Hawzah News Agency- Speaking at a ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli’s passing, held at the Imam Khomeini Higher Education Complex in Qom, Hemmati reflected on his acquaintance with the prominent scholar. “I did not have the honor of being a direct student of Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli, but I was a student of his fellow townsman, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, and on occasions I attended gatherings at Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli’s home and met him,” he said.
“What I observed in those meetings was a very delicate spirit, a lofty character, and a rare sense of courtesy and humility. Alongside his vast knowledge and wide-ranging scholarly information, he possessed purity of spirit and inner clarity, and these qualities were clearly visible in his behavior and interactions,” he added.
Humility and Courtesy: Among Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli’s Most Striking Traits
Recalling his first meeting with Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli, Hemmati highlighted the scholar’s humility. “In our first meeting, I went to see him with some of his students. Out of courtesy and respect, I bowed to kiss his hand, but despite my efforts, he did not allow me to do so.”
He continued: “At that moment, Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli recited this verse: ‘Kiss none but the beloved’s lips and the wine-cup, Hafez / For kissing the hands of the ascetic is a mistake.'”
The professor noted that this memory shaped his understanding of the scholar’s character. “What I observed in him was purity and sanctity of spirit, humility, and courtesy. These qualities showed that we were facing a personality who combined vast knowledge and awareness with moral and spiritual virtues.”
“Knowing great scholarly and spiritual figures is not achieved merely by studying their works and examining their scholarly information. Observing their behavior, character, and manner of interacting with others is also immensely important in understanding their personality. Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli was among those figures whose moral and spiritual virtues were manifest in his daily behavior,” he noted.
Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Islamic Sciences
Referring to the breadth of Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli’s knowledge across various fields of Islamic sciences, Hemmati said: “Beyond mysticism and practical ethics, what stood out in his personality was the vast information and extensive knowledge he possessed in various scholarly fields.”
“In Western societies, terms such as ‘encyclopedic’ and ‘universal’ are used to describe such figures — individuals with deep knowledge and awareness in numerous scholarly fields. From this perspective, Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli can be considered a comprehensive encyclopedia of Islamic sciences — a figure who, alongside his scholarly mastery, was devoted to asceticism, worship, and night prayers,” he added.
Emphasizing the importance of simultaneously attending to the scholarly and spiritual dimensions of Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli’s personality, the professor said: “The value of such figures is not limited to the breadth of their knowledge and scholarly works. The bond between knowledge, self-purification, worship, and ethics is among the important characteristics that must be considered in introducing them.”
Scholarly Critique Is Different from Disrespect and Ingratitude
Distinguishing between scholarly critique and disrespect toward scholarly and religious figures, Hemmati noted: “Critique is not problematic, and we should not remain stagnant in the past. We must be able to examine the works, views, and thoughts of great figures and engage in dialogue and scholarly evaluation about them — but respect and appreciation for their status must also be preserved.”
“None of the scholars and thinkers, except the Infallible Imams (PBUT), are immune from error and mistake, and differences of opinion among scholars are accepted. Therefore, the existence of scholarly disagreement or critique of certain views should not become a pretext for ignoring services, destroying reputations, or attributing falsehoods to great figures,” he added.
Emphasizing the necessity of observing ethics in scholarly critiques, Hemmati said: “One can critique a view, disagree with a theory, or reach a different conclusion about a scholarly issue — but these matters should not lead to ignoring the scholarly and spiritual status of the holders of those ideas.”
“The scholarly community needs critique and dialogue for growth and progress, but this critique must be conducted within the framework of fairness, ethics, and respect. Honoring great figures does not mean turning a blind eye to scholarly examination of their works; rather, it means observing fairness in evaluating their scholarly and spiritual legacy,” he noted.
Need to Introduce Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli’s Mystical Thought in Global Scholarly Circles
Referring to the need to introduce Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli’s mystical thought internationally, Hemmati said: “I have not yet seen an article about Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli’s mysticism translated into a living European language so that we could provide it to professors and students.”
