Ayatullah Sayyid Husayn Burujirdi

Sayyid Ḥusayn Burūjirdī Ṭabāṭabāʾī (Persian: سید حسین بروجردی طباطبایی) (b. 1292/1875 - d. 1380/1961) was one of the great Shi'a scholars of the 20th century. He was the leader of Shi'a seminary of Qom for 17 years and was officially the only Shi'a religious leader for 15 years.

Life

He was born in Borujerd in Safar 1292 / March 1875. His father was Sayyid Ali Tabataba'i, also a religious scholar, and his mother was Sayyidah Agha Beygum, the daughter of Sayyid Muhammad Ali Tabataba'i. His lineage traces back 30 generations to Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a). After entering elementary school at the age of seven, Sayyid Husayn's father realized his talent for learning and sent him to Nurbakhsh seminary in Borujerd. At the age of 18, he left Borujerd for Isfahan to continue his education. There, he attended the classes of Sayyid Muhammad Baqir Durchih'i, Mirza Abu l-Ma'ali Kalbasi and Sayyid Mohammad Taqi Mudarris. He also benefited from the philosophy lessons of Akhund Kashi and Jahangir Khan Qashqa'i.[2] After four years of study, he left Isfahan and returned back to his hometown. He emigrated to Najaf at the age of 27 and attended the classes of Akhund Khurasani for nine years. He also studied under Sayyid Kazim Yazdi and Shari'at Isfahani.

Life in Najaf

In 1345/1926, the chairman of a governmental organization in Borujerd appointed a Baha'i person as his deputy. Also at that time, a demonstration of women without hijab was organized in the city. When Burujirdi was informed of these events, to express his dissent, he decided to travel to the holy cities of Iraq. Although the governor of Borujerd dismissed that chairman from his job due to unreligious conduct, Burujirdi emigrated to Najaf. When 'ulama of Qom decided to criticize Reda Shah Pahlavi by holding a sit-in,'ulama of Najaf also decided to show their disapproval towards Reda Shah, and chose Burujirdi and Shaykh Ahmad Shahroudi to meet with the 'ulama in Qom. However, Burujirdi and his colleague were arrested by the agents of Reda Shah in Qasr-e Shirin and sent to Tehran where Ayatollah Burujirdi met with the Shah. He advised Reda Shah to be righteous in his conduct, and then traveled to Mashhad. He stayed in Mashhad for eight months. Ayatollah Muhammad Kifa'i (son of Akhund Khurasani) and Ayatollah Sayyid Husayn Tabataba'i Qomi asked him to lead the congregational prayers in the Goharshad Mosque of the holy Shrine of Imam Reda(a). After eight months, he decided to return to Borujerd. On his way there, he visited Qom, and was urged by Shaykh 'Abd al-Karim al-Ha'iri to stay and teach in the seminary of Qom.

Emigration to Borujerd

Due to the insistence of different groups, Burujirdi left Qom and returned to his hometown. After a short time, he went to Tehran for some medical treatment. There, Imam Khomeini and other scholars of Qom visited him and invited him to accept the religious leadership and directorship of the Islamic seminary of Qom.

Staying in Qom

He finally moved to Qom in 1945. Some 'ulama including Imam Khomeini, Sayyid Muhaqqiq Damad, Murtada Ha'iri and Sayyid Muhammad Taqi Khwansari attended his lessons along with their students in order to show his outstanding position and encourage other students to participate in his class. Sayyid Sadr al-Din al-Sadr, who was leading the congregational prayers in the Holy Shrine of Lady Fatima al-Ma'suma (a) in Qom, left his position in favor of Ayatollah Burujirdi. Additionally, Sayyid Muhammad Hujjat left teaching his class so Burujirdi would take over. Although many people were following Sayyid Burujirdi in terms of religious laws, he officially started his religious leadership (Marja'iyyat) after publishing his practical book of Islamic laws (Risala 'Amaliyya). Thereafter, other scholars invited their followers to accept him as the only religious authority (Marja'-i Taqlid). A year after the demise of Sayyid Abu l-Hasan Isfahani, many of his followers turned to Burujirdi, and after the demise of Sayyid Husayn Tabataba'i Qomi, he became the only official religious leader (Marja'-i Taqlid) of the Shiite world.

