Ahmed Al-Waeli
Encyclopedia
Ahmed Al-Waeli is one of the most well-known Shi'a Islamic prominent clerks in the twentieth century. He preached the Islamic thoughts through books and lectures. He is also a poet. His poems represent his personality, spirituality and belief.
, Iraq
. He came from a very well cultured family. His father (Sheikh Hassoun Al-Waeli) was also a religious clerk and a poet. However, he did not become as famous as his son Ahmed. From his youth, Ahmed Al-Waeli was smart and ambitious. He studied and memorized the Qur'an
when he was seven years old. He graduated with an honor degree in 1962 in Arabic language and Islamic Jurisprudence. Then, he pursued his education in the institute of higher education –one of the institutes of university of Baghdad- and finished his master degree in the same subject. The title of his thesis is “Custody Rules in Sharia
and Law” which was published as a book later. He then left Iraq and went to Egypt to pursue his doctorate education. He received his PhD in economics in 1978 and his dissertation discusses the Islamic view of exploitation of labor.
As Najaf
is famous with Shiite Islamic religious schools and Arabic literature, Al-Waeli studied under prominent religious figures. He learned lecturing through a group of Islamic lecturers including Sayyid Baqir Slaimoun. He gained great admiration from his teachers through his intelligence, articulation, and presentation style. Ayatollah
Imam Khomeini called him “the Mobile Library” as he was spreading his rich knowledge as well as lecturing the philosophy of Islamic jurisprudences in different places. Likewise, Grand Ayatollah Abul-Qassim Khoei called him "the Tongue of Shia" as his voice represents Shitte ideology. One of his common messages in his lectures is that the differences between Shia and Sunnah
jurisprudences should not create tension between the two sects since both sects ultimately have the same goal (which is getting closer to Allah
). He repeatedly conveys that each sect has his own Ijtihad
(interpretation of Hadith
) but that should not create tension. He always condemns those who call Shia non-Muslims.
Al-Waeli died on July 14, 2003 in his homeland after 24 years in exile. Thousands of people gathered in his funeral in the city of Karbala
to express their sorrow and sympathy for his departure.
1. Topic Focus: this is the most important characteristic in this school. Unlike other Islamic lecturers, Al-Waeli concentrates only on one subject in each lecture and does not branch out to different subjects. The purpose of this is to avoid confusing and losing the audience’s attention, and to provide enough details to cover the subject. This is not an easy task. In fact, it requires a big effort from the lecturer to study the subject thoroughly before lecturing to make sure that all aspects of the topic are covered. Besides, he starts his presentation with a short statement that describes the focus of his lecture. This statement is usually a verse from the Qur'an
.
2. Courage and Sincerity: His confidence and knowledge gave him the courage to speak the truth and defend his school of thought.
3. Audience Evaluation: Al-Waeli has the ability to evaluate his audience before lecturing. This ability simplified the choice and depth of the topic he would present. Also, through this ability, he gained the audience’s attention and interest.
4. Voice Pitch: Al-Waeli’s vocal quality helped him articulate his speech.
5. High Morals: Al-Walei is known for his high morals and virtues which developed his charisma and power of persuasion.
Biography
Ahmed Al-Waeli was born in September, 1928 in NajafNajaf
Najaf is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2008 is 560,000 people. It is the capital of Najaf Governorate...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. He came from a very well cultured family. His father (Sheikh Hassoun Al-Waeli) was also a religious clerk and a poet. However, he did not become as famous as his son Ahmed. From his youth, Ahmed Al-Waeli was smart and ambitious. He studied and memorized the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
when he was seven years old. He graduated with an honor degree in 1962 in Arabic language and Islamic Jurisprudence. Then, he pursued his education in the institute of higher education –one of the institutes of university of Baghdad- and finished his master degree in the same subject. The title of his thesis is “Custody Rules in Sharia
Sharia
Sharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
and Law” which was published as a book later. He then left Iraq and went to Egypt to pursue his doctorate education. He received his PhD in economics in 1978 and his dissertation discusses the Islamic view of exploitation of labor.
