Naser Makarem Shirazi

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Muslim scholar

Name:	Naser Makarem Shirazi
Title:	Ayatollah
Birth:	1924^[1]
Death:	Living
Ethnicity:	Iranian
Maddhab:	Twelver Shia
School tradition:	Jafari jurisprudence
Main interests:	Fiqh, Kalam and Tafsir
Works:	One hundred fifty lessons for life Commentary of the Holy Quran
Influences:	Muhsin al-Hakim Abul-Qassim Khoei

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi is one of the most influential Ayatollahs currently in Iran. He is a spiritual guide for many Twelver Shi'a muslims.

1 His studies
- 1.1 In Iran
- 1.2 In Najaf (Iraq)
2 Political Activities
3 Fatwas and viewpoints
4 His Works
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] His studies

[edit] In Iran

He started his formal Islamic studies at the age of 14 in the Agha Babakhan Shirazi seminary. After completing the introductory studies, he started studying Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh.

He made rapid progress and finished studying the complete levels of introductory and both the levels of the intermediate Islamic studies in approximately four years (something that normally takes 12 to 15 years). During this time, he also taught at the Islamic seminary in Shiraz.

At the age of 18, he formally entered the Theological Seminary of Qom, and for the next five years was present in the religious gatherings and classes of some of the leading Islamic teachers of those days, such as Ayatollah Muhammad Hussein Burujerdi.

[edit] In Najaf (Iraq)

In the year 1950 he made his way to the hawza al illmiya of Najaf, Iraq. Here, he was able to take part in classes of great teachers such as, Ayatollah Muhsin al-Hakim, Ayatollah Abul-Qassim Khoei and Ayatollah Abdul Hadi ash-Shirazi.

At the age of 24, he was granted complete Ijtihad from two of the great scholars of Najaf. In addition, Ayatollah Muhsin al-Hakim even wrote a short,comprehensive letter of commendation for him.

In 1951, he returned to Qom, since he did not have the means to survive and continue his studies in Najaf.

After returning to Iran, Ayatollah Nasir Makarim Shirazi began teaching the intermediate and higher level of studies in Usul al-Fiqh and Fiqh.

[edit] Political Activities

Ayatollah Shirazi was also very active in the pre-revolution days hence, he was thrown in the ruler’s jail many times. He was even exiled on three separate occasions to three different cities-Chabahar, Mahabad and Anarak. However after the Iranian Revolution, he was appointed to the first council of Representatives and played a major role in writing the first constitution.

[edit] Fatwas and viewpoints

[edit] Beating a disobedient wife

According to Makarem Shirazi, a Muslim man may "under exceptional circumstances" perform a "light physically punishment" on his wife for not willing to perform her [sexual] marital duties. The physical punishment, he explains, must be very light where no harm or injuries are caused and even "the skin should not turn red". The "exceptional circumstances" are to be considered after [nicely asking and] advising, grumping, and separating beds, "just like when a surgery is the last resort for a patient" ^[1].

Wrongly translated^{[citation needed]} news articles have referenced Makarem Shirazi, saying Islam allows a man to beat his wife. This leading ayatollah describes on his website, that Islam has ordered men to have good behavior with their spouses and has even forbidden them from yelling and speaking to their wifes with temper ^[1]. On the same topic, Makarem Shirazi says, if a man does not perform his marital duties towards his wife, even after advise and when there is no other solution, the Islamic government can physically punish him [on behalf of the wife] ^[1].

In the same article, he references some psychiatrists (probably Krafft-Ebing's Psychopathia Sexualis) and mentions that "some women" have natural tendency towards sexual masochism and a slight punishment act will help in "easing their mind" ^[1].

[edit] Women attendance in stadiums

In his fatwa, Makarem expressed his objection about Iranian women's right to watch soccer at stadiums.^[2]

[edit] Alternatives to stoning

Makarem's fatwa concerning stoning to death for adultery reads: "In certain circumstances, death by stoning can be replaced by other methods of punishment".^[3]