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110-516: Grand Ayatollah Hussein-Ali Montazeri ( Persian : حسینعلی منتظری‎ [hosejnæˈliːje montæzeˈɾiː] ; 24 September 1922 – 19 December 2009) was an Iranian Shia Islamic theologian , Islamic democracy advocate, writer, and human rights activist. He was one of the leaders of the Iranian Revolution and one of the highest-ranking authorities in Shīʿite Islam . He was once

220-680: A champion of the rights of political prisoners, and human rights associated with the public sphere, in an interview conducted in 2003 in Qom with the Iranian feminist academic Golbarg Bashi he said that while men and women enjoy the same dignity and respect in the eyes of God, women's rights must remain strictly under the domain of Shi'i fiqh rather than international human rights conventions such as CEDAW . In response to Golbarg Bashi , Ayatollah Montazeri said: Women are humans too... When we say humans, it includes both men and women... you see, if people around

330-513: A cleric, Masoud Abid, who was to deliver the sermon. Many were also injured. One witness said, "They took people in the shops and beat them up mostly out of public vision although some beatings happened outside on the streets." Security forces also sealed off the home of Ayatollah Jalal Al-Din Taheri , who organised the service and used to lead Friday prayers in Isfahan until he resigned in 2002 in protest at

440-593: A crowd of pro-government supporters chanted back: "I will give my life for the supreme leader," they were booed by mourners, a witness said. The security forces prevented the Ayatollah's family from holding a planned memorial ceremony in the grand mosque of Qom following the funeral. According to the reformist website Kalameh, men on motorbikes, believed to be Ahmadinejad supporters, attacked the car carrying Mir Hossein Mousavi back from Qom to Tehran. They insulted Mousavi, smashed

550-615: A joint summit between the members of the provisional government and the Superieur Council of Revolution with the presence of Khomeini in Qom , it was decided that an Assembly for the Final Review of the Constitution was to be established for a final evaluation of the constitution of Iran. The assembly members were voted on in the summer of 1979. Out of the "72 delegates whose election

660-621: A marja' (who performs taqlid ) is known as a muqallid . Ayatollahs The title of an ayatollah is bestowed when a scholar/cleric reaches the level in the hawza (seminary) where his students and followers trust him to answer their questions on religious issues. An ayatollah must also have published a juristic book, known as a risalah amaliyah —a manual or treatise of practical religious rulings arranged according to topics dealing with ritual purity, worship, social issues, business, and political affairs. The risalah contains an ayatollah's fatwas on different topics, according to his knowledge of

770-563: A massive protest against the Iranian government. The funeral service for him began at his house and funeral prayers were held at the Grand Mosque in Qom. After the special prayers by Ayatollah Mousa Shabiri Zanjani, his body was laid to rest in the Fatima Masumeh Shrine . He was buried alongside his son, Mohammad Montazeri. The protesters chanted opposition slogans, including "Our shame, our shame, our idiot leader", and “Dictator, this

880-479: A member of the Revolutionary Council and as deputy to Supreme Leader Khomeini. Khomeini began "to transfer some of his power" to Montazeri, in 1980. By 1983 "all government offices hung a small picture" of Montazeri next to that of Khomeini. In 1984, Montazeri became a grand ayatollah. Montazeri initially rejected Khomeini's proposal to make him his successor, insisting that the choice of successor be left to

990-675: A message concluding, "I ask all brothers and sisters not to utter a word in my support." In addition to losing his position as designated heir, Montazeri's title of Grand Ayatollah was withdrawn, publication of his lectures in the Kayhan newspaper and references to him on the state radio were stopped, his portraits were ordered by the then Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi to be removed from offices and mosques, and his security guards were withdrawn. Articles and editorials appeared in various newspapers aimed at "dismantling" Montazeri's "impeccable" revolutionary credentials. According to numerous sources,

1100-485: A pivotal role in instituting Iran's new constitution. He was one of the leaders of the movement to replace the democratic and secular draft constitution proposed for the Islamic Republic with one where the supervision of Islamic jurists was recognized. He distributed "a detailed commentary and alternate draft" for Iran's new constitution. It included proposals to specify that Twelver Shi'ism—and not Islam in general—was

1210-477: A result of unruly torture, many prisoners have become deaf or paralysed or afflicted with chronic disease." On 22 January 2007, Montazeri criticized former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his nuclear and economic policies. While agreeing Iran had the right to develop nuclear energy, he called Ahmadinejad's approach to the issue aggressive, saying, "One has to deal with the enemy with wisdom, not provoke it, ... his (provocation) only creates problems for

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1320-431: A visit to Shiraz to return to Tehran and remove Mir Hossein Mousavi, the main opposition leader he defeated in the presidential election, as head of the state Academy of Arts and Culture- a post he had held for ten years. Hardliners also wanted Mousavi arrested for his role in inciting unrest since the disputed June election. On 23 December, Iranian security forces clashed with tens of thousands of opposition supporters in

1430-584: Is "the fundamental unit of society" within which women will recover their "precious function of motherhood". The Army and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are responsible not only for guarding the country but for "fulfilling the ideological mission of jihad in God's path". The judicial system will be based on Islamic justice. The executive branch will implement "the laws and ordinances of Islam". "Mass communications media" will diffuse Islamic culture and refrain from anti-Islamic "qualities". The "central axis" of

