With additions, from a biography in Persian written by a student of the Sheikh. (The student mentioned that many events, teachers or people associated with the Sheikh, and many accomplishments of the Sheikh had to be omitted due to security reasons)
Mamousta (Shaykh) Kaveh Vaisi (Khaled Mansour Balaghi) was born on the 16th of September 1984 in Sanandaj, northwest Iran. He was born into a religious and respected family, and had three brothers and three sisters. He was well-loved and renowned for his wisdom and good manners.
Each year, from June until October, his family would travel to rural areas for agricultural labour, returning to Sanandaj every November. From the age of 6, Kaveh would learn the Qur'aan in Masjid Jibreel in the small town of Kani Kozaleh, Sanandaj. As a child, he would insist on praying the five daily prayers in congregation, and he would always be eager to seek knowledge, despite the lack of religious material translated into Persian at that time.
At the age of 15 he began studying Arabic under Mamousta (sheikh) Abdul Hameed, a pious and compassionate teacher, who Kaveh would be eager to discuss and learn matters of religious sciences from. He began memorizing and learning the tafseer (explanation) of the Qur'aan, and he would attend classes in Aqeedah (belief) at night. Over the next few years he studied Aqeedah, grammar, tazkiyyah, Fiqh, history and politics.
Shirk and grave worship was becoming widespread in Sanandaj, and from the age of 17 Mamousta Kaveh felt it was of the utmost importance to study the sciences of Shariah in depth. His teacher, Shaykh Abdul Hameed, moved to the city of Javanroud, to set up an establishment to teach the sciences of Shariah. In 2003, at the age of 19, Sheikh Kaveh made hijrah (traveled) to Javanroud for the purpose of seeking knowledge. He began an in-depth study of the books of aqeedah, manhaj, fiqh, grammar, and politics.
Each year, from June until October, his family would travel to rural areas for agricultural labour, returning to Sanandaj every November. From the age of 6, Kaveh would learn the Qur'aan in Masjid Jibreel in the small town of Kani Kozaleh, Sanandaj. As a child, he would insist on praying the five daily prayers in congregation, and he would always be eager to seek knowledge, despite the lack of religious material translated into Persian at that time.
At the age of 15 he began studying Arabic under Mamousta (sheikh) Abdul Hameed, a pious and compassionate teacher, who Kaveh would be eager to discuss and learn matters of religious sciences from. He began memorizing and learning the tafseer (explanation) of the Qur'aan, and he would attend classes in Aqeedah (belief) at night. Over the next few years he studied Aqeedah, grammar, tazkiyyah, Fiqh, history and politics.
Shirk and grave worship was becoming widespread in Sanandaj, and from the age of 17 Mamousta Kaveh felt it was of the utmost importance to study the sciences of Shariah in depth. His teacher, Shaykh Abdul Hameed, moved to the city of Javanroud, to set up an establishment to teach the sciences of Shariah. In 2003, at the age of 19, Sheikh Kaveh made hijrah (traveled) to Javanroud for the purpose of seeking knowledge. He began an in-depth study of the books of aqeedah, manhaj, fiqh, grammar, and politics.
In the Summer of 2005, Sheikh Kaveh traveled to the town of Baneh, close to Sanandaj, to further his studies. In the winter of the same year, he traveled to Bander Jask, where he spent several years engaged in studying the books of hadeeth (Sahih al Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan an Nisai, Sunan Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah). Additionally, he studied books such as Sharh Muslim by Imam Nawawi, Fath al Bari by Ibn Hajar al Asqalani, and others.
Sheikh Kaveh returned to Sanandaj in 2008, and began earnestly spreading tawheed (monotheism) and the teachings of Ahlus Sunnah. Problems were common, and he began arguing against the shirk, polytheism and ignorance that was becoming widespread. He called people to return to following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and called them to stop worshiping graves. He started many activities and classes for the people, and he taught them various religious matters and books on aqeedah, tafseer and hadeeth.
It is believed the Iranian regime began to see him as a threat the more he spoke against them. He spoke out against the shi'a akhond (clergy), who would openly defame the honor of the Mother of the Believers, Aisha (ra), and the Sahaba (ra) in the media and in public. Such attacks on Sunni beliefs are widespread in Iran, and Sheikh Kaveh spoke openly in defence of Sunni Islam.
He also spoke out against the Iranian regime's persecution of Sunnis, especially of Kurdish and Balochi Sunnis, who face a double burden of oppression due to being both an ethnic and a religious minority. They face arbitrary detention, with high numbers imprisoned, tortured or executed. The publication of Sunni materials is restricted and Sunni beliefs are banned from being taught at public schools, even in Sunni-majority areas. He highlighted these social problems and openly opposed the regime's stance.
Sheikh Kaveh returned to Sanandaj in 2008, and began earnestly spreading tawheed (monotheism) and the teachings of Ahlus Sunnah. Problems were common, and he began arguing against the shirk, polytheism and ignorance that was becoming widespread. He called people to return to following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and called them to stop worshiping graves. He started many activities and classes for the people, and he taught them various religious matters and books on aqeedah, tafseer and hadeeth.
