Husayniyya Irshad
Husayniyya Irshad, a religious-cultural institution founded in the 1340s SH (1960s) with a modernist approach, despite having no direct organizational connection with Imam Khomeini, played a significant role in laying the intellectual groundwork for the Islamic Revolution through figures close to him and by presenting a revolutionary interpretation of Islam.
Introduction and History
Husayniyya Irshad was founded in Tehran in the early 1340s SH by Muhammad Humayun, Nasir Minachi, and 'Abd al-Husayn 'Ali Abadi.[1] This center was formed with a modernist approach in the field of religious thought and with the aim of propagating Islamic teachings and answering the intellectual needs of the young generation.[2]
Husayniyya Irshad distinguished itself from traditional circles by employing modern methods such as replacing the minbar with a podium, using clapping instead of salawat and performing religious plays.[3] The activities of this institution were organized in the areas of research, education, and propagation, and included lectures, educational classes, and the publication of books.[4]
Relationship with Imam Khomeini
Husayniyya Irshad had no organizational relationship with Imam Khomeini, and he never lectured in this place; although some SAVAK documents mistakenly refer to his lecture at this Husayniyya.[5] This institution was essentially established after the exile of Imam Khomeini abroad,[6] but the composition of its board of directors indicated intellectual ties with the Islamic movement. Murtada Mutahhari, the vice-chairman of the Husayniyya, was considered among the students and close companions of Imam Khomeini[7] as well as the presence of other figures such as Sayyid Mahmud Taliqani, Engineer Bazargan, and Yad Allah Sahabi in the academic board of the Husayniyya, who were activists of the National Resistance Movement and companions of Imam Khomeini.[8]
During this period, prominent figures also lectured at Husayniyya Irshad, among whom we can mention Fakhr al-Din Hijazi, Muhammad Mufattih, Husayn Nuri Hamadani, Akbar Hashimi Rafsanjani, 'Ali Gulzada Ghafuri, Muhammad Jawad Bahunar, Sayyid 'Abd al-Karim Hashimi Nizhad, Abu l-Qasim Khaz'ali, 'Ali Dawani, Nasir Makarim Shirazi, and Sayyid 'Ali Khamene'i.[9]
This center, by presenting an ideological and revolutionary interpretation of Islam, especially through the lectures of 'Ali Shari'ati and Murtada Mutahhari, played a pivotal role in laying the intellectual groundwork for the Islamic Revolution. The extensive and critical activities of this institution, which were accompanied by strict supervision by SAVAK,[10] ultimately led to its closure by the Pahlavi government in Aban 1351 SH.[11] However, even during the closure period, cultural-revolutionary measures, including the preparation of revolutionary anthems and the secret printing of Shari'ati's works, continued.[12] To the extent that the Husayniyya is known as one of the main bases of the revolution.[13]
After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Husayniyya Irshad resumed its activities and continues to operate as a cultural-religious institution.[14]
Mutahhari's Separation from Husayniyya Irshad
Husayniyya Irshad witnessed intellectual differences between Murtada Mutahhari and 'Ali Shari'ati, which ultimately led to Mutahhari's departure from this institution in 1349 SH.[15] These differences were mainly over the foundations and the understanding of Islam.[16] Shari'ati, with a revolutionary approach and using sociological concepts, sought to attract the youth, but Mutahhari considered his understandings and methods imprecise and eclectic.
Notes
- ↑ "Husayniyya Irshad".
- ↑ "Husayniyya Irshad".
- ↑ Ja'fari and Tayifa, "Husayniyya Irshad".
- ↑ "Husayniyya Irshad".
- ↑ Markaz-i Barrasi-yi Asnad-i Tarikhi-yi Wizarat-i Ittila'at, Husayniyya Irshad bi Riwayat-i Asnad-i SAVAK, p. 1.
- ↑ Ja'fari and Tayifa, "Husayniyya Irshad".
- ↑ Markaz-i Barrasi-yi Asnad-i Tarikhi-yi Wizarat-i Ittila'at, Husayniyya Irshad bi Riwayat-i Asnad-i SAVAK, p. 8.
- ↑ Ja'fari and Tayifa, "Husayniyya Irshad".
- ↑ Markaz-i Barrasi-yi Asnad-i Tarikhi-yi Wizarat-i Ittila'at, Husayniyya Irshad bi Riwayat-i Asnad-i SAVAK, multiple places.
- ↑ See Markaz-i Barrasi-yi Asnad-i Tarikhi-yi Wizarat-i Ittila'at, Husayniyya Irshad bi Riwayat-i SAVAK; "Paygah-ha-yi Inqilab-i Islami, Husayniyya Irshad bi Riwayat-i Asnad-i SAVAK".
- ↑ "Husayniyya Irshad".
- ↑ "Husayniyya Irshad".
- ↑ Markaz-i Barrasi-yi Asnad-i Tarikhi-yi Wizarat-i Ittila'at, Husayniyya Irshad bi Riwayat-i Asnad-i SAVAK, Publisher's Introduction.
- ↑ "Husayniyya Irshad".
- ↑ Markaz-i Asnad-i Inqilab-i Islami, Ustad-i Shahid bi Riwayat-i Asnad, p. 48.
- ↑ Markaz-i Asnad-i Inqilab-i Islami, Ustad-i Shahid bi Riwayat-i Asnad, p. 48.
References
- "Husayniyya Irshad", Danishnama-yi Jahan-i Islam, vol. 13.
- Ja'fari, Shiva and Tayifa, Sima. "Husayniyya Irshad", Da'irat al-Ma'arif-i Buzurg-i Islami, vol. 1, publication date: 4 Isfand 1399 SH, access date: 6 Aban 1404 SH.
- Markaz-i Barrasi-yi Asnad-i Tarikhi-yi Wizarat-i Ittila'at, Husayniyya Irshad bi Riwayat-i SAVAK, Tehran, 1383 SH.
- Markaz-i Asnad-i Inqilab-i Islami, Ustad-i Shahid bi Riwayat-i Asnad, Tehran, second printing, 1383 SH.
- "Paygah-ha-yi Inqilab-i Islami, Husayniyya Irshad bi Riwayat-i Asnad-i SAVAK", Markaz-i Barrasi-yi Asnad-i Tarikhi, access date: 6 Aban 1404 SH.