Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi joined the Islamic Seminary, also known as Hawza when he was twelve years old. His excellent Hawza achievements greatly impressed his teachers. At the age of fifteen, as he continued his seminary education he also began his dawah work and soon after became recognized nationwide as a prominent speaker. He was imprisoned for a while for his lectures against political corruption during the pre-revolution era in Iran.

He was later appointed to teach Islamic ethics and values in the Navy. All officers and personnel were impressed by Imam Elahi’s openness and friendliness. During the Iran-Iraq war, he visited the front line often to encourage the soldiers to stop the aggression of Saddam Hussein. During one of these visits, he was seriously injured and was hospitalized for three months.

After five years as a spiritual leader in the Navy, he established the Cultural Research Center in Tehran. His purpose for opening the Cultural Research Center was to explain the spiritual motivations of the martyrs. The result of two years work was a collection of Ambassadors of light, also known as Safeerani-Noor in Farsi.

In 1986, he traveled to London and stayed there for one year. He studied English and the lifestyle of the Western society during his stay in London.

In 1991, he received an invitation from the World Religions Conference in San Francisco to participate in this event. During his trip, he was invited to reside permanently in the United States. In 1992, he came to Dearborn, Michigan and served as the Imam and Director of the Islamic Center. In 1995, with the support of those who were impressed with his ideas, openness and concern for the young generation, he established the Islamic House of Wisdom.

Under Imam Elahi’s leadership and courage, and with the generous support of the community and the Board of Trustees, the new facility was purchased. In 1997, the congregation obtained total occupancy of the Islamic House of Wisdom. It is presently one of the largest mosques in the United States. Imam Elahi’s credibility helped him to receive letters of support and recommendation from the greatest marjaas in the Islamic world. Imam Elahi also spent part of his life pursuing an academic education. He received his Bachelor Degree in Sociology and his Masters Degree in Social Science in Iran and the USA.