Draft:Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti

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Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti, was an influential and active Iranian Shia cleric in the victory and formation of the Iranian Revolution in 1979 CE (1357 SH). After the revolution, he held important responsibilities such as the Head of the Supreme Court, Secretary-General of the Islamic Republican Party, and membership in the Assembly of Experts. He was martyred due to a bomb explosion by the MEK at the Islamic Republican Party headquarters.

Biography

Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti was born on the morning of the 2nd of Aban, 1307 SH, in a clerical family in the Lomban neighborhood near the Chaharsuq neighborhood of Isfahan. His father, Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Fadlollah Hosseini Beheshti, was one of the clerics of this city and the Imam of Lomban Mosque, and his mother was Masoumeh Begum Khatoonabadi, the daughter of Grand Ayatollah Mir Mohammad Sadegh Khatoonabadi. In Ordibehesht 1331 (at age 24), he married Mrs. Ezzat al-Sharifeh Modares Motlaq, the daughter of Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Mohammad Bagher Modares Motlaq, who was one of his relatives, and the fruit of this marriage was two daughters and two sons.

Education

Primary Education

In 1311 SH (at the age of four), he entered the maktabkhaneh and began his education at this age. In 1313 SH, when he was only 6 years old, by passing the entrance exam for Sarvat Elementary School in Isfahan (later named 15 Bahman), due to his exceptional intelligence, he had the ability to sit in the sixth grade, but due to his young age, he was compelled to start education from the fourth grade. In the sixth grade of elementary school, by participating in the provincial final exams, he managed to secure the second rank in the city. During this period, he showed great interest in mathematics and foreign language courses. In 1319 SH (at the age of 12), he began his studies at Saadi High School (near Imam Khomeini Square) in Isfahan and during this time also engaged in learning the French language. From Shahrivar 1320 SH, which coincided with the removal of Reza Khan and his exile to Mauritius Island, until the rise of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the regime's pressure on the clergy was somewhat reduced, and as a result, a large number of young people became attracted to learning seminary courses; he also decided to continue his education in the field of acquiring Islamic sciences.

Seminary Education

In 1321 SH (at the age of 14), he entered the Sadr Seminary of Isfahan and for four years studied Arabic literature, logic, theology, levels of jurisprudence and principles, and introductory philosophy courses under honorable teachers who were mostly students of his grandfather. The proficient seminary teachers considered his sharpness, precision, and progress in these courses as evidence that he could rightfully become the successor to his grandfather, Ayatollah al-Uzma Mir Mohammad Sadegh Khatounabadi. In Shahrivar 1325 SH (at the age of 18), he went to the Qom Seminary and resided in a room at Hojjatieh School and continued the remaining surface-level courses under Ayatollah Mohaqqeq Yazdi, Ayatollah Ardakani, and other high-ranking mujtahids and jurists. He studied part of Kifayah under Ayatollah Haj Sheikh Morteza Haeri Yazdi and another part of Kifayah and Makasib under Ayatollah Damad. Messrs. Morteza Motahhari, Mirza Ali Meshkini, and Musa Sadr were among Seyed Mohammad's classmates at this time. From Farvardin 1326 SH, along with Messrs. Motahhari and Montazeri -who at that time were among the Imam's understanding students- he attended the outer lessons of Fiqh and Usul of Imam Khomeini, Ayatollah Mohaqqeq Damad, and afterwards in the lessons of Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Taghi Khansari, Ayatollah Hojjat Kooh-Kamareh'i, and Ayatollah Haeri Yazdi. He believed that he had learned precision of view and breadth of knowledge from Ayatollah Borujerdi.

In 1327 SH (at the age of 20), he became acquainted with Messrs. Mohammad Mofatteh, Musa Shubayri Zanjani, Musa Sadr, Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ahmad Azari Qomi, Seyed Mehdi Rouhani, Ali Meshkini Ardabili, and Abdolrahim Rabani Shirazi, and engaged in discussion with them. He still had a passion for acquiring rational sciences and, in order to resolve some ambiguities and philosophical questions and seeking a scholarship, decided to travel abroad; however, with the guidance of his close and scholarly friend, Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari, during a trip to Qom, he became acquainted with the simple and fruitful presence of Allameh Tabatabai and became so captivated and enslaved by his character, conduct, patience, and forbearance that he canceled the travel and for 5 years benefited from his presence in the lessons of Mulla Sadra's Asfar, Ibn Sina's Shifa, and discussion on the book "Principles of Philosophy and the Method of Realism".

