Ahmad Moballeghi: Iranian Representative at the IIFA

Ayatollah Ahmad Moballeghi

Ayatollah Ahmad Moballeghi (Persian: احمد مبلغی‎; born 14 January 1961, Khorramabad, Iran) is an Iranian Twelver Shiʿa cleric, scholar of Islamic jurisprudence (*fiqh*), and prominent figure in Islamic unity and inter‑school dialogue. He serves as a member of the Assembly of Experts of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is widely recognized for his contributions to jurisprudential discourse, academic scholarship, and efforts to foster rapprochement among Islamic legal traditions. Among his international roles, Moballeghi has represented Iran at the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), an organization established under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to promote collective juristic reasoning and Sharia‑based solutions to contemporary issues affecting the global Muslim community (Wikipedia, n.d.; GCIID, n.d.).

His scholarly work and institutional engagement reflect a broader trend in contemporary Islamic scholarship that emphasizes unity, dialogue, and collaborative jurisprudence among diverse schools of thought. Moballeghi’s work spans academic research, publication, institutional leadership, and representation in international jurisprudential forums.

Early Life and Education

Ayatollah Ahmad Moballeghi was born on 14 January 1961 in Khorramabad, in western Iran. He pursued traditional religious education at the Islamic seminary (*hawza*) in Qom, where he specialized in jurisprudence (*fiqh*) and its principles (*usul al‑fiqh*). As part of his advanced studies, he reached the level of *darse kharij*, an advanced stage of seminary scholarship focused on independent juristic reasoning and the analysis of complex legal and theological issues.

In addition to traditional seminary training, Moballeghi has been involved in academic and research institutions, teaching and mentoring students in jurisprudence, contemporary legal issues, and inter‑religious dialogue. His early engagement in both academic and religious communities laid the groundwork for his later roles in national and international religious scholarship.

Career and Scholarly Contributions

Islamic Jurisprudence and Comparative Legal Thought

Moballeghi is considered one of the leading contemporary Shiʿa theoreticians in Islamic jurisprudence, particularly on issues related to legal methodology and the proximity of different religious schools. His work often addresses the need for jurisprudential unity, advocating for constructive dialogue among scholars from various traditions while preserving fidelity to Islamic sources such as the Qurʾān and Hadith.

He has authored and overseen research on topics such as inter‑school dialogue, comparative jurisprudence, and the role of Islamic law in contemporary society. His approach often emphasizes mutual respect, ethical principles, and scholarly rigor as foundations for cooperation among Islamic traditions.

Academic and Institutional Leadership

Moballeghi has held several academic and institutional positions in Iran. He has served as:

• A professor at the Islamic Seminary in Qom, teaching advanced jurisprudential courses.
• President of the Majlis Islamic Studies Center in Qom.
• Head of the University of Islamic Religions and Denominations in Iran.
• Editor‑in‑Chief of scholarly magazines such as *Religion and Law* and *Comparative Jurisprudence* (GCIID, n.d.).

In these roles, he has contributed to the development of academic programs, facilitated scholarly discourse on fiqh and comparative religion, and supported research that aims to bridge jurisprudential perspectives across different traditions.

Member of the Assembly of Experts

Moballeghi is a member of the Assembly of Experts, a deliberative body in the Islamic Republic of Iran responsible for overseeing the Supreme Leader and safeguarding the ideological and doctrinal integrity of the state’s religious leadership. His position in this body reflects his standing within Iran’s religious establishment and his influence in shaping discussions on jurisprudence and religious unity.

Representation at the International Islamic Fiqh Academy

Role and Participation

As part of his international engagement, Ayatollah Ahmad Moballeghi has represented the Islamic Republic of Iran at sessions and conferences of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy. The Academy, founded in 1981 under the auspices of the OIC, brings together jurists and scholars from member states and beyond to deliberate on contemporary issues through collective juristic reasoning (*ijtihad*) and provide Sharia‑based guidance on matters affecting Muslim societies (Wikipedia, n.d.).

Moballeghi’s representation underscores both his personal scholarly credentials and Iran’s active participation in international jurisprudential collaboration. His involvement includes presenting research, contributing to legal discussions, and participating in panels on topics such as:

• Jurisprudential responses to modern legal challenges.
• Ethical and legal dimensions of science and technology.
• Family law, financial law, and social jurisprudence.
• Inter‑school dialogue on jurisprudential methodology.

His presence at IIFA sessions highlights the Academy’s mission to integrate diverse juristic perspectives and foster unity among Islamic scholarly traditions.

Contribution to Jurisprudential Dialogue

Through his participation at IIFA events, Moballeghi has contributed to the Academy’s objective of promoting collective *ijtihad* and unity. This includes engaging with contemporary questions that require juristic articulation in light of changing social, economic, and technological contexts. His contributions are valued for bringing Iranian jurisprudential perspectives into wider discussions and for supporting cooperation among scholars across sectarian and regional divides.

Views on Islamic Unity and Dialogue

A recurring theme in Moballeghi’s work is the importance of Islamic unity grounded in jurisprudential dialogue and ethical collaboration. His speeches at international forums emphasize the need to build “bridges” between schools of thought, focusing on shared jurisprudential principles rather than sectarian differences. For example, at the opening of a global conference on building bridges between Islamic schools and sects, he articulated the view that harmony in the Muslim *ummah* requires cooperation and collective action founded on shared values and ethical commitments.

Moballeghi’s unity‑focused discourse aligns with broader efforts within contemporary Islamic scholarship that promote inclusivity, respect for diversity of legal interpretation, and constructive engagement across legal traditions.

International Engagement and Interfaith Activities

In addition to jurisprudential arenas like the IIFA, Moballeghi has participated in broader dialogues on interreligious understanding and interfaith cooperation. For instance, he was part of an Iranian delegation that attended an interfaith forum in India, emphasizing the importance of dialogue among Islam and other world religions to foster mutual understanding and prevent conflict. These activities highlight his role in advancing both intra‑Islamic and interreligious unity and cooperation.

Publications and Scholarly Influence

While specific bibliographic lists on Moballeghi’s publications are not comprehensively available in secondary sources, his editorial leadership of journals like *Religion and Law* and *Comparative Jurisprudence* demonstrates his role in shaping contemporary fiqh scholarship. Through these platforms, he has supported research that addresses legal questions facing modern Muslim communities, including family law, economic regulation, human rights, and ethical issues in science and technology.

His influence extends to academic mentorship and the promotion of research that encourages cooperation among legal traditions, contributing to a broader movement within Islamic scholarship that values unity, dialogue, and collective reasoning.

Reception and Impact

Ayatollah Ahmad Moballeghi’s work has been recognized within both Iranian and international scholarly communities. Supporters commend his efforts to bridge jurisprudential perspectives and promote unity across legal traditions while maintaining fidelity to Islamic sources and principles. His leadership roles within academic and religious institutions, as well as his representation at forums like the IIFA, contribute to his reputation as a figure who advocates for thoughtful, collaborative, and contextually relevant Islamic jurisprudence.

Some academic observers note that his engagement in international and interfaith forums reflects a broader trend in contemporary Islamic thought toward integrating diverse perspectives and addressing global challenges through ethical and jurisprudential dialogue.

See also

• International Islamic Fiqh Academy
• Islamic jurisprudence
• Assembly of Experts
• Shi‘a‑Sunni dialogue
• Muslim World League