Shaikh Fazlallah Nuri and the Iranian revolution 1905–09

Abstract

In studies of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution there has been a tendency to concentrate on the role of the ulama as leaders of the constitutional movement, and to overlook the fact that an important group of mullahs supported the traditional system of government, and, from 1907 onwards, came out in open opposition to constitutionalism. Hairi has thrown some light on the anticonstitutionalist arguments of Shaikh Fazlallah Nuri, the most significant member of the group.' Arjomand has discussed the ulama's traditionalist opposition from 1907-09 and considered whether it represented ideological divisions, or merely superficial differences resting on a common outlook.2 It is the purpose of this study to examine the role and viewpoint of Shaikh Fazlallah during the whole period of the Revolution. Shaikh Fazlallah was already one of the most prominent mujtahids of the capital before the Revolution. Born in Tehran in 1843, he studied in Najaf, first under his uncle, a leading mujtahid, and secondly under Mirza Hasan Shirazi, the chief mujtahid of his day.3 He returned to Tehran in about 1882. Compared with other mujtahids of the capital, such as Sayyid Abdallah Bihbihani and Sayyid Muhammad Tabataba'i, Shaikh Fazlallah was something of an outsider. He did not come, as they did, from a long line of mujtahids resident in Tehran with family influence and connections, particularly in the bazaar. Initially he seems to have made his way primarily as a scholar of exceptional merit, and was generally acknowledged the most learned of the ulama of the capital.4 He is twice described as being in the process of giving classes, whereas such references have not yet come to light for other mujtahids.5 He was one of the ulama who opposed the Tobacco Concession in 1891-92. He also combined with Mirza Hasan Ashtiyani, then chief mujtahid of Tehran, against the reformist policies of Amin al-Daula, chief minister of 1897-98. In 1897, however, he was reported to be poor and living a secluded life.6 Shaikh Fazlallah really began to emerge politically in 1902-03. He was one of those most critical of the next chief minister, Amin al-Sultan, whose policy of borrowing from the Russians to meet the needs of an impecunious government met with fierce opposition among the ulama. Shaikh Fazlallah wrote letters to the ulama elsewhere, and his cousin, Mirza Muhammad Nuri, was active in rousing agitation in the 'Atabat, the Shrine cities of Iraq.7 In 1903 Amin al-Sultan was ousted by a combination of ulama and a court faction led by 'Ain al-Daula, who then became chief minister, with Shaikh Fazlallah as his leading supporter among the ulama. Shaikh Fazlallah benefited greatly from this connection, for 'Ain al-Daula removed from the care of the mujtahid Bihbihani the government business in the shari'a courts and gave it to Fazlallah.8 Bihbihani, who was a partisan of Amin al-Sultan, consequently lost influence and prestige.