Mortada Motahhari and Islamic Unity

Morteza Motahhari (also transliterated Mortada Motahhari; 1919–1979) was an Iranian Twelver Shia scholar, philosopher, theologian, and public intellectual whose works addressed Islamic philosophy, theology, ethics, and society. He is widely recognized for his advocacy of Islamic unity (wahdat-e eslami), emphasizing common foundations shared by Sunni and Shia Muslims and warning against sectarianism as a threat to the cohesion of the Muslim community (Ummah).^[1]

Intellectual Background

Education and Scholarly Formation

Motahhari studied in the seminaries (Hawza) of Mashhad and Qom, where he was influenced by leading scholars such as Ruhollah Khomeini and Allameh Tabatabaei. His education combined traditional Islamic sciences with philosophy and engagement with modern intellectual challenges. This broad scholarly formation informed his inclusive outlook and his emphasis on addressing issues affecting Muslims collectively rather than through a sectarian lens.^[2]

↑ Hamid Algar, Religion and State in Iran, 1785–1906, University of California Press, 1969.
↑ Abdolkarim Soroush, Reason, Freedom, and Democracy in Islam, Oxford University Press, 2000.

[1] Hamid Algar, Religion and State in Iran, 1785–1906, University of California Press, 1969.

[2] Abdolkarim Soroush, Reason, Freedom, and Democracy in Islam, Oxford University Press, 2000.

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