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Sayyid Abul-Qasim Kashani
File:Sayyid Abul-Qasim Kashani.jpg
Personal Details
Birth PlaceTehran, Iran
Death PlaceTehran, Iran
Teachers
Akhund Mulla Kazem Khorasani
ReligionIslam

Sayyid Abul-Qasim Kashani (1264 SH-1340 SH), was an Iranian jurist and politician. He fought against the British in Iraq and came to Tehran in 1299 SH. Kashani was one of the political activists of the 1940s and along with Mohammad Mosaddegh, nationalized the oil of Iran. The official recognition of the holiday for the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) in Iran was done upon his request and Mosaddegh's order.


Biography and Education

Sayyid Abul-Qasim Kashani was born in 1264 SH in Tehran. His father, Sayyid Mustafa Husayni Kashani, was a religious scholar who passed away on 27 Khordad 1298 SH in Kadhimiya and was buried near the Kadhimiya Shrine. He was engaged in teaching and propagating religious sciences in Tehran for years and had resided in Najaf since 1274 SH[1].

Sayyid Abul-Qasim Kashani went to Iraq at the age of 15 and studied and debated at the Hawza of Najaf. After completing the initial stages, he benefited from the presence of teachers such as: Mohammad Kazem Khorasani, Mirza Hussein Mirza Khalil, and reached the degree of Ijtihad in his youth and received permission for Ijtihad from great Marjas such as: Mirza Mohammad Taqi Shirazi, Shariat Isfahani, Aqa Zia Iraqi, Sayyid Abul-Hasan Isfahani, Sayyid Ismail Sadr[2]. He took charge of administering the school "Navin Alavi" in Najaf himself. In this school, in addition to Islamic knowledge, other lessons such as mathematics and even military arts were taught[3].


Scholarly Status

Some Marjas and Hawza professors praised Kashani's scientific status and referred to him as an established Mujtahid, and even some, such as Mirza Mohammad Taqi Shirazi, referred their precautionary rulings to him. Aqa Ziauddin Iraqi gave him permission to narrate hadith. Shariat Isfahani also referred to Kashani's scientific status in a letter and asked the believers to consider Kashani's presence a blessing. Sayyid Abul-Hasan Isfahani emphasizes in part of his writing about Kashani:

«It was necessary to disturb that blessed existence, worthy in every respect and adorned with praiseworthy qualities, and rare in religion and righteousness. His religious rulings are binding and obeyed, and submission of religious rights and the Imam's share (peace be upon him) to him does not require permission, and it is confirmation of the clear religion and strengthening of the Sharia of the Lord of the Messengers, peace be upon him and his pure progeny.»[4] The official recognition of the holiday for the martyrdom anniversary of Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) in Iran was done upon his request and Mosaddegh's order[5].

Political Activities

Anti-colonial Struggles in Iraq

During World War I, when some cities of Iraq were occupied by England forces, Kashani confronted the invading forces[6]. Mirza Mohammad Taqi Shirazi and Sheikh al-Shariah Isfahani, among the scholars residing in Iraq, rose to his aid by writing letters, and following that, a large number of tribal leaders also approved his movement. After peaceful paths for Iraq's independence failed, with the start of battle between revolutionaries and English forces, Kashani obtained a Jihad fatwa from Ayatollah Shirazi, and thus the uprising spread across all occupied regions, and some cities and areas were liberated by Muslims[7]. Sheikh al-Shariah Isfahani tasked Seyyed Abolqasem Kashani to go to Kazimayn and form the "Islamic Society" for Jihad[8].

Political Activities in Iran

After the occupation of Iraq and the armistice, the English military governor of Iraq set a bounty for his arrest. Kashani fled and moved towards Iran[9]. On this basis, he can be considered among the first returnees. His entry into Tehran, 30 Bahman 1299 SH, coincided with the kingship of Ahmad Shah. Ahmad Shah hosted Kashani at his summer palace and negotiated regarding the exile of other scholars[10]. Kashani became a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1304 and voted in favor of establishing the Pahlavi dynasty, and during Reza Shah's era, he had no overt political activity[11].

