Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami

Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami (Persian: سید حسن فقیه امامی; 1354–1432 AH / 1935–2011 CE) was an Isfahan-based Shi'a faqih (Islamic jurist), mujtahid (a scholar qualified to exercise ijtihad), Usuli scholar (an adherent of the Usuli school of Shi'a jurisprudence), and mufassir (Qur'anic exegete). By founding and overseeing the Ghadirestan Institute, he left an enduring legacy in promoting the message of Ghadir (the Prophet Muhammad’s declaration concerning Imam Ali at Ghadir Khumm).

Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami

Personal Information
Notability	Teacher at Isfahan Seminary
Birth	Urdibihisht 13, 1314 SH (May 3, 1935)
Demise	Isfand 15, 1389 SH (March 6, 2011)
Burial Place	Imamzada Abu l-'Abbas Khurasgan, Isfahan
Academic Information
Teachers	Sayyid Murtada Muwahhid Abtahi • Sayyid 'Ali Musawi Behbahani
Works	Khums: Responding to Doubts about Khums
Education	Ijtihad in Fiqh and Usul
Religion	Shi'a
cultural information
Field of Activity	Teaching • Social services
Reason for Notability	Lasting figure in propagating Ghadir

After completing his primary education, Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami began his studies at the Isfahan Seminary in 1370 AH / 1950–1951 CE. His teachers included Sayyid Murtada Muwahhid Abtahi and Sayyid Ali Musawi Behbahani. Sayyid Shihab al-Din Marʿashi Najafi and Lutfallah Safi Golpaygani were also among the scholars who granted him ijazah (formal scholarly authorization).

After completing his studies, Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami taught a range of subjects, including Arabic literature, fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), usul al-fiqh (principles of Islamic jurisprudence), tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis), ʿaqaʾid (religious beliefs and doctrines), akhlaq (Islamic ethics), diraya (the critical study of hadith), and rijal (the biographical evaluation of hadith transmitters). Through his teaching, he trained numerous students who themselves became accomplished scholars.

Alongside his scholarly activities, Ayatollah Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami also played a significant role in community service and charitable work. His most important initiatives in this area included the restoration of Islamic seminaries.

An Enduring Advocate of Ghadir

Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami was an Isfahan-based Shi'a faqih, mujtahid, Usuli scholar, and mufassir. Through his role in the establishment and oversight of the Ghadirestan Institute, he came to be regarded as an enduring figure in the promotion of Ghadir.

In 1386 SH / 2007–2008 CE, Faqih Imami was presented with a proposal to establish an institute dedicated to sustained work on the event of Ghadir and its related teachings. According to a report published by the Ghadirestan Institute, he supported the proposal and, after the institute’s bylaws had been drafted and its founding board formed, agreed to serve on its board of trustees. Muhammad Rida Sharifi was also appointed executive director of the institute.

Until the end of his life, Faqih Imami attended a number of the Ghadirestan Institute’s meetings and programs and oversaw its scholarly and cultural activities.

Biography

From right: Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami, Sayyid 'Ata'ullah Faqih Imami, and Sayyid Ahmad Faqih Imami.

Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami was born on 13 Ordibehesht 1314 SH (1 Safar 1354 AH / May 4, 1935 CE) into a religious and scholarly family in a devout quarter of Isfahan. His birthplace was near the shrine of Abu al-Hasan Zayn al-ʿAbidin Ali, an imamzada (a descendant of a Shi'a Imam), commonly known as the Darb-e Imam Shrine.

Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami’s lineage can be traced through thirty generations to Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq, peace be upon him. He was raised in a devout family under the guidance of his pious mother and his father, Ayatollah Sayyid Ataullah Faqih Imami.

Demise

Funeral ceremony of Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami.

According to some sources, Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami passed away on Sunday, 15 Esfand 1389 SH (1 Rabiʿ al-Thani 1432 AH / March 6, 2011 CE), after many years of service to religion and society. His funeral procession was marked by exceptional grandeur and was attended by large numbers of people from different sections of society, as well as officials from Isfahan Province and a number of national officials. He was buried beside the shrine of Imamzada Abu al-Abbas in Khurasgan.

