Dr. Ali Shariati: The Martyr of Thought
A teacher who left no wealth — only a revolution of ideas.
Dr. Ali Shariati (1933–1977) was the primary ideological architect of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, famously bridging the gap between modern anti-colonial theory and Islamic theology to mobilise a generation against the Shah.
His most profound contribution was the distinction between two opposing forms of the faith: “Red Shi’ism” and “Black Shi’ism.” Shariati argued that Red Shi’ism was the authentic faith of Imam Ali and Hussein—a revolutionary ideology dedicated to social justice, freedom, and martyrdom. In contrast, he condemned Black Shi’ism as a distorted, institutionalized religion fostered by the Safavid dynasty and the traditional clergy, which he believed focused on passive mourning rituals to keep the masses submissive to tyranny.
By urging a “return to the self” and reframing Islam as a tool for resistance rather than just worship, Shariati inspired Iran’s intelligentsia to overthrow the monarchy, though he died in exile just before the revolution succeeded.
Death and Legacy
Imprisonment and Exile: Due to his popularity and anti-regime rhetoric, he was imprisoned by the Shah’s security forces (SAVAK) for 18 months. He was eventually released but remained under house arrest until he was allowed to leave for England in 1977.
Mysterious Death: On June 19, 1977, just three weeks after arriving in Southampton, UK, Shariati was found dead in his apartment.
Official Cause: The British coroner ruled it a heart attack.
Public Belief: Many of his supporters believed he was assassinated by SAVAK, which fueled further anger against the Shah and contributed to the revolutionary fervor that exploded in 1979.
Dr. Ali Shariati’s Last Will
What could be the will made by a teacher who has done nothing but teaching and has saved his students and their families and who left no real estate or wealth, nor bank account? That is, in his 35th year of generous and unsparingly pay all my debts to individuals and banks from my salary (it is not clear after my death) and her own income and his unpublished articles and books and all other things that I have. Mentioning them in detail is not necessary since she knows them all.
I would like it if Ehsan [Dr. Shariati’s son] were to be brought up as a thinker, humble, full of feelings, a proud and independent individual. I am very frightened of the emptiness of nihilism or “New Wave” and the sheep selling and creduless and servant-like behaviour of …
And you my wife … what advice could I have for you, who by losing me, will not have lost anybody in your life, not my life, but in living. Particularly the way you know me and with the nickname that you call me, my disappearance would not leave a wound nor your belongings with this picture of my person. But you have strong loyalty and noble friendship toward such a person like me, a human being full of honesty, innocence and humanness.
I apologise to my friends who have been annoyed with my isolation, which itself was a result of my mental condition and fortunately my nervousness pressure. I hope they understand that this was keeping away from others. I was a home away in to myself, and the two are not identical.
My last word to the young generation to whom I am affiliated, particularly to the intellectuals among them and especially to my students. Never before the time comes do you so easily get important posts and significant status and popularity. They easily give you the degree. But how valuable that degree they get … Being human must accompany every choice of man, otherwise speaking of freedom and free will is meaningless and these terms are only for God men and nothing else.
What does “being human” mean?
Man is a being who is aware of himself and the universe and creates (himself and the world), unified with meaning and is always searching for the absolute. Seeking the absolute has known his agony, his prosperity, happiness and the daily struggle of human life has been brought before his eyes. If we consider the characteristics of man among the intricate qualities of creation, then how horrible it is to be the man in its limited life and its civilization of consumption of this world, and enjoyment easily bought, and leisurely and seeking the absolute in life and avoiding the absurdity and being oppressed by the heavy burden of his success. Today more than ever, man can turn into a ‘tool’. If you always be thoughtful, never allow the tools to change you into a tool, or make you a human instrument.