Arrest in Iran

With the start of World War II and the occupation of Iran by Allied forces, the English decided to arrest him by spreading rumors of Kashani's cooperation with the Germans[12]. Kashani was arrested after five months on 27 Khordad 1323 SH in Golab Darreh, Shemiran. The English sent him to the detention camp (Winter Camp) in Arak and after some time transferred him to one of the camps in Kermanshah. While Ayatollah Kashani was being pursued by English forces and was in hiding, the elections for the 14th term of the National Consultative Assembly were held by the Soheili government. The people of Tehran elected him as a representative. However, the Allied forces opposed his credentials and did not allow him to enter the Parliament. World War II ended, and Ayatollah Kashani was released on 24 Mordad 1324 and entered Tehran on 31 Shahrivar amidst a huge crowd[13].

Elections of the 15th Parliament Term

Qavam os-Saltaneh; the Prime Minister, for the 15th term elections and to strengthen his position, announced the formation of the Democrat Party on 9 Tir 1325 SH. The main duty of this state party was to send pro-Qavam representatives to the Parliament. Ayatollah Kashani, who had recently been released from the English prison, opposed Qavam and, to incite the people, began a political journey from Tehran to Mashhad which was met with public welcome and resulted in impassioned speeches in every city[14]. In Semnan, the people gave him a magnificent welcome, and then he departed for Sabzevar[15]. Since in Semnan on 26 Tir, a conflict arose between Muslim workers and members of the Tudeh Party, Ayatollah Kashani was identified as the main cause of the conflict, and he was arrested on the way to Sabzevar. The government published a statement and explained in detail Kashani's involvement in the conflicts[16].

Support for Palestine

Kashani was released on 21 Khordad 1326. Kashani's release coincided with the formation of the Zionist regime and the creation of problems for the Palestinians. He, who considered all Islamic countries his homeland, asked the people on 17 Dey 1326 to gather at Shah Mosque to support the people of Palestine. After that, again in a statement on 28 Ordibehesht 1327, he asked the people to gather at Sultani Mosque on the last Friday of Ordibehesht to support the people of Palestine. In this gathering, in addition to him, Navvab Safavi also spoke, and about 5000 young Muslims volunteered to be sent to Palestine[17].

Opposition to the Hajir Government

With Hajir's premiership in 1327, Kashani considered this selection the result of coordination between the court and England to solve the oil issue and increase the Shah's power[18]. Therefore, he turned the Eid al-Fitr prayer of 1367 AH (16 Mordad 1327 SH) into a maneuver against the Hajir government. Shams Qanat Abadi writes about this in his memoirs:

"In the history of Iran after the deposition of the Qajar dynasty, this was the first time [that] firstly such a large gathering was formed outside the city to perform one of the religious duties, and again it was for the first time that at the end of a gathering and religious act, a political issue, even to this extent of importance, was raised... That day's gathering and Mr. Kashani's critical speech and prayers, which meant curses and severe criticisms... shook the Hajir government[19]. Finally, the Hajir government fell on 25 Aban 1327 and his 25-article oil plan was also discarded[20].

Confrontation with Razmara

Lieutenant General Razmara attained the position of Prime Minister on 5 Tir 1329 with the aim of extending and developing the Southern Oil concession (the Gass-Golshaian Contract). Following Kashani's opposition to Razmara, the Tehran Bazaar closed down, and thousands gathered in Baharestan Square to prevent his entry into the Parliament. To prevent the approval of the oil contract in the Parliament, Kashani issued a proclamation addressed to the nation of Iran. However, Razmara, disregarding the opinions of the clerics, Parliament representatives, and the people, continued to insist on the approval of the Southern Oil Supplemental Contract, until he was eventually assassinated on 16 Esfand 1329 by Khalil Tahmasebi, a member of Fada'iyan-e Islam. Khalil Tahmasebi had obtained the fatwa for this assassination from Kashani[21].

