Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Sayyid Ali Qazi Askar was born on the fifth of Khordad month, one thousand three hundred and thirty-three solar (1333 SH), equivalent to the 23rd of the blessed Ramadan in the year 1373 AH, in a religious family on Sayyid Mosque Street in Isfahan.
He completed his primary education at Jafari School affiliated with the Islamic Education Society, located in the Bidabad neighborhood of Isfahan, and his middle school education at Ahmadiyeh School, which was managed by the late Hujjat al-Islam Mr. Sayyid Abu al-Hasan Badri.
His father, Mr. Haj Sayyid Mostafa Qazi Askar, was an employee at the Isfahan Wool Industries Factory and one of the followers of Hazrat Imam Khomeini (RA). He was very eager to send one of his sons to the seminary to study seminary sciences.
Thus, at the age of 15, he entered the Isfahan Seminary and began studying Jami' al-Muqaddamat, benefiting from the great teachers of that seminary. After one year, due to the fame and reputation that Qom had, he decided to come to Qom and continue his studies in the ancient seminary of Qom.
In Qom, he resided successively in Momeniyeh School located on Chahar Mardan Street, the school of the late Ayatollah Najafi Mar'ashi located on Aram Street in Qom, Fayziyeh School, and then Hajatiyeh School. He learned preliminary lessons from the presence of great teachers such as the late Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Mr. Kafi Isfahani, the late martyr Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Mr. Sayyid Hasan Beheshti—may his soul rest in peace—Friday prayer leader of Isfahan temporarily (after the revolution, martyred by the hypocrites), Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Mr. Hijazi Isfahani, the late Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Mr. Yahya Sultani, and...
Then, he attended the lessons of the late Ayatollah Sotudeh, the late Ayatollah Khazali, the late Ayatollah Ansari Shirazi, and studied Makasib in the lesson of the late Ayatollah Haj Shaykh Yusuf Sanei and Kifayah from the presence of the late Ayatollah Fazil Lankarani. Then, he attended the kharij lessons of the late Ayatollah Fazil Lankarani, the late Ayatollah Montazeri, the late Ayatollah Haj Shaykh Javad Tabrizi, benefiting from the presence of these teachers for years. Meanwhile, in interpretation and ethics lessons, he also benefited from the presence of the late Ayatollah Meshkini.
In the specialized lessons of the late martyr Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari, which were held in Ark Husseiniyeh in Qom, he participated, and for a while, he benefited from the presence of Ayatollah Javadi Amoli. Based on written confirmations he received from great teachers such as the late Ayatollah Fazil Lankarani, Hazrat Ayatollah Sobhani, the late Ayatollah Khatam Yazdi, the late Ayatollah Muhammad Hasan Qadiri, and... he benefited from kharij lessons of the seminary for more than ten years.
Since his father was present in Qom during the June 5 incident and witnessed the attack of the Pahlavi regime's commandos on Fayziyeh School and the martyrdom and injury of seminary students and clerics, he was familiar with fighting clerics and activists, and from the first year of study, he accompanied the uprising of Hazrat Imam (RA) and entered fighting activities, and after coming to Qom, these activities continued, and he became familiar and accompanied most revolutionary figures of the seminary.
At the peak of the movement and when many scholars of Qom seminary and provinces were sent to exile, in a mission assigned to him by the late Ayatollah Pasandideh, brother of Hazrat Imam Khomeini (RA), he traveled to various cities and delivered his gifts to the exiled gentlemen. In this series of meetings, in Iranshahr, he reached the presence of Hazrat Ayatollah Khamenei—may his shadow be extended—who was exiled there along with Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Rashed Yazdi and several fighters, and became familiar with him.
Once, on the eve of entering Isfahan, he was arrested by SAVAK, and several times SAVAK agents entered his room in Hajatiyeh School and inspected, turning everything upside down, but it did not lead to his arrest.
With the rise of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, during the 40th ceremony of Yazd martyrs, the Isfahan market was completely closed, and a magnificent ceremony was held in Now Bazaar Mosque where he spoke and was pursued.
In the month of Ramadan 1357 solar, at the invitation of the late Ayatollah Sadooqi, martyr of the mihrab, he went to Yazd and spoke in Hazireh Mosque under the pseudonym "Sajjadi".
