Iranian thinker
Mohammad Reza Nekounam
Mohammad Reza NekounamIslamic Jurisprudence and PhilosophyIranian
Life and Thought
Mohammad-Reza Nekounam, born in 1948 in Golpayegan and died on August 7, 2024, was a jurist, instructor at the Qom Seminary, and a teacher of theoretical mysticism, Islamic philosophy, Islamic economics, and advanced jurisprudence (dars-e kharij). In addition to teaching and writing, he became known for certain critical views as well as his arrest and conviction in the Special Clerical Court.
Mohammad-Reza Nekounam was born on January 10, 1948, in Golpayegan. The son of Mohammad-Baqer and originally from Shahr-e Rey, he began his seminary studies in Tehran. He then moved to Qom to continue his education, attending the advanced jurisprudence classes (dars-e kharij) of masters such as Mohammad-Reza Golpayegani, Mirza Hashem Amoli, and Morteza Haeri.
At the Qom Seminary, Nekounam taught advanced seminary courses, theoretical mysticism, Islamic philosophy, Islamic economics, and advanced jurisprudence. Authoring religious and philosophical works and training seminary students are counted among his scholarly activities. He also identified himself as an activist before the revolution and spoke of a record of arrest by SAVAK and of missionary work in various cities.
Among his notable views were criticism of state intervention in enjoining good and forbidding evil and advocacy for dialogue in place of violence and war. In July 2024, Nekounam was hospitalized due to a broken leg and suffered a pulmonary embolism after surgery. He ultimately died of cardiac arrest on August 7, 2024.