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Seyyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei

A Brief Biography of Martyr Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei, known as Ayatollah Khamenei, was a jurist, Quranic exegete, prominent Islamic thinker, revolutionary activist, and the second Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He was regarded as one of the most influential figures in the contemporary Islamic world. After the passing of Imam Khomeini on 14 Khordad 1368 (June 4, 1989), he assumed leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran following a vote by the Assembly of Experts and, in the years that followed, played a central role in the political, cultural, scientific, and strategic direction of the country. Birth and Lineage Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei was born in Farvardin 1318 SH (corresponding to 1358 AH and 1939 CE) in the holy city of Mashhad, into a well-known, devout, and scholarly family. He was the second son of Ayatollah Hajj Sayyid Javad Hosseini Khamenei. His lineage traced back, through the Husayni sayyids, to Imam Zayn al-Abidin, Ali ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon him). Both sides of his family came from scholarly and religious households in the regions of Azerbaijan and Khorasan, with a distinguished history of teaching and promoting Islamic knowledge. Family His father, Ayatollah Sayyid Javad Khamenei, was one of the eminent mujtahids and renowned scholars of Mashhad. He lived a life marked by simplicity, asceticism, piety, and scholarship. For many years he taught religious sciences, led congregational prayers, and trained students, and was among the respected figures of the Mashhad seminary. His mother was an educated and cultured woman, devoted to the Holy Quran, fond of reading, and familiar with Islamic knowledge. She played an important role in the religious, moral, and cultural upbringing of her children. On various occasions, he spoke of his mother’s profound influence in fostering his attachment to the Quran, books, and a culture of learning. Scholarly and Cultural Profile Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei was among the most distinguished Shia jurists and thinkers of the contemporary era. His scholarly profile reflected decades of sustained study under leading teachers in the seminaries of Mashhad, Najaf, and Qom, as well as extensive teaching, research, Quranic, and cultural activity and the education of numerous students. The scope of his studies was not limited to jurisprudence and principles of jurisprudence; it also encompassed Quranic sciences, exegesis, philosophy, theology, hadith, Islamic history, Persian and Arabic literature, poetry, fiction, culture, and social and political issues. This breadth of learning gave his scholarship a distinctive character. Early Education Ayatollah Khamenei began his education at the age of four by learning the Holy Quran in a traditional Quran school (maktab-khaneh). He then entered the Dar al-Ta‘lim Diyanati religious school in Mashhad, where, in addition to the official curriculum, Quran, tajwid, and books such as *Hilyat al-Muttaqin*, *Nisab al-Sibyan*, and *Hisab-e Siyaq* were taught. After completing primary school, he began formal seminary studies at the Sulayman Khan Seminary and later continued at the Navvab Seminary. Alongside his seminary studies, he continued his secondary education through the second year of high school. Regarding his motivation for entering the seminary, he said: “The main factor and motive in choosing this luminous path of the clergy was my father, and my mother was also interested and encouraging.” Studies at the Mashhad Seminary In the early stages of his seminary education, Ayatollah Khamenei learned the preliminaries and Arabic literature from his father and a number of prominent teachers of the Mashhad seminary. He studied *Jami‘ al-Muqaddimat*, *Suyuti*, and *Mughni* with the teachers of the Sulayman Khan and Navvab schools, and then studied *Ma‘alim al-Usul* under Ayatollah Sayyid Jalil Hosseini Sistani. He subsequently studied *Shara’i‘ al-Islam* and *Sharh al-Lum‘ah* with his father and the late Mirza Ahmad Mudarris Yazdi, and completed the advanced texts of the seminary—*Rasa’il*, *Makasib*, and *Kifayat al-Usul*—under his father and Ayatollah Hajj Shaykh Hashim Qazvini. His diligence, discipline, and seriousness in study enabled him to complete the preliminaries and intermediate (sath) levels of the seminary in only five and a half years—a rare achievement in the seminaries and a sign of his talent and scholarly dedication. Alongside jurisprudential sciences, he also studied philosophy and