Nasser Makarem Shirazi was born on March 22, 1926, in the city of Shiraz, a historic center of culture, literature, and religious learning in Iran. He was born into a family with strong religious and commercial roots. His father, Ali Mohammad, was a well-known merchant, respected for his integrity and religious inclination. His grandfather, Mohammad Karim, and great-grandfather, Mohammad Baqir, were also figures of social standing who combined trade with visible religious commitment, including the wearing of clerical attire and regular participation in congregational prayers.
Makarem Shirazi has often spoken about the influence of his father on his intellectual and spiritual development. He recalls that his father had a deep love for the Quran and encouraged him from an early age to read and understand its verses. During his elementary school years, his father would ask him to read selected Quranic verses and their translations aloud at night, fostering both familiarity with the sacred text and an appreciation for its meanings. This early exposure played a significant role in shaping his future path.
He completed his elementary and secondary education in Shiraz. At the age of fourteen, driven by personal interest and family encouragement, he formally entered religious studies, marking the beginning of his lifelong engagement with Islamic scholarship.
