Mirza Taqi al-Shirazi

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Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Muhammad-Taqi al-Shirazi, also known as al-Mirza al-Thani (the second Mirza), was a senior Shia jurist and religious leader in Iraq who played a key role in the Iraqi revolt of 1920. He was born in 1840 in Shiraz, Persia, and died on August 28, 1920, in Karbala. He is buried in the Imam Husayn Shrine courtyard.

Early life and education
- Born to Muhib Ali Shirazi; his uncle was the Iranian poet Mirza Habibullah Shirazi.
- Moved to Karbala in 1854 to study Islam, studying with scholars such as Zayn al-Abideen al-Mazandarani, Ali Taqi al-Tabatabaei, and Fadhil al-Ardakani.
- Earned ijazas (licenses) from notable teachers, including Mirza Husayn al-Khalili and Mirza Hasan Khan al-Shirazi.

Career in Samarra
- Later moved to Samarra with his mentor Mirza Shirazi to help establish the city as a center of Shiite scholarship.
- Taught and lectured at the Samarra seminary, and after Mirza Shirazi’s death, he led the seminary there.
- He was based in Samarra for many years, roughly from the late 19th century until 1916.

Later life and death
- In 1916, due to deteriorating conditions in Samarra, he moved first to Kadhimiya and then to Karbala, where he lived until his death.
- Published many works under the pen name Gulshan.
- He had several children: Muhammad Riza, Abdul Hussein, and Muhammad Hasan; his nephew was Mirza Mahdi al-Shirazi.

Legacy
- He is remembered as a prominent religious and political figure who helped lead opposition in Iraq during his time, including the Iraqi revolt of 1920.