurist also presents a set of proposals for combating this economic disease. This book was written and published in Kuwait.

• Islamic Politics

This book aims to uncover the Islamic view of politics and to make this happen, it studies the methods and approaches used by the holy Prophet of Islam, Imam Ali, and other members of the Household when dealing with different political issues. This precious book is a guideline of the Islamic politics which guarantees justice, fairness, mercy and humanitarian policies in any society and stands up to suppression and injustice. The book of Islamic politics was written by the Grand Jurist during his residence in holy Karbala and it has been republished for several times. This book is now available in three languages of Arabic, Persian, and English.

• Intoxication, a Social Disease

This book explains the damages and destructions caused by intoxication in a society. This book was written in holy Karbala and has been republished both in Iraq and Iran.

• The Damages of Improper Hijab

This book offers a detailed, yet simple and brief study on the significance of hijab and the disadvantages of improper hijab and nudity in a society. This book was written by the Grand Jurist, during his stay in holy Karbala, Iraq.

• Instructive Stories

This book contains a series of instructive, pleasing and useful stories for all age groups. This book was published in the holy city of Karbala, Iraq.

• Punishments in Islam

This book tries to unearth the philosophy of the punishments which are mandated and fixed by God under Islamic law (Shariah). This precious book was authored by the Grand Jurist in holy Karbala, Iraq and it was published in Beirut, Lebanon.

• Malik Ashtar Nakhaei

This book is an introduction and survey into the great character of one of the bravest and most influential commanders of the armed forces in the early Islam. The Grand Jurist uncovers the yet-unknown dimensions of the loyal companion of Imam Ali, Malik Ashtar in a book he wrote in holy Karbala, in 1967.  This book was published in holy Najaf.

• The First Martyr

This book is a brief biography of the great Shia scholar and author, Sheikh Shamsuddin Abu Abdullah ibn Jamal Al-Din Makki, also known as the first martyr. This book was published in holy Karbala.

• The Second Martyr

This book is a brief biography of the Shia scholar and author, Sheikh Zainuddin Ali ibn Ahmed Al-Jabal Ameli, also known as the second martyr. This book was written by the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi, during his stay in holy Karbala.

• My Father

This book comprises of some sensitive and instructive stories from the life of the late Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mahdi Shirazi, the father of the Grand Jurist. This book was written and published on the fortieth death anniversary of the Grand Jurist’s father.

• The Path to Islamic Banking

This book tries to propose a new outlook to the crucial topic of Islamic banking. In this book, the Grand Jurist introduces several solutions for the eradication of usury in the banking system and clarifies on the fundamental functions of the Islamic banking system, benefitting from the latest theories on global economy. This book was written and published in Lebanon in 1972.

• Rulings and Queries

The Grand Jurist has written several books with regards to the Islamic law, Islamic rulings, and the reply to Islamic questions. Here is a list of some of these books:

“Islamic Rulings, the Rites of Hajj, Comprehensive Collection of Hajj Rulings, Women’s Rulings, Fasting and its Rulings, Rulings of the Youth, Transactions’ Rulings, Medical Rulings, Rulings of the Sacred Sites, Rulings of Imam Husayn’s Rites, Rulings of Walking (to Sacred Sites), Response to Questions about Islamic Beliefs, 700 Questions about Hajj, 1000 Rulings about Living in West, Rulings of Traveling, and so on and so forth.”

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Advanced Courses of Islamic Jurisprudence by Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

The Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi, since the early years of his presence in the Islamic Seminaries, received many requests by other Islamic jurists and many great seminary teachers to begin his career as a teacher in the Seminary of holy Karbala, in Iraq. After a short time, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi became known as one of the pillars of this Islamic Seminary and started his courses of Advanced Jurisprudence.

Now, it is almost half a century since the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi began his advanced courses of the Islamic Jurisprudence. These courses have so far trained thousands of ardent students who have contributed to the promotion of the word of God and the holy religion of Islam.

