ALLAMAH MUHAMMAD BAQIR MAJLISI (R.A.)

Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (r.a.) was born in Isphahan, Iran in the year 1037 AH. His father was Muhammad Taqi Majlisi (r.a.).His entire family, including two brothers and the sisters, were enlightened ones.

Ahmad Khurasani was a friend of Muhammad Taqi Majlisi, his father. One night Ahmad Khurasani dreamed that he entered a house and saw the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), Imam Ali (a.s.) and imam-e-Zamana sitting when Taqi Majlisi entered the room holding a bottle of rose water. He sprinkled it on the sacred gathering and returned in the adjoining room. When he returned, he was carrying a baby in his arms. He sat in front of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and said: “O Prophet of Allah, please pray for this child that he propagates Faith among people.” He prayed and gave the baby to Imam Ali to do the same. Imam Ali (a.s.) prayed and gave the baby to Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.), who after praying gave the baby to Ahmad Khurasani. He took the baby in his arms and was praying when he woke up from the dream. He travelled to Isphahan and met his friend Taqi Majlisi, who informed him about the birth of Baqir Majlisi. Taqi Majlisi was delighted to know about his friend’s dream about Baqir Majlisi.

Taqi Majlisi was also a very pious man who performed late-night prayers (Tahajjud). One night, after Tahajjud prayers he felt that whatever he wished for at that time Allah would bestow it on him. He also started pondering whether he should wish for worldly favors or for the spiritual advancements. At that moment he heard the cry of Muhammad Baqir from the cradle and he prayed: “O Allah for the sake of Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) and Ale Muhammad (a.s.) make this child the propagator of the Faith and bestow all Your blessings on him.”

Allama Majlisi started taking lessons from his father at the age of 4. At that tender age, he had a clear understanding of Allah, the Heaven and the Hell. He even started reciting Tahajjud Prayers and went to the mosque for the morning prayers. Taqi Majlisi was the first person who started the noble task of collecting the traditions of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) soon after the establishment of Safavid Dynasty in Iran. Baqir Majlisi followed into his father’s foot-steps and soon he was well known in the scholastic circles. Within a short time he acquired a very high level of learning which was evident from his brilliant and bright face. Mullah Sadra awarded him the “Ijaza” (certificate of proficiency) at the age of 14. He had received instructions from 21 mentors including Shaykh Hur al-Amili, Mullah Saleh Mazandarani etc.

In 1098 AH, he was appointed “Shaykh al Islam” Chief Religious Leader in Isphahan by Shah Sulayman Safavi. It was the highest religious and executive authority at that time. He had an opportunity to dispense justice and look after the poor populace.

In a very short time, he acquired competence in grammar, oratory, principles of Fiqh and other related disciplines. His thirst for knowledge was proverbial. In very early youth he was in the first echelon of teachers in the Seminary (Hauza-e-Ilmia). He started leading the prayers in the local mosque and after his father’s death he used to lead the prayers at Masjid-e-Jameh, Isphahan and started giving lessons to the students in the mosque. The number of disciples in the jama’at used to touch a thousand at times.

Allama Majlisi’s most important field of interest was Tradition (Hadees). He became popular by his easily understandable style in which he summarized the Islamic essential doctrines for the common man. He was a prolific writer and had written over 100 books both in Arabic and Persian.

Some of his most famous books are:

1.       Ocean of Light (Bihar ul Anwar) in 12 volumes-Life history of the Imams

2.       Reality of Certainty (Haqq ul Yaqeen)

3.       The Mirror of Intellect (Mir’at ul Uqool) a 26 volume commentary on authenticity of hadees

4.       The Shelter of the Upright People (Malazul Akhyar) a 16 volume commentary

5.       Provisions of Hereafter (Zaad ul Ma’ad)

6.       A Gift for the Pilgrims (Tuhfat ul Za’ir)

7.       Essence of Life (Aynul Hayat)

8.       Hilayatul Muttaqeen

9.       Al- Fara’edal Tarifah

10.   Hayat-ul-Quloob (Life of the hearts) 8 Volumes

Some of his disciples were:

1.       Mulla Abd Allah Ardbeli

2.       Mulla Muhammad Bin Hasan Isphahani

3.       Sayyid Niamat Allah Jaza’iri

4.       Mirza AbdAllah Effendi

5.       Mulla Muhammad Bin Yahiya Noori

He died in Isphahan in the year 1111 AH at the age of 77 years.

In the Shia world, Allama Majlisi is remembered as “Baab al Aa’Imma”

Sources Used:   Islam-Laws, WIKIPEDIA