An outline of Ayat Shirazi’s views & teachings

By: Webmaster shirazi.org.uk

On the death anniversary of the tireless Muslim reformist and unique scholar-leader - December 17th marks the first anniversary of the death of one of the most prominent pacifist scholar-leader, Grand Ayatollah Imam Muhammad Shirazi, who died last year in Qum, Iran, in suspicious circumstances.

However, Ayatollah Imam Shirazi gained prominence not just for his uncompromising opposition to the tyranny and despotism, but also for his pioneering teachings of peace and non-violence, and for his wide-ranging solutions to the problems of the Muslims and mankind. His unrivalled contributions are mostly reflected in his monumental work of more than one thousand books and treatises!

Following is a brief outline of his biography and works. Some of his works are available online on www.shirazi.org.uk. 

Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Shirazi is undoubtedly the most eminent authority on Islam in modern times. An outstanding Islamic scholar-leader, he is a Marje‘ or religious authority to millions of Muslims around the globe. A charismatic leader who was known for his high moral values, modesty, and spirituality, Ayatollah Shirazi is a mentor and a source of aspiration to Muslims; and the means of access to authentic knowledge and teachings of Islam. He tirelessly devoted himself, and his life, to the cause of Muslims in particular, and those of mankind in general. In presenting the Teachings of Islam on the various aspect of life in this world and in the hereafter, he has made extensive contributions in various fields of learning ranging from Jurisprudence and Theology to Politics, Economics, Non-violence, and Human Rights.

Born in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, in 1928, Ayatollah Muhammad Shirazi belongs to a distinguished family deeply rooted in Islamic sciences, and literature. The Shirazi family has produced many great scholars and Marje‘s as well as renowned leaders over the past century and a half.

One of the best-known leaders is Grand Ayatollah Mirza Hassan Shirazi, leader of the Constitutional Revolution, also known as the "Tobacco movement" of 1890 in Iran. He issued a celebrated Fatwa against the tobacco monopoly that had been granted by the then Nasser Din Shah to a British subject. The Mirza prohibited the smoking of tobacco until the concession was abolished. His popularity and the loyalty of the masses to him reversed the monopoly deal.

Another Shirazi and a leading Marje‘, Grand Ayatollah Mirza Muhammad Taqi, was the leader of the 1920 revolution against the British occupation of Iraq, which liberated the country from the then colonial power.

Ayatollah Muhammad Shirazi’s father, Grand Ayatollah Mirza Mahdi, has been a famous and a highly respected scholar and the Marje‘ of his time.

Given the deviant interpretation, and the widespread and systematic distortions of the teachings of Islam, Ayatollah Shirazi set out to dedicate his life to present the true and correct teachings of Islam on the various issues of concern. For the next 40 years, through his lectures and his numerous books, he presented the correct teachings of Islam on every relevant subject matter.

Some of Ayatollah Shirazi’s views and teachings:

Ayatollah Shirazi is distinguished for his intellectual ability and holistic vision. He is recognized for his clear ideas and realistic solutions to issues of concern to mankind. He has written various specialized studies that are considered to be among the most important references in the relevant fields. He has enriched the world with his staggering contribution of more than 1000 books, treatise and studies on various branches of learning. His works range from simple introductory books for the youth to literary and scientific masterpieces. Deeply rooted in the holy Qur’an and the Teachings of the Prophet of Islam, his vision and theories cover areas such as Legislation, Economics, Management, Environment, Sociology, Theology, Philosophy, History, Law and Islamic belief. His work on Islamic Law for example, constitutes more than 150 volumes, which run into more than 70,000 pages. Through his original thoughts and ideas he has championed the causes of issues such as the family, morality and ethical values, human rights, freedom of expression, political pluralism, peace, non-violence, and Shura or consultative system of leadership.