In this regard, Ayatollah Fedayi states: “The Grand Jurist Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi began teaching the advanced jurisprudence as a young teacher. In fact, it has been decades since the Grand Jurist started teaching the highest levels of Islamic jurisprudence. I personally, have had the honor to participate in these advanced courses for more than twenty years.

• Teaching Methods of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

The Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi is a popular teacher, for his unique ability to present the most difficult concepts in an easy way. In fact, the Grand Jurist’s power to simplify the most complicated discussions and issues roots in his deep and scholarly approach to the different subjects in the Islamic Fiqh and Usul. The recorded audios and videos of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi’s courses of jurisprudence are solid proofs that can support this claim. On the whole, the Grand Jurist’s approach to the complex issues in Islamic Fiqh and Usul is founded on the most powerful and deepest scientific principles on the one hand, and on the other hand, his eminence is well capable of breaking down these complex issues into easy-to-understand topics.

• Accuracy and Precision

One of the great and well-respected scholars in the Iranian city of Yazd, clarified on the comprehensive scientific character of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi, and the reason why the large number of followers of the late Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi refer their religious questions to the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi: “The Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi is an embodiment of his late brother, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Shirazi in many aspects such as knowledge, diligence, piety, accuracy and precision.”

In this regard, the late Grand Ayatollah Fatemi Abhari also says: “Without a doubt, the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi is a well-qualified Islamic scholar and jurist who can lead the Shia Muslims perfectly.”

• Matchless Expertise in Hadiths and Narrations

One of the great scholars and famous speakers in Yazd, who have been for long in touch with the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi and his late brother in Kuwait and Iran, explained more about the matchless expertise of the Grand Jurist not only in Fiqh and Usul, but also in hadiths and narrations from the holy Prophet of Islam and his pure Household, peace be upon them.

“I have never met the Grand Jurist unless his eminence unfolded to me the hadiths and narrations that I had never heard of before.

It is while that I, as a religious speaker and scholar, have always been studying the large bulk of hadiths and narrations of the holy Prophet of Islam and his pure Household.”

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NEXT SECTION

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi, Vigilant of his Time

Imam Sadiq, peace be upon him, is quoted saying:

“A scholar who is vigilant of his time, won’t be swallowed by the seditions and miseries.”

One of the distinctive qualities of the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Shirazi is his updated and efficient awareness of the latest developments in the entire world, especially the Muslim world.

Vigilance, sharp observance and the brilliant decisions of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi, in many cases, have destroyed the sinister and evil plots of the enemies of Islam, the holy Quran and the pure Household. In addition, the Grand Jurist, by means of his immediate and reliable account of the ongoing events in the world, has been able to guide many of the disbelieving, distrustful and misleading schools of thought to the path of the holy Household.

Absorbed in the divine light of knowledge, the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi reminds the believers of the statements of Imam Rida, peace be upon him, who said:

“Beware of the faithful’s insight, because they look unto God’s light.”

As the hadith suggests, the God’s light has shined over the Grand Jurist Ayatollah Shirazi, helping him in making brilliant and clever stances, well-founded on sensible strategies and plans, leading the Muslim nation through hard trials and tests.

• Jurist and Politician

It has rarely been witnessed that an Islamic Jurist masters such a whole and precise view of the ongoing political issues and the politics in general; however, the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi is not only vigilant of the latest political developments, but also he has put down several precious books on Islamic politics.

The Grand Jurist is well aware of the social and political situations in Africa, Europe, America, and the Muslims living in these continents. This updated and fresh knowledge of the world’s political situation has given the Grand Jurist a realistic and accurate assessment and evaluation of the future of the Muslim world and the Islamic countries.

• Global Concern

[Broadcast Satellite Providers, the Media and Global Foundations]

The Grand Jurist’s concern for introducing the culture and the teachings of the pure Household has been unwavering all along these years. In this regard, his eminence has said: “The followers of the pure Household must have their own broadcast satellite providers in order to introduce the pure Household of the Prophet of Islam and their teachings to the entire world and expand their preaching activities freely.

