Mohammad Fazel Lankarani

Mohammad Fazel Lankarani was born

in 1930 in Qum. His father was one of

the great sages at Qum's religious

school (Hozeh Ilmieh Qum). At the

age of 13 he started his education in

Islamic sciences in Qum's religious

school. He rapidly progressed through

the various levels and by the age of

19 was able to attend the "Kharij"

level, which at that time was taught

by Grand Ayatollah Borujerdi. His

studentship at this level lasted for 11

years (this level being among the

longest and most difficult collection of

courses taught at the religious school

of Qum). Also, he attended Imam

Ruhollah Khomeini's courses for a

period of nine years. He learned "interpretation" and "philosophy" in

the classes of Ayatollah Tabataba'ie. At the age of 25, Mohammad

Fazel Lankarani was formally designated Grand Ayatollah by his

teacher Grand Ayatollah Borujerdi.

For the past 25 years, Grand Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani has been

teaching, inter alia, the "Kharij" level at Qum's religious school. His

classes are usually attended by over 700 religious experts and

students. Part of the lectures are broadcast on the radio for Iranian

and non-Iranian audiences.

Subsequent to the demise of Imam Khomeini [p], and Grand

Ayatollah Araki [p], Grand Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani was conferred

the status of the "first source of emulation" of the Islamic ummah by

the Society of Instructors at Qum's religious school.

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