Sayyed Ali Shafiei
Sayyed Ali Shafiei, a faqih, mujtahid, one of the fighters of the Islamic Revolution era, and the representative of the people of Khuzestan in the Assembly of Experts. Ayatollah Shafiei is known as a respected figure among various ethnic groups (Arab and Bakhtiari) and followers of denominations in southern Iran due to his ethical conduct and pivotal role in resolving local and religious disputes in Khuzestan Province. He has publicly opposed any takfiri and extremist flow, whether among Shia or among Sunni Muslims, describing it as a sword against the body of the Ummah. He believes the Holy Quran is the firmest handle for linking Islamic denominations and considers interpretations that smell of division to be far from the spirit of revelation.
Biography
Sayyed Ali Shafiei was born into a scholarly family in Dezful. After completing his preliminaries in Khuzestan, he went to the Hawza Ilmiyya of Najaf and benefited from the presence of the great scholars of that land. During his studies in Najaf and Qom, he benefited from the presence of teachers such as Imam Khomeini, Ayatollah Khoei, Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammad-Baqer Sadr. He holds the degree of Ijtihad and has been engaged in teaching advanced levels of the seminary and university for many years.
Family Status and Children
Ayatollah Shafiei grew up in a family rooted in knowledge and religion, and his family also played a significant role in the Revolution and the Sacred Defense. One of his children, Sayyed Morteza Shafiei, is among the martyrs of the Sacred Defense who was martyred in the way of defending the homeland and Islamic values. His other child, Hojjat-ol-Eslam wal-Muslimin Sayyed Mohsen Shafiei, was a well-known scientific and cultural figure in Khuzestan Province and the Representative of the Guardian Jurist in the universities of this province, whose death was met with a condolence message from the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution. And his other child, Hojjat-ol-Eslam wal-Muslimin Sayyed Mohammad-Reza Shafiei, is a seminary and university professor.
Activities
Political and Social Activities
Ayatollah Shafiei was one of the pioneers of the movement of Imam Khomeini in Khuzestan. His activities during the Sacred Defense era are also very remarkable.
Before the Revolution
Before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Sayyed Ali Shafiei was counted among the active clerics in the struggle against the Pahlavi regime. Holding religious and enlightening sessions, continuous communication with religious and popular forces, and accompanying the movement of Imam Khomeini were among his activities during that period.
After the Victory of the Revolution
After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, he held multiple responsibilities in Khuzestan Province. Membership in the Organizing Committee of Ahvaz Affairs in the early days of the Revolution, representation of Imam Khomeini in provincial Hajj affairs, responsibility for the ideological-political office of the 92nd Armored Division of Ahvaz, and playing a role in the judicial and executive structure of the province are among his records in the post-revolution years.
Assembly of Experts
Ayatollah Shafiei was elected in several terms by the vote of the people of Khuzestan Province as the representative of this province in the Assembly of Experts and remained in this responsibility until the end of his life.
Era of Sacred Defense
During the Sacred Defense era, by being present in operational areas and having close contact with the fighters, he played an effective role in spiritual support of the fronts. His presence alongside military and Basij forces is counted among the enduring memories of that era in Khuzestan Province.
Responsibilities
- Representative of the people of Khuzestan Province in the Assembly of Experts (second, third, fourth, and fifth terms);
- Sharia Judge of the Revolutionary Courts of Khuzestan in the early years of the Revolution;
- Trusteeship of some seminary schools and central mosques in Ahvaz.
Approximation and Unity-Building Approach
His approximation and unity-building approach in the sensitive region of Khuzestan is:
- Unity of Ethnic Groups: Khuzestan is a hub of ethnic diversity (Arab, Lor, Bakhtiari, etc.). Ayatollah Shafiei, with mastery over the Arabic language and deep knowledge of indigenous culture, has always acted as a pivot for resolving ethnic and tribal tensions.
- Approximation of Denominations: With a broad view, he has always emphasized the commonalities of the Islamic Ummah and in his meetings with scholars of Sunni Muslims in the region, he has emphasized maintaining a united front against enemies.
- Ethics-Oriented: His ascetic and people-oriented conduct has caused his words to be influential among all political and religious spectrums.
Works
He has numerous works in the fields of Fiqh, Principles, Tafsir and history, some of which are:
- Twenty-Eight Discourses (regarding the foundations of the Islamic Revolution);
- Commentary on the book Prayer;
- Collection of poems and elegies of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
Views
Approaches to Approximation and Practical Conduct Regarding Unity
Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Shafiei is among the jurists who considers unity not as a political tactic, but as a Quranic necessity and strategy. His activities in this field can be analyzed at three levels:
Jurisprudential and Theological Approach to the Issue of Unity
In his advanced jurisprudence lessons and interpretation sessions, he has always emphasized "Pure Islam" and clarified the boundary between scientific criticism and insult to sanctities. He is among the figures who have publicly opposed any Takfiri and extremist currents (both among Shia and among Sunni), describing them as a sword against the body of the Ummah. He believes the Holy Quran is the firmest handle for linking Islamic denominations and considers interpretations that suggest division to be far from the spirit of Revelation.
Field Role in Cohesion of Khuzestan Tribes
Khuzestan Province, due to its linguistic and religious diversity, has always been targeted by divisive currents. Ayatollah Shafiei's role in this regard includes:
- Common Language of Communication: His complete mastery of the Arabic language and literature has enabled him to have direct and intimate communication with the elites and Arab tribes of the region.
- Arbitration in Disputes: He has frequently entered large cases of disagreement among tribes and clans (Arab and Bakhtiari) as an "arbitrator" and final authority, establishing peace and reconciliation with a supra-factional and supra-ethnic perspective.
Interaction with Sunni Scholars of the South
Ayatollah Shafiei has always kept the door of dialogue open with Sunni scholars of Khuzestan and neighboring regions:
- Hosting and Visits: His office has always been a place of transit for Sunni elites and clerics.
- Strengthening the Resistance Front: He believes that the issue of Palestine and the struggle against Zionism is the largest axis of Unity that can relegate all religious differences to the sidelines.
Death
Finally, after a lifetime of struggle and service to the people, he passed away due to cardiac arrest on Sunday noon, 7 Dey, corresponding to 7 Rajab, at Imam Khomeini Hospital Ahvaz and was buried on Tuesday, 9 Dey, in Ahvaz in the family tomb adjacent to the Shrine of Ali ibn Mahziar Ahwazi[1].
Message of the Leader of the Revolution
The text of the message from Imam Khamenei is as follows:
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful I offer condolences on the death of the mujahid and aware jurist, the late Ayatollah Haj Sayyed Ali Shafiei (May God have mercy on him), who was among the ascetic scholars of Khuzestan, to his honorable family, students, devotees, and all the people of Ahvaz. This pious scholar, in addition to membership in the Assembly of Experts, had a history of jihad and service from the time of the 8-year Imposed War until now, and God willing, with divine acceptance, they will be included in God's mercy and forgiveness[2]. Sayyed Ali Khamenei 8 Dey 1404
External Links
See Also
Footnotes
References
- A look at the life of Ayatollah Shafiei, Official Hawza News Agency website, Date of publication: 7 Dey 1404 SH, Date of access: 7 Dey 1404 SH.
- Condolence message following the death of the late Ayatollah Shafiei, Website of the Office for Preservation and Publication of the Works of Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei (May his shadow remain high), Date of publication: 8 Dey 1404 SH, Date of access: 8 Dey 1404 SH.