Khorasani, Muhammad Kazim

Khorasani, Muhammad Kazim

Overview

Khorasani, Muhammad Kazim (1839-1911) was a highly esteemed religious scholar during Iran’s Qajar period (1796–1925). He played a pivotal role in shaping Islamic scholarship and legal thought within Shii Islam, particularly in the Iranian and Iraqi contexts. His academic work and political activism during the Constitutional Revolution (1905–1911) have had a lasting impact on religious and political discourse.

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: الخراساني، محمد كاظم
• Turkish: Horasani, Muhammed Kazım

Academic Influence

Khorasani was a teacher to many of the most renowned Iranian clerics of the early twentieth century, his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and principles (usul) are still fundamental texts in Iranian and Iraqi Shii madrasas. His works, such as the renowned “Kifayat al-Usul” (الكفاية في علم الأصول), remain required reading for students of Islamic law.

Political Involvement

During the Constitutional Revolution, which sought to establish a constitutional monarchy in Iran, Khorasani was an active supporter. He sent numerous telegrams guiding the ulama (Islamic scholars) on their political involvement, emphasizing the importance of justice, constitutionalism, and limiting the power of absolute monarchy. His influence ensured that religious scholars played an integral part in the political reforms of the time.

Key Works

• Kifayat al-Usul (الكفاية في علم الأصول): A fundamental text in Shii Islamic jurisprudence addressing principles of legal theory.
• Risala Mahkuma: A treatise detailing his viewpoints on Islamic governance and constitutionalism.

Suggested Books for Further Studies

1. Amir Arjomand, Said. The Turban for the Crown: The Islamic Revolution in Iran. Oxford University Press, 1988.
2. Algar, Hamid. Religion and State in Iran, 1785-1906: The Role of the Ulama in the Qajar Period. University of California Press, 1969.
3. Hairi, Abdul-Hadi. Shi’ism and Constitutionalism in Persia: A Study of the Role Played by the Persian Residents of Iraq in Persian Politics. E. J. Brill, 1977.

Takeaways

• Khorasani, Muhammad Kazim was a pivotal Shii scholar whose teachings and legal principles continue to influence modern Islamic jurisprudence.
• His active political involvement during the Constitutional Revolution underscored the vital role of the ulama in Iranian political reforms.
• His academic legacy, particularly in the field of usul al-fiqh (principles of jurisprudence), persists in Shii Islamic education today.

Conclusion

The contributions of Khorasani, Muhammad Kazim to both Islamic scholarship and political thought remain indispensable. His works continue to shape the curriculum of Islamic seminaries and feature prominently in the legal reasoning of Shii jurists. His support for constitutionalism and political reform highlight the intersection of religion and politics in the early twentieth-century Iran.