logic, learning *Sharh-e Manzumeh* of Mulla Hadi Sabzavari first under Ayatollah Mirza Javad Agha Tehrani and then under Shaykh Reza Isa. In explaining the factors behind his scholarly progress, he repeatedly pointed to the decisive role of his father, emphasizing that careful planning, the continuation of lessons even during holidays, and his father’s close attention to his children’s education were the main factors behind the rapid progress of his studies. Beginning of Advanced (Kharij) Studies From 1334 SH, Ayatollah Khamenei attended advanced (kharij) classes in jurisprudence and principles taught by Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Hadi Milani and benefited greatly from the teaching of this prominent marja‘. On various occasions, he recalled the scholarly role of Ayatollah Milani in shaping his jurisprudential and ijtihadi foundations, regarding this period as one of the most important stages of his scholarly development. Before departing for the Qom seminary, he also received permission to narrate hadith from him, reflecting the teacher’s scholarly confidence in his student. Studies at the Najaf Ashraf Seminary In 1336 SH, Ayatollah Khamenei traveled to Iraq on pilgrimage to the holy shrines. This journey gave him the opportunity to attend advanced (kharij) classes taught by leading jurists of the Najaf seminary. During this period he attended the kharij classes of a number of prominent maraji‘ and teachers of Najaf, including: Ayatollah Sayyid Muhsin Hakim Ayatollah Sayyid Abu al-Qasim Khoei Ayatollah Sayyid Mahmud Shahrudi Ayatollah Mirza Baqir Zanjani Ayatollah Mirza Hasan Bojnurdi Ayatollah Sayyid Yahya Yazdi He later stated that among the classes he attended in Najaf, he benefited most from the method of reasoning employed by Ayatollah Sayyid Muhsin Hakim and the teaching style of Ayatollah Mirza Hasan Bojnurdi. He had intended to remain in Najaf for advanced studies, but at his father’s request he reconsidered and returned to Mashhad. Studies at the Qom Seminary In 1337 SH, Ayatollah Khamenei moved to Qom to continue his seminary studies and, until 1343, attended advanced classes in jurisprudence, principles, philosophy, and Quranic exegesis. In this period he studied under some of the leading teachers of the Qom seminary, the most prominent of whom were: Ayatollah Sayyid Husayn Tabataba’i Borujerdi Ayatollah Sayyid Ruhollah Khomeini Ayatollah Shaykh Murtaza Ha’eri Yazdi Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Muhaqqiq Damad Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabataba’i Alongside regularly attending advanced classes, he devoted much of his time to study, research, teaching, and scholarly discussion. In his memoirs, he stated that after attending the lessons of various teachers, he chose Imam Khomeini’s advanced principles class because of its scholarly depth, rigorous reasoning, and effective teaching method. He also benefited greatly from Allamah Tabataba’i’s philosophical discussions of *Asfar* and *Shifa*, and regarded this period as one of the most fruitful stages of his studies. Return to Mashhad and Continued Scholarly Activity In 1343 SH, due to his father’s illness and the loss of sight in one of his eyes, Ayatollah Khamenei returned to Mashhad to care for him. Regarding this decision, he said: “If I have had any success in life, I believe it is the result of the kindness I showed to my father—indeed, to my father and mother.” His return to Mashhad did not interrupt his scholarly activities. Until 1347 he continued to attend Ayatollah Milani’s advanced classes while also beginning to teach the books *Rasa’il*, *Makasib*, *Kifayah*, and other advanced seminary texts. Alongside teaching seminary courses, he also held regular Quranic exegesis sessions for seminary students, university students, and the general public, which gradually became one of the most important scholarly and cultural gatherings in Mashhad. Teaching Quranic Exegesis One of Ayatollah Khamenei’s most notable scholarly activities was his series of Quranic exegesis sessions in Mashhad. These sessions began in 1347 SH and continued until 1356, just before his exile to Iranshahr. In these lessons, the Holy Quran was not approached solely through traditional exegesis; it was also examined from social, civilizational, and reformist perspectives. He connected Quranic concepts to contemporary issues, drawing themes such as Islamic government, social justice, resistance to tyranny, social responsibility, and the need to awaken the Islamic ummah from the verses and explaining them in detail. These sessions attracted wide interest among seminary students, university students, young people, and revolutionary activists, and played