Background
Rafiyev was born in Ganja, Azerbaijan in 1888. Son of local philanthropist Haji Mammadhuseyn Rafiyev, he received his elementary education at the madrasah of Shah Abbas Mosque and then at Ganja Classic Gymnasium.
Rafiyev was born in Ganja, Azerbaijan in 1888. Son of local philanthropist Haji Mammadhuseyn Rafiyev, he received his elementary education at the madrasah of Shah Abbas Mosque and then at Ganja Classic Gymnasium.
In 1911, he graduated from the Medical Department of Kharkov State University and returned to Ganja to start his medical practice.
In 1914, in cooperation with Khudadat Rafibeyli and Hasan bey Aghayev, he co-founded the first Medical Society of Elisabethpol. After the February Revolution in Russia, he was appointed representative of Special Transcaucasian Committee in Elisabethpol (Ganja). Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established on May 28, 1918.
When its second government convened on June 17, 1918, Rafiyev was appointed a Special Minister without portfolio, in charge of Social Security and Refugee Affairs and served in the capacity until October 6, 1918.
On October 6, 1918 the government of Alternative Dispute Resolution moved to Baku and conducted administrative reforms. He was then appointed Minister of Social Security and Religious Affairs.
He served held the office until December 7, 1918. When the fifth coalition government led by Nasib Yusifbeyli formed on December 24, 1919, Rafiyev was appointed Minister of Healthcare and Social Security.
After takeover of Azerbaijan by Bolsheviks on April 28, 1920 Rafiyev immigrated to Tabriz where he started a clinic and worked as a doctor until his death in 1938.
On December 7, 1918 he was elected member of National Assembly of Azerbaijan from Musavat faction.