Ayatullah Shaykh Muhammad Taqi Bahlool (R.A.)

Shaykh Muhammad Taqi Bahlool was an unusually gifted scholar and a famous orator of the present era. He was born in 1908 in Khurasan and left this world just about 4 to 5 months ago, at a ripe age of nearly 100 years. Ulema and Islamic Scholars throughout the world, led by Ayatullah Khamenai, paid a glowing tribute to his brilliant life and work.
His father was a mujtahid, and he ensured that his son received the best education and the correct training from his early age. Thus, Shaykh Bahlool memorised the Qur’an at the tender age of 8 years, and even at this young age, one would see him giving lectures from the pulpit.
Shaykh Muhammad Taqi Bahlool was a talented and gifted elderly scholar who lived in Qum. Although he had studied fiqh and usul to the level of ijtihad, he preferred to give public lectures to the masses. His lectures were popular because of his very eloquent, yet down-to-earth style of oratory. In addition to memorizing the complete Qur’an by heart, he had also memorised thousands of verses of the poetry of Hafez. He had also composed poetry himself.
After completing his studies, Shaykh Bahlool returned to Iran where he became a powerful voice against anti-Islamic policies of the government of the day. The government was alarmed and worried at his popularity. During the Gawharshad riots in the 50s, he was targeted by the government of the time. Although he tried to avoid them by moving to Afghanistan, he was captured and imprisoned. He spent 13 long years of his youthful life in prison.