1540-405: Is a political event or dispute in your society, such as an election, and you are not sure how to act. You check the book of your marja, the risalah (treatise on practical Islamic law), and find the answers you need. Every marja has his own risalah. For things that cannot be found in those books, you turn to the nearest representative of your marja, write a letter or e-mail or, more recently, raise

1650-421: Is being able to raise enough money "to finance the education of religious students" from donations from the believers, is one of the qualifications of a marja'. A marja'-e taqlid must first have devoted himself to the study of Islamic law until he is qualified as a mojtahed or faqih (jurist), which means that he can derive his own legal rulings and issue edicts on religious law. Baqer Moin explains that unlike

1760-508: Is not an Islamic notion. Finally, Iran has kept the solar calendar and celebrates the new year on March 21. During the occultation of the Twelfth Imam , the Ummah (Islamic community) must be led by a just and pious, courageous, resourceful faqih (Islamic jurist) knowledgeable about affairs of the day, in accordance with Article 107. "The official religion of Iran is Islam "—specifically of

1870-506: Is not only lawful but obligatory on many religious questions for all Muslims not so trained themselves; (on "matters of belief" or usulu 'din , it is obligatory for Shi'a to train themselves). From the perspective of Shi'i jurisprudence, during the occultation of the Mahdi , (for the past 1000+ years) the highest ranking Shia hawzah clerics are bestowed with responsibility for understanding and explaining Islamic religious jurisprudence. As of

1980-422: Is said to have sealed "his political fate": The denial of people's rights, injustice and disregard for the revolution's true values have delivered the most severe blows against the revolution. Before any reconstruction [takes place], there must first be a political and ideological reconstruction... This is something that the people expect of a leader. Still worse for him were the publication abroad and broadcast on

2090-716: Is the Solar Hijri calendar , which combines a year zero from the Islamic Hijri calendar , and organization of months according to the Iranian solar calendar. "The official weekly holiday is Friday. Both the solar and lunar Islamic calendars are recognized". The official flag of Iran is composed of green, white and red colours with the special emblem of the Islamic Republic, together with the motto (Allahu Akbar). Women will enjoy equal legal, "human, political, economic, social, and cultural rights", when "in conformity with Islamic criteria". "The dignity, life, property, rights," etc. "of

2200-409: Is the fatwa of Mirza Mohammed Hassan Husseini Shirazi imposing sanctions on the use of tobacco during Qajar rule, which led to the abolition of the tobacco concession. Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran ( Persian : قانون اساسی جمهوری اسلامی ایران , Qanun-e Asasi-ye Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Iran ) is the supreme law of Iran . It

2310-469: Is your last message: the people of Iran are rising!” Although the police mostly stayed clear of the funeral, there were some skirmishes between protesters and the Basij militia. Also on 21 December, inside the Qom shrine where Montazeri’s body was laid to rest, opposition activists gathered and chanted “Death to the dictator.” When one group of pro-government basiji militiamen came toward them, chanting “Death to

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2420-415: The 1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners , Montazeri wrote to Khomeini saying "at least order to spare women who have children ... the execution of several thousand prisoners in a few days will not reflect positively and will not be mistake-free ... A large number of prisoners have been killed under torture by interrogators ... in some prisons of the Islamic Republic young girls are being raped ... As

2530-562: The French Fifth Republic with separation of powers among the executive, judicial and parliamentary branches. An outline was presented to Khomeini in January 1979 and he brought it with him when he returned to Iran. After being reworked by two different commissions, it was published on 14 June 1979 by the provisional government of Mehdi Bazargan as the official preliminary draft of the constitution. The preliminary draft differed from

2640-672: The Iran-Contra affair . Subsequently Hashemi was arrested, convicted and executed in September 1987 on charges of counterrevolutionary activities. In November 1987, Montazeri created more controversy when he called for the legalization of political parties, though under strict regulation. He followed this by calling for "an open assessment of failures" of the Revolution and an end to the export of revolution , saying that Iran should inspire by example, not train and arm allied groups. Khomeini responded

2750-508: The Pahlavi regime was likely to fall and that the leader of the revolution taking his regime down was Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini . Work began on a constitution for the new Islamic state that would follow the revolution. A preliminary draft was (according to Asghar Schirazi) begun in Paris by one Hassan Habibi while Khomeini was still in exile there. It was structured like the 1958 constitution of

2860-511: The Parliament and Council of Guardians , and eliminated the post of Prime Minister . The amendment concerning qualifications for the Supreme Leader is thought to have been introduced and approved because no marja' had given strong support for Khomeini's policies. The amendments were approved by the voting public on 28 July 1989 (in same election as Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was elected to

2970-764: The Twelver Shi'ism in Usul al-Dîn and of the Ja'farî school in fiqh , -- "and this principle will remain eternally immutable." "Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian Iranians are the only recognized religious minorities", who, within the limits of the law, are free to perform their religious rites and ceremonies, and to act according to their own canon in matters of personal affairs and religious education. "The government ... and all Muslims are duty-bound to treat non-Muslims" with "Islamic justice and equity", provided those non-Muslims "refrain from engaging in conspiracy or activity against Islam and

