Motahhari was born in Fariman. The year of birth is uncertain; with some sources giving 1919 and others giving it as 1920. He attended the Hawza of Qom from 1944 to 1952 and then left for capital. His grandfather was an eminent religious scholar in Sistan province and since he traveled with his family to Khorasan Province, there is little information about his origin as Sistanian. His father Shaykh Mohammad Hosseini was also an eminent figure in his village, Fariman, who was respected by the people. He was considered as one of the pupils of Akhund Khorasani and besides he was admired by Ayatollah Mara’shi Najafi.