to report Missionary thought and culture base, Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Reza Golpaygani, the great authority of Shia imitation and the founder of the World Islamic Forum in London, died on 24 Jumadi Al-Thani 1414 AH (December 18, 1372 AH) at the age of 98 in the city of Qom.
According to Isna’s narrative, after studying in seminaries in Qom and Najaf, he reached the position of ijtihad and taught and trained prominent students such as Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi and Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpayegani. Ayatollah Golpaygani played a significant role in the establishment of institutions such as Ayatollah Golpaygani Hospital, seminaries and Dar al-Qur’an al-Karim, and by establishing the World Islamic Forum in London, he promoted the teachings of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) at the international level.
On the 24th of Jumad al-Thani 1414 AH (December 18, 1372 AH), Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Reza Golpayegani, one of the great and influential Shia authorities, passed away in the city of Qom Dar. In addition to being a religious authority, as the founder of the World Islamic Forum in London, he played an effective role in the spread of Islamic knowledge at the international level. His services to the Islamic society, especially in the field of education, establishing cultural and social institutions and playing a role in political and social developments, will always remain in the memory of history.
Ayatollah Golpayegani, committed to Islamic principles and values, always took steps to defend the truth and justice. His scientific and social activities have inspired not only Shias but also Muslims of other religions. His persistent efforts to promote the thoughts of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and cultural development in the Islamic society have left an eternal legacy for him.
Birth and education period
Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Reza Golpaygani was born on April 1, 1278 AH in Gogd village, Golpaygan county, Isfahan province. He received religious education from his childhood and started his education first in his hometown and then in Arak seminary. At a young age, Ayatollah Golpayegani migrated to Qom to continue his education and acquired knowledge in the presence of teachers such as Ayatollah Sheikh Abdul Karim Haeri Yazdi and Ayatollah Borujerdi. From the very beginning, he progressed rapidly in various scientific fields with his deep talent and ijtihad.
During his studies, Ayatollah Golpayegani was interested in intellectual and philosophical sciences in addition to jurisprudence. He combined modern and traditional teaching methods and trained many students. Among the most important professors who had a great influence on the formation of his scientific personality was Ayatollah Boroujerdi, who provided him with valuable guidance in various fields of jurisprudence and principles. Another real example is his scientific and cultural efforts in the seminary of Qom, which gradually became the center of Shia higher education in Iran.
During this period, Ayatollah Golpayegani also paid special attention to moral issues and emphasized on strengthening communication with people and social interactions. The historical example of this attention was his participation in solving the social problems and political issues of the people, which made him one of the prominent spiritual figures of that era.
Authority and social activities
After the death of Ayatollah Borujerdi, Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Reza Golpayegani was recognized as an imitation authority and found a very important place in the seminary of Qom. He developed an authority that was associated with scientific and moral coherence and was able to provide a solid jurisprudential foundation for the Shiite society. During this period, Ayatollah Golpayegani examined various issues such as hijab, diya, transactions and other emerging issues and presented a detailed and well-reasoned fatwa.
Besides jurisprudential issues, Ayatollah Golpayegani also paid special attention to social and cultural issues. By establishing educational centers, religious schools and research institutions, he played a significant role in the scientific and religious growth of students and clerics. A clear example of these efforts is the establishment of public libraries and research centers in the city of Qom, where many students were engaged in research and education.
Another characteristic of Ayatollah Golpayegani’s authority was his logical interaction and consultation with other great scholars. He consulted with prominent scholars such as Imam Khomeini (RA), Ayatollah Mohagheq Damad and Ayatollah Tabatabai on various issues, and these common thoughts led to the greater unity of seminaries.
Works and compositions
Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammadreza Golpayegani left valuable works during his life. One of his most important works is the book “Tahreer al-Wasila” which was written in the field of jurisprudence and is available to many students and mujtahids as an important jurisprudential reference. This book is written with high scientific accuracy and depth and examines the invented issues with strong arguments. Another real example is his numerous scientific treatises in fields such as the principles of jurisprudence, transactions and acts of worship, which have had a great impact on the Shia scientific community.
