Scholars who have played a role in the expansion of Shi'a

Question

Which of the great Shi'a scholars have played a role in the expansion of Shi'a?

Shi'a scholars have each contributed to the expansion of Shi'a Islam in their own way. The growth and spread of Shi'a in the contemporary world can be attributed to fourteen centuries of their scholarly and practical efforts. However, the role of some scholars has been more prominent. By understanding the political and social conditions of their time, they utilized various means to spread this school of thought. In the period following the Mongol invasion, figures such as Muhaqqiq al-Hilli, Allamah al-Hilli, and Khwaja Nasir al-Din al-Tusi can be mentioned. During the Safavid era, when Shi'a was declared the official religion of Iran, Muhaqqiq al-Karaki, Allamah al-Majlisi, and al-Shaykh al-Baha'i played significant roles in spreading Shi'a in Iran. In the contemporary period, Ayatollah Burujirdi and Imam Khomeini also played crucial roles in the global expansion of Shi'a.

Before the Mongol Invasion

Due to the political and social conditions in Islamic countries, Shi'a did not have a significant presence until the 7th AH century, and openly declaring Shi'a in many regions was considered a crime with severe consequences. Twelver Shi'as were constantly persecuted, although they occasionally achieved some successes, such as during the rule of the Buyid dynasty, under whose patronage al-Shaykh al-Mufid was able to provide significant services.

During the Mongol invasion and subsequent domination, severe damage was inflicted on a large part of the Islamic world. Many Sunnis and Shia's were killed during the Mongol invasion, but through the efforts of Muslim scholars, particularly Shi'a scholars, the Mongol rulers embraced Islam and, in some cases, Shi'a.

Muhaqqiq al-Hilli

During the leadership of Muhaqqiq al-Hilli, Hulagu Khan conquered Baghdad and executed the last Abbasid caliph. However, the city of Hilla, a Shi'a center in Iraq, was spared from Mongol destruction due to his wisdom and that of other jurists. He passed away in 676 AH in Hilla and was buried there.

Allamah al-Hilli

One of Allamah al-Hilli's significant contributions was the conversion of Sultan Muhammad Khudabanda to Shi'a. Various accounts explain this event, including the Sultan's dissatisfaction with Sunni jurists' opinions and Allamah al-Hilli's rational arguments and mastery of theological methods. Although this conversion caused political difficulties for the Sultan, Allamah al-Hilli gained an important position in his court and made the promotion of Shi'a his primary mission. Allamah al-Hilli played a significant role in the political and scholarly advancement of Shi'a, particularly in Iran, where he strengthened Shi'a influence and provided scientific and political support for Shi'as. He passed away in Muharram 726 AH at the age of 78.

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi

Another prominent Shi'a scholar of the 7th century was Muhammad b. Muhammad b. al-Hasan, known as Khwaja Nasir al-Din al-Tusi. He was born in 597 AH in Tus. After Hulagu captured Baghdad in Safar 656 AH, Khwaja Nasir al-Din al-Tusi took charge of endowments and used government resources to establish the University of Maragheh and a large observatory. He invited scholars from both Shi'a and Sunni traditions to conduct research at this scientific center. He also established a vast library, gathering scattered books. This major scientific center was established at a time when the East and West were devastated by the Mongol invasions. His presence in Hulagu's government was based on the Shi'a principle that working with oppressive rulers is permissible if it serves to establish truth or eliminate falsehood.

Muhaqqiq al-Karaki

Ali b. al-Husayn b. 'Abd al-'Ali al-Karaki, known as Muhaqqiq al-Thani or Muhaqqiq al-Karaki, was a jurist during the Safavid period. He was born in a village in Baalbek, Lebanon. He was appointed as Shaykh al-Islam by Shah Tahmasp Safavi and worked to reform religious affairs. He issued directives across the country, establishing rules for officials on how to collect taxes and interact with the people. He appointed imams in every city and village to lead prayers and teach religious laws.

Muhaqqiq al-Karaki's influence on the spread of Shi'a in Iran was so significant that it is said that after Khwaja Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, no one contributed as much as he did to the growth of the Ahl al-Bayt school of thought. He combatted corruption, abolished illegitimate practices, enforced legal punishments, and established congregational prayers and other religious obligations. He spent the latter part of his life in Najaf, where he passed away in 940 AH.

Al-Shaykh al-Baha'i

Another prominent scholar of the Safavid period was Shaykh Muhammad ibn Husayn ibn Abd al-Samad al-Harithi, known as Shaykh Bahai. He came to Iran as a child with his father and pursued his studies there. Shaykh Hurr al-Amili, the author of *Wasail al-Shia*, said of him: "He combined all virtues; his merits are countless. He was proficient in all sciences, a poet, a literary figure, and unparalleled in jurisprudence, hadith, rhetoric, mathematics, and other sciences." He was a jurist and authored a Persian book on jurisprudence titled *Jami' Abbasi*, along with 18 other books on the subject. During his tenure as Shaykh al-Islam, he made significant contributions to the spread of Shi'a. He is credited with writing 55 books on various subjects.

He passed away in 1030 AH at the age of 78 and was buried near the shrine of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (AS).

Allamah al-Majlisi

Allamah al-Majlisi, the son of Mulla Muhammad Taqi al-Majlisi, was another renowned Shi'a scholar born in 1038 AH. He is credited with authoring 169 books, the most famous of which is Bihar al-Anwar, published in 110 volumes. He reluctantly accepted the position of Shaykh al-Islam at the insistence of Shah Sulayman. He was strict in enforcing Islamic laws and Promoting Good and Forbidding Evil, to the extent that Edward Browne described him as a fearsome figure.

Allamah al-Majlisi passed away in 1110 AH in Isfahan and was buried there. It is said that as long as he was alive, Shah Sultan Husayn remained devout and well-behaved, but after his death, the king turned to corruption and became disrespectful toward scholars.

Contemporary Scholars

Although we have mentioned these scholars as key figures in the expansion of Shi'a, all scholars from the early days of Islam to the present have contributed significantly to the growth and spread of Shi'a. In the contemporary period, scholars such as Ayatollah Burujirdi, who had a profound impact on the hawza and the Shi'a world, and Imam Khomeini, who played a major role in the growth of Shi'a, deserve special mention.