Muḥammad Jawād Fāḍil Lankarānī

Born

Ayatollah Shaikh Muhammad Jawad Fazel Lankarani, son of Grand Ayatullah Fazel Lankarani (may his soul rest in peace) the great Marja’ (religious authority) of the Shia world was born in the holy city of Qum in the year 1341 A.H./1962 C.E.

His Education
He completed his primary education in Qum and Yazd. He continued his scientific studies until the year 1356 A.H./1977 C.E. when he received his Bachelors of Science. In addition to his high school education he also undertook theological studies in the Islamic Seminary of Qum. Despite the revolution of the Muslim nation of Iran when Hawza classes very regularly off he, by virtue of serious endeavors finished the graduate (sutuh) level studies in a relatively short period of time. Afterwards, during the year 1361 A.H./1982 C.E. he started to take part in kharij (post-doctorate) level courses in jurisprudence and its principles (fiqh and usool). He attended the lectures of his great father and benefitted very much from him. He also attended the lectures of Grand Ayatullah Waheed Khurasani for seven years.

Furthermore, he attended the classes of Ayatullah Hasanzadah Aamuli and Ayatullah Jawadi Aamuli in the fields of exegesis (tafseer) of the Holy Qur’an and philosophy. He studied the books “Shifaa” and “Asfaar” with these two outstanding teachers and benifitted greatly from them.

Teaching

For twenty years now he has been teaching and lecturing to a great number of students. He taught the books: “Ma’aalim” four times, “Makaasib” three times and “Kifaayatul Usool” four times. He has also been teaching fiqh (jurisprudence) and Osool (princilpes of jurisprudence) at the kharij level for the past eight years. His classes are very popular among the seminary students.

Moreover, he has presented many scientific articles in various important assemblies such as the Shaikh Ansaari Assembly, Muqaddas Ardabili Assembly and Imam Khomeini Assembly (may God raise their positions). In addition to being published, these articles were also recited during the forums. Besides his own scientific work and administration of Office of Marja’ (Religious Authority).

Director of Infallible Imams (AS) Jurisprudence Center  

He is also director of the Infallible Imams (AS) Jurisprudence Center. This center was establish at suggestion of his esteemed father in 1376 A.H./1997 C.E. This center’s main objective is to train jurists (fuqahaa) that are aware of modern times and circumstances in order to meet today’s religious needs. It is regarded as one of the most important scientific centers by the great scholars and clerics of the Islamic Seminary of Qum. This center also has a specialized library in fiqh and Usool. It is said to be the richest library in this field.