Speaking at a commemorative ceremony in the holy Iraqi city of Najaf, Komsari said Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini had established himself as an independent scholar, jurist, researcher, and teacher whose intellectual contributions and political activities extended well beyond his family ties to Imam Khomeini.
Komsari identified three major dimensions of his personality: independence in Islamic jurisprudence, comprehensive knowledge of the Islamic sciences, and commitment to social and political responsibility.
He said Seyyed Mostafa’s scholarly independence was particularly evident in his examination of his father’s theory of Khitatabāt-e Qānūniyyeh (legislative addresses), a contribution to the principles of jurisprudence.
In the third volume of his work Tahrirat fi al-Usul, Seyyed Mostafa examined the theory while acknowledging its significance and questioning the necessity of certain premises underpinning its argument.
Komsari described this approach as an example of authentic Shi’a ijtihad, emphasizing that respect for teachers and established scholarly traditions does not preclude independent analysis and constructive criticism.
He also pointed to Seyyed Mostafa’s contributions to jurisprudence, philosophy, mysticism, and Qur’anic exegesis, particularly his work Tafsir al-Qur’an al-Karim.
As an example of his interpretive approach, Komsari cited Seyyed Mostafa’s commentary on a verse in Surah al-Baqarah concerning charitable giving, saying it demonstrated a connection between personal spiritual development and social responsibility.
According to Komsari, this perspective reflects the importance of religious scholarship engaging with the practical needs of society while preserving intellectual and methodological depth.
Najaf’s role in his scholarly development
Komsari described Najaf as a major center of Seyyed Mostafa’s academic and political activities during his years in exile.
Citing an account by the late Hojatoleslam Seyyed Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour, one of Seyyed Mostafa’s students and companions, he said a group of scholars at the Najaf seminary had invited him to teach advanced courses in the principles of jurisprudence in 1967–1968.
Seyyed Mostafa accepted the invitation and continued teaching until his death, with his academic activities closely connected to the preparation of Tahrirat fi al-Usul.
Komsari said his life also illustrated the historical and intellectual ties between the seminaries of Najaf and Qom, stressing that greater scholarly exchange between the two institutions could strengthen Islamic research and help address contemporary challenges facing the Muslim world.
Political activism and historical impact
Beyond his academic contributions, Seyyed Mostafa played an active role in supporting Imam Khomeini’s movement against the Pahlavi monarchy. Following Imam Khomeini’s exile to Türkiye in 1964, Seyyed Mostafa was also arrested and exiled, later accompanying his father in Türkiye and Iraq.
In Najaf, he contributed to maintaining communications among activists and supporting the movement’s political and social activities, while continuing his teaching and research.
Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini died suddenly in Najaf on November 1, 1977, under circumstances that Komsari described as suspicious. His death was followed by commemorative gatherings across Iran that contributed to the expansion of protests against the Pahlavi regime.
Concluding his remarks, Komsari said Seyyed Mostafa should be recognized not only as the son and companion of a major revolutionary leader but also as an independent scholar whose intellectual legacy remains relevant to the future of Islamic seminaries.
He called for greater attention to scholarly independence, comprehensive religious education, and the social responsibilities of religious scholars, while emphasizing the importance of unity, awareness, and perseverance in addressing challenges facing the Islamic world.