3080-518: The death of Neda Agha-Soltan and others killed during 20 June protests. He further declared that the then current ruling government was neither Islamic nor a republic, but military. In November 2009, on the day before the 30th anniversary celebration of the Iran hostage crisis , Montazeri said that the occupation of the American embassy in 1979 had been a mistake. While Ayatollah Montazeri has been celebrated as

3190-513: The "clerical figure of rioters". The state television and radio broadcasters were similar, showing the tension between the government and its opponents. Montazeri's funeral was said to have marked "a new phase" in Iran's 2009 uprising . On 21 December, hundreds of thousands of mourners and the Green Movement supporters from across Iran turned out in Montazeri's funeral and turned the funeral to

3300-449: The 19th century, the Shia ulama taught believers to turn to "a source of taqlid " ( marja' at-taqlid ) "for advice and guidance and as a model to be imitated." Abbas Djavadi gives examples of how a muqallid would imitate their marja' : Imagine you are a Shi'ite Muslim facing a long intercontinental flight and you aren't sure how to arrange your prayers or ablutions. Or imagine there

3410-592: The BBC of his letters condemning the post-war wave of executions in March 1989. Montazeri also criticized Khomeini's fatwa ordering the assassination of author Salman Rushdie saying: "People in the world are getting the idea that our business in Iran is just murdering people." On 26 March 1989, Khomeini strongly denounced Montazeri's actions, and two days later announced that Montazeri had resigned his post. Montazeri did not protest, issuing

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3520-563: The Book like Jews , Christians and Zoroastrians , nonetheless: "they are the citizens of this country, they have the right of citizenship and to live in this country. Furthermore, they must benefit from the Islamic compassion which is stressed in Quran and by the religious authorities." Montazeri again spoke out against Ahmadinejad on 16 June 2009 during the protests against his reelection. Ahmadinejad

3630-532: The Cat , a character in the Pinocchio animated series. According to Elaine Sciolino , this was due to his "poor public speaking skills, squeaky voice, round face and grizzled beard". On 4 September 1942, he married Mah-Sultan Rabbani (1926 – 26 March 2010) and had seven children, four daughters and three sons. One of his sons, Mohammad Montazeri , died in a bomb blast at Islamic Republican Party headquarters in 1981 which

3740-619: The Catholic pope or Christian bishops, he is not chosen by an electoral college, or by any other formal procedure. It is incumbent on every believer or `imitator` to make his or her own choice of marja'-e taqlid on the ground that he is the most learned mojtahed of his time and a man of great moral probity. "Of course, most ordinary people are not in a position to judge who is the most learned, so believers are instructed either to inquire of two upright and knowledgeable persons who are not contradicted by two other similar persons, or to satisfy themselves on

3850-429: The Constitution as well as to all other laws and regulations… as evidence "Sharia laws and principles" ("Islamic criteria" in the article above) "must be considered as a main source of the legal order" in the constitution. Sharia is referred to numerous times in the constitution but often by another terms (as it is above): The preamble or introduction of the constitution touches on (its version of) events leading up to

3960-409: The Constitution", called for changes in the draft: "a ceremonial president, supremacy of parliament, independent judiciary, individual rights, and equal rights for women, proposed making the universal declaration of Human Rights part of the constitution, more decentralization, and `democratization` of the army". This led "Khomeini to spur the Islamic groups to counterattack', telling his supporters that

4070-482: The Islamic Republic of Iran". The "Official language and writing script (of Iran)... is Persian . In addition "regional and tribal languages" are allowed "in the press and mass media, as well as for teaching of their literature in schools" "Since the language of the Qur'an and Islamic texts ... is Arabic", Arabic "must be taught ... in school from elementary grades until the end of high school." The official calendar of Iran

4180-617: The Islamic jurists (fuqaha') and the Council of Guardians . Olivier Roy points out that traditionally sharia was the "sole foundation for the judicial norm", not constitutions which were secular. Khomeini himself specifically affirmed the preeminence of the Islamic state over sharia in January 1989 when he publicly dressed down the future Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei, pronouncing the opposite. On key questions Iranian law remains fairly un-Islamic. The constitution grants equal rights among men and women (article 20). The discretionary law of repudiation

4290-521: The Islamic republic find reconciliation with the " hypocrites " and " liberals " who are its "internal enemies." In late 1960s, Montazeri gained influence and popularity in Isfahan Province after his speeches criticizing the Shah, moving SAVAK to banish and subsequently imprison him. In 1980s, Montazeri was known by the pejorative nickname Gorbeh Nareh ( Persian : گربه‌نره , the masculine cat) after

4400-514: The Islamic revolution led by Grand Ayatollah Khomeini, affirmed by the referendum of Farvardin 9 and 10. The Islamic Republic is a system based on the belief in: The duty of the Islamic Republic is to direct all of its resources to a number of goals. These goals were designed to emphasize positive liberty . Some of the goals are put in context of the requirements of Islam. For example: All laws and regulations "absolutely and generally" must be based on Islamic criteria. Enforcing this will be

4510-628: The Leader must possess the "scholarship, as required for performing the functions of mufti in different fields of fiqh", i.e. only a high level cleric of Islamic law may be the Leader. Article 113 states the Leader is the highest public official in Islamic Republic of Iran. The Head of Judiciary, who has considerable power (Establishing the organizational structure of the Judiciary, Drafting judiciary bills for parliament, hiring, dismissing, transferring judges) must be an Islamic legal cleric ( mujtahid ); as must be