Permission for Narrating Hadith

He was authorized to be a Mujtahid by his outstanding teachers, Akhund Khurasani, Shaykh al-Shari'a Isfahani and Sayyid Abu l-Qasim Dihkurdi. He was given permission to narrate hadith by the same teachers, as well as Shaykh Muhammad Taqi Isfahani (known as Aqa Najafi Isfahani), Agha Buzurg Tihrani and 'Alam al-Huda Malayiri.

Teaching Method

He used very simple language in his lessons and avoided unnecessary discussions. Like early Shi'a 'ulama such as al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Sayyid Murtada, al-Shaykh al-Tusi, Shaykh Tabarsi and Allama Bahr al-'Ulum, he had a comprehensive knowledge of many different subjects. He employed a unique method of study in 'Ilm al-rijal in which he studied the chain of transmission of hadith in the Four Books independently from the narrations. Through this method, he made great contributions to future research.

Works

Main article: List of Works by Sayyid Husayn Burujirdi Ayatullah Burujirdi has more than 20 works in Arabic and Persian. His works are in rijal, hadith, jurisprudence and principles of jurisprudence. Jami' ahadith al-Shi'a is his most famous book in jurisprudential hadiths. Jami' ahadith al-Shi'a is his most famous work in jurisprudential hadith which is published in 31 volumes. Students 1. Imam Khomeini 2. Sayyid Muhammad Rida Gulpayigani 3. Husayan Ali Muntaziri 4. Sayyid Ali Sistani 5. Lutf Allah Safi Gulpayigani 6. Ali Safi Gulpayigani 7. Muhammad Fadil Lankarani 8. Sayyid Musa Shubayri Zanjani

Moral Virtues

He was a sincere believer. Whenever he was praised by others for his contributions to the Shi'a community he would say: "Purify your acts from hypocrisy, for the watcher (God) is very sharp-sighted." Ayatullah Burujirdi never stopped acquiring knowledge until the last moments of his life. He used to say, "I never get tired of studying; rather, when I get tired, I relax by studying." He would tolerate and forgive the disrespectful behavior of his critics. In the last days of Burujirdi's life, Professor Muris (a French physician) came from Paris to treat him. Before seeing the professor, he asked for a comb to tidy his beard. His friends told him this was not necessary since he was sick, but he answered, "I am the religious leader of Shi'a and it is not acceptable that I visit a non-Muslim with an untidy look." He was not afraid to frankly declare his opposition to some superstitious customs in the mourning ceremonies of Imam al-Husayn (a). Ayatollah Burujirdi vowed that if he became angry, he would fast for one year. As reported by Ayatollah Gulpayigani, "Ayatollah Burujirdi frequently expressed his regret that he did not find the opportunity to become martyred." Charitable Works

According to Martyr Mutahhari, Ayatollah Burujirdi was eager to establish schools with religious management so that future generations would become religious and knowledgeable. He thus spent a considerable amount of religious tax to carry out this task. Ayatullah Burujurdi invited famous people and businessmen to his house and requested them to financially help the needy. Because of World War II, the price of food had gone up in Borujerd and the people were living in hardship. He himself spent much of his property for this cause. The city of Borujerd also lacked electricity, but by the order of Ayatollah Burujirdi and the help of some religious people, a power plant was constructed to rectify the problem. Under his leadership, many political and social changes took place in the administration of seminaries and publication of religious books. Furthermore, many religious scholars were sent to other cities and countries to preach religious beliefs and fulfill the religious needs of people. Some of the charitable and religious organizations which were built during his time are: 'A'zam Mosque in the Holy Shrine of Lady Fatima al-Ma'suma (a) in Qom, Baghdad Mosque, a hospital in Najaf, Neku'i hospital in Qom, and the Islamic center in Hamburg, Germany.

Politics

As indicated by his support for Ayatollah Sayyid Abu l-Qasim Kashani, Ayatullah Burujirdi believed in participating in political activities for the purpose of defending religion. He held a firm and clear position in opposition to Israel. In 1948, he issued an announcement condemning the occupation of Palestine and wished victory for the Palestinian people.

Death

Ayatollah Burujirdi passed away on Shawwal 12, 1380 (March 30, 1961). His son, Muhammad Hasan Tabataba'i, led his funeral prayer. After his death, the ambassadors of many Islamic countries expressed their condolences, and the embassies of some non-Islamic countries raised their flags at half-mast to express their respect. His body is buried in the Holy Shrine of Lady Fatima al-Ma'suma (a) in Qom.