Mohammed Kazem Yazdi
Encyclopedia
Mohammed Kazem Yazdi was a prominent Shia Islamic scholar centered in Najaf
, most famous for his anti-constitutionalist stand during the Iranian Constitutional Revolution
of 1905-1911. He is said to have at first reflected the attitude of the "piously apolitical ulama
" and refused to take a stand in favor of the Constitution despite insistent pressure by pro-Constitution talebs, but then opposed the Constitution siding with Sheikh Fazlollah Noori
when Noori's son came to Najaf to enlist clerical support. In the ensuing reaction against the politicized students in Najaf and the execution of Noori, Yazdi was supported by his Arab followers, the Ottoman governor, and the group known as the "Army of God" (jond Allah). His victory over the Constitutionalists and their clerical leader Mohammad-Kazem Khorasani was "complete," with Yazdi emerging as "the undisputed master of the Holy Cities." According to secular historian Ahmad Kasravi
, several thousand would pray behind Yazdi at salah but only 30 or so prayed behind his rival Khorasani.
Najaf
Najaf is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2008 is 560,000 people. It is the capital of Najaf Governorate...
, most famous for his anti-constitutionalist stand during the Iranian Constitutional Revolution
Iranian Constitutional Revolution
The Persian Constitutional Revolution or Iranian Constitutional Revolution took place between 1905 and 1907...
of 1905-1911. He is said to have at first reflected the attitude of the "piously apolitical ulama
Ulama
-In Islam:* Ulema, also transliterated "ulama", a community of legal scholars of Islam and its laws . See:**Nahdlatul Ulama **Darul-uloom Nadwatul Ulama **Jamiatul Ulama Transvaal**Jamiat ul-Ulama -Other:...
" and refused to take a stand in favor of the Constitution despite insistent pressure by pro-Constitution talebs, but then opposed the Constitution siding with Sheikh Fazlollah Noori
Sheikh Fazlollah Noori
Sheikh Fazlollah Noori was a prominent Shiite Muslim cleric in Iran during the late 19th and early 20th century who fought against the Iranian Constitutional Revolution and was executed for treason as a result...
when Noori's son came to Najaf to enlist clerical support. In the ensuing reaction against the politicized students in Najaf and the execution of Noori, Yazdi was supported by his Arab followers, the Ottoman governor, and the group known as the "Army of God" (jond Allah). His victory over the Constitutionalists and their clerical leader Mohammad-Kazem Khorasani was "complete," with Yazdi emerging as "the undisputed master of the Holy Cities." According to secular historian Ahmad Kasravi
Ahmad Kasravi
Ahmad Kasravi , was a notable Iranian linguist, historian, and reformer.Born in Hokmabad , Tabriz, Iran, Kasravi was an Iranian Azeri Initially, Kasravi enrolled in a seminary. Later, he joined the Iranian Constitutional Revolution...
, several thousand would pray behind Yazdi at salah but only 30 or so prayed behind his rival Khorasani.
Sources
- Mottahedeh, Roy, The Mantle of the Prophet : Religion and Politics in Iran, One World, Oxford, 1985, 2000