Ayatullah Aga Syed Yousuf Al-Moosavi Al- safvi (r.a) (1904 – 29 August 1982) was a Kashmiri religious scholar and leader of Shia Muslims. He founded the influential Anjuman-e-Sharie organisation.
Biography
Ayatullah Aga Syed Yousuf (r.a) was born in Budgam in 1322 hijri, and completed his education in Islamic law from Najaf in Iraq. He is the descendent of Mir Shamsudin Araki, who came to Kashmir in 13th century from Araki town of Iran. After the death of his elder brother, Aga Syed Ahmed Almosavi, he took over the traditional responsibilities performed by Aga family. He established an educational institution for Islamic learning called Madras-e Babul Ilem (“gateway of knowledge”) in Budgam. Madars-e Babul Ilem is the alma mater of many in the Kashmir literary field.
It has been a routine among Shias of Kashmir that legal disputes go to their religious head (Mawlawi or Agas) instead the government courts. Such Sharie Adalats (“religious courts”) determine justice according to Islamic doctrine. During the period of Ayatullah Aga Yousef, sharie adalats became very popular. There were a number of occasions when the district court sent cases to Yousef’s court.
Anjumane Sharie Shian
Aga Syed Yousuf established Anjumane Sharie Shian in Jammu and Kashmir with both religious and political goals. As the government receives the taxes from the general public, Anjuman Sharie Shian collects khums and fitr as alms from the Shia population to spend on social, educational, and economic improvement for the poorer segment of the community. When Sheikh Abdullah’s government passed the Land Reform Act, Aga Syed Yousef said the bill was against the doctrine of Shiaism, which resulted in the government exempting Shias from the bill.
Other accomplishments
Aga Syed Yousuf undertook the construction of Imambara Budgam. He also widened the Imambara Hassanabad, a smaller replica of the one in Budgam. Aga Syed Yousuf also introduced the Shia nisab (“syllabus”) at the University of Kashmir.
Aga Syed Yousuf was a very close associate of Imam Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini(r.a), the father of Islamic Revolution of Iran. Aga Syed Yousuf donated $2 million to Iran as financial assistance during the revolutionary struggle. When Ayatollah Khomeini was expelled from Iran by the Shah, Aga Syed Yousuf wrote him a letter and invited him to Kashmir. Ayatollah Khomeini replied, “I would love to visit my ancestral home, Kashmir, but due to certain political reasons I am afraid I can’t.
All the letters of Ayatollah Khomeini are preserved in the personal library of Ayatollah Yousuf and his personal library is situated at Yousuf Abad, Budgam.
Personal
Ayatollah Aga Syed Yousuf (r.a) died on 29 August 1982. After his death, the district hospital of Budgam was named after him. Aga Syed Yousuf was buried in Ayatullah Mehdi shrine Budgam. The shrine was constructed by Aga Syed Yousuf himself during his lifetime to honour Ayatullah Aga Syed Mehdi who also was Yousuf’s grandfather.
Ayatullah Aga Syed Yousuf Al-Moosavi Al-Safvi: A Pillar of Shia Islam in Kashmir
Early Life and Education
Ayatullah Aga Syed Yousuf Al-Moosavi Al-Safvi was born in 1904 in Budgam, a town in the Kashmir Valley. Born into the esteemed Aga family, which traced its lineage back to Mir Shamsudin Araki, a revered scholar who migrated from Araki town in Iran to Kashmir in the 13th century, Aga Syed Yousuf was destined for a life of religious leadership and scholarship. His early education took place under the guidance of local scholars, but his thirst for deeper knowledge led him to Najaf, Iraq, one of the most important centers for Shia Islamic learning. There, he immersed himself in Islamic jurisprudence, theology, and philosophy.
Religious Leadership and Contributions
Upon his return to Kashmir after completing his studies, Ayatullah Aga Syed Yousuf assumed the responsibilities of his family’s traditional role in leading the Shia community following the death of his elder brother, Aga Syed Ahmed Almosavi. His leadership was marked by significant contributions to religious education and community welfare.
Madras-e Babul Ilem
One of his most enduring legacies is the establishment of the Madras-e Babul Ilem (Gateway of Knowledge) in Budgam. This institution became a vital center for Islamic learning, producing many scholars who would go on to contribute to Kashmir’s literary and religious fields. The madrasah emphasized a curriculum that combined traditional Islamic sciences with contemporary subjects, ensuring that students were well-equipped to address modern challenges while remaining grounded in their faith.
Sharie Adalats
Aga Syed Yousuf played a pivotal role in reinforcing the practice of resolving legal disputes within the Shia community through Sharie Adalats (religious courts). These courts, presided over by religious scholars, adjudicated cases based on Islamic law. During his tenure, these courts gained significant popularity and credibility, sometimes even receiving cases referred by the district courts. This practice underscored the deep trust the community placed in their religious leadership.
Anjumane Sharie Shian
In a bid to organize the Shia community more effectively, Aga Syed Yousuf founded the Anjumane Sharie Shian in Jammu and Kashmir. This organization had dual objectives: to serve religious purposes and to pursue political goals for the betterment of the Shia community. The Anjuman collected religious dues such as khums and fitr from the community, which were then used to fund social, educational, and economic initiatives aimed at uplifting the poorer segments of society.
One of the significant political stands taken by Aga Syed Yousuf through the Anjumane Sharie Shian was his opposition to Sheikh Abdullah’s Land Reform Act. He argued that the act was contrary to Shia doctrines, leading to the government exempting Shias from this legislation. This move highlighted his ability to influence political decisions for the benefit of his community.
Construction and Expansion Projects
Aga Syed Yousuf also undertook several construction projects to enhance the religious infrastructure for Shia Muslims in Kashmir. He spearheaded the construction of the Imambara Budgam, a major center for Shia religious activities. Additionally, he expanded the Imambara Hassanabad, creating a smaller replica of the Budgam Imambara, thus ensuring that more community members had access to these important religious spaces.
Association with Ayatollah Khomeini
Aga Syed Yousuf was a close associate of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Demonstrating his solidarity with the revolutionary movement, Aga Syed Yousuf donated $2 million to Iran during its struggle against the Shah. When Khomeini was exiled, Aga Syed Yousuf invited him to Kashmir, expressing a deep sense of kinship and support. Although Khomeini could not accept the invitation due to political reasons, his response underscored the strong bond between the two leaders. The correspondence between them is preserved in Aga Syed Yousuf’s personal library in Yousuf Abad, Budgam.
Death and Legacy
Ayatullah Aga Syed Yousuf Al-Moosavi Al-Safvi passed away on 29 August 1982. His death was a significant loss for the Shia community in Kashmir. In recognition of his contributions, the district hospital in Budgam was named after him. He was buried in the Ayatullah Mehdi shrine in Budgam, a shrine he had constructed during his lifetime to honor his grandfather, Ayatullah Aga Syed Mehdi.
“Ayatullah Aga Syed Yousuf Al-Moosavi Al-Safvi’s life was a testament to his unwavering commitment to his faith, his community, and his homeland. His contributions to religious education, community welfare, and political advocacy have left an indelible mark on Kashmir’s Shia community. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of scholars, leaders, and community members in their pursuit of knowledge, justice, and unity.”