Statements at the Meeting of the Organizers of the Congress Commemorating Syed Morteza Alim al-Huda on the Millennium of the Death of Allameh Syed Morteza

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

I am very grateful for the statements of the gentlemen, Mr. Estadi, Mr. Mehriyi, and Mr. Mohaghegh. The essence of this work is significant because Syed Morteza (may God’s peace be upon him) is one of the prominent figures in Islamic history, not just the history of Shia Islam. When we discuss Islamic dignitaries, we are essentially describing Islamic education; and whatever is said and compiled about the virtues, merits, and distinctions of figures like Syed Morteza ultimately reflects the beauty of Islamic education and Islamic teachings and seminaries; this is very important. Regarding Syed Morteza himself - well, you gentlemen who have worked are familiar with the details of his biography - the important aspect is what was fortunately mentioned in the statements of the gentlemen; we are not merely interested in the date of birth and death and the number of children and such details for understanding our great scholarly personalities, but we want to analyze their teachings and knowledge; both historically and in terms of the etymology of sciences.

As mentioned, he was proficient in jurisprudence, theology, literature, and exegesis. He was also a student of Hussein ibn Babawayh - the brother of Sheikh Saduq - in Hadith; now how long and how much, we do not know exactly; these need to be researched, clarified, and made known. Ultimately, there exists a man with these characteristics and comprehensiveness in our history; we must analyze this, analyze his personality. For instance, let us suppose his teacher, Sheikh Mufid, is primarily known for his contributions in theology - Sheikh Mufid is a great theologian - we should see how much Syed Morteza's theological views in Shafi and other books he has are influenced by Sheikh Mufid's opinions, and how much they oppose Sheikh Mufid's views; it is important to understand these matters; or in jurisprudence, for example, where he was also a student of Sheikh Mufid, we should examine his jurisprudential works and opinions, which, as Mr. Estadi mentioned, include some rare opinions - there are also rare opinions in his statements - how much they are influenced by Sheikh Mufid's views; [that is] analyzing the personality of Syed Morteza; this is important. Of course, refining his works and publishing them is also significant in its own right. We truly thank Mr. Reyshahri and the other gentlemen who are collaborating with him to revive the works of our dignitaries.

I, of course, mentioned the late Syed Morteza Razi a few years ago when discussing the commemoration of historical scholarly figures; after all, it is appropriate with Rey, Syed Morteza Razi; he was a very great theologian and a distinguished personality. Or, for example, among these great figures of this region, you mentioned Kulayni; however, Allaan Kulayni is also among the greatest scholars of Hadith - now whether he resided in Kulayn or Rey, I am not currently well-informed about these matters - work should be done on these; that is, they should be identified, and their value and weight should be made known.

In my opinion, this is a very good endeavor, a very commendable effort; especially since the personality of Syed Morteza is both multi-dimensional and, in a sense, internationally Islamic. In this discussion of literature and eloquence, in some of the accounts written about him, I do not remember who expresses it, [they say] that he is above the great literary figures of the literary world - Arab and non-Arab, like Sibawayh, like Ibn Jinni - meaning they have expressed that his literary rank is higher than these individuals. This is very important; these should be sought in his books, and his works and signs should be found and researched.

In any case, it seems that you gentlemen have started a very commendable work; God willing, you will be successful. And this group that Mr. Reyshahri has appointed and they have accepted the effort, truly and fairly - as far as I know and see - is a commendable group and can, God willing, carry out this work. And [the work] should not stop here; after Syed Morteza, it is naturally time for Syed Razi to have his personality and prominence recognized, and God willing, good works will be done in this regard.