The full name of Muhaddith Noori (r.a.) was Hajj Shaykh Husayn Mirza, son of Mirza Muhammad at-Taqi son of Mirza ‘Ali Muhammad’s son of Taqi Noori Tabarsi. He was born on 18th Shawwal 1254 A.H. in the village of “Yalu” in the province of Noor, Tabaristan. He passed away on the 26th or 27th of Jamadi al-Thani, 1320 (A.H.) and was buried in the sanctuary of His Eminence, Amir al Mu’minin (‘a) in the courtyard of the third Hall.

Brief Life History

At the age of 8 years, he lost his father, Mirza Muhammad at-Taqi and after that the great jurisprudent of that time, Mawla Muhammad ‘Ali Mahallati took him under his care.

From the life history of Muhaddith Noori, it seems that he migrated from one place to another many a times. Thus, his first migration after the demise of his father was to Tehran. He joined the classes of the great scholar, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahim Burujardi and later became his son-in-law.

He visited Najaf al-Ashraf in 1273 A.H. along with his teacher and got the honour of Ziyarah of Hazrat Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a). His teacher returned to Iran, but he remained there for about four years. Then he returned to Iran and after some time, went to Iraq again, where he joined the classes of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Husayn Tehrani, who was famous as ‘Shaykh al-‘Iraqayn’. He lived with him in Karbala for some time to serve in the field of religion and knowledge. Then he left for Kadhimayn and lived there for two years and in the year 1281 A.H. traveled for Hajj.

After returning from Hajj, he went to Najaf al-Ashraf and attended the lectures of Shaykh Ansari (r.a.) for a few months, till the latter’s demise in 1281 A.H.

In 1284 A.H. he again returned to Iran and went for the Ziyarah of Imam ar-Ridha’ (‘a).

Within two years again he returned to Iraq in the year 1286 A.H. This was the same year that his teacher Shaykh ‘Abd al Husayn Tehrani (Shaykh al-‘Iraqayn) expired. He was his first teacher, who permitted him to narrate traditions (احاديث).

In 1286 A.H. he performed the Hajj a second time, after which he attended the lectures of Mirza Buzurg Shirazi for many years in Najaf al-Ashraf.

As late Mirza Shirazi migrated to Samarra in the year 1291 A.H., Muhaddith Noori Also, joined him along with his family and children. He became so close to his teacher that he discharged most of his important responsibilities. He replied to his letters and even the letter about the Tobacco Ban addressed to Shaheed Shaykh Fadlullah Noori and other scholars was written by Muhaddith Noori on behalf of Mirza Buzurg Shirazi to gather support for Fatwa on the Tobacco Ban.

He used to serve as the deputy of Mirza Shirazi, who hosted scholars when they attended the mourning ceremonies of the Holy Imams (‘a) in Samarra.

After his third Hajj in 1297 A.H., he went for the Ziyarah of Imam ar-Ridha’ (‘a). He traveled again in 1299 A.H. for Hajj and returned to Samarra and lived there with his teacher, Mirza Buzurg Shirazi till his demise in 1312 A.H.

Muhaddith Noori left Samarra in 1314 A.H. and again returned to Najaf and remained there till his last.

The well-known scholar of bibliography, Shaykh Agha Buzurg Tehrani, wrote about the personality of Muhaddith Noori:

“Shaykh Noori was a rare model of the pious ancestors (السلف الصالح). He was distinguished by a unique genius. He was one of the remarkable signs of God, embellished with marvelous God-gifted traits and abilities. He was worthy to be counted among vanguard of Shi’a scholars who devoted their lives to the service of religion.1”

Agha Buzurg Tehrani Also, writes: “He was the author of the greatest documents that will remain till resurrection day. Why it should not be such when he was a specialist of expertise and a subtle observer in the science of narrators (علم الرجال) and the science of traditions (احاديث)?”2

Ayatullah Sayyid Muhsin Amin Amuli (r.a.), author of A’yan al-Sh’ia wrote about late Muhaddith Noori: “He was a researcher/scholar, who separated the pure from the impure”3.

Shaykh Agha Buzurg Tehrani Also, said: “When I write this name - Mirza Husayn Noori - my pen trembles and 55 years after his passing away the same awe rules.4”

Also, Agha Buzurg Tehrani in praising the personality of Muhaddith Noori, says: The first time I met this great man was in 1313 A.H., a year after the demise of Mirza Buzurg Shirazi and it was my first year in Iraq and that same year Nasiruddin Shah expired.

I first met him on my Ziyarah to Samarra, when I went to his place and found him on the pulpit reciting Majlis Aza of Imam Husayn (‘a). After the Majlis, people dispersed and that moment great awe of him entered my heart.

When Muhaddith Noori migrated to Najaf in the year 1314 A.H., I joined him like a shadow and remained with him till his death. During this period, I noticed some strange things in him, some of which I shall mention.

A Disciplined Life

Muhaddith Noori fixed every hour of his precious life for some special activity and he did not violate it.