Ayatollah Kashani and the Nationalization of the Oil Industry

Kashani brought the slogan of oil nationalization from among the political elites to the public level and engaged in popular mobilization. He invited the people through a proclamation to gather at Shah Mosque on 1 Dey 1329 for the nationalization of the oil industry[22]. In this gathering, which was organized by the Society of Militant Muslims, the Ayatollah announced: "To reclaim oil from the enemies of religion and country and to nationalize the oil, participate on Friday afternoon, 1 Dey (13 Rabi' al-Awwal) at Shah Mosque. [25] Kashani invited the people again to gather on the 8th of Dey at Baharestan Square. The selection of Baharestan Square was intended both to support the representatives of the National Front and to sound the alarm bell in the ears of representatives opposing oil nationalization[23]. Kashani's efforts towards the nationalization of the oil industry were effective; Mosaddegh said to him in a telegram: "Your Excellency's endorsements and courageous actions have always been the basis of the Iranian nation's success in this historical struggle"[24].

30 Tir 1331 Uprising

On 1331/4/25, Mosaddegh disagreed with the Shah regarding taking control of the Ministry of War (which was in the Shah's hands) and subsequently resigned. The Shah also introduced Ahmad Qavam as Prime Minister. Kashani stated in a proclamation:

"... Ahmad Qavam must know that in a land where its suffering people, after years of pain and hardship, have shrugged off the burden of dictatorship, he should not officially declare the suppression of thoughts and beliefs and threaten the people with mass execution. I explicitly say that it is necessary for all Muslim brothers to gird up the loins of determination in this Greater Jihad and prove to the owners of colonial policy for the last time that their efforts to regain past power and dominance are impossible..."[25] The people's uprising returned Mosaddegh to the Prime Ministership.

Kashani as Parliament Speaker

Seyyed Hassan Emami, one of the clerics supporting the government, resigned from the Parliament Speakership on 31 Tir, and on 16 Mordad, the Parliament chose Kashani as Speaker. Although he never attended the Parliament and the Vice Speakers administered the Parliament, his leadership declined among the people, reducing the brave anti-colonial leader to the level of a bureaucrat[26].

Defeat of the Movement and the 28 Mordad Coup

30 Tir 1331 was the peak point of power and unity of the Iranian National Movement, but disagreements that arose among the leaders of the movement led to its weakness and defeat. Despite existing differences, when Ayatollah Kashani felt threatened by Mosaddegh's government, on 27 Mordad 1332 he wrote a letter to Mosaddegh and informed him of a coup occurring at the hands of Zahedi. Mosaddegh wrote in response:

"Your Excellency's note was received via Aqa Hassan Aqasalmi. I rely on the support of the nation of Iran." On 28 Mordad, the United States staged a coup against Mosaddegh via Major General Zahedi. However, many disputes have taken place regarding this letter, and some have also questioned the authenticity of this letter[27].

Kashani and the Coup Government

After the coup, Kashani decided to travel from Iran to abroad. One of his associates announced that the Ayatollah had previously intended to travel abroad or rest in a corner of the counties, away from political struggles[28]. Travel abroad was not arranged, and Kashani traveled to the outskirts of Tehran, then entered Tehran on 1 Muharram, 21 Shahrivar, and held a Rowzeh Khani session in his home[29]. The Shah also tried not to involve the Ayatollah with himself after the coup[30] Zahedi also tried to maintain respect for him. Three days after the coup, he requested an appointment from Kashani and went to visit him, but this relationship did not last long, and the challenge between Zahedi and Kashani began.

Protest Against the Closure of the 17th Parliament

Ayatollah Kashani's conflict with Zahedi began with the dissolution of the Parliament. Although Zahedi considered the referendum to dissolve the 17th Parliament unconstitutional, he was unwilling to reconvene the 17th Parliament after coming to power. The Ayatollah, who had opposed Mosaddegh during the dissolution of the 17th Parliament and had issued statements regarding the reasons for his opposition and the boycott of the referendum,[31]. When Zahedi did not fulfill his promise, he rose in opposition to him. Although the 17th Parliament had a number of courtly and monarchist representatives, two-thirds of it were aligned with the National Movement, and reconvening this Parliament could have prevented many of the Shah and government's incorrect decisions.