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4620-582: The Preamble (Guardianship of the Jurist) states On the basis of continuous Guardianship and Leadership (Imamate) the Constitution provides for leadership under all conditions, (by a person) recognized by the people as lender, so that there shall be security against deviation by various organizations ("The course of affairs is in the hands of those who know God and who are trustworthy in matters having to do with what he permits and forbids") Article 109, stipulates that

4730-617: The President and the Prime Minister were retained for the executive branch of government from the French model.) A different version of events comes from Shaul Bakhash, who writes that Khomeini and his supporters accepted the preliminary draft but were provoked by an "opposition determined to establish a secular state". A secularist group calling itself a "Seminar on the People's Expectations from

4840-721: The President of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General (Article 162), and six out of the twelve members of the Guardian Council who are appointed by the Leader (Article 91) and have the power to veto legislation from the parliament that they believe does not conform to sharia (Article 96). Hassan Vakilian cites Article 4: civil, penal financial, economic, administrative, cultural, military, political, and other laws and regulations must be based on Islamic criteria. This principle applies absolutely and generally to all articles of

4950-586: The Prophet nor did he possess all the credentials of a revered scholar of Islamic law. His religious followers were few. And he lacked the all-important charisma. His selection had happened for one reason—he was the only one among the candidates for Faqih who totally endorsed Khomeini's vision of Islamic government. In addition, traditionalists did not approve Montazeri's designation as successor due to several reasons, including his problematic persona in Shiite seminaries during

5060-471: The Revolutionary Council, without consulting them, to have the constitution finalized by a much smaller body—an `Assembly of Experts` with 70 members, which alarmed them because with much larger constituencies and fewer candidates "it would be easier to rig the elections". If Khomeini's network succeeded in doing so, "the likelihood of dissenting voices in the Assembly could be reduced to almost nothing". During

5170-414: The administration by Islamic jurists. He believed in the independence of the government and did not accept any executive and policy making role for the Islamic jurist. Montazeri asserted that the rule of the jurisprudent should not be an absolute rule; instead, it should be limited to the function of advisor to the rulers, who are elected by the people. In 1979, following the overthrow of the Shah, he played

5280-470: The amendment to Iran's constitution removing the requirement that the Supreme Leader be a Marja was instituted to deal with the problem of the lack of any remaining Grand Ayatollahs willing to accept "illimitable velayat-e faqih". However, others said the reason marjas were not elected was because of their lack of votes in the Assembly of Experts. For example, Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Golpaygani had

5390-399: The authority of Khamenei, Montazeri was placed under house arrest under the pretext of protecting him from hardliners. He was freed from house arrest in 2003 after more than 100 Iranian legislators called on President Khatami to free him. Some thought that the government lifted the house arrest to avoid the possibility of a popular backlash if the ailing Montazeri died while in custody. During

5500-498: The back window and injured one of his aides. There were also protests in Najafabad, birthplace of Ayatollah Montazeri. Internet videos showed protesters waving green banners and chanting, “Dictator, dictator, Montazeri is alive!” and “Oh Montazeri, your path will be followed even if the dictator shoots us all!” On 22 December, Ahmadinejad continued his quest to strip his opponents of their last vestiges of political power. He interrupted

5610-455: The backing of only thirteen members of the assembly. Furthermore, there were other marjas present who accepted "illimitable velayat-e faqih". Khomeini died in June 1989 and another cleric, Seyed Ali Khamene'i , was selected by the Assembly of Experts to be the new Supreme Leader. Khamenei had been a high-ranking Hojatoleslam before Montazeri's removal. His promotion was accepted by many Shi'a, among

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5720-497: The blood of 60,000 martyrs". How 98.2% of voters approved of Iran becoming an Islamic Republic. Our nation "intends to establish the ideal and model society" with the final goal of "movement toward God". Governance by the " just faqih " will prevent deviation of the government from essential Islamic duties. The economy in Islam will be "a means not an end", providing work, "suitable opportunities", "essential needs". The family

5830-605: The center of the clerical network", which Khomeini had established to oppose Pahlavi rule. He became a teacher at the Faiziyeh Theological School. While there he answered Khomeini's call to protest the White Revolution of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in June 1963 and was active in anti-Shah clerical circles. He was sent to prison in 1974 and released in 1978 in time to be active during the revolution. Montazeri then went to Qom where he studied theology. Montazeri

5940-618: The city of Isfahan , according to opposition website reports. Activists said police used tear gas, pepper spray and batons to disperse people gathering to commemorate Grand Ayatollah Montazeri in the Seyed mosque. People had gathered at the main mosque for the memorial service, but when they arrived the doors were closed and security forces told them to leave. Afterwards, security forces began beating people, including women and children with batons, chains and stones, used tear gas and pepper spray and arrested at least 50 people, including four journalists and

6050-401: The country" and asked, "Don't we have other rights too?", referring to individual and human rights. Montazeri also criticized the economic performance of Ahmadinejad's administration's, noting the rate of inflation—including a 50% increase in housing costs—arguing that a country cannot be run on "slogans". Montazeri, in a 2008 interview with Voice of America concerning the 29th anniversary of