His writing time was after ‘al-’Asr Prayer till sunset and his studying time was after ‘Isha Prayer till going to bed. He never slept without ablution and only slept for a short period of time and woke up two hours before dawn. He always performed ablution with Kur Water. One hour before morning prayer, he went to the Holy Sanctuary and whether it was summer or winter he stood behind the Bab al-Qibla and recited the Tahajjud prayer till the shrine opened.

Muhaddith Noori was the first visitor to the shrine every day. He lit the lamps of the shrine and then stood to the head side, busy in Ziyarah and Tahajjud till the time of morning prayer; then recited morning prayer in congregation with the great scholars; then remained engrossed in post-prayer litanies till sunrise. Then he went to his library consisting of thousands of precious books and rare literary works.

In the morning, persons like Allamah ‘Ali Ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi and Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi helped him in proof reading and collecting books of traditions and other books. If anybody came to meet him during this period, either they called him later or attended to him briefly, so that it may not disturb their scholarly preoccupations.

During his last days, when Muhaddith Noori was busy in completing the book of Mustadrak, he left social life completely and even if anybody asked him to explain a tradition, he replied in brief or gave him the related book, so that it may not be an obstacle in his academic activities.

Before Zuhr, he ate a little and took a short nap and then prayed the Zuhr Prayer at the earliest hour.

On the Friday, his routine was changed and after returning from the sacred shrine, he became engrossed in studying the books. After sunrise, he left the library and went for the Majlis of Imam Husayn (‘a), in which he narrated the afflictions of Imam Husayn (‘a) and tears flowed from his face. After that he performed other recommended acts of Friday, like trimming hair, cutting nails, Friday bath and Nawafil Prayers of Friday.

At the time of ‘al-’Asr on Friday, he did not write as usual, but performed the Ziyarah at the shrine of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) and this routine continued till he passed away.

Walking To Karbala From Najaf

The best tradition started during his time was going on foot to Karbala al-Mu’alla and it continued till the time of Shaykh Ansari (r.a.).

After the demise of Shaykh Ansari (r.a.), a time came that going on foot to Karbala was regarded as a sign of poverty. Muhaddith Noori (r.a.) took note of this and revived the custom. He walked to Karbala with his companions, especially on the occasion of Eid of sacrifice, but as he was unwell and it was not possible for him to cover that distance in one day (as per the custom), he completed it in three days.

The following year, inclination of people increased and it was no more considered insulting to walk in such a way. On some years, thirty tents were pitched at the roadside, each accommodating 20 to 30 people.

In the last year of the life of Muhaddith Noori, Nawruz, Friday and Eid Qurban occurred on the same day and that same year a huge crowed was present in Mecca during Hajj, when an epidemic struck Mecca and many people perished.

Cause Of Death

Shaykh Agha Buzurg Tehrani says: I went with him to Karbala on foot in his last year and on his return from Karbala, as against his usual habit of returning by a vehicle, he returned on foot to Najaf. This was due to a vow made by Mirza Muhammad al-Mahdi Ibn al-Mawla Muhammad S’alihi al-Mazandarani that he would return on foot to Najaf, and he requested the Shaykh to accompany him. In the return journey, the Shaykh died of a disease. His friend brought some food which was infected due to heat and whosoever ate it suffered vomiting and dysentery.

Muhaddith Noori withheld himself from vomiting, so that fear would not overwhelm the friends and thus, that infected food remained in his system. As soon he reached Najaf, he became serious and after a severe fever, passed away on Wednesday, 27th Jamadi al-Thani, 1320 A.H. and as per his will, was buried in the third veranda from the Bab al-Qiblah in the courtyard of the shrine of Imam ‘Ali (‘a).

Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi said on the demise of Muhaddith Noori: It can be said that my life after the death of my teacher, is like the life of a fish on dry land and on the ice in summer…His life had all the blessings of God and was saturated with hidden graces of Allah and what grace will be greater than that the beloved teacher left behind him a number of excellent books?5

Teachers Of Muhaddith Noori

He had many teachers, most famous of them being:

1. Shaykh ‘Abd al-Husayn Tehrani, well-known as Shaykh al-‘Iraqayn.

2. Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahim al-Burujardi, father-in-law of Muhaddith Noori. When he migrated to Tehran, he joined the classes of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahim.

3. Shaykh ‘Ali al-Kh’alili.

4. Shaykh Mulla ‘Ali Kani Tehrani.

5. Fath ‘Ali Sultanabadi.

6. Mirza Sayyid Muhammad Hasan Shirazi.

7. Shaykh Muhammad ‘Ali Mahallati.

8. Shaykh Murtaza Ansari.

9. Sayyid al-Mahdi Qazwini.

It is important to note that from the above, Mirza Muhammad Hasan Shirazi, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahim Burujardi and ‘Abd al-Husayn Tehrani had the greatest impact on the intellectual life of Muhaddith Noori.

