Life and works of prominent Hadith Scholar, Allah Mohammad Baqer Majlesi

The preeminent hadith scholar, Allameh Majlesi, in the introduction to his book of hadiths, Bahar Ul-Anwar, points out three notes. Firstly, beneficial knowledge is only achieved through the study of divine revelations which are embedded in Holy Quran and hadiths. Secondly, many of Shia writings have remained out of reach and/or have been lost, which necessitates their collection; and thirdly, these writings may once again disappear in the future.

That night, moon seemed rather different. The devout Islamic scholar, Mohammad Taqi Majlesi, had once again woken up for worship of God. He looked at his child’s cradle which was located at the corner of the room. Then, he walked into the courtyard and looked at the sky. He felt strange. He approached the pond, carrying out his ablution, while lauding Prophet Mohammad and his Infallible Household (Peace be upon them).  Thereafter, he returned to his room and observed his nightly prayers. He experienced an elevated spiritual sense in that night. He describes his feelings on that particular night: “On that night, I felt that God would fulfill anything that I sought. I was pondering over what I wanted from the world and Hereafter, when I heard my son, Mohammad Baqer, weeping in his cradle. At that point I pleaded to God for the success of my child as a promoter of the divine religion of Islam, in the future.”

In this manner, Allameh Mohammad Baqer Majlesi, thanks to his father’s pure prayers to God , was destined as of his childhood to acquire Islamic teachings, while his urge for acquisition of knowledge grew day by day, transforming him into one of the major Islamic scholars. On the day of commemoration of Allameh Mohammad Baqer Majlesi, we discuss the life and works of this prominent hadith scholar.

He was born in the historical and cultural city of Isfahan in the year 1037 AH. His father, Mola Mohammad Taqi Majlesi, was a renowned Shia scholar, who maintained an elevated scientific status, in addition to being a devout and virtuous Muslim. Allameh Mohammad Baqer Majlesi was educated by his virtuous father right from the beginning of his childhood, developing an interest to learn all Islamic sciences.

The history of the family of Allameh Majlesi in the city of Isfahan dated back to a thousand years ago. He was born into a virtuous family. Many of the ancestors of this family were among the famous scientists of 10^th and 11^th Centuries. One of the main hallmarks of the members of Allameh Majlesi’s dynasty was their immense kindness and hospitality, which made them glitter and shine within the gatherings of the faithful.  

Allameh Majlesi began to learn sciences at a tender age of 4. Thanks to his high intelligence, and appropriate upbringing, he acquired sciences in the city of Isfahan. He mainly acquired Islamic sciences in Isfahan, under the authority of his father. Within a short while, he boosted his scientific knowledge such that signs of ingenuity were evident in his countenance from a very young age, and whoever met him knew that he was destined for a promising future.

Wherever he saw a hadith scholar, theologian, or scientist, he modesty boosted his knowledge by benefiting from their know-how. Thanks to his relentless efforts, he attended the classes of more than twenty-one lecturers, benefitting from their vast knowledge and profound ideas. Soon, he mastered a number of sciences and was enlisted among prominent Islamic lecturers. He prepared himself to guide people; following the footsteps of his virtuous father.

His fruitful classes drew the attention of hundreds of scholars, converging from a number of cities on the city of Isfahan, which was the then hub of Shia School of Thought. Allameh Majlesi attended the classes of Mola Abdullah’s school, and led congregational prayers. After the demise of his father, he groomed students and led congregational prayers at Isfahan’s Jam’eh Mosque. He is one of the prominent figures, who maintained a comprehensive knowledge. He was an expert in different Islamic sciences, such as exegesis of Holy Quran, science of hadith, science of Jurisprudence, principles of theology, and history. Furthermore, his mastery of sciences such as philosophy, logic, mathematics, literature, lexicography, geography, medicine, and astronomy turned him into a distinguished and unique figure. He lived in an era in which Shia Ulema were more interested in philosophy, while science of Jurisprudence and science of hadith ranked lower. Continuation of this situation threatened the state of hadiths cited from the Prophet of Islam’s Household. Furthermore, the books on Shia hadiths were destroyed due to the battles and pillages which had occurred in Iran and the restrictions which were imposed on Shias prior to the Safavid era; with the remaining hadiths being out of reach. Thus, Shias were in need of hadiths’ encyclopedia. Therefore, Allameh Mohammad Baqer Majlesi decided to collect the valuable hadiths which were cited from the Prophet of Islam, and his Infallible Household. This book of hadiths was published in a hundred volumes under the name of Bihar Al-Anwar. This is the signature book of Allameh Majlesi. This book is one of the largest and best known collections of Shia hadiths, which can be considered as a huge encyclopedia due to the diversity of its topics and discussions.

In addition to Bihar al-Anwar, Allameh Majlesi compiled more than 200 books in Farsi and Arabic languages. His books; “Bihar al-Anwar” in 110 volumes; “Miraat al-Uqoul” in 25 volumes, and “Malaf al-Ekhtiar” in 16 volumes are three of his most important works which have been penned in Arabic language.

Allameh Majlesi passed away on the 27^th of the Islamic month of Ramadan in the year 1111 AH at the age of 74. His body was laid to rest next to the Jam’eh Mosque of the city of Isfahan.

MR/MG