Mirza Mahdi al-Shirazi

Grand Ayatollah Mirza Mahdi al-Husayni al-Shirazi (Arabic: مهدي الحسيني الشيرازي‎; Persian: مهدى حسينى شيرازى‎; 9 May 1887 – 14 February 1961), also known as Mirza Mahdi al-Shirazi, was an Iraqi-Iranian Shia marja.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] After the deah of Abu al-Hasan al-Esfehani and Hossein Tabatabaei Qomi, Mirza Mahdi was considered to be the highest ranking cleric in Karbala,[9] and one of the highest in Iraq, along with Muhsin al-Hakim and his second cousin once removed, Abd al-Hadi al-Shirazi in Najaf.[10][11]

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mirza

Mahdi al-Shirazi
الميرزا مهدي الحسيني الشيرازي
Personal
Born(1887-05-08)May 8, 1887
Karbala, Baghdad Vilayet, Ottoman Empire
DiedFebruary 14, 1961(1961-02-14) (aged 73)
Karbala, Republic of Iraq
Resting placeImam Husayn Shrine
ReligionIslam
Children
ParentsHabiballah al-Shirazi (father)
JurisprudenceTwelver Shia Islam
RelativesMirza Shirazi (great uncle)
Mirza Taqi al-Shirazi (maternal uncle)
Abd al-Hadi al-Shirazi (second cousin, once removed & brother-in-law)
Razi Shirazi (second cousin, once removed)
Mohammed Ridha al-Shirazi (grandson)
Hussein al-Shirazi(grandson)
Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi (grandson)
Hadi al-Modarresi (grandson)
Ali Akbar al-Modarresi (grandson)
Muslim leader
Based inKarbala, Iraq
Period in office1949–1961
PredecessorHossein Tabatabaei Qomi
SuccessorMuhsin al-Hakim (leadership centralized in Najaf)

Mirza Mahdi was the Imam of the Imam Husayn Shrine.[4][8]

Biography

Early life

He was born in the city of Karbala to the prominent religious Shirazi family. His father was Mirza Habibullah al-Shirazi, and his mother was Radhiya Golshan-Shirazi (daughter of Muhib Ali Golshan-Shirazi). Mirza Mahdi is the fourth of eight children. His eldest brother, Muhammd-Sadiq, died young. The remaining two of his brothers were also clerics; his older brother, Abdullah al-Shirazi (grandfather of Ali al-Sistani's wife; also known as al-Tawasuli), and younger brother, Jafar al-Shirazi. His elder sister, Um Moosa, was married to his cousin, senior cleric, Abd al-Hadi al-Shirazi.[1]

Mirza Mahdi began his religious education at a very early age, carrying out his introductory studies in Karbala, under his brother, Abdullah al-Tawasuli, Sayyid Husayn Khayr al-Din and Sayyid Muhammad-Hassan Agha Mir al-Qazwini.[7] After his father, Mirza Habibullah passed away in 1902, he moved to Najaf, to study under the two greats, Akhund Khurasani and Muhammad-Kadhim Yazdi. He then travelled to Samarra with his family, to study in its seminary - under his maternal uncle, Mirza Muhammad-Taqi al-Shirazi and Hasan al-Sadr - which the former was managing at the time.[2]

During the siege of Kut, Mirza Mahdi travelled to Kadhimiya, with his uncle Mirza Taqi, who feared that Samarra could end up like Kut, and that way many from the religious sphere would die. They remained in Kadhimiya for approximately a year and a half, living a life of dire poverty, until they returned to Karbala, where Mirza Taqi, was preparing to lead the independence movement against the British. He remained in Karbala, and played an active supporting role with his uncle in the Iraqi revolt, until his uncle was poisoned in 1920.[12][13]

After the death of his uncle, he moved back to Najaf, to resume his religious education, and studied under his first cousin once removed, Mirza Ali Agha al-Shirazi, as well as al-Muhaqiq al-Naini and al-Muhaqiq al-Iraqi.[2][3]

Mirza Mahdi (centre left) with his teacher Hossein Qomi (centre right)