6160-412: The country, will be forbidden starting from 8 January. Grand Ayatollah Sources differ as to when the institution of the marja˓ emerged, with Murtadha al-Ansari (died 1864) and Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni (died 940 or 941) both being called the first marja'. As of 2023 there are approximately over 50 living maraji , almost all residing in Iran or Iraq. Currently, maraji' are accorded

6270-468: The democratically elected Assembly of Experts. Later, Montazeri relented, and following a session of the Assembly of Experts in November 1985, he was officially appointed Khomeini's successor as Supreme Leader. Some observers believe Khomeini chose him for this role solely because of his support for Khomeini's principle of theocratic rule by Islamic jurists. Khomeini's proposed form of administration called for

6380-468: The designated successor to the revolution's Supreme Leader , Ayatollah Khomeini ; they had a falling-out in 1989 over government policies that Montazeri claimed infringed on people's freedom and denied them their rights, especially after the 1988 mass execution of political prisoners . Montazeri spent his later years in Qom and remained politically influential in Iran but was placed in house arrest in 1997 for questioning "the unaccountable rule exercised by

6490-409: The determination of whether articles of the constitution meet Islamic criteria `lies within the exclusive jurisdiction of the leading Islamic jurists,` and non-jurists should not get involved. "It quickly became clear to Khomeini and his lieutenants that there existed considerable support and no mass opposition to the doctrine and that the constitution could serve to institutionalize both the supremacy of

6600-406: The early 1990s, the leading marja', Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei , died and Ali Sistani , "emerged" as the marja al-mutlaq or highest Marja' in the world of Shia Islam. According to Mohamad Bazzi, Sistani's word "on religious matters carries the most weight" among Shia. However, in 1994, the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) declared it was the Supreme Leader of Iran , Ali Khamenei who

6710-460: The election of the Experts. At the same time Ayatollah was publicly declaring the draft to be `correct`, he "had already started to denounce the supporters of a `Democratic Islamic Republic,` whose ideas were enshrined in the draft", and who included the man he had appointed president, Bazargan, as `enemies of Islam.` Also dismaying Bazargan and his colleagues, was the decision by the clerical members of

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6820-527: The evidence of a group of learned and upright persons. In practice this means that most people rely on the assurances of their local mollahs, who in their turn will be influenced by people they respect or are further up the religious hierarchy. Hence the importance to any leading divine of a following among students and the lesser clergy, who will promote his position in this informal process of consultation." Shiʿi "biographical compilations generally" consider Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni (d. 940 or 941) – one of

6930-416: The exceptions being Montazeri. In December 1989, Montazeri's supporters in Qom distributed " night letters " questioning Khamenei's qualifications to be a Marja e Taqlid ("Source of Emulation"), or in other words, an Ayatollah. In retaliation Revolutionary Guards "detained and humiliated" Montazeri, "forcing him to wear his nightcap rather than his white turban." In October 1997, after openly criticizing

7040-483: The faqih and clerical rule." The idea that Khomeini "should be entrusted with supreme authority under the constitution" was brought up by provincial clerics in the Assembly and was quickly embraced by the Assembly. The assembly worked for sixty-seven sessions and in four rounds. The first round was considered with a preliminary evaluating of principles. The second round considered with providing principles in groups. The third round dealt with approbation of principles and

7150-410: The final version of the constitution in a number of ways. It made no reference to velayat-e faqih , and did not "reserve any special posts for Islamic jurists" except on the guardian council where they made up a minority and were to be approved by the parliament from a list drawn up by the "highest religious authorities". Despite this, Khomeini made "only two small changes (in part to bar women from

7260-492: The first compilers of Shiʿite hadith – to be "the first" post-occultation marja al-taqlid, according to Neguin Yavari and Eric Hooglund. However, according to Robert Gleave , the institution of the marja˓ did not emerged until the nineteenth century, with the first universally recognized marja˓, "the influential mujtahid Murtadha al-Ansari (d. 1864)". Still another source – four mullahs at al-islam.org who were asked directly "Who

7370-490: The first of two terms as President of Iran). While liberal and leftist values are present in the constitution, the overriding both are "the values, principles and institutions of an ideal Islamic society", The Ayatollah Khomeini's concept of Velayat-e Faqih , i.e. Guardianship or rule of the Islamic Jurist , is enshrined in several places in the constitution. One example is the section "Method of Governance in Islam" in

7480-412: The fourth round with investigation of all collection of principles. According to a legal bill of council of revolution, the draft was put to a vote through a referendum, with voters given the option of voting yes or no. On 2–3 December 1979 Iranians voted, and the official result was over 99% in favor. (The vote was boycotted by some secular, leftist and Kurdish groups; and total of 15,578,956 votes

7590-501: The government’s growing authoritarianism. Meanwhile, footage sent to the BBC from Najafabad showed crowds chanting "Criminals, rapists, death to the leadership" and "We're not afraid, we're not afraid" as security men watched from rooftops. Police severely attacked mourners and protesters in several cities, with many wounded and arrested. The government also announced that banknotes with anti-government annotation, which recently spread across