As Najaf
Najaf
Najaf is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2008 is 560,000 people. It is the capital of Najaf Governorate...
is famous with Shiite Islamic religious schools and Arabic literature, Al-Waeli studied under prominent religious figures. He learned lecturing through a group of Islamic lecturers including Sayyid Baqir Slaimoun. He gained great admiration from his teachers through his intelligence, articulation, and presentation style. Ayatollah
Ayatollah
Ayatollah is a high ranking title given to Usuli Twelver Shī‘ah clerics. Those who carry the title are experts in Islamic studies such as jurisprudence, ethics, and philosophy and usually teach in Islamic seminaries. The next lower clerical rank is Hojatoleslam wal-muslemin...
Imam Khomeini called him “the Mobile Library” as he was spreading his rich knowledge as well as lecturing the philosophy of Islamic jurisprudences in different places. Likewise, Grand Ayatollah Abul-Qassim Khoei called him "the Tongue of Shia" as his voice represents Shitte ideology. One of his common messages in his lectures is that the differences between Shia and Sunnah
Sunnah
The word literally means a clear, well trodden, busy and plain surfaced road. In the discussion of the sources of religion, Sunnah denotes the practice of Prophet Muhammad that he taught and practically instituted as a teacher of the sharī‘ah and the best exemplar...
jurisprudences should not create tension between the two sects since both sects ultimately have the same goal (which is getting closer to Allah
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
). He repeatedly conveys that each sect has his own Ijtihad
Ijtihad
Ijtihad is the making of a decision in Islamic law by personal effort , independently of any school of jurisprudence . as opposed to taqlid, copying or obeying without question....
(interpretation of Hadith
Hadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
) but that should not create tension. He always condemns those who call Shia non-Muslims.
Al-Waeli died on July 14, 2003 in his homeland after 24 years in exile. Thousands of people gathered in his funeral in the city of Karbala
Karbala
Karbala is a city in Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad. Karbala is the capital of Karbala Governorate, and has an estimated population of 572,300 people ....
to express their sorrow and sympathy for his departure.
Presentation style
Al-Waeli has become famous with his presentation and lecturing style. In fact, his lecturing style (or school) is now known as “Al-Waeli’s School of Lecturing.” The main characteristics of this school are:1. Topic Focus: this is the most important characteristic in this school. Unlike other Islamic lecturers, Al-Waeli concentrates only on one subject in each lecture and does not branch out to different subjects. The purpose of this is to avoid confusing and losing the audience’s attention, and to provide enough details to cover the subject. This is not an easy task. In fact, it requires a big effort from the lecturer to study the subject thoroughly before lecturing to make sure that all aspects of the topic are covered. Besides, he starts his presentation with a short statement that describes the focus of his lecture. This statement is usually a verse from the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
.
2. Courage and Sincerity: His confidence and knowledge gave him the courage to speak the truth and defend his school of thought.
3. Audience Evaluation: Al-Waeli has the ability to evaluate his audience before lecturing. This ability simplified the choice and depth of the topic he would present. Also, through this ability, he gained the audience’s attention and interest.
4. Voice Pitch: Al-Waeli’s vocal quality helped him articulate his speech.
5. High Morals: Al-Walei is known for his high morals and virtues which developed his charisma and power of persuasion.
Books
Al-Waeli wrote several books including:- The Essence of Shiism
- Custody Rules in ShariaShariaSharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
and Law - Sex FiqhFiqhFiqh is Islamic jurisprudence. Fiqh is an expansion of the code of conduct expounded in the Quran, often supplemented by tradition and implemented by the rulings and interpretations of Islamic jurists....
in the Islamic Schools of Thought - Islamic View of Exploitation of Labor
- The Defense of Truth
- My Experience with Husayni Pulpit
- Toward a Scientific Interpretation of Qur'anQur'anThe Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
External links
- http://www.Al-Waeli.com/
- http://www.alwaeli.org/
- http://www.kerbalaya.net/hashemya5/a1a/indexa1a.htm
- http://www.shiaweb.org/v2/sounds/viewcat_72.html