Return to Karbala

In 1935, senior cleric Hossein Tabatabaei Qomi was exiled from Iran, by Muhammed Reza Shah.[14] So Qomi emigrated to Karbala, and sent a request for Mirza Mahdi to return to Karbala, so that he may join him in his quest to revive its seminary, to which Mirza Mahdi accepted and returned to his birthplace. After the death of Qomi in 1947, Mirza Mahdi became the head of the seminary of Karbala, and its most senior jurist. This was also solidified further, with the death of notable cleric, Muhammad-Hadi al-Khurasani in 1949.[15]

Karbala Seminary Term

The hawza of Karbala grew immensely under Mirza Mahdi's term as head, as he innovated new methods to teach religious studies, which attracted many youth to join the seminary.[16] He taught many that later became influential scholars like Sheikh Muhammad al-Karbassi, Sayyid Muhammad-Sadiq al-Qazwini, Sheikh Muhammad al-Shahroudi, ِSayyid Abdullah al-Khoei, Sayyid Ahmed al-Fali and Sheikh Jafar al-Rashti.[17] Under his term, many different festivals were innovated, including the recitation of the renowned maqtal, that was recited in the shrine of Imam Husayn for the first time, by his student, Sheikh Abd al-Zahra al-Ka'bi, in Muharram 1379 (1959 AD).[18]

Iraqi citizenship protest

Mirza Mahdi was active in the Iranian community of Karbala (whether in the seminary or in social circles). This was in 1958, a time where the Iranian community was being politically isolated, in the face of an Iraqi government that was raising the banner of Arab nationalism. Due to this situation, Mirza Mahdi sent a letter to the governor of Karbala, Fuad Arif,[19] who was of Kurdish descent, objecting the treatment of the Iranians. This angered Fuad, and so he responded by accusing Mirza Mahdi of being Iranian himself, and that he had no right to interfere with Iraqi matters. Mirza Mahdi retorted, but this time with an angry tone, reminding Fuad, that it was us that ignited the 1920 revolt, and ended up kicking the British out, saving the independence and honour of Iraq. He also told him that if he did not want to work in accordance to their demands, then he can leave the city.[20]

After this, Mirza Mahdi founded a new philosophy, which was that he was not going to hold an Iraqi citizenship, deeming it as an imperialistic innovation, invented to crush the ranks of the Muslims. He also claimed that it violated the liberty of man and the sharia, and would create mental barriers within the minds of people. He also explained, that the citizenship was a devotion of dominance by the ruling Sunni government over the Shia.[20]

Stand against communism

After the 14 July coup, Abd al-Karim Qasim allowed communism to flourish in his new republic. Within six months, Iraq was turned into a blood bath of pro-communist protests, attacking the homes of religious clerics and nationalists. It was so bad, it is reported that a Muslim would feel estranged in a city like Najaf.

One time, a protest was formed in Karbala, with some of the leaders of the city's communist movement. They had a list of fifty two names (this included Mirza Mahdi's son Muhammad), of the people they planned to attack their homes and kill, for the reason that they 'stood against communism and the "red tide"'.[21]

This is when the senior jurists of the time decided to take a stand to counter this wave of terror. A meeting was held consisting of Mirza Mahdi, Muhsin al-Hakim and Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei in Mirza Mahdi's home in Karbala. The result was that they were going to issue religious fatwas branding the Communist party as infidels. They also began to coordinate activities to counter their alleged corrupt ideology. These measures were considered to be the beginning of the end of communism in Iraq.[22]

Mirza Mahdi issued several fatwa's condemning adherence to the Communist party, going as far as stating that a true Muslim could not buy meat from a communist butcher.[23]

Personal life

Mirza Mahdi was married to his second cousin's daughter, Halima al-Shirazi with whom he had ten children; four sons (Muhammad, Hassan, Sadiq, Mujtaba) and six daughters. One of his daughters was married to Muhammad-Kadhim al-Modarresi, and another was married to Muhammad-Kadhim al-Qazwini.[24]

Works

Books

Mirza Mahdi authored a large number of books, which includes some of his most important ones:

