Abdollah Javadi Amoli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abdollah Javadi Amoli
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Javadi Amoli in 2018
|
|
| Member of the Assembly of Experts for Constitution | |
| In office 15 August 1979 – 15 November 1979 |
|
| Constituency | Mazandaran Province |
| Majority | 450,173 (60.1%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 May 1933 Amol, Iran |
| Political party | Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom |
| Website | Official website: http://javadi.esra.ir/ |
| Theological work | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Twelver Shīʿā |
| Main interests | Islamic philosophy, Tafsir, Mysticism, Fiqh and Hadith |
Abdollah Javadi Amoli (Persian: عبدالله جوادی آملی; born on May 5, 1933) is a very respected Twelver Shi'a religious leader in Iran. He is known as a thoughtful philosopher and one of the most important Islamic scholars in the country. His official foundation, Isra, says that his ideas have guided the Islamic Republic of Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He is also known for having strong opinions about how banks work in Iran.
Early Life and Education
Where Was He Born?
Abdollah Javadi Amoli was born in 1933 in Amol, a city in northern Iran. He came from a family where many people were religious scholars.
Starting Religious Studies
After finishing elementary school, he began his religious studies in Amol in 1946. His father, Mirza Abul Hassan Vaez Javadi Amoli, was also a well-known scholar in Amol. For five years, Abdollah Javadi Amoli studied basic and intermediate religious courses. He learned from his father and other scholars. He also developed his moral and spiritual beliefs at the Imam Hasan al-Askari mosque.
Moving to Tehran for Advanced Learning
In 1950, he moved to Tehran, the capital city. There, he attended classes taught by important thinkers like Ayatollah Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Amoli and Allama Sheikh Abul Hasan Sha'rani. Besides studying Islamic law (fiqh) and its principles, he also focused on philosophy and mysticism.
Studying in Qom
In 1955, he moved to Qom, a major center for religious learning. He continued his advanced studies with famous scholars such as Ayatollah Seyyed Hossein Borujerdi, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and Allama Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i. Among his many studies, he has always been especially dedicated to understanding and explaining the Quran. His courses on Quranic interpretation began in 1976 and are still ongoing today.
His Role in Politics
A Diplomatic Mission
In January 1988, Javadi Amoli led a special mission for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. He traveled to meet Mikhail Gorbachev, who was the leader of the Soviet Union at that time.
Resigning as Prayer Leader
On November 27, 2009, he announced that he was stepping down from his important role as the Friday Prayer Leader in Qom. He explained that he believed one should not hold such a position if they feel they are no longer helpful. He had previously spoken out against unfair ways of campaigning during elections. When he gave his farewell speech, he made it clear that his decision was due to health reasons, not disagreements with the government. Even after resigning, he still attends Friday prayers in Qom.
His Views on Important Topics
Thoughts on Art and Music
Javadi Amoli believes that some forms of art and music can be very uplifting. He said that while some songs might give a quick, false feeling of happiness, traditional poems (like ghazals) offer a deeper, lasting joy. He also noted that some plays can make people think about their basic desires, but others can inspire a more spiritual and angelic feeling, helping people move away from anger and greed.
He explained that true inner peace comes from prayer and spiritual crying. He believes that pleasant poems and stories can help soften a person's heart, making them more willing to do what God likes. However, he warned that musical instruments can create a "false" softness. He gave an example: crying because of the injustice faced by Imam Husayn is different from crying just because of sad music. He sees this as a risk with some "mystical" music.
Political Ideas
Javadi Amoli believes that Muslim unity is very important. He says it's not enough just to talk about it; people need to understand why they disagree. He pointed out that in the past, different groups within Shia Islam worked together even with different views. He believes that the Quran and Logic can bring all Muslims together. He also stated that the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl ul-Bayt (the family of Prophet Muhammad) are key to unity. If Muslims truly follow these teachings, there will be no disagreements among them.
In a meeting with a Vatican official in 2016, he said that if followers of different religions truly followed their prophets, there would be no conflict. He suggested that extremist groups and wars are created by "arrogant powers" like Israel and the United States. He also mentioned that people of different faiths have always lived peacefully in Iran, which he sees as a good example for the world. He believes that a peaceful society cannot be built with weapons. Instead, he says, civilizations are built through divine guidance, knowledge, and the power of the pen. He also teaches that reason and religion are not against each other; reason helps us understand religious teachings.
Views on Nuclear Weapons
In February 2014, Javadi Amoli shared his strong belief that weapons of mass destruction should not be made. He stated that this is the clear message of both religion and humanity. He also criticized how some Western countries label certain groups as terrorists while calling others "freedom fighters." He argued that the definition of terrorism should come from divine sources to ensure justice, not from changing interests.
Other Important Views
Javadi Amoli has also spoken about Iran's economy. He believes that it's not good for Iran to rely on exporting raw materials like crude oil. He thinks Iran should process the oil into different products before selling it. He has also expressed sadness about the low rate of reading books in Iran, even though it is a country known for wisdom. He has often criticized the practice of charging high interest rates in some banking activities, even when they are called "Islamic banking." He once gave a very emotional speech about this, saying that some banks "suck the blood of people."
See Also
- Fatemeh Javadi
- Ruhollah Khomeini's letter to Mikhail Gorbachev
- Lists of maraji
- List of members in the First Term of the Council of Experts
