ميرزاي قمي و حكومت قاجار

Mirza of Qom and Qajar Government

The present article focuses on the kind of relations Mirza of Qom had with the Qajar government, the causes for establishing such relations and his view of the government of the day. At the early years of Qajar dynasty, that is, during the rule of Agha Muhammad Khan and the rule of Fath Ali Shah in particular, many religious scholars had close relations with the Qajar government. But the relations which Mirza Abu al-Qasim of Qom - a most eminent religious scholar of the day - had with that government was of special importance and influence. Taking into account the fact that throughout recorded history Shiʹi scholars did not have relations with or opposition to the kings and their governments, if they were inclined to establish on certain occasions or in some periods close relations with the governments of the day, what are the factors involved in establishing such relations? How does this position of scholars accord with their view that the government of the day was illegitimate? The author points out that the religious attitude of the government of the day along with the domestic and foreign problems which threatened the foundations of Islam, peopleʹs faith and Shiʹism, pushed some religious scholars including Mirza of Qom to make use of thier authority by cultivating close relations with the government of the day in attempt to safeguard Islamic law and the edifice of Islam and contribute to the prevalence of Islam and Shiʹism.