To have a satellite TV provider, there is only need for one of the dear brothers, with enough financial means of course, to step forward and pave the way for an exclusively Shia satellite provider; the number of these satellites can also increase by the efforts of the dear youth.

There should be a satellite TV provider in Iraq that covers the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, with all its magnificence, beauties and exceptions. People from remote areas of Iraq and even other countries rush to the sacred land of Karbala and pay tribute to Imam Husayn, peace be upon him. We should present these beauties to the entire world so that they all develop a fair understanding of the great character of Imam Husayn, peace be upon him.”

The Grand Ayatollah Shirazi has established and stationed numerous delegations and institutions in different continents in order to defend the rights of Shia Muslims and promote their living and spiritual standards. Shia Rights Watch, which is only one of the many human rights foundations established by the Grand jurist has dedicated all of its efforts to protect the rights of Shia Muslims on a global scale and deliver the universal call of the Grand Jurist in the international communities. These institutions and Islamic centers are also responsible to monitor the latest developments in the world and pursue the guidelines of the Grand Jurist.

• Political Stances of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

The political stances of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi, as a religious leader, are unique and exceptional. In the following, we will present series of political viewpoints and stances of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi regarding politics; these viewpoints were extracted from the lectures and the advices of his eminence to politicians and the governmental officials who were proposed to follow up the same path as the holy Prophet of Islam and Imam Ali, peace be upon them.

• Freedom in Islam in the Views of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

Imam Ali, peace be upon him, has stated: “Don’t be anyone’s slave, because God has created you free.”

Islam has defined a set of freedoms for all of its followers, the Muslims which are unprecedented in the entire history of mankind, including the recent age of freedoms in the western countries.

Islam has granted complete freedom, not only to the Muslims but also to the non-Muslims in all legitimate affairs unless they bring harm to other individuals.

• Freedom of Thought and Speech

Islam, as a set of beliefs, has given freedom of thought and speech to all individuals. Islam has never forced anyone to accept any specific religion and faith, even though it has provided security and welfare to them. The holy Quran expresses this reality in these words:

“There is no compulsion in religion.”

Chapter 2, Verse 256

The holy Prophet of Islam always upheld this slogan in all of the eighty four wars that were imposed on his holiness. The continuous victories of the Muslims never made the Prophet to force people into converting to Islam; instead, his holiness only let Islam come to people as a proposition. Everyone was free to accept or reject this proposition, without having to worry about its consequences.

• The Conquest of Mecca

The Conquest of Mecca is the best display of freedoms in Islam. The Meccan, for thirteen constant years, put the Muslims under pressure and oppressed them in every way they could. They slaughtered, disrespected, boycotted, and imprisoned the Muslims; they also planned to assassinate the holy Prophet of Islam, but the Almighty God revealed their ominous plans to His Messenger and the holy Prophet left Mecca at night, while Imam Ali, peace be upon him, had slept in his place.

The city of Mecca had turned into the center for anti-Islam movements for almost twenty years. This city waged tens of bloody wars against Islam, wherein hundreds of people were killed and wounded. However, when the holy Prophet of Islam entered this city as the victorious army, it was high time for the God’s promise to be fulfilled:

“God, Who has commanded you to follow the guidance of the Quran, will certainly return you victoriously to your place of birth.”

Chapter 28, Verse 85

In fact, this victory was the fulfillment of the God’s promise to the exiled and oppressed Muslims in holy Quran:

“If God wills You (believers) will enter the Sacred Mosque, in security,”

Chapter 48, Verse 27

The holy Prophet of Islam, along with the Muslims’ army, entered this city; but did the holy Prophet of Islam force any of the unbelievers to become Muslim or not?

The answer is no because the freedom of thought and belief is one of the rudimentary and basic principles of Islam.

The way the holy Prophet of Islam treated the people of Mecca stands out in the entire history of conquests, except for that of the God’s messengers and His favorite people.

