ʻAlī Ibn Ḥosayn ʻAbd al-‘Ālī Karakī (Moḥaqiq Karakī)

Born
Shaikh Ali ibn Abdul-Aal al-Ameli, known as Mohaqqeq Karaki was born in Jabal Amil (in southern Lebanon) in the 8th century AH, but little is known about his early life.

Emigration to Iraq
He, after completing studies, moved to the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf in Iraq for higher studies.Invited to Iran
He was invited to Iran for his wisdom and erudite knowledge, and handed over political affairs of state by Shah Tahmasp Safavi. He became the first Peshwa (religious and political leader) of Iran as per the concept of Wilayat-e- Faqih (The authority of Faqih as the Vicegerent (Naeb) of the Twelfth Shia Imam) and gave authority to Shah of Iran to carry on state affairs as his representative, while he himself handled all jurisprudential and theological matters.

Cultural Activities
He established seminaries in Iranian capital, Qazvin, and other cities of Iran, earning the title of Mohaqqeq, which means authoritative researcher. He groomed many great scholars both in Iran and his homeland Lebanon, including the celebrated Zain ad-Din al-Ameli, who was persecuted and cruelly killed, thereby earning the title of Shaheed Thani (Second Martyr).
Mohaqqeq Karaki played a leading role in enlightening Iranians with the legacy of the Prophet’s Ahl al-Bayt, and wrote several books that are taught to this day, including “Jame’ al-Maqased”, and “Resala-e Edalat”
Most people, including most Shias, think that the concept of “scholarly guardianship” (Wilayat-e-Faqih) was first implemented in Iran after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. However, the tradition of clerical leadership in Iran was actually established over 400 years before Imam Khomeini, when an eminent scholar of the time was given the reins of the government in Iran. He is known through history as Muhaqqiq al-Karki.

Demise
On 12th of the Islamic month of Zil-Hijjah in 940 AH, the great religious scholar, Shaikh Ali ibn Abdul-Aal al-Ameli, known as Mohaqqeq Karaki, passed away. After him, the reigns of clerical guardianship were taken over by Shaikh Ali Minshar, and by the esteemed Shaikh Bahai after him. Meanwhile, he left a great intellectual prodigy in the form of his student Shaheed Thani.

Works
He wrote several books, the most notable of them being Jami al-Maqasid, a commentary on Allama Hilli’s Qawaid. He also wrote extensive commentaries on the works of Shaheed al-Awwal and Muhaqqiq al-Hilli.