Pars Today

Pars Today- Morteza Motahhari, better known as Professor Motahhari and Martyr Motahhari (1919- 1979), was an Iranian thinker, scholar, writer, teacher and one of the renowned experts of Islamic sciences in the 14th century AH (20th century AD).

As a pupil of Imam Khomeini (God’s mercy upon him) and great Shia exegete of the holy Qur'an, Allameh Tabatabai, he became a sharp theorist and an erudite researcher in all fields of Islamic sciences and, in some fields, he reached the degree of Ejtehad (independent deduction of instructions from the Qur'an and narrations of the Prophet and the Infallible Imams) such as philosophy, jurisprudence and principles of jurisprudence. Martyr Motahhari was one of the professors of Islamic philosophy, Islamic theosophy and exegesis of the Qur'an, and has authored many books on different subjects.

Professor Motahhari, besides scientific activities, played a notable role in politics before and after the Islamic Revolution. He was among the influential figures and ideological leaders of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Among the activities of Martyr Motahhari, mention can be made of his struggle against the Marxist thoughts, establishment of Hosseinieh Ershad (an ideological center for promotion of Islamic teachings and debates of thinkers) and chairmanship of the Council of Revolution which continued till his martyrdom.

The day of Ayatollah Motahhari's martyrdom has been dubbed as "Teachers' Day" in Iran to glorify the status of teachers.

Enlightenment and university

In the year 1954, Martyr Motahhari started teaching in Tehran University. He was engaged in scientific work at the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Teachings of this university for more than 20 years.

Ayatollah Motahhari taught at this faculty the BA and PhD courses in the fields of Islamic sciences (logic, philosophy, theosophy, Gnosticism, principles of jurisprudence, jurisprudence and scientific wisdom), philosophy (explanation of Manzumeh [of Molla Hadi Sabzevari], theosophy of Shefa [of Avicenna], Maqased-ul-Falasefa of Ghazali, etc.) history of philosophy, history of Islamic disputes, and the relations of philosophy and Gnosticism (Erfan).

His view on Islam

He believed that Islam is an unknown religion. The realities of this religion have become upside down in the eyes of people and the basic reason for some people's escape [from religion] are the false instructions that are taught in the name of Islam. In his opinion, this religion is struck and hurt mostly by some of those who claim to support it.

The book, "Reasons of Tendency to Materialism"

The book, "Reasons of Tendency to Materialism" – which is the complete version of Professor Motahhari's speeches in 1969- 1970 at the High Teacher Training Center- was published in 1971. This efficient work was authored at a time when there could be seen a proclivity among the young generation towards materialist schools such as Marxism. Ayatollah Motahhari, in this book, reviews the role of the church, philosophical, social and political, … concepts, in tendency to materialism, and clarifies the causes of errors and deviations in this field.

Authoring of "An Introduction to the Islamic Worldview"

When Moretza Motahhari saw ample deviations in the magazines of some of the pseudo-Islamic groups and the works of some Muslim thinkers on the Islamic worldview, wrote this book to prevent eclecticism, and most importantly, clarify Islam's view; hence, revealing many of the ideological mistakes of intellectuals.

Published works

Martyr Motahhari wrote over 50 books some of the most important of which are: An Introduction to the Islamic Worldview, Familiarity with the Qur'an, Islam and Time Requirements, Perfect Man, About the Islamic Revolution, About the Islamic Republic, Education in Islam, Monotheism, Prophethood, Resurrection, The Epic of Hossein, Reciprocal Services of Islam and Iran, Divine Justice, Stories of True Believers, Survey of Nahj-ul-Balagha, Survey of the Prophet's Practice, Survey of the Infallible Imams' Practice, Deep Explanation of Manzumeh, Reasons of Tendency to Materialism, Innate Nature, Philosophy of Ethics, Philosophy of History, Spiritual Discourses, The Issue of Hijab, System of Woman's Rights in Islam, Uprising and Revolution of Mahdi (May God hasten his reappearance).

Imam Khomeini's reliable advisor

Ayatollah Motahhari, after the victory of the Islamic Revolution and the fall of the Pahlavi rule, did a lot of activities for stabilizing of the Islamic rule. For instance, he was Imam Khomeini's most important and reliable advisor.

Assassination and martyrdom

After the end of a session about the current issues of the country on the night of May 1, 1979, in an alley, a man called him by name from behind. As soon as Ayatollah Motahhari turned to him, he was shot and assassinated.

This man was a member of the dangerous group called, "Forqan" and his name was Mohammad Ali Basiri. This group maintained an extremist view on religion and society. After the shooting, Morteza Motahhari was taken to a hospital, but physicians failed to save his life and finally he attained martyrdom.

Part of Imam Khomeini's message on his martyrdom

"Although the Islamic Revolution, with God's help, gained victory to the chagrin of ill-wishers and adventurists, irreparable scientific losses were also inflicted on the nation and the Islamic seminaries by counter-revolutionary hypocrites, such as the treacherous assassination of late great scientist and expert of Islam, Haj Sheikh Morteza Motahhari (God's mercy upon him). What I should say about him is that he rendered precious services to Islam and knowledge, and it is a matter of deep regret that a treacherous hand took this fruitful tree from the scientific and Islamic seminaries and deprived everyone of his valuable fruits. Motahhari was a dear child for me and a strong support for religious and scientific seminaries and a useful servant for Islam, nation and country. May God bless him."

Imam Khamenei's view on Martyr Motahhari

"Had there not been the endeavor of that martyr for meeting the ideological needs of different strata and raising of new subjects, the society is involved in, now, the Islamic society would have been in a different situation."

Some famous words of Martyr Motahhari

Jihad

"The Qur'an says that in order to cast fear in the heart of the enemy so that he does not even think of invading you, provide forces and get strong." (Jihad/ p 28)

Work in Islam

"Islam is the enemy of joblessness and being idle. Human being, because of benefiting from the society and that work is the best factor for constructing the individual and society, and that joblessness is the biggest cause of corruption, must do a useful work." (Revelation and Prophethood/ p 118)

Status of economy

"The realistic school of Islam does not consider economy as an infrastructure, but does not ignore its basic role, either." (Ten Discourses/ p 309)

Eastern life

"It is time for the West, like all other eras, despite all advancement that it has achieved in sciences and industries, to learn the philosophy of life from the East." (Sexual Ethics/ pa 28)

Monotheistic worldview

"The monotheistic worldview has attraction and is a magnet. It gives alacrity and courage. It presents lofty and sacred goals and selfless individuals." (set of works, v2/ p 84)

Prophet of Islam and consultation

"The Messenger of God, although he was a prophet and people didn’t expect him to ask their opinions, used to consult with them in order to grant them personality." (Wise Words and Advice/ p 120)

Prophet of Islam and issue of Palestine

"Was the Prophet of Islam alive, what would he do? I swear by God that the noble prophet is trembling today from the Jews in his holy grave. By God, we are heedless. By Allah, the issue that has today deeply distressed the noble Prophet is the issue of Palestine…. By Allah, by Allah, we are responsible towards this issue." (speech about Palestine)

References:

• Morteza Motahhari, Encyclopedia of Seminary and Wikifeqh
• Synopsis of Martyr Motahhari's words. Roshd National Network website
• Martyr Motahhari: Issue of Palestine has today deeply distressed the Prophet. Fars news agency   

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