Muhammad Kazim Khurasani

Ayatullah Sheikh Muhammad Kazim Khurasani, commonly known as Akhund Khurasani was a Shia jurist and political activist. He is known for using his position as a Marja as legitimizing force behind the first democratic revolution of Asia that happened in Iran (1905–1911), where he was the main clerical supporter of the revolution. He believed that the democratic form of government would be the best possible choice in the absence of Imam and regarded the democratic constitutional revolution a Jihad in which all Muslims had to participate. Along with Mirza Husayn Tehrani and Shaikh Abdallah Mazandarani, he led people against what they called a “state tyranny” and issued fatwas and “sent telegrams to tribal chiefs, prominent national and political leaders, and heads of state in England, France, Germany, and Turkey”. When Mohammad Ali Shah became king of Iran, Mohammad Kazim Khorasani sent him a “ten-point” instruction including points on protecting Islam, promoting domestic industries and modern science, stopping colonial intervention in Iran “while retaining diplomatic relations”, and establishing “justice and equality”.