Budgam’s Eminent Shia Scholar Agha Syed Baqir Al-Moosavi Passes Away at 85
Srinagar, 18-04-2025: Renowned Shia cleric, scholar, and prominent religious leader Agha Syed Mohammad Baqir Al-Moosavi of Budgam breathed his last in the early hours of Friday at the age of 85, following a brief period of illness. A towering figure in the religious and intellectual life of Kashmir’s Shia Muslim community, Agha Baqir was the most prominent member of the distinguished Aga family of Budgam and had been unwell for some time. His condition deteriorated late Thursday night, prompting his admission to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar, where he passed away peacefully early Friday morning.
According to family sources, funeral prayers will be held shortly after the Friday congregational prayers, and Agha Syed Baqir will be laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard in Budgam. His death marks the end of a significant era in Shia religious leadership in the region, leaving behind a deep void in the spiritual and scholarly circles of Jammu and Kashmir.
Agha Syed Baqir was widely respected for his profound knowledge, articulate sermons, and scholarly contributions to Islamic theology, jurisprudence, and history. He assumed leadership responsibilities within the community in 1982 following the demise of his father and spiritual guide, Agha Syed Yusuf, who had served as the family patriarch and an esteemed cleric.
Born in Budgam, Agha Baqir began his religious education at the famed Babul Ilm seminary in his hometown. Recognizing his intellectual potential early on, he pursued advanced theological studies at the illustrious Hawza Ilmiyya in Najaf, Iraq—one of the most prestigious institutions of Shia learning globally. It was here that Agha Baqir deepened his expertise in Islamic philosophy, fiqh (jurisprudence), and usul al-din (principles of religion), studying under some of the most celebrated scholars of his time.
A prolific writer and a passionate educator, Agha Baqir authored several important texts in Arabic, Persian, and Kashmiri, covering a broad spectrum of subjects including theology, ethics, history, and legal theory. His writings are regarded as intellectually rich and spiritually profound, reflecting his dedication to preserving and disseminating Islamic knowledge in a manner that is both academically rigorous and accessible to the common believer.
Beyond his scholarly work, Agha Baqir was widely admired for his humility, moral clarity, and unwavering commitment to community service. He played an instrumental role in guiding the Shia population of Kashmir, both in matters of religious practice and ethical conduct. He also served as the recognised representative of Grand Ayatollah Syed Ali Sistani in the region, a role that further established his stature within the wider Shia world.
Agha Baqir’s sermons, particularly during Muharram and other religious gatherings, were known for their depth, emotional resonance, and ability to connect classical Islamic thought with contemporary issues facing the community. He mentored a generation of scholars, clerics, and students who now carry forward his legacy of knowledge, moderation, and spiritual devotion.
His demise has been widely mourned across Kashmir and among Shia communities elsewhere. Condolences poured in from various religious, social, and political organisations, paying tribute to his immense contributions to Islamic scholarship and community leadership. With his passing, Kashmir has lost a scholar of exceptional depth, a cleric of rare eloquence, and a guide whose wisdom touched countless lives.
Agha Syed Mohammad Baqir Al-Moosavi will be remembered not only for his scholastic achievements but also for the quiet dignity and steadfast faith with which he served his people. His legacy will endure in his teachings, his writings, and the enduring respect he earned throughout his life of service and devotion.
