Message to the Congress Commemorating Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Kazem Tabatabai Yazdi

Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a message to the congress commemorating Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Kazem Tabatabai Yazdi, the author of the book 'Urwah', emphasized the necessity of examining the intellectual framework of the late Seyyed Kazem Tabatabai Yazdi and highlighted the importance of introducing and recognizing various aspects of his personality for public awareness.

The text of the Supreme Leader's message, derived from his statements during a meeting with the members of the organizing committee of the congress commemorating Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Kazem Tabatabai Yazdi on 22/3/1391, was read this morning (Thursday) by Hojjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Mohammadi Golpayegani, the head of the Supreme Leader's office, at this congress in the city of Qom, as follows:

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

First, I would like to express my gratitude to the esteemed gentlemen for their efforts in introducing a prominent figure like the late Seyyed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi; this alone deserves great appreciation. Although the late Seyyed Yazdi is among the first-rate jurists in our scholarly circles – meaning his 'Urwah' is accessible to all, and everyone comments on it; since the emergence of 'Urwah', it has been rare to see our jurists, our sources of emulation, commenting on works like 'Najat al-Ibad' and other books that were previously commented upon; the comprehensiveness of 'Urwah', Seyyed's taste in organizing the book 'Urwah al-Wuthqa', and the numerous merits of this book, despite its incomplete chapters of jurisprudence, have nonetheless concentrated all attention on this book; this indicates the prominence of this book and its author – and despite the fact that this personality is so well-known among scholars, it is not recognized among the people; that is, this prominent scientific figure is not well-known; now you are actually preparing this work; this is a very good endeavor. In the congress for the late Seyyed Mohammad Kazem, since the scientific work has been entrusted to Mr. Estadi, one can be assured; he is truly and fairly at the complete level in this work – like many other works – and one can be confident that, God willing, the work will progress with precision; unlike some congresses and commemorations that often focus on appearances, God willing, this one will look deeper.

Regarding the research works that he referred to concerning the books of the late Seyyed, yes, that is correct. Since the books of the late Seyyed have been so prevalent, they have been published; primarily 'Urwah', which has been published extensively; then there is the commentary on 'Makasib', which is collectively the best commentary on 'Makasib', Seyyed's commentary; although some other commentaries – like those of the late Akhund and others – have their own specific merits, overall, in terms of the rigor of reasoning, comprehensiveness, jurisprudential maturity, mastery of various chapters, and their use in clarifying issues, Seyyed's commentary is indeed unparalleled. Well, these books, due to their attention and intrinsic value, have become prevalent, and there has been no need for, for example, reprints. One should not refer to the book 'Ta'adol wa Tarajih' as a treatise; it is a detailed book, which has recently been published; it seems it has not been more than two or three years since I saw it published; or the questions and answers of Seyyed or the same topics he mentioned; well, these are very good books that should be published; however, in my opinion, alongside these, a deep study and research into the jurisprudential foundations of Seyyed is necessary; because the book 'Urwah' contains new ideas, fresh discussions; the jurisprudential foundations of Seyyed should be compiled. We have become accustomed over time that when discussing great figures, for example, we come to refine and publish their books; commemorating a scholar is not merely this. You see, for instance, when they want to discuss a certain Western jurist or philosopher, suddenly you see discussions arise from a hundred places on the intellectual framework of that person; we should do this work. What is the jurisprudential framework of Seyyed Yazdi, and what are the characteristics of his jurisprudential foundations that distinguish him from others? The points of difference between him and his teacher Mirza Shirazi, with his other teachers, with Sheikh, whose ideas are prevalent in the seminaries, the specific aspects of this great man that define his jurisprudential intellectual framework should be brought to light. In my opinion, this requires strong research. Now, there may be some things in the articles that were mentioned, but ultimately this is part of the work's scope. It is possible for one learned and virtuous person to sit down and derive a conclusion, and another learned and virtuous person to work separately. In my opinion, this should be worked on.