7700-452: The hypocrites,” the crowd changed to an anti-basiji slogan. Then they took out money, offering it to the basiji, and chanted that they were acting as paid mercenaries of the government: “Where is the oil money? Spent on the Basiji,” and “Basij’s great pride, rape in prison.” On the same day, Mir-Hossein Mousavi stepped out from the compound of Grand Ayatollah Saanei , a fellow reformist, to cross

7810-400: The individual are inviolate", "except in cases sanctioned by law". The Iranian constitution holds that “the investigation of individuals’ beliefs is forbidden, and no one may be molested or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief.” "Publications and the press are free to discuss issues" unless it is "deemed harmful to the principles of Islam or the rights of the public." Assembly

7920-412: The license to engage in ijtihad ( ʾijāz al-ʾijtihād ) from one or several ayatollahs. However ijtihad is not always comprehensive and so a mujtahid may be an expert in one particular area of Islamic jurisprudence ( fiqh ) and exercise ijtihad therein, but follow a marja' in other areas of fiqh. Several senior grand ayatollahs preside over hawzas (religious seminaries). The hawzas of Qom and Najaf are

8030-568: The most authentic Islamic sources and their application to current life. Traditionally only the most renowned ayatollahs of the given time published a risalah. Today, however, many ayatollahs of varying degrees of illustriousness have published one, while some of the renowned ones have refused to do so. Marja al-taqlid al-mutlaq The highest marja' or "first-among-equals", is called the Marja al-taqlid al-mutlaq . Traditionally, taqlid or "imitation" of an expert in Islamic jurisprudence (a mujtahid )

8140-416: The most learned, or one of the most learned, Islamic jurists to "rule", and of all those who might be considered a leading Islamic jurist, only Montazeri supported theocracy. In Montazeri's opinion, however the jurist would not act as an absolute ruler, instead, he would act as an advisor and consultant. Montazeri fell short of the theological requirements of the supreme Faqih. He could not claim descent from

8250-407: The movement dawned in June 1963 with " the devastating protest by Imam Khomeini against the American conspiracy known as the ' White Revolution '". The plan of Islamic government set forth by Imam Khomeini known as " governance of the faqih ". The fury of the Iranian people at a January 7, 1978 newspaper article insulting Imam Khomeini . The "watering" of the "sapling" of the revolution "by

8360-472: The murder of Ayatollah Abul Hassan Shams Abadi, who had been a critic of Montazeri, in Isfahan. He was described by Ayatollah Mohammad Guilani as "meticulous about, if not obsessed by, cleanliness." On 19 December 2009, Montazeri died in his sleep of heart failure at his home in Qom , at the age of 87. The Islamic Republic News Agency , the official news agency of Iran, did not use the Ayatollah title in its initial reports of his death and referred to him as

8470-484: The next February by criticizing Montazeri and a month later called for a meeting of the Assembly of Experts to "discuss him." Things came to a head following the mass execution of political prisoners in late summer and early autumn 1988, when Montazeri gave a series of lectures in which he indicated support for a "far more open" policy. In an interview published in Keyhan in early 1989, he criticized Khomeini in language that

8580-443: The number of professors, physicians, high-ranking experts, etc, will be mostly women, will Islam be able to have an ijtihad and modify these unjust laws because they no longer correspond with reality?", Ayatollah Montazeri responded: "Those aspects of the Islamic law that are based on the very letter of the Qur'an, the answer is no. But certain other things yes, you can, and they can be subject to changing times. But those that are from

8690-449: The official religion of the state and to state that Islamic jurists should appoint judges with the right of veto over all laws and actions that are against the Islamic principles. Later he served on the Assembly of Experts ( Majles-e-Khobregan ) that wrote the constitution and that implemented many of his proposals. During this time, Montazeri also served as Friday prayer leader of Qom, as

8800-459: The preamble, where it is stated in creating the political infrastructures and institutions which make the foundation of society on the basis of an ideological outlook, the righteous assume the responsibility of governing and administering the country with the Qur’anic verse (verily, my righteous servants shall inherit the earth Q.21:105) In case the term ‘righteous’ is ambiguous, a later section of

8910-871: The preeminent seminary centers for the training of Shia clergymen . However, there are other smaller hawzas in many other cities around the world, the biggest ones being Karbala (Iraq), Isfahan (Iran) and Mashhad (Iran). There are 56 maraji living worldwide as of 2023, mostly residing in Najaf and Qom . The most prominent among them are Hossein Vahid Khorasani , Ali Khamenei , Mousa Shubairi Zanjani , Sayyid Sadeq Rohani , Naser Makarem Shirazi , Sadiq Hussaini Shirazi , Hossein Noori Hamedani and Abdollah Javadi-Amoli in Qom; Ali Sistani , Muhammad al-Fayadh , Muhammad Saeed al-Hakim and Bashir al-Najafi in Najaf. In

9020-485: The presidency and judgeships)", in the draft, and publicly stated his approval of the draft "on more than one occasion", declaring at one point that it "must be approved quickly". The Council of the Islamic Revolution approved of it unanimously after examination and "declared it to be the official preliminary draft of the Revolutionary Council". What happened next is disputed. The revolutionaries' original plan