The works of Qur’an interpretation are another scientific highlight of Ayatollah Golpayegani. He found a high place in the field of interpretation of the Holy Quran by interpreting various verses of the Quran and presenting detailed and researched views. The historical example of this influence is the use of these interpretations by other authorities such as Ayatollah Khoei for teaching and research.
Also, Ayatollah Golpayegani has written articles and lectures on social and political issues, in which he addressed the problems of the Shia community and provided suitable solutions. These articles, especially in legal issues and hijab, played a significant role in guiding the religious community.
Role in the formation of Qom seminary
Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammadreza Golpayegani had a significant impact on the expansion of Qom seminary during his years of activity. In addition to teaching and training numerous students, he played an effective role in the establishment and development of various religious schools and schools. A clear example of this role is the establishment of Hojjatiye School and active participation in the expansion of specialized and non-specialized courses in various scientific fields.
The seminary of Qom achieved great centrality and scientific growth during the period of authority of Ayatollah Golpayegani. This field became one of the largest scientific centers of the Shia world in the fields of jurisprudence, principles, theology, philosophy and ethics. Another historical example is the existence of students like Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi and Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, who were among his students in the field of science and philosophy and played a prominent role in introducing Islamic teachings.
Ayatollah Golpayegani, due to his thorough understanding of current issues and the adaptation of jurisprudential principles to the times, left behind important works that are known as the main pillars of Islamic sciences. These effects are still felt in the seminary of Qom and other religious centers.
International efforts
Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammadreza Golpayegani, in addition to his scientific and domestic activities, had extensive international efforts as well. In different years, he communicated with the scholars of the Islamic world and took great steps towards the unity of the Islamic world. The real example of these efforts is the establishment of the World Islamic Forum in London, which served as a center for the exchange of Islamic science and culture.
His meetings with various scholars of the Islamic world, especially in Arab countries, played an important role in uniting Muslims against common issues. Another historical example of these efforts was Ayatollah Golpayegani’s role in international scientific and religious conferences that were held with the presence of various leaders and thinkers.
One of his prominent measures was promoting moderation and ijtihad in jurisprudential matters, which brought greater unity among Muslims. This approach was able to reduce sectarian differences and at the same time stabilize the position of Shia scholars among Sunnis.
Interaction with government and politics
Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Reza Golpaygani always emphasized the independence of the seminary and non-interference in political affairs, but this did not mean that he did not pay attention to social and political issues. According to the conditions of the day, he always presented his scientific and religious views with the sensitivities he had in each era. A clear example of this approach was his relationship with the governments of the time, which always took place within the framework of preserving religious principles and not entering into government issues.
Ayatollah Golpayegani expressed his opinions on many political and social issues through statements and Friday prayer sermons. These opinions were mainly based on jurisprudence and moral principles and were made to protect the public interests of the society. Another historical example was their reactions to sensitive issues such as the Islamic Revolution and supporting people’s actions, without directly entering into executive policies.
Another of his interactive features was consulting with other scholars on government issues, which led to greater convergence between authorities and clergy. This issue had stabilized his position among the public and officials of the country.
Struggles against colonialism and tyranny
During his career, Ayatollah Seyed Mohammad Reza Golpayegani put the fight against colonialism and tyranny at the top of his work. He always emphasized the need to preserve the independence and Islamic identity of the society and took a firm stand against the influence of foreigners. The historical examples of these struggles were his activities in defense of other authorities such as Ayatollah Kashani against political and cultural pressures.
Along with promoting religious teachings, Ayatollah Golpayegani strongly fought against the influence of western and atheistic ideas. By holding various meetings and speeches, he warned people that they should not allow Islamic values to be influenced by foreign cultures. Another example was his active presence during the nationalization movement of the oil industry, where he played a role in protecting the rights of the Iranian nation with the support of Ayatollah Kashani and other militant scholars.
