According to the Public Relations Office of the Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought, the opening ceremony of the National Conference “The Ascetic Jurist,” held to honor Ayatollah al-Uzma Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani (may God bless his soul), was conducted on the morning of Wednesday, 2025-01-01, at the conference hall of the Institute for Jurisprudence and Humanities in Tehran. The event was organized by the Imam Reza Seminary Complex in collaboration with the Research Institute.
According to the Shabestan news agency, at the beginning of the conference, Mehdi Rezaeian, the executive secretary, stated:
“The Imam Reza Seminary Complex has initiated various programs related to the scholars of Tehran. This program, concerning Agha Mojtaba Tehrani, is the fifth of its kind. It begins today and will continue for two years, during which all remaining works will be compiled and edited to be appropriately presented, given the urgent need of today’s society.”
He continued:
“The organizing committee of the conference selected Agha Mojtaba Tehrani as the first figure for this program. Future programs will focus on Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani and Ayatollah Shahabadi. The committee’s primary mission is to identify the works of these great figures and introduce them to society, highlighting both their personalities and their contributions. Collecting audio, visual, and written works is underway and will gradually be completed. We have enlisted university and seminary professors capable of compiling these works in a suitable manner. Additionally, topics from this conference will be designated for university theses, seminary dissertations, and research projects. Talks have been held with four universities, and academic meetings have already commenced in these institutions, with plans for further expansion.”
Rezaeian further explained:
“We will utilize digital platforms, social media channels, and specialized groups to disseminate these materials. We also plan to design and use internet resources to assist in this effort. Regarding the personality traits of Agha Mojtaba, including his simplicity, avoidance of fame, and service to people, specific productions are in progress, and collaborations with nine organizations and institutions have begun in this regard.”
He added:
“One of our major programs is the Hadith-e Sarv program. So far, programs about 50 scholars have been aired. The current Hadith-e Sarv program focuses on Agha Mojtaba, with interviews conducted with 17 prominent individuals who had significant knowledge about him. Furthermore, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, the Endowments Organization, the Islamic Propagation Organization, and the Center for the Islamic Revolution have accepted responsibilities related to this initiative.”
Ayatollah Ali-Akbar Rashad, the president and founder of the Research Institute, commemorated the late Commander of Hearts, the Martyr of Resistance General Soleimani, as well as the late jurist and philosopher Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani. He remarked:
“Tehran was once called the city of a thousand sages, hosting hundreds of scholars with teaching positions and several jurists authoring treatises. There was a narrative about Tehran’s decline, which I believe refers to its “spiritual” decline. With the ascension of such men, Tehran becomes empty and spiritually diminished.”
He added:
“Tehran has experienced a spiritual decline. We must care for the hearts of its people. Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani possessed many qualities. In this gathering, I will mention just one: he had a pure heart. The heart is the axis of the spiritual and divine inner self. When the heart becomes ill, the entire human being becomes unwell. We are often oblivious to the heart’s significance. Both in Persian and religious literature, the heart holds an extraordinary place.”
Referring to Persian literature, Ayatollah Rashad said:
“In Persian, one term derived from the concept of the heart is del (heart) and its derivatives, such as delestan. In our religious texts, the word heart appears 14,046 times in our narrations, with 20 attributes mentioned in the Quran. I have identified 56 states of the heart in the Quran and 607 in total across our religious literature. The heart holds an elevated status, with particular significance given to the ‘healthy heart’ (qalb-e salim).”
He lamented:
“In the past 45 years, we have focused more on the outward form than the inner essence. We must care for people’s hearts, both spiritually and emotionally. Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba cared for people’s hearts.”
He recounted:
“During Laylat al-Qadr, Ayatollah Tehrani himself mentioned that about half a million people attended his sessions. The reason was that he spoke to people’s hearts. He advised us to convey religious narrations to people, as he did. Just as much time as he dedicated to jurisprudence and principles, he also spent studying ethics comprehensively for his nightly sermons. Consequently, the alleys and bazaars of Tehran were filled with youth who otherwise rarely entered mosques.”
Ayatollah Rashad concluded:
“In his final days, when he could still speak, I visited him in the hospital. He told me, ‘It was a tough trial, a very tough one.’ I replied, ‘Such difficult trials are given only to outstanding students.'”