“It is necessary to translate the mystical works and views of figures such as Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli into various languages to pave the way for the world’s academic and research circles to become acquainted with this intellectual legacy,” he added.
Referring to the history of mysticism in Europe, the professor said: “German mysticism took shape in the 13th and 14th centuries CE, and I believe that in some of its foundations and themes, one can observe ideas close to the thoughts and teachings of Ibn Arabi.”
Hemmati also noted Rumi’s standing in German literary and mystical studies: “Rumi studies in Germany enjoy considerable standing, and even compared to Ibn Arabi, there is great attention to Rumi. His works have attracted the interest and attention of German researchers, and translations of works such as the Divan of Shams and the Masnavi have provided the ground for German audiences to become more familiar with his thoughts.”
Emphasizing the need to attend to the translation and introduction of contemporary and classical Islamic mystical works, he noted: “In a situation where figures such as Rumi are known in Europe’s scholarly and cultural atmosphere, it is fitting that Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli’s mystical thoughts also be presented in international academic circles through scholarly research, translation of works, and accurate introduction of his views.”
Hemmati also shared part of his personal experiences with prominent religious scholars: “For a time, I benefited from the presence of Ayatollah Bahjat and learned from him. At one point, Ayatollah Bahjat told me that coming to Qom would be difficult for me, and therefore advised me not to come. I asked him to introduce someone from whose presence I could benefit, but he said, ‘I am not one for these matters.'”
The professor noted that after this conversation, he met Ayatollah Khoshvakht and benefited from his presence — “a figure who, in my view, possessed outstanding moral and spiritual characteristics.”
Ayatollah Khoshvakht: Emphasis on Practical Mysticism and Sincerity in the Path of Leadership
Referring to Ayatollah Khoshvakht’s personality traits, Hemmati said: “Ayatollah Khoshvakht had special sincerity and devotion toward the Martyr Supreme Leader, and in my expression, he had reached a degree of annihilation in love and obedience in this path that was evident in his behavior and positions.”
Noting that Ayatollah Khoshvakht, despite his scholarly and spiritual standing, was less known to the general public, he added: “In my view, many people did not know him as he deserved, and he came and went quietly.”
Hemmati also recounted a statement from Ayatollah Khoshvakht about the martyred leader: “He believed that due to the sincerity of this man — the martyred leader — God compensated for his shortcomings at the beginning of his leadership and provided him with what he needed to fulfill this responsibility.”
He described this view as reflecting the importance of sincerity in the path of great responsibilities, noting: “In the view of scholars of ethics and mysticism, sincerity and attention to God are among the important factors in human spiritual growth and success in fulfilling responsibilities.”
Hemmati also referred to Ayatollah Khoshvakht’s educational approach: “He placed great emphasis on practical mysticism, although he had also studied theoretical mysticism and was familiar with its discussions. Ayatollah Khoshvakht’s emphasis on practical mysticism showed that in the path of spiritual training, mere familiarity with theoretical discussions is not enough; what matters is the realization of moral and mystical teachings in human behavior and life.”
Need to Link Knowledge, Ethics, and Practical Conduct in the Path of Spirituality
Referring to the common characteristics of figures such as Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli and Ayatollah Khoshvakht, Hemmati emphasized the importance of simultaneously attending to knowledge, ethics, and practical conduct. Noting that prominent scholarly and mystical figures should not be known merely through their written works or theoretical information, he said: “What gives knowledge value and impact is its bond with self-purification, humility, courtesy, worship, and ethical behavior.”
Emphasizing the need to honor the scholarly and spiritual legacy of prominent scholars, the professor noted: “The scholarly and religious community must, while providing the ground for fair critique and examination of the views of great figures, avoid slander, destruction, and ingratitude — and through translation and introduction of their works, provide the ground for future generations and global scholarly circles to benefit from this valuable legacy.”
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