It is believed the Iranian regime began to see him as a threat the more he spoke against them. He spoke out against the shi'a akhond (clergy), who would openly defame the honor of the Mother of the Believers, Aisha (ra), and the Sahaba (ra) in the media and in public. Such attacks on Sunni beliefs are widespread in Iran, and Sheikh Kaveh spoke openly in defence of Sunni Islam.
He also spoke out against the Iranian regime's persecution of Sunnis, especially of Kurdish and Balochi Sunnis, who face a double burden of oppression due to being both an ethnic and a religious minority. They face arbitrary detention, with high numbers imprisoned, tortured or executed. The publication of Sunni materials is restricted and Sunni beliefs are banned from being taught at public schools, even in Sunni-majority areas. He highlighted these social problems and openly opposed the regime's stance.
Sheikh Kaveh continued to speak out against the regime's oppression of the Sunnis until his arrest on June 11th, 2009. He was detained in Sanandaj Intelligence prison for 2 and a half years (30 months). He was tortured both physically and mentally. In January 2011, he was transferred to Evin prison, northwest Tehran, where he was held for 10 days, until being moved to Rajai Shahr prison, Karaj.
Rajai Shahr prison, also known as Gohardasht prison, is notorious for its high levels of torture, rape and murder. Sheikh Kaveh was imprisoned in Hall 10, ward four. This section is located on the third floor of the prison, and it holds Sunni political prisoners in segregation from the rest of the prison. The hall is known as the 'hall of Ahlus Sunnah', because it holds around 130 Sunni shuyookh, teachers and students of knowledge.
Despite the harsh conditions and dangers faced by the Sheikh, he did not stop teaching, even whilst in prison. The ward became a center of learning for the prisoners, and Sheikh Kaveh taught them knowledge of aqeedah, fiqh, hadeeth, usool al fiqh, usool al tafsir and more.
There are differing reports as to the exact date of his court sentencing, but sources say it was during the spring of 2012. Kaveh Vaisi was sentenced to death after being falsely accused of 'Moharebeh' (enmity against God) and 'acting against national security'. He was sentenced by Judge Mohammad Moghisseh in Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary court. Judge Moghisseh was named by the council of the European Union in 2011 as being an individual subject to Sanctions for human rights violations.
Despite the threat of execution, Sheikh Kaveh remained patient and steadfast. On the 29th of September, 2013, armed riot police were deployed to transfer Sheikh Kaveh and another man from Rajai Shahr prison to Ghezel Hesar prison. It was feared the two men would be executed upon transfer. Fellow prisoners crowded around the two men, refusing to allow the authorities to reach them. Standing up to the authorities, especially in a system where secret executions are commonplace, could prove to be fatal, yet the prisoners ignored all threats. They remained standing for three hours, highlighting the deep love and affection the men held towards their Sheikh. Sheikh Kaveh insisted on surrendering to avoid bloodshed. He and Mokhtar Rahimi, the second prisoner, were taken to an unknown location.
There has been no news about their condition or location since they were removed from their cells. Their families are growing increasingly worried about them. We ask all readers to keep the brothers in your du'a and to raise awareness about their situation.
Rajai Shahr prison, also known as Gohardasht prison, is notorious for its high levels of torture, rape and murder. Sheikh Kaveh was imprisoned in Hall 10, ward four. This section is located on the third floor of the prison, and it holds Sunni political prisoners in segregation from the rest of the prison. The hall is known as the 'hall of Ahlus Sunnah', because it holds around 130 Sunni shuyookh, teachers and students of knowledge.
Despite the harsh conditions and dangers faced by the Sheikh, he did not stop teaching, even whilst in prison. The ward became a center of learning for the prisoners, and Sheikh Kaveh taught them knowledge of aqeedah, fiqh, hadeeth, usool al fiqh, usool al tafsir and more.
There are differing reports as to the exact date of his court sentencing, but sources say it was during the spring of 2012. Kaveh Vaisi was sentenced to death after being falsely accused of 'Moharebeh' (enmity against God) and 'acting against national security'. He was sentenced by Judge Mohammad Moghisseh in Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary court. Judge Moghisseh was named by the council of the European Union in 2011 as being an individual subject to Sanctions for human rights violations.
Despite the threat of execution, Sheikh Kaveh remained patient and steadfast. On the 29th of September, 2013, armed riot police were deployed to transfer Sheikh Kaveh and another man from Rajai Shahr prison to Ghezel Hesar prison. It was feared the two men would be executed upon transfer. Fellow prisoners crowded around the two men, refusing to allow the authorities to reach them. Standing up to the authorities, especially in a system where secret executions are commonplace, could prove to be fatal, yet the prisoners ignored all threats. They remained standing for three hours, highlighting the deep love and affection the men held towards their Sheikh. Sheikh Kaveh insisted on surrendering to avoid bloodshed. He and Mokhtar Rahimi, the second prisoner, were taken to an unknown location.
There has been no news about their condition or location since they were removed from their cells. Their families are growing increasingly worried about them. We ask all readers to keep the brothers in your du'a and to raise awareness about their situation.