Ayatollah Mohammad-Baqer Tahriri highlighted the attributes of scholars as outlined in Quranic verses and said:
“The primary knowledge to aspire to is knowledge of God (ilm billah) and being devoted to Him. Those who achieve true knowledge of God must adhere to scientific and religious commitments. Further, being knowledgeable about God’s commandments (ilm billah wa amrallah) surpasses all else.”
He emphasized:
“God refers to ‘those who have been given knowledge’ الَّذِینَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ (alladhina ootu al-ilm) in the Quran, who are, in essence, the ‘possessors of intellect’ اولوالباب (ulu al-albab). While these individuals are exposed to intellectual and spiritual vulnerabilities, those genuinely dedicated to knowledge and understanding remain safeguarded. The late Ayatollah Mojtaba Tehrani was one such individual, deeply rooted in the truths he espoused.”
Ayatollah Tahriri added:
“The practical application of this knowledge fosters internal humility in body and soul. The heart, as the source and recipient of all actions, is both a gateway and an origin point. Attaining a ‘healthy heart’ before God is of utmost importance.”
He concluded:
“The late Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani was an exemplary figure. He exemplified profound reverence for religious teachings and epitomized spiritual qualities like humility and sincerity.”
The ceremony also featured a video clip of Ayatollah Rashad’s meeting with Ayatollah al-Uzma Subhani, where they discussed the late Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani.
Youth Gather Around the Presence of Ayatollah Agha Tehrani
In part of this clip, Grand Ayatollah Sobhani described the late Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani, saying: “He was a role model, and the youth gathered around the candle of his presence in the sessions he held. He was an influential figure.”
Hojjat al Islam Mostafa Pourmohammadi, in his remarks, said: “Our Prophet (PBUH) was the mine of knowledge and divine blessings, but the Prophet’s mission was to build and nurture society. Therefore, he must be an exemplary model that can be emulated and learned from. We need to see, connect, interact, and live together to strengthen ourselves and become like them. While lessons, books, hero-making, novels, and films are undoubtedly influential, what truly moves society is nurturing impactful and exemplary individuals.”
The Path to True Knowledge / Approaching God with a Pure Heart is Important
The head of the Center for the Publication of Islamic Revolution Documents added: “Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani was a scholar of the highest rank. His attire, turban, demeanor, speech, and life were inspiring. His influence lay in this role as a model. He was utterly sincere, devoid of any show or pretense, and deeply detested such approaches. He warned us about specific matters he had heard, advising us to be cautious not to become like them. He was particularly sensitive about us clerics, saying that people should see purity and sincerity in the clergy and that our behavior should reflect our beliefs.”
Hojatoleslam Pourmohammadi emphasized: “That virtuous scholar was indeed a fountain of wisdom. Every piece of advice and every lesson or discussion of his carried wisdom stemming from his sincerity. He constantly stressed that sincerity must be visibly manifested by us clerics for people to perceive. He would say, ‘People must see sincerity in our behavior.’”
He Saw Beyond His Time
He said: “Another significant aspect of Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani was his insight. Around 20 years ago, in the winter of 2004, during a period of intense electoral and political issues in the country, he expressed concern, warning: ‘If you remain inattentive, fail to understand the depth of matters, and succumb to these atmospheres and commotions, the country, Islam, and the clergy will face harm in the next 50 years that no one will be able to prevent.’ Today, after 20 years, we see part of that insightful perspective. He said 20 years ago, ‘Do not be deceived.’”
He concluded: “The community needs scholars like him—scholars who are refined, of the highest caliber, and teachers for all times and places.”
In continuation, Mohsen Esmaeili, a student of the late Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani, stated: “The secret of his influence was that he considered nothing but God as the criterion. He repeatedly said that public funds should not be used to publish his works, as he had entrusted me with compiling his works. Today, everything published is without the help of public funds.”
He continued: “When his treatise was being published, I spent three years weekly extracting his fatwas. On Friday afternoons, sometimes for three hours, and on Ramadan nights, sometimes for two hours, we would sit and review the fatwas.”