In order to deepen the bonds of mercy and forgiveness, the holy Prophet of Islam even went beyond that. For instance, on the day of conquest, one of the Muslims had taken the banner of the Muslim army and shouted in the streets: “Today is the day of revenge and killing. Today is the day when women and girls are captivated.” When the holy Prophet was informed of these slogans, he commanded Imam Ali to take up the banner and declare the merciful message of Islam. Imam Ali, peace be upon him, picked the banner and declared: “Today is the day of forgiveness and mercy, today the girls and women are in protection.”

To be honest, we never come across a victorious army in the history who treats its staunchest enemy in such a merciful and forgiving way. This is the real Islam. This the Islam that brings prosperity to the entire humanity, even to those who don’t establish a belief in this holy religion. Islam brings happiness and goodness to all. This is the real Islamic freedom.

• The Conquest of Lands

After conquering a land, the holy Prophet of Islam always sent a judge, a governor, or a teacher of Quran to that area so that they spread the word of God to those people. The local people were given complete freedom to choose whether if they are willing to convert to Islam or otherwise.

• Nonbelievers in Mecca and Medina

The large number of Jews, Christians and the polytheists in holy Mecca and Medina, and the suburban villages of these two sacred cities are evident proofs of the tolerant Muslim community. During the tenure of the holy Prophet of Islam as the Islamic ruler, none of these groups were expelled or forced to convert to Islam.

• Quranic Verses

All of these freedoms were defined by the holy verses of the Quran. The holy Quran employed merciful, sympathetic and beautiful methods to lay out the principles for these freedoms. Here we read some of these verses of Quran:

“In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciul. There is no compulsion in religion. Certainly, right has become clearly distinct from wrong. Whoever rejects the devil and believes in God has firmly taken hold of a strong handle that never breaks. God is All-hearing and knowing.”

Chapter 2, Verse 256

“God is the Guardian of the believers and it is He who takes them out of darkness into light. The Devil is the guardian of those who deny the Truth and he leads them from light to darkness.”

Chapter 2, Verse 257

“There are those who follow the Messengers, the illiterate Prophet (not conventionally educated), whose description they find written in the Torah and the Gospel. [He (the Messengers) enjoins them to do good and forbids them to do all that is unlawful, makes lawful for them all that is pure and unlawful all that is filthy, removes their burdens and the entanglements in which they are involved].”

Chapter 7, Verse 9

“Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil?”

Chapter 90, Verse 10

“This is a reminder. Let those who want, seek guidance from their Lord.”

Chapter 76, Verse 29

“Say: I do not ask you aught in return except that he who will, may take the way to his Lord.”

Chapter 25, Verse 57

“We showed him the right path whether he would be grateful or ungrateful.”

Chapter 76, Verse 3

• Freedoms

Islam grants complete freedom to all people to do anything, at any forms, at any time and place. This holy verse of Quran supports this claim.

“The Prophet has more authority over the believers than themselves.”

Chapter 33, Verse 6

This holy verse of Quran indicates that all individuals have authority over themselves and what that belongs to them. The Islamic jurists deduced this principle from this holy verse of Quran.

In this regard, the holy Prophet of Islam is also quoted saying:

“Verily, the people have right over their belongings.”

Imam Ali is also quoted saying:

“Don’t be enslaved by anyone, because God has created you free.”

These verses of the holy Quran and the noble hadiths indicate that all humankind have full authority over their personal behaviors, within the charters of Islam. Everyone is free to use their wealth and belongings in any way they desire unless their freedoms cause personal harms such as suicide and squander, or social harms such as homicide, oppression, or the confiscation of properties by force.

In a nutshell, each individual is given full authority to perform any kind of action, engaging all powers and resources at their disposal, on the condition that they don’t bring harm to other people and don’t disregard the limitations set forth by Islam. Consequently, the Muslims are given complete freedoms in many different matters such as freedom in trade and business, freedom in selecting an occupation, freedom in traveling, freedom of thought and expression, and so on and so forth.

