Hawzah News Agency- In a message addressed to a ceremony held in honor of Professor Mohammad Ali Mahdavi Rad on Thursday at the Culture Hall of Farabi Colleges in Qom, the senior cleric praised the pivotal role of scholars in nurturing intellectual progress and safeguarding religious and cultural heritage.
“Scholars and scientists are torches of knowledge and culture,” Grand Ayatollah Sobhani stated. “They hold lamps that light the path for those engaged in research, and society benefits profoundly from their thought and scholarship.” He emphasized that recognizing their contributions is not merely customary, but a moral responsibility—akin to the duty of honoring teachers by all those who have benefited from their instruction.
Citing a narration from Imam Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him), Grand Ayatollah Sobhani recalled that when a scholar entered an assembly, the Imam would give him precedence over relatives and seat him at the head of the gathering. When questioned about this practice, the Imam explained that the scholar defends the truth and confronts adversaries through knowledge and sound reasoning.
Turning to Professor Mahdavi Rad, Grand Ayatollah Sobhani described him as a clear embodiment of this tradition. He noted that Mahdavi Rad has, since his youth, carried out sustained and valuable research across diverse fields of Islamic culture, with particular distinction in Qur’anic and historical studies—works that he said are both instructive and enlightening.
The message also highlighted Professor Mahdavi Rad’s methodological innovations in research, pointing to Ayin-e Pajouhesh journal as one of his notable initiatives, which has continued publication and contributed to the advancement of scholarly discourse.
Grand Ayatollah Sobhani concluded by extending greetings to all participants in the ceremony honoring the seminary and university scholar, praying for Professor Mahdavi Rad’s continued success. He modestly described his own message as a small token of appreciation, adding that Professor Mahdavi Rad’s scientific stature merits even greater recognition.
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