Marashi-Najafi, Ayatollah Sayyid Shihab al-Din: Definition and Meaning
Definition
Marashi-Najafi, Ayatollah Sayyid Shihab al-Din (d. 1990): A distinguished Iranian cleric who greatly contributed to Islamic scholarship, especially within Shi’a Islam. Ayatollah Marashi-Najafi was not only a renowned scholar but also a devout educator and social activist.
Etymology
His title “Marashi” indicates lineage from Imam Hasan al-Askari, while “Najafi” refers to the city of Najaf, a prominent center for Shi’a Islamic studies.
Background
Born in 1897, Ayatollah Marashi-Najafi hailed from a respected clerical family. He pursued his studies in the eminent seminaries of Najaf and Qom under great scholars like Ayatollah Abd al-Karim Haeri Yazdi, contributing significantly to Islamic thought and jurisprudence.
Historical Facts and Dates
- 1966: Founded the Marashi Library in Qom, which later became one of the largest collections of Shi’a manuscripts globally.
- 1979: Played an instrumental role in supporting the Iranian Revolution, advocating for the return of Ayatollah Khomeini.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Ayatollah Marashi-Najafi operated within the Iranian Shi’a tradition yet connected globally with scholars from various Islamic schools of thought. This bridge-building enriched both Shiโa and broader Islamic studies.
Synonyms
- Iranian Scholar
- Shiโa Jurist
- Marashi Cleric
- Islamic Librarian
Antonyms
- Sunni Clerics
- Wahhabi Theologians
- Secular Academics
- Hawza: Traditional Islamic school, often related to Shiโa seminaries like those in Qom and Najaf.
- Ayatollah: A high-ranking title in Shi’a Islam, denoting a scholarly and spiritual leader.
- Islamic Revolution: The 1979 political revolution that transformed Iran.
Exciting Facts
- The Marashi Library houses over 30,000 manuscripts, demonstrating Ayatollah Marashi-Najafi’s dedication to preserving Islamic heritage.
- He authored numerous works on Islamic jurisprudence and history.
Quotations
“It is upon the scholars to preserve the rich heritage and knowledge left by the Prophet and his household.” - Ayatollah Sayyid Shihab al-Din Marashi-Najafi
Suggested Literature and Other Sources
- “The Marashi Legacy: Guardians of Shiโa Treasures” by Abbas Qum โ A historical exploration of the Marashi Library.
- “Spiritual Giants of Qom” by Laleh Bakhtiar โ Biographies of Qom-based clerics.
- “The Path of Knowledge: Shiite Scholarship in the Modern Era” by Mustafa Jafar โ An overview of modern Shiโi academic contributions.
### What is Ayatollah Sayyid Shihab al-Din Marashi-Najafi best known for?
- [x] Collecting and preserving Shi'a manuscripts.
- [ ] Being a leading figure in the Sunni movement.
- [ ] Opposing the Iranian Revolution.
- [ ] Founding various secular philosophic academies.
> **Explanation:** Ayatollah Marashi-Najafi is best recognized for his extensive collection and preservation of Shi'a Islamic manuscripts, primarily through the Marashi Library in Qom.
### Where did Ayatollah Sayyid Shihab al-Din Marashi-Najafi receive his religious education?
- [x] Najaf and Qom
- [ ] Cairo and Mecca
- [ ] Istanbul and Ankara
- [ ] Damascus and Baghdad
> **Explanation:** Ayatollah Marashi-Najafi pursued his religious education in the renowned Shi'a seminaries at Najaf and Qom.
### In which year was the Marashi Library established?
- [x] 1966
- [ ] 1950
- [ ] 1974
- [ ] 1985
> **Explanation:** The Marashi Library was founded in 1966 and rapidly gained prominence as a repository of Islamic scholarship manuscripts.
### What role did Ayatollah Marashi-Najafi play in the 1979 Iranian Revolution?
- [x] Supported the return of Ayatollah Khomeini.
- [ ] Opposed the revolution.
- [ ] Led a secular movement.
- [ ] Emigrated from Iran.
> **Explanation:** Ayatollah Marashi-Najafi supported the revolution and the return of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini from exile, endorsing the changes that took place.
### Which language family does Ayatollah Marashi-Najafiโs title โNajafiโ refer to?
- [x] Arabic
- [ ] Persian
- [ ] Urdu
- [ ] Turkish
> **Explanation:** The title โNajafiโ refers to the city of Najaf, thereby indicating his scholarly connections are mostly associated with Arabic, given that Najaf is an Arabic-speaking region.
### What was one of Ayatollah Marashi-Najafiโs main contributions to the Islamic world?
- [x] The foundation of an extensive Islamic library.
- [ ] The development of new secular laws.
- [ ] The establishment of modern art forms.
- [ ] The promotion of international trade.
> **Explanation:** One of his major contributions was the foundation of the Marashi Library which housed thousands of rare Islamic manuscripts, greatly benefiting Islamic scholarship.
### Who was a notable mentor of Ayatollah Marashi-Najafi?
- [x] Ayatollah Abd al-Karim Haeri Yazdi
- [ ] Muhammad Abduh
- [ ] Ibn Taymiyyah
- [ ] Sayyid Qutb
> **Explanation:** Ayatollah Abd al-Karim Haeri Yazdi was one of his most important mentors, who himself was a pivotal figure in the development of the seminary in Qom.
### What does the term 'Ayatollah' signify?
- [x] A high-ranking Shiโa Islamic scholar and spiritual leader.
- [ ] A Sunni cleric.
- [ ] An Islamic prophet.
- [ ] A secular educator.
> **Explanation:** The term 'Ayatollah' indicates a high-ranking scholar and spiritual leader within the Shiโa tradition.
In the words of Ayatollah Sayyid Shihab al-Din Marashi-Najafi, “Let us ignite the candles of knowledge with the flames of our devotion, illuminating the path for future generations.”
Salaam!
Published on October 3, 2023, by Salman Hussain