In Islam’s view, the businesspeople are free to do any business in any place they desire, without having to take permissions, pay customs, or receive certificates from the government. In fact, there are no political borders between the Islamic countries, which in this case, facilitates trades and business in the Islamic countries.

In Islam’s view, the people are free to travel to any destination and settle down in any city or country, without having to apply for a visa or residence permit. To be more precise, the people have every right to live and travel to anywhere they desire, without any restrictions or conditions.

In Islam’s view, anyone including the laborers and people with crafts and professions are free to choose their own occupations without having to pay the government for receiving a work permit. More exactly, within the laws of Islam, nothing can hinder people from choosing the jobs they desire.

In Islam’s view, the authors and writers are free to publish and express their thoughts without any censorship and restrictions, except for the contents that can harm the mental, moral, and the public health of the society.

• Islam’s Policy to Fight Crimes in the Views of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

Islam’s policy to fight crimes and law breakings still remains as the most successful policy in the entire history. This holy religion, with its progressive set of laws, promoted the public education and created a pure society where its people did not commit any crimes and delinquencies.

If we read about the vast Islamic government, since the birth of Islam until the next two centuries, we rarely come across any case of robbery or theft. It is while that even in our age, the US government, as the most powerful and civilized government on the face of the earth, desperately urges for international collaboration to fight the six million law breakers in almost a quarter of a century. To make a better understanding, we need to pay attention to two points:

For two hundred years, there rare cases of robbery recorded in the vast Islamic territories while in just a quarter of a century, the powerful US government struggles with more than six million thieves and law breakers.

Recent figures of the crime rates in the US, uncover a horrifying reality in our so-called civilized world; each year, there are seventeen thousand and two hundred and eighty murders taking place in the US. The number of sexual harassments and rapes in the US are also reported to be seventy seven thousand and seven hundred sixty cases. Lastly, the numbers for robbery, including bank robbery, shoplifting, and break-ins, stand on fifty one thousand and eight hundred and forty cases.

Practically, it means that with every hour that passes in the US, more than seventeen crimes occur in this country; to be more precise, more than two murders, nine sexual harassments, and six cases of robbery.

Other crimes, according to figures provided by the US security agencies, courts and police departments, outstrip millions of cases in each year.

• Scholars Don’t Know the Punishment of a Thief!

The following story is a noticeable account of the accomplishments of the Islamic government in fighting crimes and law breakings.

Mu’tasim, the Abbasid king, was hosting a large number of famous Islamic scholars and judges in his court. Among those famous scholars, the ninth Shia leader, Imam Jawad, peace be upon him, who was in his teenage years, was also present.  At then, a thief was brought to this assembly at presence of the king.

After the thief was found guilty of robbery, Mu’tasim turned to the group of scholars and asked about the punishment of theft in Islam.

All scholars, in a consensus, said that the thief’s hand should be cut off, because in holy Quran, the Almighty God says:

“As for the thief, both male and female, cut off their hand. It is the reward of their own deeds,”

Chapter 5, Verse 38

However, there was an argument among the scholars as to how much of the hand, should be cut off. Some of the scholars such as Abu Dawood, said: “The hand should be cut off from the wrist, because the Almighty God says:

“Then rub (perform tayammum) your face and your hands.”

Chapter 4, Verse 43

In this verse of the holy Quran, the term hand is used to address the palm of a hand.

A number of other scholars and judges said: “The thief’s hand should be cut off from the elbow, because God Almighty also uses the term hand, to describe the part of hand from elbow to the end.”

“wash your faces and your hands as far as the elbow,”

Chapter 5, Verse 6

Imam Jawad, peace be upon him, was silent and didn’t leave any comments. In fact, he didn’t agree with any of the scholars and judges in that assembly. The Abbasid king, who was watching the debate between the scholars, noticed that Imam Jawad was silent and that he didn’t agree with any of the verdicts. So, he turned his face towards the holy Imam and asked:

“What is your opinion?”

The Imam answered: “You heard what they said.”

But, Mu’tasim insisted and said: “You must have an opinion on this case. What is your opinion?”