Education

Faqih Imami completed his primary education at Qudsi Brothers School. In 1370 AH / 1950–1951 CE, at around the age of sixteen, he entered the Isfahan Seminary, where he studied Arabic literature, fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), usul al-fiqh (principles of Islamic jurisprudence), and other traditional seminary disciplines under a number of its scholars..

Teachers

Faqih Imami’s teachers during his studies are listed below:

• Sayyid 'Ata'ullah Faqih Imami (father)
• Yahya Faqih Imani
• 'Abbas 'Ali Adib (d. 1412 AH)
• Muhammad Hasan Najafabadi (d. 1384 AH)
• Sayyid Murtada Muwahhid Abtahi (d. 1413 AH)
• Majd al-Din Najafi (d. 1403 AH)
• Ahmad Fayyad (d. 1407 AH)
• 'Ali Qadiri (d. 1407 AH)
• 'Ali Mishkat Sidhi (d. 1410 AH)
• Sayyid 'Ali Asghar Barzani (d. 1405 AH)
• Sayyid Husayn Khadimi (d. 1405 AH)
• Sayyid 'Ali Musawi Behbahani (d. 1395 AH).

The book *Khums* by Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami.

Scholars Who Granted Him Ijazah

According to a published biography of Faqih Imami, the following scholars granted him ijazah (formal authorization to transmit hadith):

• Sayyid Shihab al-Din Mar'ashi Najafi, on Sha'ban 23, 1410 AH
• Sayyid Muhammad 'Ali Muwahhid Abtahi, on Sha'ban 23, 1410 AH
• Sayyid Diya' al-Din 'Allama, in Jumada II 1414 AH
• Sayyid Muhammad Baqir Muwahhid Abtahi, on Rabi' I 25, 1414 AH
• Lutfallah Safi Gulpaygani, on Muharram 6, 1415 AH
• Muhammad Fadil Lankarani, on Shawwal 7, 1415 AH
• Sayyid Muhammad 'Ali Rawdati, on Rajab 26, 1415 AH
• Sayyid Hasan Tabataba'i Qummi, in Shawwal 1420 AH.
• Sayyid Muhammad Husayni Shirazi, on Shawwal 22, 1420 AH
• Sayyid Sadiq Husayni Ruhani, on Dhu l-Qa'da 11, 1422 AH.

Scholarly Activities

After completing his studies, Faqih Imami began teaching at the Isfahan Seminary. His courses reportedly covered Arabic literature, fiqh, usul al-fiqh, tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis), ʿaqaʾid (religious beliefs and doctrines), akhlaq (Islamic ethics), diraya (the critical study of hadith), and rijal (the biographical evaluation of hadith transmitters). According to his published biography, during some periods he taught as many as eight classes a day.

In addition to teaching, he authored works on fiqh, tafsir, kalam (Islamic theology), history, and critiques of religious sects.

Works and Publications

Ayatollah Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami authored numerous works on fiqh, kalam, philosophy, and critiques of religious sects and schools of thought. His writings fall into two categories: published and unpublished works.

Published Works

Title	Description / Subject
Khums: Responding to Doubts about Khums (two volumes)	A jurisprudential and theological examination of the ruling on khums and responses to contemporary questions.
The Role of Reason in Divine Rulings	An analysis of the relationship between reason and shari'a in the derivation of rulings.
Is Understanding the Qur'an Easy?!	A critique of superficial views on understanding the Qur'an and its interpretability.
Sirat Mustaqim	A study on the path of guidance from the perspective of the Qur'an and Sunna.
Where Did the Seditions Begin!	A historical examination of the deviation of the Umma after the demise of the Prophet (s).
Discussions on Baha'ism	A scholarly and historical critique of the Baha'i sect.