University Education

In 1324 SH (at the age of 17), while engaged in passing the late stages of the surface level, he also undertook learning a complete course of English language "Reader". His thirst for knowledge was such that in the same year (1327 SH) he restarted his classical education and after obtaining a literature diploma, he continued his studies in the Faculty of Rational and Transmitted Sciences (Theology and Islamic Studies) at the University of Tehran in the field of philosophy. In 1330 SH (at the age of 23), he obtained his bachelor's degree in philosophy and managed to be accepted for a scholarship abroad; also at this time, he completed learning the English language intensively with a foreign teacher. In 1334 SH, he succeeded in obtaining a master's degree in Rational Sciences (Philosophy and Islamic Wisdom) with a thesis entitled "Simplicity or Composition of the Body" under the supervision of Dr. Mahmoud Shahabi and approval of the jury, with an excellent grade from the University of Tehran.

In 1335 SH, he began studying for a PhD in Philosophy and Rational Sciences at the Faculty of Theology and despite the presence he was supposed to have in Qom as well, for the purpose of acquiring knowledge and employment, he commuted to Tehran. In 1338 SH (at the age of 31), he obtained his PhD degree in Islamic Philosophy and under the guidance of Ayatollah Motahhari – who at this time was a professor at the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies – defended his PhD thesis entitled "Metaphysical Issues in the Quran"; he also prepared and compiled the book "What is Prayer?" and at this time had sufficient mastery of three languages: English, Arabic, and German.

Activities

Scholarly Activities

Teaching: One of the factors that distinguished him from other outstanding students was the posing of questions and objections accompanied by study, discussion, and precision; he was also among the seminary students who engaged in teaching while studying in the Sadr and Qom Seminary Centers.
Establishing Ayatollah Damad's Advanced Lectures: One of his actions during his studies was establishing Ayatollah Damad's advanced lectures with the help and assistance of a number of scholars from the Qom Seminary.
Teaching English: In 1329, believing that clerics should have financial independence and considering earning a livelihood through religion incorrect, he began teaching English in Tehran high schools to cover his tuition and family living expenses.
In 1330 SH, he began working at the Ministry of Education and started teaching English at Hakim Nezami High School in Qom.
In 1333, he founded the "Din va Danesh" High School in Qom with a new style and was responsible for managing it until 1342; he also established classes for language learning for seminary students.
In 1339, he founded the Haqqani School in the city of Qom in collaboration with several friends, and with the consultation and assistance of Mr. Ayatollah Meshkini, Ayatollah Rabbani Shirazi, Ayatollah Jannati, and Ayatollah Martyr Saeidi, he formed sessions to discuss and design a seminary system. In these sessions, a seventeen-year plan for the education and training of seminary students was presented, which was in fact the first step towards organizing and shaping the curriculum to place the seminary on a path of evolution and dynamism.
In the year (1339), he undertook the preparation and arrangement of the articles "Banking and Financial Laws of Islam", "The World of Creation and the World of Command in the Quran", and "A New Stratum in Our Society".
Among Seyyed Mohammad's activities was forming a research group with seventeen of his friends to study cultural sections regarding the history of religions, the history of Christianity, materialist schools, etc., and present the results in public sessions. Seyyed Mohammad studied the book Ali Ibtal Mazhab al-Madah which was useful for examining materialism, and studied the book Bar Viranehaye Mazhab-e Materialism, written by "Farid Wajdi", with Mr. Montazeri.
In 1340, he prepared and arranged articles titled "Governance in Islam" and "The Law of Causality in Science and Religion".
In 1341, he established the Islamic Center for Students and Educators of Qom in cooperation with Dr. Mofatteh.
In 1342 (at age 35), with the help of a group of scholars from the Qom Seminary, he took steps to form a research group regarding governance in Islam.
In 1351, he prepared and submitted an article titled "Hukm al-Jihad wa al-Ta'im fi al-Shari'ah al-Islamiyah" on the topic of family planning from an Islamic perspective for the World Health Organization conference in the city of Rabat, the capital of Morocco.
In 1353, he compiled the book God from the Perspective of the Quran.