an important role in spreading the ideas of the Islamic Revolution and educating a committed and informed generation. Teaching Advanced (Kharij) Jurisprudence From 1369 SH, Ayatollah Khamenei officially began teaching advanced (kharij) jurisprudence. These classes came to be regarded as an important scholarly forum in the seminary and attracted a large number of seminary scholars. Among the most important topics taught in this period were: Jihad Qisas (retaliation) Forbidden transactions (Makasib Muharramah) The traveler’s prayer (Salat al-Musafir) Notes and discussions from these sessions were later published as works of jurisprudence and research and became part of the contemporary scholarly resources used in the seminaries. Cultural and Literary Profile In addition to his considerable jurisprudential and scholarly stature, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei was also regarded as a prominent contemporary cultural and literary figure. From his youth, he read widely in Persian and Arabic poetry, classical and contemporary literature, novels, short stories, and historical works. He also devoted considerable time to the writings of prominent authors from Iran, the wider Islamic world, and the West. His extensive knowledge of history—especially Islamic history and the contemporary history of Iran—was one of the distinctive features of his scholarly and cultural profile. These wide-ranging studies had a significant impact on the development of his cultural and social ideas and were clearly reflected in his works and speeches. For years, Ayatollah Khamenei was an active participant in Mashhad’s literary circles and associations. While critically engaging with the work of other poets, he also wrote poetry under the pen name “Amin.” He also played a significant role in literary criticism, book reviewing, promoting a culture of reading, and supporting writers, poets, and literary figures. Scholarly Standing More than six decades of Ayatollah Khamenei’s scholarly, educational, and research activity produced an extensive body of work and a wide range of scholarly achievements. These efforts yielded hundreds of works in the areas of jurisprudence, principles, Quranic exegesis, hadith, Islamic thought, culture, history, politics, management, ethics, and Islamic knowledge. A considerable portion of this material has been published as original works, translations, lecture notes, legal opinions (istifta’at), messages, and statements, many of which have also been translated into various languages. These works are now used in many scholarly centers, universities, and seminaries in Iran and abroad. Taken together, these aspects of Ayatollah Khamenei’s scholarship reflected a combination of jurisprudential ijtihad, a Quranic outlook, a civilizational approach, sustained engagement with culture and literature, and active involvement in the social and political life of the Islamic world. Struggles Before the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei was among Imam Khomeini’s early prominent students and took an active role in the struggle against the Pahlavi regime from the beginning of the Islamic movement. Among his most important activities during the struggle period were: Holding Quranic exegesis sessions with a revolutionary emphasis and a focus on public awareness Organizing and guiding revolutionary and militant forces Delivering political and public-awareness speeches in cities across the country Translating, writing, and publishing works intended to raise public awareness Working closely with clerics and activists involved in the Islamic movement His extensive revolutionary activities prompted a harsh response from the Pahlavi security apparatus. As a result of these activities: He was arrested six times by the National Intelligence and Security Organization (SAVAK) He spent months in the prisons of the Pahlavi regime under interrogation and torture He was exiled for a period to the cities of Iranshahr and then Jiroft Until the victory of the Islamic Revolution, he remained at the forefront of the struggle against the Pahlavi regime and played an active role in guiding the revolutionary movement Responsibilities After the Victory of the Islamic Revolution After the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei was entrusted with numerous important responsibilities through which he played a decisive role in consolidating the Islamic Republic at critical moments in the country’s history. Among his most important responsibilities in this period were: Membership in the Islamic Revolutionary Council Deputy Minister of Defense Representative of Imam Khomeini in the Supreme Defense Council Friday Prayer Leader of Tehran