Freedom:

Ayatollah Shirazi passionately believes in the freedom of the individual in all issues as prescribed in the teachings of Islam - such as freedom of expression, freedom of belief, . . . and he cites examples such as the freedom of the individual in setting up publishing houses, or radio or TV broadcasting stations without any hindrance, restriction, or the need to seek permission from the authorities. He sees freedom as the root of progress and prosperity, and despotism and dictatorship is the cause of all the misery and despair. Freedom, he states, is a fundamental principle in mankind.

Ayatollah Shirazi emphasizes that Islam accommodates more freedom than any other system in the world. Not only the range but also the degree of freedom available in Islam are not matched by those offered in any other system, but the people, including the Muslims are in oblivious of the treasure that is within their reach. As an example, in one of his books, The New Order for the World of Faith, Freedom, Prosperity, and Peace, he cites one hundred cases of freedoms that are restricted in today’s free world whereas in Islam no such restrictions are imposed on them. The need to have a passport and seek a visa is the types of restrictions on the freedom of travel that are rejected by Islam. He also cites examples of cases of freedom in Islam not found in the West today.

Peace:

Peace is an essential pillar of the political theory presented and advocated by Ayatollah Shirazi in all his books, and studies. Peace is the aim and objective, as well as the means to the aim. Ayatollah Shirazi stresses that peace produces the safest and best consequences, and one must implement peace in every aspect of life; peace in speeches, peace in the writings, peace in action, and peace everywhere and with everyone.

Ayatollah Shirazi builds this comprehensive vision of peace, by drawing from the teachings of the holy Qur’an and the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, peace be upon him and his pure family.

“Do enter all in peace, and do not follow the steps of Satan” ,

“And their greetings in it (paradise) is peace” ,

“Repel (that which is evil) courteously and with kindness, thus he, between whom and you there is enmity, become very close friend. Only those who show patience (perseverance) will attain this; and only those with great fortune shall do”

“Do not swear at those who seek (deity) in other than Allah” ,

The holy prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and his family is quoted as saying, “O Ali, the best of qualities in this life and the hereafter are words of courtesy, generosity, and forgiving those who inflict injustice on you”

When Makkah fell, the Messenger of Allah pardoned Quraysh, including the most vicious of that tribe, who had previously persecuted him, expelled him and waged battles against him. To them he said the well-known phrase: “Go! For you are now at liberty.”

Imam Ali peace be upon him never fought his enemies in battles without first giving them the unequivocal answers to their arguments, and gave them warnings and plenty of opportunities to reflect. When he won in battles, he never took revenge on any of them. He pardoned them all. Imam Ali’s slogan after the fall of Mecca was: “Today is the day of mercy; today, the inviolable are protected”

Non-violence:

Alongside peace, non-violence is another one of the most important principles that Ayatollah Shirazi passionately promotes. He emphasized that peace and non-violence are the essence of Islam and the basis of its teachings and they are therefore in harmony with the spirit of Islam. Ayatollah Shirazi thus calls upon the Muslims to adhere to these principles in all of their conducts and behavior; in private and in public life. Ayatollah Shirazi not only calls on all to adopt physical non-violence, and verbal non-violence, but he also invites all to assume non-violence of the heart. He states, “Just as violence is a weapon, non-violence is a weapon too. However, the weapon of non-violence is more effective than that of violence. Just as the soul is stronger than the body, so too is non-violence, since it is the weapon of the soul.”

Bureaucracy:

Ayatollah Shirazi also addresses the imposition of needless and freedom-suppressing laws and the bureaucracy that goes with these laws. Not only these laws curb the various freedoms of the individual, but implementing these laws and the bureaucracy associated with them carry an enormous cost that has to be paid for from the public purse.

As part of his passion for the fundamental nature of freedom in mankind, Ayatollah Shirazi zealously calls for freedom from all the man-made laws and bureaucracies that restrict and suppress man’s freedom, and degrade his dignity. He calls for such laws to be eliminated, the task that is assigned to the Prophet Muhammad to teach, as stated in the Qur'an: “... (the Prophet Muhammad) releases them from their heavy burdens and from the shackles that were upon them.”