Elections for the 18th Parliament

The peak of Ayatollah Kashani's conflict with Zahedi was over the elections for the 18th term. The Zahedi government intended to implement behind-the-scenes decisions with foreigners, namely solving the oil issue, through the election of desired individuals. Ayatollah Kashani, by publishing an open letter addressed to Zahedi, announced: "The government apparatus is busy preparing preliminaries to conduct the 18th term elections in a staged and list-based manner... If the government intends to interfere, it will face strong resistance from the patriotic people of Tehran."[32] When the Ayatollah did not find his warnings effective, he issued a statement with a harsh tone and said:

"I have given my warnings regarding the renewal of relations with England and the oil issue and the injustices inflicted upon people's rights and the deprivation of freedom and suppression of the press by the government; unfortunately, it is observed that the country's situation has never been this tragic and heartbreaking, and there is no freedom except for British agents. The national press and publications have no opportunity to express opinions and state the facts... Many nationalistic and religious freedom seekers are imprisoned..."[33]

Letter to the UN Secretary-General

Ayatollah Kashani wrote a letter to the UN Secretary-General in Bahman 1332 SH and severely criticized the intense suppression, restriction of freedom, heavy censorship, and staged elections, and accused the government of resorting to inhumane acts and the killing of freedom-seeking people, innocent university students, and Abadan workers, and the imprisonment and exile of opponents and the beating of protesters[34].

Letter to the Shah

Kashani also sent a letter titled "His Imperial Majesty the Shah!" to Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi and, while noting the illegality of the government's actions regarding oil and elections, reproached the Shah and declared:

"The responsibility for these actions taken by the government lies with His Imperial Majesty personally, because under the current conditions where there is no Parliament, the Head of Government is the agent of His Imperial Majesty"[35]. This letter caused anger in the court and government, and the government spokesperson, to humiliate him, referred to Ayatollah Kashani by the name "Seyed Kashi"[36].

Death

Ayatollah Kashani passed away after a period of illness on 23 Esfand 1340 SH (corresponding to 7 Shawwal 1381 AH) due to acute bronchitis. His body was buried after the funeral procession at the Shrine of Abdol-Azim (peace be upon him)[37]. Various ceremonies were held across the country for this activist cleric. On 12/23, on this occasion, memorial services were held at Azam Mosque by Ayatollah Golpayegani, Ayatollah Marashi Najafi, Imam Khomeini, and Ayatollahzadeh Borujerdi.


