Shirazi was considered the leading marja' of the Shia world, especially in Persia.
This meant that he was in a position of huge influence, over the Shia community.
Two scholars were involved in bringing what was happening in Iran to Shirazi's attention, one of them sent a letter, whilst the other sent one of his students to Samarra to explain matters to Shirazi in person.

The protest started with Shirazi sending a telegram to Naser al-Din Shah on July 26, 1891, protesting the granting of the tobacco monopoly.
Shirazi was left with no reply, however, the Shah sent his ambassador in Iraq to Shirazi to try and persuade him to abandon his motive, and that the deal was beneficial to the nation.
After another attempt by Shirazi, that was also met with no response, a fatwa began to go around in Tehran, declaring that the use of tobacco to be tantamount to war against the Hidden Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi.

Some doubts arose as to whether the fatwa was genuine, however this was quickly dismissed as there was no sign of any remarks of renunciation from Shirazi, upon the circulation of the fatwa.

The case came to a close on January 26, 1892, when Naser al-Din yielded to the public pressure and cancelled the concession.
Shirazi was considered the leading marja' of the Shia world, especially in Persia. This meant that he was in a position of huge influence, over the Shia community. Two scholars were involved in bringing what was happening in Iran to Shirazi's attention, one of them sent a letter, whilst the other sent one of his students to Samarra to explain matters to Shirazi in person.
The protest started with Shirazi sending a telegram to Naser al-Din Shah on July 26, 1891, protesting the granting of the tobacco monopoly. Shirazi was left with no reply, however, the Shah sent his ambassador in Iraq to Shirazi to try and persuade him to abandon his motive, and that the deal was beneficial to the nation. After another attempt by Shirazi, that was also met with no response, a fatwa began to go around in Tehran, declaring that the use of tobacco to be tantamount to war against the Hidden Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi.
Some doubts arose as to whether the fatwa was genuine, however this was quickly dismissed as there was no sign of any remarks of renunciation from Shirazi, upon the circulation of the fatwa.
The case came to a close on January 26, 1892, when Naser al-Din yielded to the public pressure and cancelled the concession.
Mirza Shirazi