"تقارير إدارة أقسام ومناطق الأراضي المحتلة في بلاد الرافدين لسنة ١٩١٨. المجلد I" [ظ‎‎٦‎٠] (٤٧٠/١٢٥)

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The descendants of Mujtahids are not often Mujtahids, though they retain influence and are
respected through their family. Such instances are the Bahr al ‘Ulum, Kashif al Ghata an S
Jawahir families. The residence of the great Mujtahids need not always be m a ja , amarra,
Karbala, Kadhimain or Mashhad being often chosen. But the great Mujtahid of his time must always
live in Najaf Karbala or Samarra, preferably the former.
R. Wingate, I.C.S.,
Political Officer, Shamiyah.
APPENDIX III.
Prominent Personalities in Najaf and Shamiyah.
Saiyid Muhammad Kadhim al Tabatabai al Yazdi. —The greatest Shi ah Mujtahid of the day, and
of paramount influence throughout the whole of Shi c ah Islam, his sole possible rival being 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 Taqrs 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 to a degree. He is exceptionally broadminded, and to those whom he knows
well and trusts he will give invaluable advice and candid opinions. To writing he will not commit
himself, and no attempt should ever be made to make him do this. 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 once abandon this, 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 correspond with the Persian Government. Any attempt to make him do this is foredoomed
to failure. He does not even answer requests for advice sent to him by the Persian Government, and
undoubtedly, at heart, is a hater of the constitutionahsts, and a staunch royalist.
His remark to Colonel Stokes was characteristic when, on the latter saying that he was in Persia
at the time of the constitution, he replied: “ Yes, when Persia began to go back.”
His “ hakamtu ” on a shar‘ah case is final, but he will not give a decision against the decision of
such a man as M. Muhammad Taqi.
In the case of there being established a Shi‘ah Court in Baghdad, it must be remembered that
Shi‘ai have the right, which they will certainly exercise, of appeal to the great Mujtahids. He
distributes yearly at least one hundred thousand pounds in charity.
Shaikh al SharYat al Isfahani. —The second most important Mujtahid in Najaf and the fourth
in the Shi‘ah world. He was made a Mujtahid through the influence of the constitutionalists, who at
the time were badly in need of Mujtahids to support them. A very learned man and well educated in
other matters besides religion. Distinctly weak-minded and prone to interference in political affairs,
and to intrigues sub rosa against Saiyid Kadhim. He took a prominent part in the Jihad, but owing
to pressure and bribery. It is impossible to say whether he is pro-anything at heart, except money,
and is liable to give an opinion on the spur of the moment through weakness, an opinion which he
afterwards regrets.
He should be treated with great care, and it should be remembered that in reality he has no
influence, his name being only a centre around which intrigues can be woven, his vanity being played
upon with the idea that the addition of his name to such and such a pronouncement will result in
considerable elevation for himself. Intrigues will always centre round him, owing to the fact that
Saiyid Kadhim and M. Muhammad Taqui are entirely aloof from such influences. He is an O.B.
Mujtahid distributor, and his acceptance of this post was due solely to the fact that his influence is
so little as to bring him in practically no charity. His son Shaikh Kassan is mad.
Shaikh 'Ali al Shaikh Muhammad Ridha Kashif al Ghata. —Head of the family of Shaikh Ja‘far
al Kabir, the greatest Mujtahid of his time. The latter is perhaps best known for refusing to declare
the Dafa‘ against Russia about one hundred years ago, on the ground that the Russians were only
fighting for territory, and not religion. Shaikh ‘Ali is a learned and good-hearted old man, and has
the largest library in Najaf. He has great influence among the tribes, both owing to his own personal
worth and owing to his family.
He is very anti-Turkish, and was often humiliated by them.
He is openly pro-British. His two sons, Shaikh Ahmed and Shaikh Muhammad Husain are ‘alims,
and have very great influence with Saiyid Kadhim, who invariably consults them on every matter.
Shaikh Ja'far al Shaikh Radhi. —An Arab ‘alim of similar influence to Shaikh ‘Ah among the tribes.
He interferes in no way in political affairs.
Shaikh 'Ali al Hilli. —Originally from Hillah; as Shaikh Ja‘far, though not so well known.
Saiyid Salih Hilli. —An Arab ‘alim, entirely occupied in religious affairs.
Shaikh Hasan Sahib al Jiwahir. —A respectable Mujtahid of famous family. O.B. Mujtahid
distributor. Very pro-British, but of no influence.
Shaikh Jawad Sahib al Jawahiv. —The cleverest man in Najaf, and capable of any unscrupulous
action for the sake of money. Quite unafraid of unpopularity. He would be extremelv valuable if
he were not so utterly unreliable. He invariably interferes in politics, and no intrigue can be carried
on without his knowledge.