Nuri, Fazlullah
Etymology and Translations
- Name: Hajj Shaykh Fazlullah ibn Mulla Abbas Mazandarani Nuri Tihrani
- Arabic: نوري، فضل الله
- Turkish: Fazlullah Nuri
Overview
Fazlullah Nuri (d. 1909), who held the honorific of Hajj and was often referred to as Hajj Shaykh Fazlullah ibn Mulla Abbas Mazandarani Nuri Tihrani, was a distinguished Iranian Shi’i cleric renowned for his complex political stance during a transformative period in Iranian history.
Historical Context and Impact
Anti-Tobacco Edict
Nuri is perhaps best known for the issuance of an anti-tobacco edict during the Tobacco Revolt of 1891–92. This revolt was a critical event in Iranian history that demonstrated the influential role of the clergy in mobilizing public sentiment against foreign economic intervention and government policies seen as detrimental to the sovereignty and economic well-being of Iran.
Constitutional Revolution
Initially, Nuri was an active advocate for constitutional governance. However, over time, he became increasingly apprehensive about the potential dangers such a system might pose to Islamic principles and, in particular, to Shari’a (Islamic law). This concern prompted a significant shift in his position, from supporting to actively opposing the constitutional movement.
In his later political thought, Nuri argued for integrating elements of Shi’i law into the foundations of government, thereby hoping to ensure that God’s law would govern the state rather than secular or human laws alone.
Emphasis on Monarchy and Clerical Viceregency
Fazlullah Nuri highlighted the need for a monarchical system underpinned by the authority of the clerics, espousing the necessity of clerical guidance in matters typically reserved for prophets. This view contrasted sharply with more progressive elements within the constitutionalist movement who sought to reduce clerical power in governance.
Execution
Nuri’s forthright opposition eventually led to his capture and execution by constitutionalist forces in 1909, marking a significant point in the ebb and flow of clerical influence in early modern Iran.
See Also
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Tobacco Regie: Commerce and Reform in Iran” by F. K. Keddie.
- “Constitutional Revolution and Neo-Absolutism” by Janet Afary.
- “Iran: A Modern History” by Abbas Amanat.
- “Shi’ism and Social Protest” by Michael M. J. Fischer.
Takeaways
- Fazlullah Nuri serves as a pivotal figure symbolizing the ideological tensions between traditional religious authority and emerging secular and constitutionalist movements in Iran.
- His shift from constitutional support to vehement opposition illustrates the complex relationship between religion and politics in the context of early 20th-century Iranian reform.
- Nuri’s execution by constitutionalist forces underscores the sometimes violent clashes that occurred during this period of intense sociopolitical upheaval.
- Contemporary discussions on the role of Islamic law in governance may find historical insights in Nuri’s advocacy for a government tied closely to Shi’i principles.
Conclusion
Fazlullah Nuri’s life and actions underscore the dynamic and often contentious intersections of religion, politics, and law in Iran’s modern history. His role in pivotal events like the Tobacco Revolt and the Constitutional Revolution provides a compelling case study in the power and influence of the clergy as well as the intense struggles that accompanied Iran’s modernization efforts in the early 20th century.
