AQR hosts closing ceremony for 50th anniv. of Ayat. Milani’s passing

Closing ceremony highlights scholarly legacy and jurisprudential innovations of Ayat. Seyed Mohammad Hadi Hosseini Milani.

The congress marking the 50th anniversary of the passing of Ayat. Seyed Mohammad Hadi Hosseini Milani concluded on December 25 at Sheikh Tusi Hall of the Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi (AQR).
The ceremony was attended by Ayat. Marvi, the Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, Hoj. Ali Khayyat, Director of Khorasan seminary, and Dr. Ahad Faramarz Qaramaleki, head of the Islamic Research Foundation.
During the closing session, Hoj. Seyed Ahmad Hosseini Khorasani, member of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom, addressed the jurisprudential contributions of Ayat. Milani, particularly his role in affirming the obligation of khums during the era of occultation.
He explained: “Throughout Shia jurisprudence, up to sixteen different opinions had been expressed regarding the fate of the Imam’s share of khums, ranging from burial and safekeeping to the view of Mohaghegh Sabzevari, who argued for its suspension”.
“Ayat. Milani broke this deadlock by introducing the theory of “legal addresses” (khitabat qanuniyyah)”, Hosseini Khorasani noted.
He argued that Quranic injunctions are legislative acts by the Lawgiver, not limited to those physically present at the time of revelation. “Laws apply to all qualified individuals across time, making the obligation of khums permanent and unaffected by the Imam’s absence”.
He compared Milani’s interpretation with that of Imam Khomeini’s, who is widely credited with popularizing the theory. While Imam Khomeini’s son described it as a “heavenly spark,” Hosseini Khorasani emphasized: “Ayat. Milani had simultaneously reached the same profound understanding. Importantly, Milani’s formulation was technically precise and free from certain objections raised against other versions”.
He concluded that Ayat. Milani’s jurisprudential foundation firmly established khums as a lasting divine law, countering views that questioned its validity during the occultation.
Khums is an Islamic financial obligation meaning “one fifth” (20%) of certain types of wealth that must be paid as a religious tax.