Missionary Activities

In the month of Ramadan of the same year (1326), upon the recommendation of Ayatollah al-Uzma Borujerdi and alongside Mr. Motahhari, Hossein Ali Montazeri, and about seventeen seminary students, they decided to travel to remote villages for propagation purposes, and in addition to gaining personal information and experience, take action to identify and solve the people's problems; another one of his objectives in these trips was the financial independence of clerics in study and propagation, which was experienced collectively.

Monthly Discourse: In 1328, he formed sessions titled "Monthly Discourse" with the presence of Mr. Ayatollah Motahhari, Ayatollah Taleghani, and several others, with the aim of conveying the message of Islam to the searching generation using new methods in Tehran, and published the issues raised in these sessions as articles in the books Monthly Discourse and Ashura Discourse.

Political Activities

At the age of 16, he assumed the leadership role of an anti-oppression group and, by mobilizing the people, replaced the headman of a village.
In the year 1329 SH, which coincided with the peak of the political and social struggles of the National Oil Movement led by Ayatollah Kashani and Mosaddegh, he was actively present as a young turbaned cleric in demonstrations, gatherings, and sessions.
During the strike on 29 Tir, which was held against Ghavam's speech at the Isfahan Telegraph Office building, he delivered a speech at the telegraph office of this province and, as a result, was summoned by the police.
Training Qualitative Revolutionary Forces: Following the commencement of the Imam's Movement in the year 1341 SH, he also rose to struggle and engaged in training qualitative, revolutionary, and committed forces. These extensive and fundamental activities, participation in sessions and foundational discussions of leading clerics of Qom, drafting statements, and an active role in the gatherings of the 15 Khordad event, sending telegrams of condolence to the Maraji of Qom following the tragedy of that day, coordinating the clerics of Isfahan city, and overall, aligning with the struggles of Imam Khomeini, led in the winter of that year to his suspension from cooperation with the Ministry of Education by SAVAK, being placed on standby, and exiled to Tehran.
Membership in the Jurisprudential and Political Council of the Islamic Coalition Society: After entering Tehran and connecting with the Islamic Coalition groups, Imam Khomeini appointed him, along with Messrs. Morteza Motahhari, Mohyeddin Anvari, and Mehdi Molaei, as the jurisprudential and political council of this society.
Changing Textbook Content: Among his other activities at this time was collaboration with Messrs. Dr. Bahonar, Dr. Ghafouri, Borqei, Razi Shirazi, and Roozbeh in the field of changing the content of the Religious Education book to Islamic thought and reasoning.

Speech in Isfahan: On 5 Mordad 1343 SH, coinciding with 17 Rabi' al-Awwal 1384 AH, he delivered an important speech at the Chaharbagh School in Isfahan, which led to his arrest.

In this speech, he regarded the message of the birth occasion of that day as resistance and struggle against the enemies of God, and later referred to that day as an unforgettable memory.

Establishment of the Hamburg Islamic Center: In the year 1344 SH, upon the recommendation of several Maraji (Ayatollah Haeri, Ayatollah Milani, and Ayatollah Khansari) and with the Imam's approval, he departed for Hamburg and engaged in propagating the religion of Islam at the Ayatollah Borujerdi Mosque. Since no Islamic organization existed in Hamburg until that time, with the help of several Muslim students from Europe, he formed the core of the Union of Associations of Persian-speaking Student Groups.

Among his other actions in Germany was changing the name of the "Iranians Mosque" to the "Hamburg Islamic Center", following which non-Iranian and non-Persian-speaking Muslim brothers, especially Arab brothers, also attended this mosque.