Arms race:

On arms race and high military expenditure, Ayatollah Shirazi states the Islamic government not only should adopt peaceful measures in its internal affairs, but it must endeavor, by making it one of the main priorities of its strategies and foreign policies to promote peace and peaceful coexistence throughout the world. The government, Ayatollah Shirazi emphasized, must encourage and help create an environment of tolerance, harmony and better understanding so that an atmosphere of peace would dominate the world, rather than that of fear, threat, and intimidation. In this way the people of the world would not be trapped in a crippling arms race, draining the wealth and resources of countries across the globe.

Health:

On the health issue, Ayatollah Shirazi considers it most important that people are encouraged and educated to adhere to the teachings of Islam on health and hygiene matters. Adherence to those teachings would prevent many of disease and health issues millions suffer from today, thus reducing the cost of treating the sick considerably. Ayatollah Shirazi has written a number of books on the teachings of Islam concerning such issues as health, hygiene, and the environment.

Taxation:

On taxation, Khums and Zakat are the main sources of income for the government.

Khums is a 20% duty levied on untaxed superfluous annual income. Zakat is a rate of 1 – 2.5% levied on nine items when each of the items is over certain threshold. The nine items are Wheat, Barley, Dates, Raisins, Camel, Cow, Sheep, Gold, and Silver.

Citing the saying of Prophet Muhammad, “People are masters of their own wealth and lives” Ayatollah Shirazi emphasizes on adhering to the taxation system proposed by Islam, and any other duty or tax may not be levied on any item or transaction. If those in charge of government find the money raised through this system to be inadequate to run a country, then they are not fit to do so. He goes on to outline the measures that need to be taken to make it feasible to establish and manage a country according to the teachings of Islam, which provides more freedom and happiness than any other system around.

Economy:

Accepting neither the state-controlled economic system nor the capitalist one, Ayatollah Shirazi points to that advocated by Islam, which is the free economy where the individual is encouraged to engage in all economic activities save the few that are deemed illegal such as gambling, production and sale of alcoholic beverages. Shirazi emphasizes that, in Islam, to engage in economic activities one does not need to seek permission from the state. “. . . and in that let the competitors compete.”

Political pluralism:

Ayatollah Shirazi sees party political pluralism as the best safeguard against tyranny and despotism. He regards pluralism as a watchdog for the conduct and behavior of the ruling body and a guarantee for the sound state of government, and therefore pluralism is a must for any country that wishes to protect a system in which freedom can thrive. “Allah commands justice, the doing of good . . . .”

Shura or consultation:

Stemming from the principles of freedom and pluralism, to create a collective responsibility, and to involve representatives from the entire nation, Ayatollah Shirazi proposes the Consultative System of Leadership, where a leadership council consisting of scholar-leaders elected by the masses leads the country. “. . . those who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation . . .”

One Nation:

Ayatollah Shirazi advocates the re-creation of the single Muslim nation, where there are no geographical borders between the various Muslim countries, and these countries are in a single union, similar to the American or European unions today. Allah states in the Qur’an: “This, your community is a single community and I am your Lord; so worship Me.”

He also advocates the revival of Islamic brotherhood throughout this nation, and not to discriminate between the Muslims on grounds of race, or nationality, as sated in the Qur’an: “The believers are brothers.”

Ayatollah Shirazi calls upon mankind to refrain from bias or prejudice towards others since, as Imam Ali – the successor of Prophet Muhammad – puts it, “He (an individual) is either your brother in religion or your equal in creation”

Ayatollah Shirazi draws all of these from the Qur’an and the teachings of the holy prophet Muhammad and his impeccable progeny – the Ahl-ul-Bayt. Through his works He has become the manifestation of the school and teachings of the Ahl-ul-Bayt peace be upon them.

