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The Biography of His Eminence Ayatollah uluzma Haj Sheikh Yusef Saanei
Biographical Note
:
His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Saanei was born to a clerical family in Neekabad, Isfahan Province in 1316 Hegira (1927). His
father, the late Hojatoleslam Sheikh Mohammad Ali Saanei, acclaimed for
his piety and quality of virtue, was a cleric.
His grandfather, Ayatollah Haj Mulla Yusef had been
among the devout and highly respected clerics of his own time. Haj Mulla
Yusef was tutored in divine philosophy by the well-known Iranian
philosopher, Jahangir Khan. He had been among the pupils of Grand
Ayatollah Mirza Habibullah Rashti. Haj Mulla Yusef was a disciple of the
great Mirzay-e- Shirazi, the man who led the "tobacco movement" in
opposition to the monopolistic concession, which the government of his
time had granted to a British firm. His grandfather, an ardent advocate
of Shirazi's views, was known for his love of freedom and objection to
social injustice. He never hesitated to stand up against the way people
were treated in the hands of some feudal landlords and other agents of
oppression.
Encouraged by his father to devote his life to the
pursuit of seminary studies, the young Saanei entered the Esfahan
Seminary in the year 1325 Hegira (1946). While in Esfahan, he attended
the lectures and tutorial sessions held by seminarians there. And upon
the completion of the preliminary studies in divinity, he entered the
Qom Seminary in the year 1330 Hegira (1951).
At Qom, his singular talent and exemplary diligence that
earned him a place among the most successful students, helped to attract
the views of the prominent seminarians who held him in high esteem. As a
brilliant seminary student, he emerged with flying colors and ranked
first in the advanced level examinations in the year 1334 Hegira (1955).
He was awarded the commendation of the famous Grand Ayatollah Boroujerdi
(May God bless his soul) for his exceptional achievement.
This ingenuous seminary student, assessing the unique
qualities of the late Imam Khomeini's teachings, joined the circle of
the Imam's pupils in the same year. Backed by his own notable aptitude
and great zeal, he continued to derive great benefit from the Imam's
lessons in the Doctrines and his views on Islamic Jurisprudence and the
canonical laws.
In the year 1342 Hegira (1963), he ranked as one of the
outstanding graduates of these classes.
Sheikh Saanei as an industrious student of canonical
doctrine and a keen learner of the intensive and conclusive research
works of the Imam uninterruptedly attended seminary sessions held by
Grand Ayatollah Khomeini for several years.
His incessant endeavors in studies enabled him to gain
such an insight into his master's opinions on Fundamentals and
Jurisprudence. And in his own words, he rose above the level of mere
learning to gain an intimate grasp of the foundations of Imam Khomeini's
thoughts. Apart from Imam Khomeini's classes, Ayatollah Saanei also
attended the courses given by such illustrious seminarians as Grand
Ayatollah Boroujerdi, Grand Ayatollah Mohaqeq Damad and Grand Ayatollah
Araki (May God give rest to their souls).
The combination of his inborn God given gift and
devotion to learning enabled Sheikh Saanei at the age of 22 to reach to
the rank of Ijtehad (the authority to judge independently in matters
related to religious affairs) in the year 1338 (1959).
In the year 1354 Hegira (1975), he began his formal
career as a lecturer in divinity. He offered course on the Book of
Zakka' at the Haghani (the Twain Martyrs) School of Divinity. His
lectures, compiled by two of his pupils at the School, are extant as a
proof of his command of the subject and the clarity of his teaching.
When he began to teach the Kharej (an advance level at seminary school,
equivalent to post graduate studies at any given university independent
of any text or prescribed text) courses. A number of seminary students
and lecturers attended his classes, among whom are a number of the most
distinguished seminary researchers and Mujtaheds (Islamic Jurisprudents)
of our time who are active either at the seminaries or in governmental
agencies having important roles in the affairs of the Islamic Republic.
