|
In the name of Allah, The compassionate, the merciful
Ayatollah al-Uzma Broujerdi
The scientific and social life
Ayatollah Seyed Hussein Tabatabaei Broujerdi, the great leader of Islam Shia sect, a great scholar of Islamic world of 20th century, was born in 1875 at the city of Boroujerd 400 kilometer south west of Tehran in Iran. His father was the late Seyed Ali Tabatabaiee, a Moslem Clergy of a high stature like most of his ancestors whom were celebrated scholars of their own time, some of them supreme religious leaders such as: "Seyed Mahdi Bahr al–Olum Tabatabaei", "Seyyed Kazem Tabatabaei Yazdi", "Seyyed Ali Tabatabaei" and "Seyyed Mohsen Tabatabaei Hakim".
Great Ayatollah Broujerdi went to clerical school at the age of 7 and soon learnt how to read the holy book of Quran, and studied other important books of the time namely Jame-al-moghadamat, Iranian and Arabic literature, books of "Logic" and the infamous book of Golestan written by Saadi the medieval Persian Sufi Poet. At the age of 18 he went to city of Isfahan 500 kilometers south of Tehran, at the time when Isfahan clerical school was one of the most advanced centres for Islamic studies in the world. Young Seyed Hossein enrolled this Theological Seminary where he studied under great masters of Islamic studies at the time for 10 years and was an educated with distinctive high standards in various sciences including Arabic grammar and syntax.
In the later years of his scholarship at the Isfahan seminary he also taught "jurisprudence" (Fiqh) and "methodology" (Osul) to young students only a few years below him, his teachings were so profound that many other scholars participated in his classes as well. In 1902 he travelled to city of Najaf clerical school at Iraq and continued his studies by participating at classes of famous Islamic studies lecturer of the time namely "Seyed Mohammad Kazem Khorasani" and "Seyed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi Tabatabaei".
Ayatollah Broujerdi stayed at Najaf for 8 years and became one of the famous Islamic Pontiffs of that era, one of those referred to as Ulema. In 1910 AD, obliging his father insistence, he returned to city of Boroujerd and stayed over there for 36 years during which he was deeply involed in many scientific, theological and social activities. During this period he only once travelled to city of Mashhad, the burial place and shrine of Shia's 8th Imam Ali ibn Mosaalreza (PBUH), and once travelled to city of Qom, the burial shrine of hazrat Masoumeh (PBUH) where cleric scholars (Ulema) requested and insistence him to stay at city of Qom and teach at highly regarded Qom clerical school, but respecting repeated request of people of Boroujerd, the great Ayatollah stayed in his home town till 1946 AD,
In 1946 due to a serious illness, he travelled to capital Tehran and was hospitalized. After his full recovery, being elected as the unequivocal and indisputable supreme Shia's sect Muslim leader, he was asked to reside at city of Qom which was considered the seat of supreme spiritual Shia sect leader resideny worldwide. During his great leadership of Shia Muslims which lasted over 15 years, the Islamic world faced with vast scientific theological advances.
Ayatollah Broujerdi in addition to his efforts to enhance Islamic science and research, worked very hard to promote Islamic values and Muslims dignities throughout the world. He would encourage young clerics to learn other languages in order to expand Islam's teachings in other nations and to translate and publish Basic Islamic books in other languages to enlighten people of world with words of Quran. He sent a number of representatives to other countries to teach Islamic values and thoughts among whom Ayatollah Doctor Haeri Yazdi was deputed in United States of America, and Ayatollah Sadr Balaghi was deputed to United Kingdom as his representative. He appointed Allameh Mohammad Taghi Qomi as his representative to Egypt where he established a centre for dialogue between all religions called "Dar al–Taqrib-e Mazaheb" (House of religions, since at that time Egypt was one of the most important base for Sunni sect Muslims. This valuable action of Ayatollah Broujerdi caused the Al Azhar university director, Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltout, to issue a Fatwa in conformity of Shia religion with Sunni sect Basis and allowed books from Shia religion to be openly published worldwide. Lifting a ban on previous such restrictions.
Many clerical schools, mosques, seminaries were constructed by order and guidance of the Great Ayatollah, among which are:-
1- Azam mosque (in Qom)
2- The library of Azam mosque
3- Religious school (in Najaf)
4- Religious school (in Karbobala)
5- Hamburg mosque (in Germany)
He also saw to renovation of some famous old schools, mosques, libraries and hospitals in different cities and countries like: Fayzeyeh and Khan Schools in Qom, Bogheh School in Karbobala, Theology school in Kermanshah and Nekouee hospital in Qom and many other similar places.