Publication of the book The Voice of Islam in Europe: In 1347 SH, he prepared and compiled a book titled The Voice of Islam in Europe in five world languages, though SAVAK prevented its publication.
Political missionary travels: In the summer of 1348 SH, during a trip to عراق, he visited and held discussions with Imam Khomeini, آیت‌الله خوئی, آیت‌الله سید محمد باقر صدر, and آیت‌الله حکیم. Also in this year, he performed the pilgrimage to the House of God and traveled to سوریه and لبنان to renew ties with friends, particularly Imam Musa Sadr, and from there went to ترکیه. In the same year, at the invitation of students, he attended the first student seminar held for two weeks at the Hamburg Mosque, which led to the exchange of useful ideological discussions among them; in this year, he prepared and compiled the articles Which Path and The Role of Faith in Human Life.
Declaration against the Zionist regime: In 1349 SH, at his initiative and with the cooperation of Muslims residing in آمریکا, a declaration against the crimes of the رژیم صهیونیستی was published in آلمان, which caused concern for the Shah's regime. His speech regarding God-worship and Just Laws in Islam and his extensive political and enlightening activities among students and other Iranians residing in اروپا, caused him to be banned from returning to Germany by ساواک after he came to Iran in the same year.
Establishment of the Maktab Tawhid Center: After returning from Germany, he participated in establishing the "Maktab Tawhid" as a scientific center for Muslim sisters in Tehran; this scientific center enabled many sisters to study religious and Islamic sciences. Among other institutions launched at this time with his assistance was the "Kanoon Tawhid", which became a base for the publication and propagation of Islam and the gathering of youth, and by holding student discussions, classes, and numerous speeches, played a significant role in mobilizing the masses and revitalizing this revolutionary center.
Establishment of the Maktab Quran Society: In 1350 SH, he managed Quran interpretation sessions and analysis of political issues under the cover of the "Maktab Quran" society. In these sessions, he familiarized youth with Quranic interpretation and raised new topics such as Islamic government, justice, liberalism, enjoining good, and freedom, and since the teachings had a significant impact on the construction of youth, it was eventually closed under pressure from SAVAK. In 1354 SH, due to the affairs of the "Maktab Quran" sessions and connections with abroad, he was arrested by SAVAK and detained for a few days.
Formation of the Combatant Clergy Association: In 1355 SH, due to the cohesion and organization of the clergy and with the help and assistance of Mr. Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari, Dr. Mohammad Mofatteh, Hojjat al-Islam امامی کاشانی and Hojjat al-Islam Melki, he laid the foundation for the initial core of the Combatant Clergy. This organization was initially proposed as the Assembly of Combatant Clergy in Shemiran and announced its existence in 1356 SH under the name "Combatant Clergy Association".
Founding of the Islamic Republic Party: In the spring of 1357 SH, with the aim of coordinating the fundamental activities of students and university professors and the political movements of groups believing in the leadership of Imam Khomeini, he traveled to Europe and America; also in the same year, in order to organize revolutionary forces into a single body, he established the foundation of the Islamic Republic Party, and following these activities, on 14 Azar 1357 SH, he was arrested by the Joint Committee against Sabotage. The "Islamic Republic Party", which had been proposed by Seyyed Mohammad in late 1356 SH to organize revolutionary forces into a single body, announced its existence on 29 Bahman 1357 SH, along with Mr. Khamenei, Seyyed Abdul-Karim Mousavi Ardabili, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and Mohammad Javad Bahonar, and in the first party session, Ayatollah Beheshti was elected as the Secretary-General of the party by the majority vote of members.
Accompanying Imam Khomeini in Paris: After his release, he took charge of the leadership of the fighters inside the country, and with the Imam's entry into Paris (13 Mehr 1357 SH), he departed for Paris in Aban of that year for negotiations and coordination with him.
Formation of the Revolutionary Council: In early Bahman 1357 SH, by the order of Imam Khomeini, he formed the Revolutionary Council (in cooperation with Mr. مرتضی مطهری, محمد جواد باهنر, اکبر هاشمی رفسنجانی, Seyyed Abdul-Karim Mousavi Ardabili, سید محمود طالقانی, سید علی‌ خامنه‌ای, Mohammad-Reza Mahdavi Kani, Mostafa Katiraei, Yadollah Sahabi, and Ahmad Haj-Seyyed Javadi)).
Prevention of airport closure: On 8 Bahman 1357 SH, in protest against the Bakhtiar government which had prevented His Eminence the Imam from entering Iran, he staged a sit-in at the Tehran University Mosque, and the scope of this sit-in reached such an extent that a large number of clerics, students, and people also joined the mosque, and as a result of this strike, the Shah's regime was forced to reopen the airport on 9 Bahman 1357 SH.
Head of the Judiciary: After the victory of the Revolution, one of the pillars of the Islamic Republic system that needed review, transformation, and reform was the Judiciary, which the Revolutionary Council entrusted to Dr. Seyyed Mohammad Beheshti.
Membership in the Assembly of Experts: In the summer of 1358 SH, he was elected by the people as the representative of Tehran in the Assembly of Experts with the highest vote, and in the first session of the Assembly, he was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
Head of the Supreme Court: The merit, competence, and successful performance of Seyyed Mohammad led to him assuming responsibility for the "Supreme Court of the Country" – which was the highest judicial authority in the country at that time – by the order of Imam Khomeini on 4 Esfand 1358 SH.
Member of the Presidential Council: On 2 Tir 1360 SH, after the impeachment of Bani-Sadr, he became a member of the Temporary Presidential Council.