  • Sharh al-Urwat al-Wuthqa (Dissecting The Firmest Bond)
  • Thakhirat al-Ibad (The Worshippers' Provisions)
  • Manasek al-Haj (Hajj Rituals)
  • Kashkool Fi Mukhtalaf al-'Uloom (An Assortment In Different Sciences)

Poetry

Mirza Mahdi also wrote poetry in praise of the Ahlulbayt. His most known poem was written on the auspicious birth anniversary of Fatima, which begins with:[25]

درّة أشرقت بأبهى سناها
فتلألأ الورى فيا بُشراها
لمع الكون من سنا نور قدس
بسنا ناره أضاء طواها‎

A pearl has risen with prestigious light,
The world has been illuminated, glad tidings.
The universe shines from the divine light,
With His light, he illuminated her valley.

Death
Funeral of Mirza Mahdi, Karbala

Mirza Mahdi died in the evening of Tuesday, February 14, 1961, just as we was preparing for Maghrib prayer. During the bathing of his corpse on the following day, there was a partial solar eclipse that took place, with 67% obscurity[26] that darkened the city of Karbala for just under an hour, as witnessed by the people of the city, who rushed to pray the Ayat prayer, before resuming with the funeral. He was buried in the south eastern side of the Imam Husayn Shrine.[2]

Reactions

The Shia world was struck upon Mirza Mahdi's death. It is reported that Hossein Borujerdi, who was in Qom, cried for a few minutes over the news of Mirza Mahdi's demise.[16]