He passed away in Thursday the 30th of March 1961and his body rested in vicinity of Hazrat Masoumeh (PBUH) dome in Qom’s Azam mosque.
Significance of his Morality
The Lecturing Abilities
His command and ability to teach the subjects to his students was one of the main causes of attraction to scholars and clerics which had route in depth understanding of the subjects that his holiness attained.
Depth of his highness knowledge
In Islamic "jurisprudence" (Fiqh) and "methodology" (Osul), he was extremely learned and consoler, he had a vast knowledge and dominance over the interoperation of Quran verses, he know most of the holy book by heart, he was a scholar in Arabic literature and language, his in depth knowledge into Persian literature was profound and could quote verses of Hafez an Malawi poems in right occasions by heart, his holiness knew history fairly well.
Theosophy & insight
Ayatollah Boroujerdi theosophy and insight was one of his holiness's merits he was said to have found the truth. His theosophy was that pure theosophy thought by Quran and was untarnished with myth and vague notions. He always benefited from Nahjolbalaghehm ( speeches of Imam Ali), prophet Mohammad (PBUH) words, the prayers taught by Shia Imams collected and treasured by scholars for human kind like Komail, Arafeh, AboHamzeh, …and the like.
Opposing illiteracy
His highness averted from deeds which were only aimed for publicity and never liked to do superficial things to please the illiterate part of community in order to be so called liked by the mass! He was the leader of the greater nation not the follower of the indulgent selfishness.
Avoiding Supremacy
In Islam, all Muslims must either be scholars themselves or follow a "supreme" scholar in Islamic teachings as how to go about conducting their religious duties, Ayatollah Broujerdi was quoted to say "that he never tried in any ways to attain the pastor ship/ supremacy because I know it to be a heavy burden and a very high responsibility but when it fell upon my shoulders I could not deny the duty".
Clear Visionary
One of his highness merits which reflect his clear vision was his interest in building modern schools/ high schools under the curatorship of religious people, where pupils could learn both religion and modern science. His holiness believed more literacy of people could enable them to lean more religion teachings and its values. As far as I remember his holiness ordered a lot of peoples offering to be spent on building modern schools and high schools.
Perseverance and patience
The great men in history have written pages of history of mankind with their perseverance and patience. In Islam the most prominent of such man was the prophet Mohammad (PBUH), his perseverance and patience to guide people towards the holy path of Islam is exemplary. His highness ayatollah Boroujerdi was one example of such leaders, he was a supreme leader at the time when all other great ayatollahs of his status were but all passed away of old ages, so he alone had to carry the responsibilities of replying to the Shia world inquiries s well as overseeing the running of the cleric schools all over. A lot of nights he dawned over books, he was quoted as saying: Studies do not tire me, when I become fatigued from the other works, I find energy again by readying books"
Earthly positions and status
His highness was heard to note that: "I regard the man's status in life a gift from Allah, and thus believe that such status cannot be wasted or ignored unless by losing such status one could help the mankind and serve them better! Or by losing such earthly status one could advance Islam in any way. Other than that wasting one's status with no reason is a unlawful act!
Society and Politics
The life of Ayatollah Broujerdi has not been documented in great details mainly because the great pontiff disliked publicity and did all he did for the satisfaction of his creator almighty Allah, he was very reluctant to draw attentions as himself as a public figure as he believed enhancing and advancing Islamic teachings and values is the duty of every Muslim without a need to receive credit for it from the public at large.
He strove to make the saplings of the theological newly established seminaries and schools strong and stable till they grow to fruit. Whenever there was a hint of any movement against the interest of Islam Ayatollah Broujerdi recognized it and stood against it with all might without favoring or fearing any individual or groups.
Compilations
The compilations of that dignitary consists more than 40 works which the entire compilations of him except the catechism written by him are in Arabic Language which they could be categorized in four main fields as follows: Rijal (dignitaries) Hadith (tradition), jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence.
Ayatollah Broujerdi had written plentiful of margins in the works of the precursors also he had a lot of margins in the principles of Jurisprudence.
Sources:
http://broujerdi.org/content/view/12/45/
http://broujerdi.org/content/category/4/13/68/ |
