Ali Shariati: The Revolutionary Thinker Whose Ideas Changed Iran

A documentary by Al Jazeera World, explores how Shariati's bold fusion of Islamic thought and revolutionary ideals inspired a generation and shaped the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Through powerful speeches and writings, he challenged both colonial powers and religious orthodoxy, leaving a legacy that still resonates across the Muslim world.

Early Life & Foundations

Ali Shariati was born in 1933 into a devout and educated family in eastern Iran. Influenced deeply by his father's reformist Islamic teachings, he was raised to believe in an Islam based on awareness, reflection, and individual choice-not blind imitation. From an early age, he was politically active, joining the National Front and the Resistance Movement after the 1953 CIA- and UK-backed coup ousted Prime Minister Mossadegh.

Paris and Intellectual Awakening

Shariati studied in Paris in the 1960s, a time of global anti-colonial and existentialist thought. He absorbed ideas from thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre, Camus, Louis Massignon, and Marxist sociologists. These influences shaped his unique approach: blending Islamic teachings with revolutionary ideals, existential freedom, and anti-imperialist critique.

Revolutionary Vision

Shariati envisioned Islam not as a dogmatic structure, but as a liberating force for the oppressed. He sought to purify it from both colonial distortions and internal stagnation, famously stating that Islam itself must be freed from "the prison of reactionary traditions." He criticized the clerical establishment and rejected the idea of a religious elite monopolizing truth. His goal was to awaken Muslims spiritually, intellectually, and politically.

Activism and Censorship

Returning to Iran, Shariati was closely surveilled and regularly silenced by the Shah's SAVAK regime. His lectures at the Hosseinieh Ershad center in Tehran became legendary-drawing massive youth audiences. His writings and taped speeches circulated secretly, igniting a new consciousness rooted in social justice and spiritual purpose.

Despite not being affiliated with any political party, Shariati's influence threatened both the Shah's regime and parts of the conservative clergy. He was arrested, tortured, and eventually placed under house arrest. Yet his resolve and message only grew stronger.

Death and Legacy

In 1977, shortly after going into exile in the UK, Ali Shariati died under suspicious circumstances at the age of 43. Many suspect foul play involving both the Shah's secret police and reactionary clerics. His body was buried in Damascus, near the Sayyidah Zaynab mosque, and his funeral was attended by leading Palestinian and Lebanese revolutionaries.

Though silenced, Shariati's legacy fueled the ideological foundation of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. While Ayatollah Khomeini led the revolution, many of its ideas were first articulated by Shariati-especially among youth, students, and intellectuals. Ironically, after the revolution, his ideas were marginalized by the new clerical establishment.

A Living Inspiration

Ali Shariati remains one of Iran's most influential modern thinkers. He challenged both Western imperialism and internal despotism. His vision of a just, revolutionary, and spiritually awakened Islam continues to inspire reformists, thinkers, and activists across the Islamic world and beyond.

Key Themes:

• Anti-colonialism & anti-imperialism

• Critique of clerical authority and religious elitism

• Reinterpretation of Islam for social justice

• Influence of existentialist and Marxist thought

• Role in the ideological groundwork of the 1979 Iranian Revolution