References
  1. "Gusha-e Az Zendegani Ayat Ullah al-Uzma Mirza Mahdi Husayni Shirazi Qudisah Siruh". Official Website of Ayatollah Shirazi (in Persian). Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  2. "Thikra Wafat al-Sayyid Mirza Mahdi al-Shirazi Fi 28 Shaban" [Ayatollah Sayyid al-Mirza Mahdi al-Shirazi's death anniversary on the 28th of Shaban (lunar calendar)]. An-Nabaa Information Network (in Arabic). Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  3. "Hazrat Ayat Ullah Sayyid Mahdi Shirazi". Varesoon (in Persian). Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  4. Ṭuʻmah, Salmān Hādī (1998). Asha'er Karbala Wa 'Usariha [Tribes and Families of Karbala] (in Arabic). Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Mahaja al-Baydha'. pp. 78–9.
  5. al-ʻĀmilī, Muḥsin al-Ḥusaynī (1982). Aʻyān al-Shīʻah [Prominent Figures of the Shia] (in Arabic). 50. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Ta'arof lil-Matboo'at. p. 115.
  6. al-Zanjani, Ibrahim (1984). Jawla Fi al-Amakin al-Muqadasah [A Stroll In Religious Sites]. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-A'lami Lil Matb'ooat. pp. 103–5.
  7. al-A'lami, Muhammad-Husayn. Manar al-Huda Fi al-Ansab [The Path of Guidance In Lineages] (in Arabic). Maktabat Uloom al-Ansab. pp. 230–31.
  8. Ṭuʻmah, Salmān Hādī (2009). Mashahir al-Madfunin Fi Karbala [Famous Figures Buried In Karbala] (in Arabic). Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Safwa. p. 88.
  9. al-Fiqari, Dr. Nasir (1993). Usul Mathhab al-Shia al-Imamiya al-Ithna Ashariya (Ardh Wa Naqd) [The Foundations of the Twelver Shia Imami Madhhab (Display and Critique)] (in Arabic). 1. p. 1038.
  10. al-Azzawi, Dr. Fadhil (2017-01-01). Khafaya al-Mu'amarat al-Duwaliya Li Isqat al-Hukm al-Watani al-Qawmi Fi al-Iraq Munth Ta'sisahu Aam 1921 Wa Lighayat Ihtilalih Aam 2003 [Hidden State Conspiracies To Befall The National Patriotic Governance In Iraq From Its Conception In 1921 Til Its Invasion In 2003] (in Arabic). Al Manhal. p. 34. ISBN 9796500275406.
  11. al-Shahroudi, Nur al-Din (1990). Tarikh al-Haraka al-Ilmiya Fi Karbala [The History of the Clerical Movement of Karbala] (in Arabic). Dar al-Uloom Liltahqeeq Wal Tiba'a Wal Nashr Wal Towzee'. p. 202.
  12. "al-Thikra al-Tasi'a Wal Arbaoon Liraheel al-Marja al-Muqadas Ayatollah al-Udhma al-Sayyid Mirza Mahdi al-Husayni al-Shirazi Qudisa Siruh" [The 49th anniversary of the demise of the divine jurist Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mirza Mahdi al-Husayni al-Shirazi]. Official Website of Ayatollah Shirazi. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  13. Lukitz, Liora (2005-07-05). Iraq: The Search for National Identity. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-77820-0.
  14. Shakibi, Zhand (2019-12-12). Pahlavi Iran and the Politics of Occidentalism: The Shah and the Rastakhiz Party. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-78673-630-7.
  15. al-Karbassi, Dr Shaykh Muhammad-Sadiq (2017-10-16). Adhwa' Ala Madinat al-Husayn (Qism al-Haraka al-Ilmiyah Fi al-Ha'ir [Lights on the City of Husayn (The Religious Movement in the Haer)] (in Arabic). 1. London, UK: Hussaini Centre for Research, London. p. 66. ISBN 978-1-78403-023-0.
  16. al-Shahroudi, Nur al-Din (1990). Tarikh al-Haraka al-Ilmiya Fi Karbala [The History of the Clerical Movement of Karbala] (in Arabic). Dar al-Uloom Liltahqeeq Wal Tiba'a Wal Nashr Wal Towzee'. p. 206.
  17. al-Karbassi, Dr Shaykh Muhammad-Sadiq (2017-10-16). Adhwa' Ala Madinat al-Husayn (Qism al-Haraka al-Ilmiyah Fi al-Ha'ir [Lights on the City of Husayn (The Religious Movement in the Haer)] (in Arabic). 1. London, UK: Hussaini Centre for Research, London. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-78403-023-0.
  18. Hasan, Dakhil (1996). Mu'jam al-Khutaba' [The Orator Glossary] (in Arabic). 1. Beirut, Lebanon: al-Mu'asasa al-Alamiya Lil Thaqafa Wal I'lam. p. 231.
  19. Ṭuʻmah, Salmān Hādī (1988). Karbalāʼ Fī al-Dhākirah [Memories Of Karbala] (in Arabic). p. 51.
  20. al-Azzawi, Dr. Fadhil (2017-01-01). Khafaya al-Mu'amarat al-Duwaliya Li Isqat al-Hukm al-Watani al-Qawmi Fi al-Iraq Munth Ta'sisahu Aam 1921 Wa Lighayat Ihtilalih Aam 2003 [Hidden State Conspiracies To Befall The National Patriotic Governance In Iraq From Its Conception In 1921 Til Its Invasion In 2003] (in Arabic). Al Manhal. pp. 31–2. ISBN 9796500275406.
  21. al-Muhtadi, Abd al-Atheem (2009). Qusas Wa Khawatir - Min Akhlaqiyat 'Ulama' al-Din [Stories and Memories - From the Manners of the Scholars]. Beirut, Lebanon: Mu'asasat al-Balagh. pp. 552–53.
  22. al-Shirazi, Muhammad. al-Iraq Bayn al-Madhi Wal Hadhir Wal Mustaqbal [Iraq Between The Past, Present and Future] (in Arabic). p. 887.
  23. Louër, Laurence (2011). Transnational Shia Politics: Religious and Political Networks in the Gulf. Hurst. p. 90. ISBN 978-1-84904-214-7.
  24. "Sayyid Mahdi Husayni Shirazi". The Shia Educational and Cultural Centre (in Persian). Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  25. al-Karbassi, Dr Shaykh Muhammad-Sadiq. al-Madkhal Ila al-Shi'r al-Husayni [The Gateway to Husayni Poetry] (in Arabic). 1. London, UK: Hussaini Centre for Research. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-902490-19-9.
  26. "NASA - Total Solar Eclipse of 1961 Feb 15". eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
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