These efforts caused Ayatollah Golpayegani to become one of the prominent figures of Islamic struggles against the rule of tyranny and colonialism. His approach was always based on the support of right and justice, which was evident in all stages of his scientific and social life.
Founder of the World Islamic Forum in London
In the last decades of his life, Ayatollah Seyed Mohammad Reza Golpayegani established the World Islamic Forum in London, considering the expansion of international communication and the importance of Muslim unity. This forum worked with the aim of strengthening scientific and cultural relations between Shiites and other Muslims around the world. The historical example of this action was the acceptance of prominent scholars from all over the Islamic world who attended the meetings and conferences of this forum and cooperated in the development of Islamic teachings.
The establishment of the World Islamic Forum, in addition to strengthening scientific communication, played an important role in introducing real Islam to the world. By publishing various books and articles, this forum criticized extreme and takfiri thoughts and promoted moderate thoughts. Another example of the efforts of the assembly was holding seminars and educational workshops for Muslim youth in order to strengthen Islamic identity and confront cultural threats.
This assembly also played a significant role in introducing prominent figures of Shiite scholars to the world. The historical example of these activities was the holding of international meetings with the presence of prominent personalities such as Imam Musa Sadr and Ayatollah Khomeini (RA), which provided the basis for greater unity among Muslims.
The set of these actions showed Ayatollah Golpayegani’s comprehensive and global view of the current issues of the Islamic world and his lasting efforts to strengthen Islamic values at the international level.
Political and social influences
Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Reza Golpayegani also left a deep impact in the political and social fields. He always emphasized the unity of the field and the university and believed that without the cooperation of these two institutions, the development and progress of the society cannot be achieved. The historical example of this opinion was his continuous support for scientific cooperation between the field and the university, which gradually showed its scientific and cultural effects in the society.
He also played a prominent role in teaching the principles of the Islamic Revolution to the new generation, and in many of his statements and speeches, he invited the youth to preserve Islamic principles and try to reform the society. Another example of this role was his support for Imam Khomeini’s speech and the Islamic movement, which led to the victory of the Iranian Islamic Revolution.
By emphasizing the role of the clergy in politics, Ayatollah Golpayegani had an irreplaceable influence on important social and political issues and always made decisions based on Islamic principles and public interests.
Death and moving on
Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Reza Golpayegani bid farewell to death in Qom Dar on the 24th of Jumadi al-Thani 1414 AH (December 18, 1372) and rushed to his homeland. His loss was considered a great loss for the Islamic seminary and society. But the scientific and moral works left by him are always a reminder of his continuous efforts towards the growth and excellence of the Islamic society. The real examples of these works are the establishment of a school of thought and the training of students such as Grand Ayatollah Khamenei and other religious authorities who continue his path in the path of science and religion.
In addition to the scientific role, Ayatollah Golpayegani’s authority was effective in maintaining the unity and coherence of seminaries and strengthening the communication between Shia authorities. Another example was the establishment of closer relations between the seminaries of Qom and Najaf Ashraf and its effects on the spread of Islamic education.
Just as he shone as a star in the sky of science and ethics during his lifetime, his scientific and spiritual legacy will always remain in the history of Islam and will be a model for future generations.
According to the above, “Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Reza Golpayegani” had a profound impact on the Islamic society with more than half a century of efforts in religious, scientific and social fields. His authority and playing a role in the establishment of the World Islamic Forum greatly contributed to the expansion of Shiite education at the international level. Also, his academic and educational services in raising outstanding students, including Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi and Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpayegani, left a lasting impression on the seminary.
Finally, the intellectual and practical legacy of Ayatollah Golpayegani, in addition to the Shia community, has been and will be an inspiration for Muslims of other religions. His efforts in preserving Islamic principles and developing religious culture will continue to be a guide in the continuation of the scientific and social path of the Islamic society.
منبع: www.khabaronline.ir