Unpublished Works

Title	Description / Subject
Risala on Liqa' Allah	A mystical study on the divine encounter.
Sunan Ilahi	An analysis of divine laws in the system of creation.
A Risala on Imamate	Discussions on the necessity of Imamate and the characteristics of the infallible Imam (a).
A Risala on Fadak	A historical examination of Fadak and the rights of Lady Fatima (s).
Discussions on Proving the Existence of Imam al-Zaman (aj)	Responses to objections from those who deny the existence of Imam al-Mahdi (aj).
A Risala on Qiyama (Arabic)	A theological study on bodily and spiritual resurrection.
Sharh Nibras al-Huda by Mulla Hadi Sabzawari (Hajj section)	A philosophical and mystical commentary on the discussions of Hajj.
The Philosophy of Hajj	An analysis of the philosophy and secrets of Hajj in Islamic teachings.
Categorization of Hajj Issues in Chart Form	An educational categorization of Hajj rulings.
Tanzim al-'Urwa (up to the end of Kitab al-Zakat)	An educational jurisprudential rewriting of the book 'Urwat al-Wuthqa.
Al-Amthal fi l-Riwayat (Forty Hadiths)	A collection of forty hadiths on religious proverbs and wisdom.
Tafsir Surat Yusuf	An ethical and mystical exegesis of Surat Yusuf (a).
A Risala Concerning the Sahaba	An analysis of the position of the Sahaba in Islamic history.
A Risala on Umm Kulthum	A historical examination of Umm Kulthum's marriage and responses to doubts.
Response to Mirza Na'im's Argumentation	A refutation of Baha'i arguments.
A Risala in Refutation of the Ideas of Some Intellectuals	A critique of modern religious intellectual movements.
Mysticism in the Captivity of Satan	An examination of the deviations of some mystical schools.
Education in Islam	Educational foundations in the Qur'an and Sunna.
The Code of Combat in Islam	The ethics and philosophy of jihad in Islam.
A Risala on the Status of the Martyr	The position and dignity of the martyr in Islam.
Responses to Some Doubts	A collection of responses to about thirty creedal doubts.
Taqrirat of the Astronomy Lessons of the Late Majd al-'Ulama' Najafi	Lecture notes on the science of astronomy.
A Risala on the Biography and Life of Teachers and Shaykhs of Ijazah	Biographies of shaykhs and teachers of hadith transmission authorization.
About One Hundred Articles on Various Persian and Arabic Topics	A collection of religious, historical, and philosophical articles.

Community Service

Faqih Imami has been described as one of the scholars actively involved in educational and social initiatives in Isfahan. His activities included the restoration of Islamic seminaries and cooperation with welfare and healthcare institutions. Some of his principal initiatives are listed below:

Reconstruction of Hawzas

Row	Name of Hawza	Type of Activity	Location
one	Dhu l-Faqar Hawza	Completion of the western section and reconstruction of the other three sides	Isfahan, Hatef Street
two	Mahmudiyya Hawza	Full establishment and equipping	Near Jawadiyya Hawza
three	Jawadiyya Hawza	Establishment and launching	Adjacent to Mahmudiyya Hawza
four	Al-Ghadir Hawza	New establishment	End of Mushir Ansari Street
five	Ayatollah Khadimi Hawza (Araban Hawza)	Completion and facade work of the building	Isfahan, Masjed Sayyid Street
six	Khalesiyya Hawza	Reconstruction and expansion of educational space	Isfahan, Historical District
seven	Imamiyya Hawza	Extensive restoration and improvement	Isfahan, Naqsh-e Jahan Square
eight	Nimavar Hawza	Extensive restoration and complete reconstruction	Isfahan, Nimavar Neighborhood

Social and Charitable Activities

Row	Name of Institution or Association	Type of Activity	Description
one	Imam al-Zaman (a) Social Welfare Association	Social and supportive services	Support for underprivileged families
two	Ababashir Educational Organization	Education and training for the blind	Provision of scholarly and cultural services
three	Abasalih al-Mahdi Qard al-Hasan Fund	Financial and economic support	Granting qard al-hasan loans
four	Hazrat Abu l-Fadl (a) Charitable Association	Medical and therapeutic	Specializing in kidney transplants
five	Mahdiyya Radiology and Laboratory	Medical services	Support and development of medical centers

References

• «About Ghadirestan»; in the website of Ghadirestan Cultural and Artistic Institute, accessed: September 24, 2025.
• «Sayyid Hasan Faqih Imami (r)»; in the website of al-Shia Scholarly and Cultural-Creedal Base, published: July 9, 2015, accessed: September 24, 2025.
• Sharifi, Muhammad Rida, Ghadirestan in Promoting Ghadir. Qom: Itrat Fragrance, 2018.