Finally, Imam Jawad replied: “I need to say that the rule of God and the traditions of the Messenger indicate that we should have the four fingers of the thief cut off, and leave the palm unharmed.”

Mu’tasim asked: “What is the reason?”

The Imam replied: “It is because the holy Prophet of Islam have stated that the seven parts of the body should rest on the ground in prostration: the face, two hands, the knees, and the two big toes. Therefore, if you cut off the hand of the thief from the elbow or the palms, he won’t be able to rest his palms on the ground when prostrating to God.

The Almighty God, in holy Quran, states:

“All the parts of the body to be placed on the ground during prostration belong to God.”

It addresses the seven body parts in prostration.

“so do not call to anyone else, other than Allah.”

Chapter 72, Verse 18

Mu’tasim was amazed by this answer and ordered to only have the thief’s fingers cut off and leave his palms unharmed.

• Islam’s Policy to Establish Social Security in the Views of the Grand Ayatollah Shirazi

The holy Prophet of Islam is quoted saying:

“If someone dies and leaves some property, it belongs to the inheritors; but if someone dies and leaves debts, it belongs to me (I will have to pay it).”

In Islamic agendas for social security, the love for humanity is a top priority. The Islamic social security agendas are deeply entangled with human nature and the promotion of virtue, since Islam, this holy religion, looks unto this important matter taking all needs of humankind into consideration. The history can also testify that the pre and post Islamic civilizations have never achieved the successes of Islam in the promotion of social security and welfare.

Islam believes that the debts of the deceased are liable to the Islamic leader. To be more specific, the Islamic leader is responsible to pay off the debts of the deceased in an Islamic country. However, if anyone passes away and leaves an inheritance, the inheritors can hold on to the inheritance without having to make any payments to the government or the Islamic leader.

Now, the question is, are there any similar examples in the biggest civilization that ever existed in this world? Certainly, no.

• The Large Number of Scriptures on Social Security

There have been numerous pieces of hadiths and narrations on Islam’s view on social security and welfare, indicating the high significance of this subject in Islamic thought. Now, we will have a glimpse on some of the hadiths by the holy Prophet of Islam and the pure Household, peace be upon them.

• Prophetic Hadiths

In this subject, Imam Sadiq, peace be upon him, the sixth Shia leader, quotes his grandfather, the holy Prophet of Islam, peace be upon him, in such words:

“I have authority over all believers, and after me, Ali inherits this authority.”

Then, Imam Sadiq was asked: “What does it mean?”

His holiness replied: it refers to a statement by the holy Prophet of Islam who said: “If one dies and leaves a debt or a poor family, I will take responsibility but if one dies and leaves a property, it belongs to the inheritors.”

After quoting this hadith from the holy Prophet of Islam, Imam Sadiq added: This statement was the only reason that motivated the majority of the Jews to become Muslim, because they were relieved of the future of their families after their death.

Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari, may he rest in peace, has also narrated that the holy Prophet of Islam never performed the death prayers on a deceased person, who was in debt. One day, when the holy Prophet was asked to perform the death prayers on a body, his holiness asked: “Is this deceased person in debt?”

The family of the deceased answered: “Yes, but it’s only two coins.”

The Prophet told them that he won’t perform the prayers.

One of the attendees in the funeral, named Qatadah, said: “I will pay the debt of the deceased.”

Jabir narrates that upon saying that, the holy Prophet performed the prayers on that dead body. Later, the holy Prophet declared: “I have authority over the believers more than themselves; so if they leave behind a property, it belongs to the inheritors but if they leave behind a debt, I will take responsibility.”

Ali ibn Ibrahim has also narrated that the holy Prophet of Islam used to say:

“If someone, as a debtor, can’t pay off his debts to his creditors, they can go to the Islamic ruler for help. The Islamic ruler, also is responsible to make sure if the debtor is truly incapable of paying off the debt, and if so, the Islamic ruler should take responsibility and pay off the debt from the Muslims’ Public Treasury.”

• The Hadiths by Pure Household

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