During the sit-in of scholars and clerics at Tehran University, he was present and a member of the welcoming committee of Hazrat Imam Khomeini (RA), and on the day of Hazrat Imam's arrival and presence at Behesht Zahra, he was next to the platform and beside that tireless mujahid man, and praise be to God Almighty, he has always been in the service of Islam and the Islamic Revolution and the good people of our country until now.
After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, he was tasked with compiling and organizing the draft statutes and organization of Friday Imams and became a member of the Council of the Central Secretariat of Friday Imams. In 1363, changes were made in this organization, and by Hazrat Imam Khomeini (RA) through a decree, along with several dear ones, he was appointed to the membership of the Council of the Secretariat and performed duties in this position until 68 (i.e., the year of Hazrat Imam's passing—may his soul rest in peace).
During the leadership of the wise Leader of the Revolution, from 68 until now, every three years, through a decree, he has been appointed as a member of the Policy Council of Friday Imams and continues to this day.
In 1366, he succeeded in obtaining a Master's degree (seminary equivalent) from the Office of Seminary Advertisements in Qom, and on 18/11/1373, he received the certificate of the second level of kharij (equivalent to PhD) from the Management Council of Qom Seminary.
Given that the attention and favor of the Supreme Leader (may his blessings endure) towards him dates back to distant years and Mr. Qazi Askar's deep familiarity with the intellectual system of the Supreme Leader, this caused His Eminence, on April 7, 2022, after the passing of the custodian of the holy Astan of Hazrat Abdulazim (peace be upon him), Ayatollah Mr. Muhammad Muhammadi Reyshahri (RA), who left lasting and valuable services as a legacy during his responsibility, to appoint him as the custodian of that blessed shrine and all its appendages and dependent shrines, so that the continuation of the prosperity of that holy shrine, and ensuring the comfort of pilgrims, and expanding the spiritual and cognitive space in it, and preserving the rights of the dear people of Rey city, and providing service to the deprived, continue by his hands.
Positions he has held include:
1. Member of the Central Secretariat Council of Friday Imams and cultural responsible of the council until 63.
2. Membership in the Central Secretariat Council of Friday Imams by decree of Hazrat Imam Khomeini (RA) from 63 to 68.
3. Appointment to membership of the Central Secretariat of Friday Imams and then the Policy Council of Friday Imams from 68 until now.
4. Responsible for establishing the College of Hadith Sciences.
5. Member of the Board of Trustees and Deputy of the College of Hadith Sciences.
6. Responsible for establishing and launching the Hadith Sciences Library.
7. Responsible for the Hajj Research Center affiliated with the Education and Research Deputy of the Office of the Supreme Leader's Representative.
8. Responsible for establishing the Hajj Museum.
9. Deputy for Cultural and Guidance Affairs of the Office of the Supreme Leader's Representative.
10. Deputy for Clerics Affairs of the Office of the Supreme Leader's Representative in 71.
11. Deputy for Education and Research of the Office of the Supreme Leader's Representative.
12. Member of the Board of Directors of Mash'ar Institute.
13. Managing Director of Miqat Hajj Quarterly.
14. Editor-in-Chief of the specialized bi-quarterly Miqat al-Hajj.
15. Editor-in-Chief of the specialized bi-quarterly Ulum al-Hadith.
16. Managing Director of Farhang Ziyarat Quarterly.
17. Temporary Friday Imam of Isfahan for 5 years from 76 to 81.
18. Member of the Board of Directors of Dar al-Hadith Publishing Institute.
19. Member of the Umrah Steering Council from 83.
20. Representative of the Supreme Leader and Head of Iranian Pilgrims from 88 for ten years.
21. Chairman of the Supreme Council of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.
22. Representative of the Supreme Leader and Custodian of the Holy Astan of Hazrat Abdulazim Hasani (upon him be peace) - currently.
Exemplary Manager and Selected National Manager and Outstanding Researcher:
In 1380 SH, he was selected as an exemplary manager and received a certificate of appreciation from the then Honorable Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
In 1380 SH, he was also selected as a selected national manager and received a certificate of appreciation from the then Honorable President.
In 1384 SH, he was selected as an outstanding researcher and received a certificate of appreciation from the Honorable Minister of Science.