9130-509: The presidency and the Majlis, or parliament." Main democratic procedures and rights are subordinate to the Guardian Council and the Supreme Leader , whose powers are spelled out in Chapter Eight (Articles 107–112). Over the course of the year 1978 Iran was subject to worsening cycles of "provocation, repression, and polarization" in political unrest. It became more and more clear that

9240-422: The question on the website of your marja and receive your answer. Where a difference in opinion exists between the maraji', each of them provides their own opinion and the muqallid (their followers) will follow their own marja's opinion on that subject. Exempted from the requirement to follow a marja' are mujtahid , i.e. someone who has completed advanced training ( dars kharij ) in the hawza and has acquired

9350-518: The reign of the Shah and his support for Ali Shariati ’s and for Nematollah Salehi Najaf Abadi 's works. Montazeri's leadership qualifications were further hurt by not being a seyyed , or descendant of the Prophet Mohammed, traditionally wearing the black turban in Shiite Islam, like Khomeini and Khomeini's successor Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei . In the early years of the revolution, he

9460-440: The revolution and on key features of the new Islamic regime: How the "anti-despotic movement for constitutional government [1906–1911], and anti-colonialist movement for the nationalization of petroleum " in the 1950s failed "due to departure from genuine Islamic positions"; a matter rectified by the "authentically Islamic and ideological line" under the leadership pursued under the leadership of Grand Ayatollah Khomeini. How

9570-465: The revolution, stated that the revolution had given Islam a bad name, arguing "Unfortunately, it is only by name that the revolution remains Islamic. Its content has changed, and what is taking place in the name of Islam gives a bad image of the religion. This is the religion of kindness and tolerance." He also issued a statement in 2008 in support of the rights of the persecuted Baháʼís in the Islamic Republic, saying that though Baháʼís were not People of

9680-434: The street to Montazeri’s house in Qom. At that moment, a group of 30 bearded men, holding Montazeri pictures to blend into the crowd, dropped the portraits, started attacking Mousavi and shouted “death to the hypocrite.” The former candidate had to be hustled quickly into the Montazeri compound. The same thing happened when cleric Mehdi Karroubi stepped into the street. This time, groups of reformists were ready and pushed back

9790-475: The supreme leader", Ali Khamenei , who succeeded Khomeini. He was known as the most knowledgeable senior Islamic scholar in Iran, a grand marja (religious authority) of Shia Islam , and was said to be one of Khamenei's teachers. For more than two decades, Montazeri was one of the main critics of the Islamic Republic's domestic and foreign policy. He had also been an active advocate of Baháʼí Faith rights, civil rights , and women's rights in Iran . Montazeri

9900-466: The surprise of those outside his network. Also at odds with previous statements was that instead of quickly approving the draft, the Assembly for the Final Review of the Constitution (dominated by Khomeini supporters) rewrote it, adding a Guardian Jurist ( wali-e faqih ) leader with powers over other branches of government, and significantly increasing the power of the Council of Guardians. (The offices of

10010-470: The tensions between Montazeri and Khomeini began in around October 1986 when Montazeri sent a letter to the latter, criticising and questioning the foundation of the state. Montazeri's troubles became further evident due to his association with Mehdi Hashemi who ran an organization out of Montazeri's office which sought to export the Islamic revolution. Hashemi is thought to have embarrassed Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani by leaking information of his connection with

10120-428: The theocracy shall be Quran and hadith , and as framed by the Assembly of Experts for Constitution , who hope that "this century will witness the establishment of a universal holy government and the downfall of all others." (See also: Mahdi and Mohammed al-Mahdi ) Some of the more important articles of the constitution are described below: The form of Government in Iran is that of an Islamic Republic following

10230-408: The title grand ayatollah ( Arabic : آية ‌الله العظمی ʾĀyatullāh al-ʿUẓmā ). Previously, the titles of Allamah (such as Allameh Tabatabaei , Allameh Majlesi , Allameh Hilli ) and Imam (such as Imam Khomeini , Imam Rohani , Imam Shirazi and Imam Sadr ) have also been used. Another source (Abbas Djavadi) states a marja' is "usually" a grand ayatollah. Someone who follows/"imitates"

10340-442: The very clear text of the Qur'an, we cannot cooperate... Men in general (no'-e mard ha), all things considered, are productively more active—both intellectual activities and practical activities... All things considered, the intellectual and practical activities of men are more than women. When Bashi informed him that currently (2003) in Iranian universities, "some 60% of students are women" and asked him "so in future generations, when

10450-404: The very letter of the Qur'an, no they cannot, and those have certain wisdom and subtleties in them." According to journalist Christopher de Bellaigue , Montazeri was regarded as "brilliant" by his allies, and even his opponents; de Bellaigue added that Montazeri "lives plainly, and equates Islam with social justice". Montazeri's detractors portrayed him as stubborn and naïve in his insistence that

10560-471: The vigilantes, so that Karroubi could pass. As the funeral procession ended, security forces poured into the city, blocking roads to the Ayatollah's house and tearing down posters of the Ayatollah. Mourners were reported to have thrown stones at police who tried to stop them chanting pro-Montazeri slogans. Mourners responded defiantly when ordered by loudspeaker not to chant, breaking into shouts of "Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein" in support of Mir Hossein Mousavi. When

