Muhammad Mu'min: Difference between revisions

Muhammad Mu'min began his seminary studies in 1952. He finished preliminary and intermediary levels of his studies within 5 years and then attended Imam Khomeini's advanced lectures of jurisprudence. He also attended the lectures of [[Muhaqqiq Damad]], [[Murtada Ha'iri Yazdi]], and Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i. After teaching ''[[al-Makasib]]'' and ''[[al-Rasa'il]]'' in jurisprudence and its principles, as well as ''[[Sharh al-Tajrid]]'', ''[[Bidayat al-hikma]]'', ''[[Nihayat al-hikma]]'', ''[[al-Asfar]]'', and ''al-Arshiyya'' in [[theology]] and [[philosophy]], he began teaching advanced courses of the [[principles of jurisprudence]] since 1984 and advanced courses of jurisprudence since 1986. In the latter courses, he taught issues of transactions, judgeship, testimonies, hudud, and modern issues concerning government. In 1371SH, Muhammad Mu'min and a number of other scholars were appointed by Ayatollah Khamenei as members of a group for the examination of new jurisprudential issues. Muhammad Mu'min was also a member of a group who discussed jurisprudential issues with Ayatollah Khamenei. Mu'min recounts some of these issues in his Kalimat Sadida.

After Imam Khomeini’s exile, Muhammad Mu'min went to Najaf in 1342SH and stayed there for six months. During Imam Khomeini’s stay in Najaf, Mu'min frequently went there and attended the lectures of Imam Khomeini as well as Sayyid Abu l-Qasim al-Khu'i, Husayn Hilli, Sayyid Mahmud Shahrudi, and for a short time, in Sayyid Muhsin al-Hakim’s lectures.

Muhammad Mu'min’s work can be classified into three groups: jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence, and philosophy. Some of his works are his transcriptions of the lectures of his own teachers; for example, he transcribed and rewrote Imam Khomeini’s lectures on jurisprudence and principles of jurisprudence, as well as Muhaqqiq Damad’s lectures. His book concerning principles of jurisprudence is Tasdid al-usul. The rest of his works are mostly concerned with Islamic government and the obligations of the Jurisprudent Guardian. In his Hukumat-i hakimana and Hikmat wa hukumat, he criticizes Mahdi Ha'iri Yazdi’s writings about the Islamic government.

 

Before the Islamic Revolution, Muhammad Mu'min was a member of the Society for Teachers of the Seminary of Qom. In 1349SH, after the death of Sayyid Muhsin al-Hakim, the Society announced Imam Khomeini as a Shiite marja'. In Mordad 1352SH, SAVAK tried to arrest Mu'min, but to no avail. In Farvardin 1353SH, Mu'min was arrested, and then he was banished to Shahdad and Tuyserkan for three years.

===After the Revolution===

After the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Mu'min was in charge of positions in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including as the head of the Higher Court of the Islamic Revolution, a member of the Higher Judicial Council, a representative in the Assembly of Experts for five terms, a member of the jurisprudents of the Guardian Council, and the manager of the Seminary of Qom. Muhammad Mu'min was also an examiner of volunteers for membership in the Assembly of Experts.

===Judicial Positions===

After the Islamic Revolution, Muhammad Mu'min played a crucial role in the formation of the Judiciary System. He cooperated with the system in the selection of judges, in the appeal court, and the Higher Judicial Council until 1362SH. After that, he served as a member of jurisprudents of the Guardian Council. He was a representative in the Assembly of Experts for five terms. In addition to his governmental positions, he also served in the administration of Islamic seminaries.

In charge of the selection of judges for Revolutionary Courts and sending them around the country at the command of Imam Khomeini

The head of the Higher Court of the Islamic Revolution

A member of the Higher Judicial Council until 1362SH.

===The Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts===

Membership in the Guardian Council at Imam Khomeini’s decree since 1362 until his death.

A representative in the Assembly of Experts for five terms (the first and second terms from Semnan and the third, fourth, and fifth terms from Qom).

The manager of the Seminary of Qom

A member of the Higher Council of Seminaries from 1371 to 1374SH

A member of the fourth term of the Higher Council of the Seminary of Qom

The head of the Assembly of Ahl al-Bayt’s Jurisprudence.

The most important work by Muhammad Mu'min concerning political jurisprudence is al-Wilaya al-ilahiyya al-islamiyya aw al-hukuma al-islamiyya. According to Feirahi, his view is the most authoritarian account of the appointment and mandates of the jurisprudent. His view is important because of his long-time membership in the Guardian Council and his impact on laws and decisions.

For Mu'min, all rulings are in the hand of the Jurisprudent Guardian, and thus, other jurisprudents do not have an authority in the judiciary and government. In his view, the enforceability of the rule of the Infallible and the Guardianship of the jurisprudent does not come from consultations, allegiances, and votes. To the contrary, elections derive their legitimacy from the ruler’s views. Moreover, the legitimacy, dissolution, or continuation of the legislative assembly and all other institutes depend on the decision of the Supreme Leader. The core of the Islamic government is the Supreme Leader and these institutes only serve as “legislative helpers” of the jurisprudent, rather than people’s representatives. In fact, they follow the wills of the Jurisprudent Guardian. Thus, in Mu'min’s view, the rule of the jurisprudent is unqualified, encompassing all places and all times.