His Authored Works:
A. Books:
1. Adab Safar Hajj, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1374 SH, 64p, pocket size.
2. Adab Safar wa Ziyarat Atabat Aliyat, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1387 SH, 215p, coat size.
3. Abu Talib Yazdi: Shahid Marwah, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1384 SH, 143p, coat size.
4. Takhrib wa Bazsazi Baqi' bi Riwayat Asnad, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 2nd edition, 1385 SH, 168p, coat size.
5. Hajj dar Andisheh Islami, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 2nd edition, 1381 SH, 376p, raq'i.
6. Hajj wa Harameyn Sharifayn dar Tafsir Namuneh, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 2nd edition, 1384 SH, 728p, vaziri.
7. Hadith Qafileh-ha, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1382 SH, 232p, vaziri.
8. Khaterat Safar Ayatollah Reyshahri bi Keshvar-ha-ye Saudi, Kenya, Sudan, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1386 SH, 288p, raq'i.
9. Dastan Bariyaftgan: Safarnameh Hajj Sayyid Ahmad Hedayati (1250-1334 AH), Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1378 SH, 300p, raq'i.
10. Darsnameh Adab Safar Hajj, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1389 SH, 224p, raq'i.
11. Safar bi Sarzamin Khakestari: Gozaresh Safar Aqa Muhammadi Reyshahri wa Hey'at Hamrah, Qom, Dar al-Hadith Scientific-Cultural Institute, Dar al-Hadith Printing and Publishing Organization, 1st edition, 1384 SH, 168p, raq'i.
12. Safarnameh Haj Ali Khan E'temad al-Saltaneh, compiled by Sayyid Ali Qazi Askar, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1379 SH, 184p, vaziri.
13. Safarnameh Mirza Dawud Vazir Vazayef, compiled by Sayyid Ali Qazi Askar, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1379 SH, 256p, vaziri.
14. Mir'at al-Haramayn, Ayyub Sabri Pasha, translated by Mirza Abdul Rasul Manshi, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1392 SH, 506p, vaziri.
15. Muntakhab Ahadith Hajj, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1381 SH, 96p, coat size.
16. Muntakhab Ahadith Umrah, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1382 SH, 84p, coat size.
17. Namaz Jumu'ah wa Ahammiyat an dar Riwayat, Policy Council of Friday Imams across the Country, 3rd edition, 1374 SH, 91p.
18. Hamrah ba Khalil: Gozaresh Safar Hajj Marhum Ayatollah Kashani dar Sal 1331, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1384 SH, 101p, coat size.
19. Ghurbat Baqi', with revision and new editing, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1399 SH, 544p.
20. Abu Talib Yazdi: Shahid Marwah, with extensive revision and additions, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 2nd edition, 1400 SH, 364p.
And...
Translated Books:
1. Takhrib al-Baqi' wa I'mar-ha bi al-Watha'iq wa al-Mustandat, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1392 SH, 135p, raq'i.
2. Adab Safar al-Hajj, Arabic translation: Ala' al-Husun, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1391 SH, 156p, raq'i.
3. Baqi' ki Takhrib awr Ta'mir Naw Dastawizat ki Rawshani Mein, Urdu translation: Sayyid Zigham Abbas Hamdani, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1394 SH, 172p, coat size.
4. Turkish translation: Turgut Atam, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1st edition, 1392 SH, 172p, raq'i.
5. Adab Safar Hajj [Istanbul Turkish Translation], translation by Turgut Atam, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1391, 196p, raq'i.
6. Hajj ki Muntakhab Hadithin, Urdu translation: Sayyid Ihtisham Abbas Zaidi, Tehran, Mash'ar Publication, 1391 SH, 100p.
B. Articles
B-1: Farsi Articles
1. "Adab Safar Hajj". Miqat Hajj, No. 13, Fall 1374, pp. 93-72.
2. "Asami Makkah Allah" Ayyub Sabri Pasha, translated by Sayyid Ali Qazi Askar, Miqat Hajj, No. 21, Fall 1376, pp. 139-121.
3. "Istila-ye Wahhabiyyah Makkah Musharrafah ra". Miqat Hajj, No. 20, Summer 1376, pp. 90-79.
4. "Asrar wa Ma'arif Hajj". Miqat Hajj, No. 15, Spring 1375, pp. 21-10.
5. "Umara-ye Hajj Jomhuri Islami Iran". Miqat Hajj, No. 37, Fall 1380, pp. 89-69.