10670-427: The world want to say certain things about women for example being equal to men in matters of inheritance or legal testimony, because these issues pertain to the very letter of the Qur'an, we cannot accept them... Now, consider that God Almighty has made it incumbent upon men to cover the expenses of women... in Iran we cannot accept those laws that are against our religion... on certain occasions that these laws contradict

10780-510: Was adopted by referendum on 2 and 3 December 1979, and went into force replacing the Constitution of 1906 . It has been amended once, on 28 July 1989. The constitution was originally made up of 175 articles in 12 chapters, but amended in 1989 to 177 articles in 14 chapters. It has been called a hybrid regime of theocratic and democratic elements. Articles One and Two vest sovereignty in God, and Article Six "mandates popular elections for

10890-451: Was "the single marja˓ al-taqlid" or "undisputed marja˓". According to Mohamad Bazzi, this was a bid "to displace" Ali Sistani, the true Marja al-taqlid al-mutlaq , "and his allies in Najaf ", but it "failed" because Khamenei "had modest religious credentials (he was only elevated to the rank of ayatollah after Khomeini's death, so he could assume the post of supreme leader). Faced with Baathist persecution and an Iranian power grab, Sistani

11000-525: Was a prolific writer of books and articles. He was a staunch proponent of an Islamic state , and he argued that post-revolutionary Iran was not being ruled as an Islamic state. Born in 1922, Montazeri was from a peasant family in Najafabad , a city in Isfahan Province , 250 miles south of Tehran . His early theological education was in Isfahan . After Khomeini was forced into exile by the Shah , Montazeri "sat at

11110-636: Was able to retain his position." Gleave does not mention Sistani but states that Khamenei's "position as the Marja˓ al-taqlid" has "remained a matter of dispute". There is no formalized specific process nor official body resembling a council of ulama to designate someone a marja al-taqlid, because reaching the position of marja al-taqlid "is entirely at the discretion of the believers themselves". Nonetheless, there are "general principles" for their selection including several "conditions" which have been "accepted unanimously by Shiʿite theologians". Another condition

11220-569: Was almost 5 million less than the earlier referendum for an Islamic Republic.) On 24 April 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini issued a decree convening an Assembly for Revising the Constitution. It made several changes in the constitution, in Articles 5, 107, 109, 111, eliminating the need for the Supreme Leader to be a Marja' chosen by popular acclaim. It made permanent the Expediency Discernment Council to work out disagreements between

11330-599: Was carried out by the People's Mujahedin of Iran ; another, Saeed Montazeri, lost an eye in the Iran-Iraq war in 1985. Another son, Ahmad Montazeri, is a cleric in Qom; during the 1970s Ahmad underwent military training in Fatah camps in Lebanon. The brother of Montazeri's son-in-law, Mehdi Hashemi , was sentenced to death and executed after the 1979 revolution due to his alleged involvement in

11440-463: Was controversially reelected as president after a closely contested and disputed election, which involved many candidates, but whose leading vote-getters were Ahmadinejad and former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi . The government reported that Ahmadinejad had won the election with 62 percent of the vote. Montazeri stated that "No one in their right mind can believe" the results were fairly counted. Montazeri called for three days of public mourning for

11550-413: Was known as an Islamic jurist who was made to pay for his liberal-leaning beliefs. He supported a democratic republic as the best form of government; however in his ideal model for government, an Islamic jurist acts as a supervisor and advisor, what he, along with Ayatollah Khomeini, termed as velayat-e faqih . He was the author of Dirasāt fī wilāyah al-faqīh , a scholarly book advocating the supervision of

11660-431: Was not as popular as he was in the last two decades of his life. The middle class and elites would mock him in those early years. Montazeri was one of Ayatollah Khomeini 's two favorite pupils. Khomeini trusted Montazeri with important responsibilities and referred to him as "the fruit of his life". Likewise, Montazeri respected and admired Khomeini's "sheer determination and unshakable faith." Mehdi Karrubi claims that

11770-418: Was not recognized for men. There is no legal discrimination on the basis of personal status against Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, all of whom perform military service, pay no special taxes and hold full citizenship; nevertheless they are prohibited from assuming leadership posts and vote in separate colleges. Similarly, a Muslim foreigner has the same status as a Christian foreigner. In short Iranian citizenship

11880-463: Was officially recognized, 55 were clerics", almost all of them following "the line of the Imam", i.e. Khomeini loyalists. (Other delegates were from different minorities of religions, scientists, Athletes.) Schirazi writes that Khomeini then announced that the job of "determining whether or not" the constitution was "in conformity with Islamic requirements" was "exclusively reserved for revered jurists", to

11990-524: Was the first ever Marja-e-Taqleed?" – was non-committal. Only one of four (Mohammad Al-Musawi) replied and would only say, "from the time of the Prophet (SAWA) and the Infallible Imams, Muslims who lived in places far away from them, were ordered to refer in religious matters to the scholar in their area". Shiite authorities in the history of Shi'ism have an important role in the religious, political and social thought of their communities. One example

12100-457: Was to have a Constituent Assembly of hundreds of people write the new constitution, but with this broad support for the preliminary draft, there now seemed to be a consensus in favor of a much more streamlined completion. An "Assembly of Experts" of only a few dozen members would go over the text and "present it for final ratification in a national referendum". But Baqer Moin writes of contradictions in statements by Khomeini and questions about

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