Hossein Borujerdi

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Hossein Ali Tabatabaei Borujerdi (23 March 1875 – 30 March 1961) was a leading Iranian Shia Marja' and the sole marja' of the Shia world from roughly 1947 until his death. He is widely recognized for his significant efforts in fostering Islamic unity and rapprochement (Taqrib) between Shia and Sunni Muslims. During a period of intense political change and ideological polarization in the Middle East, Borujerdi adopted a transnational strategy of "Ummatism" to consolidate Shia authority within the broader Islamic community, positioning himself as a key figure for convergence around Islam as a unifying identity.

The Dar al-Taqrib and Engagement with Al-Azhar

Borujerdi's most prominent initiative for Islamic unity was his strong support for the Dar al-Taqrib (Organization for Rapprochement Among the Islamic Sects) in Cairo, which was established in 1948 with Sheikh Mohammad Taqi Qomi as its secretary-general. His attention to the rapprochement of Islamic sects indicated a strong commitment to the unity and solidarity of Muslims. He believed that the Shia community should emphasize the scientific authority of the Ahl al-Bayt, which he felt could unite all Muslims around them by adhering to the Hadith of the Two Weighty Things.

He established cordial and collaborative relations with the grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Mahmoud Shaltout. This relationship yielded a landmark outcome in 1959 when Shaltout issued a historic fatwa recognizing the Ja'fari school of jurisprudence as a legitimate fifth school of Islamic law, on par with the four major Sunni schools, and approved its teaching at Al-Azhar University. This was a monumental step in ending the isolation of the Shia community, who had previously been considered by some Sunni scholars to be outside the fold of orthodox Islam.

Borujerdi was deeply committed to preventing sectarian conflict. When a scholar from Qom published a book that insulted the Sunni caliphs, Borujerdi ordered the offending section to be removed at his own expense, remarking that such language was inappropriate for the times. Furthermore, in the last year of his life, he sent a message to Mohammad Taqi Qomi to be conveyed to Sheikh Shaltout, urging him to help improve relations between Iran and Egypt. He expressed fear that his years of work for unity would be lost if relations deteriorated.

Transnational Network and Global Outreach

Borujerdi's strategy for unity was not limited to scholarly dialogue in Egypt; it was a comprehensive effort to build a global network. He revived the Qom Seminary, which had waned after the death of its founder, Abdul-Karim Ha'eri Yazdi, in 1937. He sent representatives and missionaries to various countries, including Lebanon, Kuwait, Sudan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, England, and the United States. A key achievement was the establishment of the Islamic Center of Hamburg in Germany in 1953 with his financial support. This center remains one of the most important Shia and Islamic centers in Europe. He also sent Mehdi Haeri Yazdi to the United States as his representative, who remained active until the Iranian revolution.

Through these actions, Borujerdi expanded the Shia clerical network beyond Iran, creating a cohesive, global network of seminaries, schools, and mosques. This was vital for the development of the clerical institution and for spreading his vision of a united Islamic identity that transcended national borders.

Legacy

Ayatollah Borujerdi's legacy is a complex one. He is remembered as a towering figure who successfully positioned Shia authority within the broader Islamic world, creating a bridge between the Qom Seminary and the intellectual hub of Al-Azhar in Cairo. His emphasis on Taqrib and his establishment of transnational networks created a foundation for inter-sectarian dialogue that continued after his death.

While he is praised for his efforts in Islamic unity, his tenure was also marked by a quietist approach to domestic politics, offering tacit support to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to maintain stability and the independence of the seminary. This period also saw a significant escalation of persecution against the Baha'i community in Iran, with Borujerdi issuing fatwas and directives that incited violence and led to the destruction of their properties.

Nevertheless, his efforts for Islamic unity had a lasting impact. His death in 1961 led to a period of decentralization in the Shia marja'iyya and a relative decrease in the influence of the Dar al-Taqrib, highlighting the pivotal role he had played in shaping these intra-faith interactions. Many of his students, including Morteza Motahhari, Mohammad Beheshti, and Ruhollah Khomeini, carried forward and developed aspects of his methodological and political legacy.