Representative of the people of Tehran in the Islamic Consultative Assembly Secretary-General of the Islamic Republican Party President of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1360 to 1368 SH During the Sacred Defense (Iran–Iraq War), he also played an important role in managing the war effort and in supporting the warriors of Islam through his regular presence in operational areas and active participation in major military and strategic decisions. Leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran After the demise of Imam Khomeini on 14 Khordad 1368, the Assembly of Experts elected Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei and entrusted him with the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran. During his leadership, he guided the country’s major policies and strategies across a range of fields. The main areas of his activity included:  Explaining the foundations of Islamic thought and the theory of the new Islamic civilization Supporting scientific, research, and technological progress Strengthening the country’s political, economic, and cultural independence Developing and strengthening the defensive and deterrent capability of the Islamic Republic Emphasizing the unity of the Islamic ummah and the convergence of the Islamic world Supporting the Palestinian cause and oppressed nations Guiding the major policies of the Islamic Republic in domestic, regional, and international spheres Works and Publications Over more than six decades of scholarly, research, and cultural work, alongside his teaching of advanced jurisprudence and principles, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei produced or translated numerous works in various fields, including Quranic exegesis, jurisprudence, hadith, Islamic thought, Islamic history, the life of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), management, culture, politics, the Islamic Revolution, and social issues. A large body of his lessons, messages, speeches, legal opinions, and statements was also compiled and published in book form in Iran and many other countries. 1. Authored and Translated Works Several of his scholarly and cultural books were particularly prominent, each addressing a different aspect of Islamic knowledge or history. Among his most important authored works are: Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran, From the Depths of Prayer A Discourse on Patience The Spirit of Monotheism: Negation of Servitude to Other than God The 250-Year-Old Man The Truthful Leader The Epic of Imam Sajjad (a) The Four Principal Books of the Science of Rijal He also translated a number of works into Persian. Among the most important are his translations of The Peace of Imam Hasan (a) by Shaykh Radi Al Yasin, The Future in the Domain of Islam (Al-Mustaqbal li-Hadha al-Din) by Sayyid Qutb Muslims in the Indian Freedom Movement by Abd al-Mun‘im Nimri Nasri An Indictment Against Western Civilization by Sayyid Qutb 2. Exegetical Works The Quranic exegesis lessons Ayatollah Khamenei delivered over the years were among his most important scholarly contributions to Quranic studies. This collection was later published as a ten-volume series of the Leader’s commentaries. In addition, his commentaries on the surahs *Hamd*, *Baqarah*, *Bara’ah*, *Mujadilah*, *Hashr*, *Jumu‘ah*, *Munafiqun*, *Saff*, *Mumtahanah*, and *Taghabun*, as well as works such as *Method, Orientation, and Rules of Exegesis* and *A Review of the Foundations, Method, and Rules of Exegesis*, were among his other Quranic works. 3. Jurisprudential Works In the field of jurisprudence and religious rulings, numerous works by him were published and came to be regarded as important sources in contemporary jurisprudence. These include Answers to Legal Inquiries (Ajwibat al-Istifta’at) Rituals of Hajj Educational Treatise (in two volumes) Treatise on Prayer and Fasting Differences in Fatwas Rulings on Khums Medical Rulings Rulings on Relations between Men and Women Rulings on Fasting Illustrated Teaching of Rulings Singing and Music Three Treatises on Jihad These works were compiled in response to the jurisprudential needs of Islamic society and are used in many scholarly and religious centers. 4. Works on Hadith and Islamic Studies In the field of hadith and Islamic studies, numerous collections based on his lessons and statements were published. These include the five-volume series *Hayat-e Tayyibah* the three-volume series *Hadith-e Zendegi* the four-volume series *Commentary on Nahj al-Balaghah* The Endless Treasure The Charter of Alawi Government The Clear Path of Managers Forty Prophetic Wisdoms Lessons from the Greatest Prophet (s) selections of hadiths from the books *Tuhaf al-‘Uqul*, *Bihar al-Anwar*, *Al-Khisal*, *Al-Amali*, *Makarim al-Akhlaq*, and *Al-Nawadir*. 