6. "Bazsazi Ka'bah dar Sal 1039 Q". Miqat Hajj, No. 18, Winter 1375, pp. 92-63.
7. "Pishineh Tarikhi Tawaf". Miqat Hajj, No. 6, Winter 1372, pp. 90-73.
8. "Tahqiqi Piramun Shi'b Abi Talib". Miqat Hajj, No. 3, Spring 1372, pp. 147-172.
9. "Takhrib Baqi' bi Riwayat Asnad". Miqat Hajj, No. 45, Fall 1382, pp. 116-143; No. 46, Winter 138, pp. 156-201.
10. "Jaygah 'Hajj' dar Andisheh Islami". Miqat Hajj, No. 1, Winter 1371, pp. 117-128.
11. "Jannat al-Ma'la". Miqat Hajj, No. 4, Summer 1372, pp. 165-174.
12. "Hajj Akbar, Kadam Ast?". Miqat Hajj, No. 2, Winter 1371, pp. 184-167.
13. "Hazrat Imam Khomeini (RA) az Didgah Za'iran Ghayr Irani Khaneh Khoda". Miqat Hajj, No. 30, Winter 137, pp. 238-231.
14. "Rabdhah Kuja Ast?". Miqat Hajj, No. 48, Summer 1383, pp. 151-130.
15. "Zamzameh Zamzam". Miqat Hajj, No. 10, Winter 1373, pp. 105-84.
16. "Sarzamin Arafat". Miqat Hajj, No. 12, Summer 1374, pp. 163-142.
17. "Safarnameh Haj Ali Khan E'temad al-Saltaneh". Miqat Hajj, No. 25, Fall 1377, pp. 190-166.
18. "Safarnameh Haj Lutf Ali Khan A'la'i". Miqat Hajj, No. 32, Spring 1379, pp. 151-174; No. 33, Fall 1379, pp. 160-135; No. 35, Spring 1380, pp. 206-179.
19. "Gozareshi az Safar Hajj Marhum Ayatollah Kashani". Miqat Hajj, No. 43, Spring 1382, pp. 44; No. 44, Summer 1382, pp. 62-36.
20. "Mushkilat Hajjiyan az Lisan Safarnameh Nawisan". Miqat Hajj, No. 40, Summer 1381, pp. 146-167; No. 41, Fall 1381, pp. 179-160.
21. "Mazlumiyyat Pirawan Ali ibn Abi Talib (A) dar Kenar Khaneh Khoda". Miqat Hajj, No. 34, Winter 13, pp. 137-101.
22. "Muqaddameh Zhuhur Amraz dar Makkah". Ayyub Sabri Pasha, translated by Sayyid Ali Qazi Askar, Miqat Hajj, No. 22, Winter 1376, pp. 195-182.
23. "Maqsud Tui". Miqat Hajj, No. 15, Spring 1375, pp. 21-10.
24. "Makkah Mukkaramah, Markaz Farhangi Jahan Islam", Miqat Hajj, No. 47, Spring 1383, pp. 22-6.
25. "Mawqi' Jughrafiya'i Makkah wa Masjid al-Haram". Miqat Hajj, No. 54, Winter 1384, pp. 139-126.
26. "Naqsh wa Jaygah Hajj dar Tahqiq Hamgirayi Islami" Andisheh Hawzah, No. 67-68, Azar to Esfand 1386, pp. 199-12.
27. "Hamrah ba Khali-ha (Khaterat)". Miqat Hajj, No. 17, Fall 1375, pp. 254-233.
28. "Wadi Ihram (Khaterat)". Miqat Hajj, No. 28, Summer 1378, pp. 193-178.
B-2: Arabic Articles
1. "Ard Arafat". Miqat al-Hajj, No. 6, year 1417 AH, pp. 189-168.
2. "Tahqiq hawla Shi'b Abi Talib". Miqat al-Hajj, year 3, No. 3, 1416 AH, pp. 199-168.
3. "Ta'mir al-Ka'bah wa Marasimah: I'adah Bina' al-Ka'bah Sannah 1039 H.Q min Kitab Mir'at al-Haramayn". Ayyub Sabri Pasha, researched by Sayyid Ali Qazi Askar, Miqat al-Hajj, No. 7, year 1418 AH, pp. 172-142.