Footnotes

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  1. ↑ Ayatollah Sayyid Abul-Qasim Kashani as Narrated by Documents, Vol. 1, Tehran, Center for Historical Documents Research, 1379 SH
  2. ↑ Sayyid Hadi Khosrowshahi, Maktab Islam Magazine, 1341 SH, No. 3, Fourth Year
  3. ↑ Ayatollah Sayyid Abul-Qasim Kashani as Narrated by Documents, Vol. 1, Tehran, Center for Historical Documents Research, 1379 SH. p. 10
  4. ↑ History of Contemporary Culture, Second Year, No. 6, written by Ayatollah Mohammad Sharif Razi
  5. ↑ Ibid.
  6. ↑ Ali Karimian: Selected Unpublished Documents of Ayatollah Kashani, Ganjineh Asnad, Year 2, Issue 1 and 2 (Spring and Summer 1371), p. 88
  7. ↑ Mohammad Sadeghi Tehrani, A Look at the History of the 1920 Islamic Revolution of Iraq, Qom: Dar al-Fikr Publications, pp. 29-32
  8. ↑ Saleem al-Hasani, The Role of Shia Scholars in Confronting Colonialism, translated by Mohammad Baher and Safaa al-Din Tabraian, Tehran: Institute for Contemporary Iranian History Studies, 1278, p. 243
  9. ↑ Mahmoud Shervin, Dowlat-e Mosta'jel, Tehran: Elmi Publications, 1374, Chap. 26
  10. ↑ Mahmoud Dehnavi, A Collection of Writings, Speeches, and Messages of Ayatollah Kashani, Vol. 1, Tehran: Chapakhsh Publications, 1361, p. 247
  11. ↑ Mohammad Ali Katouzian, The Political Economy of Iran, translated by Mohammad Reza Nafisi and Kambyiz Azizi, Tehran: Markaz Publications, 1373, p. 193
  12. ↑ Reader Bullard, The Camels Must Go, translated by Hussein Abutorabian, Tehran: No Publishing, 1363, p. 101
  13. ↑ Ali Mohammadi, Ayatollah Kashani: Flag of Independence, Tehran: Islamic Propagation Organization, 1373, pp. 53 and 52
  14. ↑ Seyyed Jalal al-Din Madani, Contemporary Political History of Iran, Qom: Islamic Publications Office, 1361, Vol. 1, p. 161
  15. ↑ Etelaat Newspaper, 27/4/1325
  16. ↑ Bagher Aqeli, Chronology of Iranian History from Constitutionalism to Islamic Revolution, Tehran: Goftar Publishing, 1373, p. 393
  17. ↑ Seyyed Hussein Khoshniat, Seyyed Mojtaba Navvab Safavi, His Thoughts, Struggles, and Martyrdom, Tehran: Islamic Revolution Document Center, 1385, p. 73, Seyyed Jalal al-Din Madani, Shahed Yaran Monthly, No. 16, Contemporary History and Culture Quarterly, Year 2, No. 6
  18. ↑ Ruhollah Hosseinian, Twenty Years of Shia Islam Struggle in Iran (1320-1340), Tehran: Islamic Revolution Document Center, 1384, p. 55
  19. ↑ Memoirs of Shams Qanat Abadi: A Journey in the Nationalization Movement of the Oil Industry, Tehran: Historical Document Review Center of the Ministry of Intelligence, 1377, pp. 62-63
  20. ↑ Ruhollah Hosseinian, Twenty Years of Shia Islam Struggle in Iran (1320-1340), Tehran: Islamic Revolution Document Center, 1384, p. 56
  21. ↑ Hosseinian, The Role of Fada'iyan-e Islam in Contemporary Iranian History, p. 40
  22. ↑ Ettela'at Newspaper, 30/9/1329
  23. ↑ Ruhollah Hosseinian, Twenty Years of Shi'a Islam Struggle in Iran (1320-1340), Tehran: Center for Documents of the Islamic Revolution, 1384 SH, p. 101
  24. ↑ Mahmoud Dehnavi, A Collection of Writings, Speeches, and Messages of Ayatollah Kashani, Vol. 2, Tehran: Chapakhsh Publications, 1361 SH, p. 206
  25. ↑ Ruhollah Hosseinian, Twenty Years of Shi'a Islam Struggle in Iran (1320-1340), Tehran: Center for Documents of the Islamic Revolution, 1387 SH, p. 218-219
  26. ↑ Ibid., p. 329-335
  27. ↑ Contemporary History and Culture Quarterly, Issues 6 and 7
  28. ↑ Ettela'at Newspaper, 3/6/1332
  29. ↑ Ettela'at Newspaper 21/6/1332
  30. ↑ Gholamreza Musavvar Rahmani, Old Soldier: Political and Military Memoirs of Gholamreza Musavvar Rahmani, Tehran: Rasa, 1366 SH, p. 363
  31. ↑ Hossein Makki, The Black Book, Vol. 7, p. 396376
  32. ↑ A Collection of Writings, Speeches, and Messages of Ayatollah Kashani, Compiler: Mohammad Dehnavi, Tehran: Chapakhsh, 1362, Vol. 4, p. 108
  33. ↑ Ibid., pp. 1112-113
  34. ↑ Ibid., pp. 114-117
  35. ↑ Ibid., p. 122
  36. ↑ Ibid., p. 121
  37. ↑ History of Contemporary Culture, Year 2, Issue 6, written by Ayatollah Mohammad Sharif Razi
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