Ali Shariati Mazinani (23 November 1933 – 18 June 1977) was an Iranian revolutionist, sociologist, historian who focused on the sociology of religion. He is held as one of the most influential Iranian intellectuals of the 20th century.

Dr. Ali Shariati was born in Mazinan, a suburb of Sabzevar, Iran. He completed his elementary and high school in Mashhad. In his years at the Teacher's Training College, he came into contact with youth who were from the lower economic strata of the society and tasted the poverty and hardship that existed. After graduating from college in 1960, on a scholarship he pursued graduate studies in France. Dr. Shariati, an honor student, received his doctorate in sociology in 1964 from Sorbonne University.

As a Muslim sociologist, he sought to explain the problems of Muslim societies in the light of Islamic principles-explaining them and discussing them with his students. His lectures at Houssein-e-Ershad Religious Institute attracted not only six thousand students who registered in his summer classes. The first edition of his book ran over sixty thousand copies which were quickly sold-out. He vigorously tried to re-introduce the Quran and Islamic history to the youth so that they may find their true selves in all their human dimensions and fight all the decadent societal forces.

He underwent an eighteen month prison term under extremely harsh conditions, but later released. He remained under close surveillance by the security agents of Iran. He was not allowed to neither publish his thoughts nor contact his students. He realized that he should migrate out of the country, and migrated to England, but was martyred three weeks later on June 19, 1977 by the ubiquitous SAVAK.