Humbleness:

He is not only renowned for his thoughts, ideas and works he has produced, but Ayatollah Shirazi is also famous for his humbleness before others and high ethics and morals. No one would fail to be highly impressed by his manners and noble characters and conduct when one comes to meet him and or interact with him.

Resisting Tyranny:

Ayatollah Shirazi’s resistance and steadfastness against tyranny and totalitarianism is legendary . . . so too is his attainment of noble human values. He always forgave those who had wronged him, even those who had spent good part of their time and energy character-assassinating him, he forgave without holding any grudge against them . . . but when it comes to principles and Islamic values he never compromised and he resisted tyranny with all he had, and at all cost. He fought suppression and dictatorship with his most powerful weapon, his pen. In his works he never even confronted dictators and oppressors directly, instead he presented the true and correct teachings of Islam on the issues concerned. This infuriated the tyrants and those who hold onto power and rule in the name of Islam.

Persecution:

From the outset of his adult and scholarly life, because of his total dedication to the teachings of Islam, and because of his views on various issues, which are based on those teachings, he came under sustained pressure from the authorities in Iraq. His persecution in Iraq at the hands of the Ba’thist Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein started in the late 1960's. The authorities in Iraq confiscated his books and later his books were banned from being published. Those who published any of his books were fined and imprisoned after loosing their trade license. In his works he used to present the teachings of Islam on the issue of the day, thereby indirectly dismissing the relevant stance or policy adopted by the regime. This brought about the wrath of the regime that did not tolerate any criticism even indirectly. But Ayatollah Shirazi was undeterred by the threats and intimidations made by Saddam’s regime. He was forced into exile, and settled in Kuwait in 1971. He immigrated to the holy City of Qum, Iran, after the 1979 revolution.

For most of the period of twenty years he spent in Iran, Ayatollah Shirazi faced continuous harassment and persecution at the hand of the authorities. During his stay in Iran he continued to call for Islamic issues such as freedom of expression, party political pluralism, peace and non-violence, which in turn brought about the wrath of the authorities there. His uncompromising stance on implementing the teachings of Islam in all aspects of government including such vital matters as leadership by consensus or Showral-Foqaha’-al-Maraje‘ (religious authorities’ council of leadership) attracted the fury of those at the helm.

Persecuted: Dead and Alive:

His books banned, and those that were published were confiscated and burnt, his charity institutions taken over by the authorities, his followers and sons illegally detained and tortured for periods of one to two years. He suffered far worse persecution at the hands of the so-called “Islamic” regime in Iran than what he faced from the Ba’thist regime of Saddam Hussein. He died in suspicious circumstances in the holy city of Qum, Iran, on Monday 17th December 2001, having spent the entire of his adult life striving for the greater enlightenment of the Muslims and mankind. More than half a million people attended his funeral procession the following day.

The Iranian regime’s persecution of this wholly unique freedom fighter continued unabated even after his death. In the course of the funeral procession, his body was abducted by the regime’s special forces before the thousands of mourners. The authorities claimed to have buried the body – without the consent or the presence of any member of the family of the deceased in the mausoleum in Qum.

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The Holy Qur’an, the Heifer (2): 208.
The Holy Qur’an, Jonah (10): 10.
The Holy Qur’an, Explained (41): 34-35.
The Holy Qur’an, Cattle (6): 108.
M. B. Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 66, p 270, vol. 74, pp 44-62.
M. H. Hurr al-‘Amili, Wasa’el al-Shi‘a, vol. 9, p 182.
The Holy Qur’an, the Heights (7): 157.
M. B. Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 2, p 272,
The Holy Qur’an, the Fraudsters (83): 26.
The Holy Qur’an, the Bee (16): 90.
The Holy Qur’an, Consultation (42): 38.
The Holy Qur’an, the Prophets (21): 92.
The Holy Qur’an, the apartments (49): 10.

Nahj_el_Balaghah, Commands of al-Ashtar. Nahj_el_Balaghah is a collection of speeches and writings of Imam Ali (AS), the successor of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

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