In the late Seyyed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi, I see three aspects that are rarely found together in a scholar of this level. One is his mastery and expertise in jurisprudence; he is truly a great jurist. As I read in these writings – both in the book of the late Munzir and in some other places, this has been quoted – the late Akhund Khurasani, who is well-known and does not need introduction or description, preferred him in terms of jurisprudence over all his contemporaries; his contemporaries included the late Amirza Mohammad Taqi Shirazi – with the level of precision that man has – the late Seyyed Ismail Sadr, who is a great scholar, and likewise the late Hajj Agha Reza Hamadani, the late Seyyed Mohammad Isfahani, these great figures who were present. When they ask Akhund, are you more learned or Seyyed Mohammad Kazem, he – apparently his expression for the late Seyyed Mohammad Kazem is usually 'Agha' – expresses some doubt; then regarding the superiority of the late Akhund over others, he says when Agha is like this, the situation of others is clear! This means that the late Akhund has a clear preference for him. This is very important. A contemporary, even at the level of the late Akhund Khurasani, honors and respects his contemporary in this way; this is very significant. Therefore, his scientific aspect is very prominent in my opinion. This is evident both in 'Urwah' and in the commentary on 'Makasib'. This is one aspect of this great man's personality.

Another aspect is his piety and personal considerations and spiritual dimensions, which is also clear in the numerous accounts of him. Even in the matter of the Constitutional Revolution, the late Seyyed Mohammad Kazem was among the first to sign and accept the Constitution at the beginning. When the late Sheikh Fazlollah Nuri wrote that such a thing is happening in Tehran, he was among the first to sign and accept it; later, when the constitution – that is, the fundamental law – was proposed, he said that I must see the constitution, I must see what I am supposed to approve. The late Sheikh Fazlollah wrote from Tehran that we saw it, it is correct, it is good. Well, Sheikh Fazlollah was both contemporary and of the same period as these figures, he was a great man, and they trusted him. He said no, I must see it myself! This shows the utmost diligence of this man, that despite someone like Sheikh Fazlollah Nuri, who was accepted by them, approving it, he says I must see it; because this is a significant matter, he understood that this was a deep-rooted and ongoing issue, it could not be passed over carelessly; later, the subsequent events confirmed that this was indeed correct; that is, they should have done this from the beginning. The late Sheikh Fazlollah himself faced great difficulties regarding the amendment of the constitution in Tehran! In the end, what happened; both he and his opponents among the great scholars faced dire situations. This shows the diligence and caution of this man in matters of religion. This is very important. Although the pressure was high – that is, the conditions were not normal; there was intellectual pressure, political pressure from all sides on this man; the tribes of Najaf and others were his followers, but within the seminary of Najaf, most were opposed – he stood firm. This is also the aspect of piety and spirituality of this man.

The third aspect – which perhaps relates back to this second aspect – is the readiness for jihad. The events of the struggle against the occupying British and the war that occurred in Iraq revolve around the late Seyyed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi. He sent his son – the late Seyyed Mohammad – of course, the late Seyyed Mohammad did not attain martyrdom in the war, he later passed away; however, he sent his own son. There were great scholars at that time – the late Seyyed Ali Damad, the late Seyyed Mustafa Kashani, the father of the late Mr. Kashani, and other great figures – but the focus was on the son of the late Seyyed Mohammad Kazem, who was followed by all as a prominent figure. They came to the southern regions of Iraq – in these border areas of Iran – fought and struggled. During my trip to Khuzestan a few years ago, several elderly men from the survivors of that war came to meet me in a session, they brought the flag of that war for us – it was a worn-out, tattered flag – they handed it to me, saying this flag belongs to the late Seyyed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi; the Khuzestani Arabs had a particular regard for this great man regarding this flag. Therefore, he was a comprehensive and multifaceted personality. If Seyyed's opinion in the matter of the Constitutional Revolution had been secured and the condition he set had been realized, I believe the course of the Constitutional Revolution would have changed; that is, one might assume that the course of the Constitutional Revolution would have changed, the carelessness that occurred would not have happened.

In any case, we are very grateful. I emphasize that you should strive to hold this work deeply – fortunately, Mr. Estadi is present and is pursuing this meaning – and that a work is done so that this personality becomes alive in the eyes of the general public [so that] public opinion recognizes this great man.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.