"الشخصيات. العراق (باستثناء بغداد والكاظمين)، ١٩١٩" [و‎‎٩‎٠] (٣١٨/١٨٤)

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MUHAMMAD IBN AYATULLAH HAjI MIRZA HUSAIN HAH
TEHRANI, SHAIKH. J
MIRZA KHALlL
Of Najaf. His father was a well known ‘alim, and one of the leaders of the Con
stitutionalist party. He is well known in Persia where he has now gone. His brother
Muhammad Taqi, is respected in Tehran.
MUHAMMAD IBN HUSAIN THAMIR.
Shaikh of Albu Hashmah, Balad district, an important tribe. Son of the Shaikh
who was deported in July, 1918. Has had rather a difficult position to fill and, considering
a things, has done very well. As a reward for his good behaviour, he was given Rs. 500
in 1918. He is badly off as he receives little or nothing from his tribesmen, although the
tribes consist of over 250 houses. His tents adjoin the ‘Akab Camp and in consequence
leavy demands are made on him for labour, which he has supplied well up to demand.
MUHAMMAD AL SHAIKH jABIR.
Was a turjman in the office of the A.P.O. Nasiriyah. His father was Secretary to
Nasir Pasha al Sa'dun and Muhammad himself was Secretary to ‘Ajaimi for 3 years and
did not get on with him, for which reason he has a grudge against the Sa'dun. He went
to Rev. Mr. van Ess for education and embraced Christianity, at any rate for a time. At
Nasiriyah he is known as a Mahommadan. He is unpopular with the tribesmen ; no
manners ; jealous of the Hamdani house.
MUHAMMAD JA'FAR, OAlD.
He and Qaid Muhammad Baqir and Qaid Husain are brothers of Oaid Haiyat Khan,
q.v. They have been into Amarah several times, mainly to obtain passes for the export
of goods to Pusht-i-Kuh, and are frequently in trouble with the police for smuggling.
MUHAMMAD AL JARRAD.
Shaikh of the Banwah tribe, Shammar Toqah, ‘Aziziyah district, 60 Bait. Good
reputation but little influence, has acted as crop estimator for revenue. Has only a small
following and not much cultivation, but tribe has given no trouble.
MUHAMMAD AL jARULLAH.
Of the Ahl Kut (Muntafiq, Bani Malik), a nephew of Shaikh Chuwaiyid, rules a third
of the tribe, but submits to Chuwaiyid’s authority in important matters. Friendly from
the first, keeps his tribe in capital order ; with Chuwaiyid did very excellent work on the
Suq-Nasiriyah road. The Ahl Kut are a good tribe.
MUHAMMAD AL JAWWAD IBN HAjI ‘ABBAS.
Has the right of collecting ‘uqr in Qarnabit, Ba'qubah district. Other inhabitants
naturally dislike paying.
MUHAMMAD IBN HAjI KADHIM.
Secretary to Thamir Beg ibn Sa'dun, Suq al Shuyukh district. A man of about 25,
pleasant mannered, quick witted, has been of considerable use to us in arranging for bund
building, etc. His family belong to the Khaza'il; they entered into the service of Sa'dun
Pasha, and live at Umm al Battush with Thamir.
MUHAMMAD KADHIM AL TABATABAl AL YAZDI, SAIYID.
Of Najaf. The greatest Shi'ah Mujtahid of the day, and of paramount influence
throughout the whole of Shi'ah Islam. His sole possible rival is the aged Mirza
Muhammad Taqi Shirazi of Samarra, who has possibly as many followers in Persia, but whose
influence can never equal that of Saiyid Kadhim’s, for the simple reason that the latter
is a Saiyid. It is remarkable that in Persia M. Muhammad Taqi’s influence is entirely
among the higher classes, Yazdi’s among the common people. Saiyid Kadhim is extremely
aged, but of vigorous intellect, great learning, and of very pleasing manner.
His habits are simple. He is exceptionally broad-minded, and to those whom he knows
well and trusts he will give invaluable advice and candid opinions. He will not commit
himself to writing, and no attempt should ever be made to make him do so. He will
certainly refuse, and it must be remembered that the power of such a man lies in his open
neutrality and disassociation from political affairs. Should he abandon this attitude, his
influence will deteriorate and his value will diminish. He is at heart pro-British and very
anti-Turk.
Since the deposition of Muhammad 'Ali Shah, when verbally, though not in writing,
he expressed disapprobation of the Constitutionalists, he has never taken any part in
politics, and has even ceased entirely to corresp'ond with the Persian Government. Any
attempt to make him do this is foredoomed to failure. He does not even answer requests