5. Collections of Statements A considerable portion of Ayatollah Khamenei’s published works consists of collections of his speeches, messages, remarks delivered at meetings, and guidance on various topics that have been compiled and published as books. Among the most important of these works were Jihad of Clarification The Thought of Resistance Palestine The Political Man The Line of the Imam Imam Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution Lessons and Testaments of Imam Khomein The Personality of the Imam Woman and Family Woman and the Recovery of True Identity Chastity and Hijab Strategies of Foreign Policy Economic Jihad The Illusion of Domination Choosing the Righteous Iran Builds Eleven Discourses on the Islamic Awakening Companions of Husayn (a) The Sun in the Arena The Great Truth The Attraction of Husayn The Blood Brought Four Discourses Two Mujahid Imams 6. Arabic Works A portion of Ayatollah Khamenei’s scholarly work was written in or translated into Arabic and published in various Arab countries. Among the most important of these were Three Treatises on Jihad Al-Husayn (a): A Continuous Journey The Theory of Resistance In the School of the Greatest Messenger (s) Woman and the Recovery of Her True Identity Answers to Legal Inquiries Rituals of Hajj 7. Thematic Collections The Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of Ayatollah Khamenei (Islamic Revolution Publications) has published numerous collections based on his statements and works on various topics. Among the most important of these collections are *Rahnameh* in forty volumes, *Knowledge of the Islamic Revolution*, *The Breeze of the Revolution*, *Commentary on Nahj al-Balaghah*, *Hadith of Life*, and specialized collections in the fields of management, Quranic exegesis, and Islamic knowledge, each of which makes a portion of his scholarly, cultural, and social thought available to researchers and interested readers. Personal Qualities In addition to his scholarly, jurisprudential, and political standing, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei was also known for his moral, cultural, and managerial qualities. His way of life, personal and social conduct, and approach to management attracted the attention of researchers and interested readers. Among his most notable personal characteristics were: Adherence to a simple lifestyle, asceticism, and avoidance of luxury Special attention to the Holy Quran, Nahj al-Balaghah, and the knowledge of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) Extensive command of Persian and Arabic language and literature Deep interest in poetry, literature, novels, history, and reading Close attention to young people and leading members of the scientific community, together with support for scientific and research progress Order, precision, foresight, and careful planning in the administration of the country’s major affairs These characteristics, together with his years of scholarly, cultural, and revolutionary activity, made him one of the influential figures of the contemporary Islamic world. Martyrdom Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei was martyred on 9 Esfand 1404 SH (corresponding to 10 Ramadan 1447 AH) as a result of a joint attack by the United States of America and the Zionist regime. A number of his family members were also martyred in the attack, including his daughter Sayyidah Bushra Hosseini Khamenei, his son-in-law Dr. Misbah al-Huda Baqeri-Kani, his daughter-in-law Zahra Haddad-Adel, and his granddaughter Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani. Following this event, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran declared a seven-day nationwide holiday and forty days of public mourning. Memorial ceremonies, marches, and large gatherings were also held throughout Iran, in many Islamic countries, and elsewhere around the world to honor him and condemn the attack. The farewell, funeral, and burial ceremonies for Ayatollah Khamenei and the members of his family who were martyred were held from 13 to 18 Tir 1405 in the cities of Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad, and funeral prayers were led by religious figures in each of these cities. The ceremonies drew large numbers of members of the public, scholars, and political and religious figures, with millions of people taking part at various stages. Finally, after the funeral processions in Iran and Iraq, his body was laid to rest on 18 Tir 1405, coinciding with the night of the martyrdom of Imam Sajjad (a), in the Dar al-Dhikr portico of the holy shrine of Imam Reza (a) in Mashhad.