Hawzah News Agency- Organized in cooperation with the Holy Alawi and Hussaini Shrines and the Qom Seminary administration, the congress aimed to highlight the intellectual and political legacy of the renowned scholar. The gathering was attended by senior representatives from the seminaries of Qom, Mashhad, Najaf, and Karbala, along with university professors, researchers, and delegations from various countries.
Seyyed Isa al-Khursan, the General Trustee of the Holy Alawi Shrine, opened the session with a welcoming address delivered on behalf of the shrine.
Ayatollah Sheikh Jafar Naini, grandson of the late scholar, expressed deep appreciation for the support of Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in facilitating the event in Iraq. He also thanked the administrations of the Alawi and Hussaini Shrines and the participants for honoring the legacy of his eminent forebear.
Ayatollah Seyyed Munir al-Khabaz delivered an analytical lecture on Mirza Naeini’s intellectual contributions, outlining three key dimensions:
- his jurisprudential and foundational innovations;
- differing interpretations of his principles by foremost students such as Ayatollah Khoei and Sheikh Hussein Hilli;
- and distinctions between Mirza Naeini’s classroom teachings and his personal writings, particularly in his treatise on garments of doubtful purity.
Seyyed Abbas al-Husseini, director of the Imam Hussein (PBUH) Scientific Complex, described the late scholar as a “comprehensive intellectual encyclopedia,” praising his mastery of jurisprudence, philosophy, theology, and contemporary socio-political issues. He emphasized that honoring Naeini is “an act of loyalty to a scholar who helped shape modern Islamic intellectual thought.” He also announced the publication of three new research studies on Naeini’s legacy.
Ayatollah Arafi: Mirza Naeini Was a Revolutionary Jurist
In one of the ceremony’s central addresses, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, director of the seminaries, described Mirza Naeini as “one of the most influential scientific and political figures of the modern era.”
He highlighted three aspects of Naeini’s character:
- Intellectual Genius
Ayatollah Arafi stressed Mirza Naeini’s exceptional analytical abilities and his mastery of jurisprudence, theology, and political thought. He noted Naeini’s success in bridging traditional ijtihad with emerging modern developments. - Political and Social Leadership
Mirza Naeini’s active role in the Tobacco Protest, the Iranian Constitutional Movement, and the 1920 Iraqi Revolution was highlighted as evidence of his pioneering stance against colonialism and stagnation. Ayatollah Alireza Arafi called for renewed study of the Constitutional Movement and its influence on later Islamic movements. - Moral and Spiritual Depth
Ayatollah Arafi underscored Grand Ayatollah Naeini’s spiritual discipline, saying contemporary Muslim societies “urgently need scholars who combine knowledge with ethical and spiritual leadership.”
Unveiling of 40-Volume Encyclopedia
The congress concluded with the unveiling of a 40-volume scientific encyclopedia containing the works of Mirza Naeini—an initiative completed after two years of collaboration between the Qom Seminary and the Imam Hussein Scientific Complex.
In a symbolic gesture, Sayyid Isa al-Khursan presented the flag of Imam Ali (Peace be upon him), held at the Alawi Shrine, to the Qom Seminary. The flag was received by Ayatollah Arafi and other prominent scholars.
A Multi-City International Event
The International Congress began its first phase on November 1, in Qom, featuring a message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei and an address by Grand Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani. The second phase took place on November 3 in Mashhad. The final phase is being held in Iraq, with the closing session scheduled for November 30, in Karbala.
Your Comment