Esmaeili said: “His detachment and connection to God were exemplary. I always say, ‘Don’t ask who Haj Agha Mojtaba was, ask what he was!’”
Another part of this national conference included a speech by Dr. Alireza Zakani, the mayor of Tehran.
In his remarks, he said: “We are fortunate that our neighborhood is Khavaran Square and Shush, where we were born. Since ancient times, we have benefited from the radiance of great figures in Tehran who were standard-bearers of ethics and spirituality, such as Ayatollah Zia Abadi, Khoshvaght, Haqshenas, and others. We have benefited from the presence of these great figures and gems.”
The mayor of Tehran continued: “The late Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani was distinguished in jurisprudence and principles. His ethical speech was understandable to the general public. He had a specific and clear base in Tehran, and those eager to follow this path were enriched. His presence transcended individuals and impacted society and the fabric of the community.”
He further stated: “When we moved to Iran Street, our benefit from his presence increased. As someone who has used the statements and books of that noble scholar, I can say that our society is thirsty. I, too, as a thirsty individual, pay my respects and request the great figures and scholars to assist individuals like me.”
Zakani added: “The efforts of Ayatollah Rashad, with the presence of seminary students and scholars in mosques, have resulted in nearly 900 schools being included in the “Arman plan” and 2,000 people becoming active. This is very commendable. Youth connected to the clergy form strong bonds and become deeply interested. A young person transformed through this connection also transforms their family. Therefore, the community needs to continue this path, and no matter how diverse the various deviations appear to be, the profound faith of our youth can be supported by scholars.”
It is noteworthy that the event also included the unveiling of the works of the late Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani.
The Festival of “Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani” to be Held
Hojatoleslam Mohammad Hadi Rahimi Sadeq, the director of the Tehran province seminaries, stated: “We felt the need to introduce the great scholars of Tehran and revive the names, memories, and methods of these figures for today’s world, which thirsts for divine teachings. In addition to the Allameh Helli Festival and Sheikh Saduq Festival, a festival named Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani has been initiated because we need to pass on spiritual matters to today’s generation.”
The Path to True Knowledge / Approaching God with a Pure Heart is Important
In continuation of this national conference, Hojatoleslam Hossein Tehrani, the son of the late Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani, gave a speech.
The Distinguishing Features of Ayatollah Mojtaba Tehrani
He stated: “The aspects that distinguished him from other scholars in the eyes of the people can be examined in several ways. Beyond his scientific and jurisprudential expertise in fiqh, principles, theology, etc., the main distinction of that scholar in the eyes of the general public was not these academic aspects but certain personal and social qualities.”
He Was Not Hypocritical or Pretentious
He continued: “He was very devout and pious. Haj Agha Mojtaba was not sanctimonious but devoutly pious. He was neither extreme nor lacking but moderate and balanced. He was sincere and acted on what he preached. He was particularly disciplined in financial matters. Observing these issues gave him a sense of spirituality.”
Hojatoleslam Hossein Tehrani added: “Theoretical and scholarly ethics have their place, but Haj Agha Mojtaba possessed practical ethics. He did not use a single rial of public funds or government resources. He had no love for fame, leadership, media appearances, or being seen. A memory comes to mind: around 2002, we visited Ayatollah Mohammadi Gilani at the Tehran Heart Hospital. He said to Ayatollah Haj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani, ‘I was waiting for you to issue a treatise.’ Then, addressing me, he said, ‘You do not know your father.’ I mentioned this to highlight that he avoided fame and distanced himself from it.”
His Refinement Impacted People
He continued: “That virtuous scholar was truly refined, and because he had eliminated all forms of attachment, such as love for fame and visibility, and replaced them with love for the Ahlul Bayt, people saw spirituality and sanctity in him. They didn’t see Haj Agha Mojtaba as just a cleric. This refinement of his had a profound impact.”
His Main Concern Was Nurturing the Younger Generation
He emphasized: “He had a very keen sense of social issues and high social intelligence. This was a result of his inner purification. His main concern was nurturing the younger generation, dedicating all his time to this matter. He was not just a moral teacher but a moral trainer. He cultivated individuals through his behavior, words, and actions. His self-purification made him impactful.”