Works

Numerous works by this honorable martyr remain in the form of speeches, articles, and books, including the following: Template:فهرست ستونی

Islamic Economics;
What We Know About the Party;
Al-Tawhid fi al-Quran;
The Importance of the Cooperative Method;
Banking and Islamic Financial Laws;
Dos and Don'ts;
An Examination and Analysis of Jihad, Justice, Liberalism, Imamate;
Health and Family Planning;
Five Discourses;
Reliance on God from the Quran's Perspective;
Four Discourses by Two Martyrs (Authored by Dr. Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti and Dr. Mohammad Javad Bahonar);
Truth and Falsehood;
Governance in Islam;
Hajj in the Quran;
God from the Quran's Perspective;
Dr. Shariati, A Seeker on the Path of Becoming;
Usury in Islam;
The Mission of the University and the Student;
Method of Interpretation from the Quran – Islamic Lessons Series (3);
Clergy in Islam and Among Muslims;
Anthem of Monotheism;
Knowing Religion;
Mystical Knowledge;
Night of Qadr;
Knowing Islam;
Knowledge;
Knowledge from the Perspective of Fitrah;
Knowledge from the Quran's Perspective;
The Voice of Islam in Europe;
Draft Bill of Qisas;
Scientific and Practical Plan for Islamic Educational Institutions (Authored by Dr. Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti and the Editorial Board of Nahj al-Balagha Foundation);
Philosophy and Divine Knowledge;
Which Path;
Our Positions;
The Victorious Fighter;
Theoretical Foundations of the Constitution;
Music and Recreation in Islam;
The Issue of Ownership – Islamic Lessons Series (1);
The Environment of the Emergence of Islam;
School and Specialization;
Management in Islam;
Fighting Distortion, One of the Goals of the Prophet of Islam;
The Role of Freedom in Child Education;
What is Prayer?;
The Role of Faith in Human Life;
The Role of Organization in Advancing the Islamic Revolution;
Duties of Islamic Associations of Students in Europe Towards Muslim Youth;
Features of the Islamic Revolution of Iran;
A New Stratum in Our Society.

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Assassination and Martyrdom

Order, organization, management, and wisdom were among his rare qualities, and the enemies of Iran and the Islamic Revolution were deeply concerned about these prominent qualities of his. Therefore, they conspired against him with all their might and launched extensive propaganda against him. First, they attempted a white assassination and tried to undermine him among the people, and finally they resorted to his physical assassination. After 53 years of activity, he ultimately attained the grace of martyrdom on Sunday, 7 Tir 1360, at 9:07 PM, following the explosion of the "Islamic Republic Party headquarters", which was organized by the "People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran", along with 72 of his companions.

References

Islamic Revolution Historiography and Encyclopedia Foundation, Date of publication: n.d., Date of access 23 Khordad 1403 SH.

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