4. "Jannat al-Ma'la". Miqat al-Hajj, No. 4, 1416 AH, pp. 192-180.
5. "al-Hajj wa Aba'duhu al-Tarbawiyyah wa al-Ijtima'iyyah". Miqat al-Hajj, No. 34, Rajab - Dhul-Hijjah 1431 AH, pp. 47-30.
6. "Mushakil al-Hujjaj". Miqat al-Hajj, No. 17, Muharram - Jumada al-Akhirah 1423 AH, pp. 278-234.
7. "Makkah al-Mukarramah wa al-Hajj... Khasa'is wa Barakat". Miqat al-Hajj, No. 35, Muharram Jumada al-Thaniyah 1432 AH, pp. 40-21.
8. "Makkah al-Mukarramah, 'Asimah al-Thaqafah al-Islamiyyah". Miqat al-Hajj, No. 21, Muharram - Jumada al-Thaniyah 1425 AH, pp. 78-59.
9. "Min Rihlat al-Hajj al-Iraniyyah (1)/ Rihlat Rajul min al-Balat al-Qajari". Miqat al-Hajj, No. 9, year 1419 AH, pp. 168-142.
10. "Yawm al-Hajj al-Akbar". Miqat al-Hajj, No. 1, 1415 AH, pp. 186-169.
C. Journal Management:
1. Managing Director of Hajj and Ziyarat Research Journal. Owner: Office of the Supreme Leader's Representative in Hajj and Ziyarat Affairs.
2. Managing Director of Farhang Ziyarat. Owner: Office of the Supreme Leader's Representative in Hajj and Ziyarat Affairs.
3. Managing Director of Miqat Hajj. Owner: Office of the Supreme Leader's Representative in Hajj and Ziyarat Affairs.
4. Managing Director of Miqat al-Hajj. Owner: Office of the Supreme Leader's Representative in Hajj and Ziyarat Affairs.
5. Chairman of the Editorial Board of Ulum al-Hadith. Managing Director: Muhammad Muhammadi Reyshahri.
Ijazas:
1. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Imam Khomeini (RA)
2. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Golpayegani (RA)
3. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Araki (RA)
4. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Khamenei—may his blessings endure—
5. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Behjat (RA)
6. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Sistani—may his blessings endure—
7. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Fazil Lankarani (RA)
8. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Makarem Shirazi—may his blessings endure—
9. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Haj Shaykh Javad Tabrizi (RA)
10. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Safi Golpayegani (RA)
11. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Shabiri Zanjani—may his blessings endure—
12. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Nouri Hamadani—may his blessings endure—
13. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Javadi Amoli—may his blessings endure—
14. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Madani Tabrizi (RA)
15. Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Mr. Ja'far Sobhani—may his blessings endure—
Permission to Narrate Hadith:
1. From Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Fazil Lankarani (RA)
2. From Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Makarem Shirazi—may his blessings endure—
3. From Hazrat Ayatollah al-Uzma Safi Golpayegani (RA)
Cultural Works Accomplished:
In the area of his responsibility in the Office of the Supreme Leader's Representative until the end, more than 1400 works; including books, quarterlies, educational pamphlets, tapes, CDs, and... in the fields of Hajj, Umrah, Atabat Aliyat, and Syria have been published.
Also, about 900 types of manuscript Qurans, printed ones related to inside and outside the country along with 40 pieces of precious carpets woven with images related to Hajj and a large number of calligraphy and painting panels... have been collected in the Hajj Museum.
Foreign Travels (Cultural - Propagational):
He, in line with cultural and propagational missions, has traveled to various countries such as:
1. Saudi Arabia, 2. United Arab Emirates, 3. Kuwait, 4. Qatar, 5. Syria, 6. Lebanon, 7. Jordan, 8. China, 9. India, 10. Pakistan, 11. Malaysia, 12. Cyprus, 13. South Africa, 14. Russia (Moscow), 15. Italy, 16. Spain, 17. Germany, 18. Iraq, 19. France, 20. Sudan, 21. Thailand, 22. Sri Lanka, 23. Maldives, 24. Indonesia, 25. Kenya, 26. Burkina Faso, 27. Ghana, 28. Senegal, 29. Kyrgyzstan, and has had scholarly cultural activities.