Students Of Muhaddith Noori

He trained a large number of students; some very famous ones are:

1. Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi

Most of the time he was in the office of Muhaddith Noori, busy in copying and comparing the writings of Shaykh. The well-known books of Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi are: Mafatih al-Jinan مفاتيح الجنان Nafs al-Mahmum fi Maqtal al-Madhlum نفس المهموم في مقتل المظلوم Waqi’ al-Ayyam واقع الايام and al-Kuna wa al-Alqabالكنى والالقاب, etc6.

2. Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Famous As Shaykh Agha Buzurg Tehrani

Agha Buzurg Tehrani met Muhaddith Noori for first time after the demise of Mirza Shirazi in 1313 A.H. This great student of Muhaddith Noori, like his teacher, spent a major part of his life in writing books the most famous being al-Dhari’ah الذريعة, Tabaqat A’lam al-Shi’a طبقات آعلام الشيعة, Musaffa al-Maqal fi Musannifi ‘Ilm al-Rijal مصفى المقال في مصنفي علم الرجال preface to al-Dhari’ah), etc.

3. Shaykh Muhammad Husayn Kashif Al-Ghita

He was Also, a well-known student of Muhaddith Noori and author of the Kashf al-Ghita. Shaykh Muhammad Husayn Also, wrote many other books and among them Sharh ‘Urwah al-Wuthqa شرح عروة الوثقى, Nuzhah al-Thamar نزهة الثمر al-Muraja’at al-Rayhaniyah المراجعات الريحانية etc. are famous.

4. Sayyid ‘Abd Al-Husayn Al-Sharaf Al-Din

Sayyid ‘Abd al-Husayn was among those whom Muhaddith Noori had given permission to narrate traditions. Sayyid ‘Abd al-Husayn, like his other students, composed many works, the most famous among them being: Al-Muraja’at المراجعات, al-Fusul al-Muhimma الفصول المهمة, al-Nusus al-Jaliya fi al-Imamah النصوص الجلية في الامامة, etc.7

Writings Of Muhaddith Noori

Academic struggles of Muhaddith Noori in his life are very important. His views and ideas can be found in his books. He has left many books behind him. Some of them are as under:

1. Al-Badr al-Mash’asha fi Dhurriyah Musa al-Mabraqa البدر المشعشع في ذرية موسى المبرقع

This book was completed in Rabi’ al-Awwal 1308 A.H. and lithographed the same year in Mumbai. This book consists of the history of the life and migration of Abi Ja’far Musa Mabraqa, son of Imam Abu Ja’far Muhammad al-Taqi, from Kufa to Qum8.

2. Tahiyah al-Za’ir تحية الزائر

This was the last book written by Muhaddith Noori and he expired before its completion. Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi completed it9.

3. Ajwibah al-Masa’il أجوبة المسائل.10

4. Akhbar Hifdh al-Qur’an أخبار حفظ القرآن.11

5. Al-Arba’uniyat الأربعونيات.12

6. Translation of vol.2 of Dar al-Salam دار السلام13.

7. Jannah al-Ma’wa fi man faza bi liqa’al-Hujjah fi Ghaybah al-kubra جنة المأوى في من فاز بلقاء الحجة في الغيبة الكبرى.

In this book, he has narrated 95 incidents and he completed it in 1302 A.H. and the book in your hands, Al-Najm al-Thaqib is Also, the completion of this same book.

8. Al-Hawashi ‘ala Rijal Abi ‘Ali الحواشي على رجال أبي علي.

9. Dar al-Salam fi ma yata’llaq bi al-ru’yah wa al-manam دار السلام في ما يتعلق بالرؤية و المنام. Completed in 1292 A.H.

10. Diwan Ash’ar ديوان اشعار.

In this book, he has compiled Qasidas on the birth of the Holy Imams (‘a) and in praise of Imam Zaman and Samarra.

11. Risalah fi Tarjumah al-Mawla Abi al-Hasan al-Sharif al-‘Amili al-Futuni, 1276 A.H.

رسالة في ترجمة المولى أبي الحسن الشريف العاملي الفتوني.

12. Salamah al-Mirsad سلامة المرصاد. He wrote this book in Persian for Mashhadi Abbas ‘Ali Khayyam Tabrizi in 1317 and printed in the same year. This book consists of Ziyarah al-‘Ashura Ghayr Ma’rufah and A’mal Masjid al-Kufa.

13. Shakhah Tuba شاخة طوبى

This book is Also, in Persian and it consists of the A’mal of happy occasions.

14. Al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyah al-Rabi’ah الصحيفة السجادية الرابعة

77 supplications other than those in the Al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyah 1, 2, and 3.

15. Dhulumat al-Hawiya fi Mathalib Mu’awiya ظلمات الهاوية في مثالب معاوية. Containing stories in Persian and Arabic.

16. Fasl al-Kitab fi Mas’ala Tahrif al-Kitab فصل الخطاب في مسألة تحريف الكتاب. On the issue of the distortion of the Qur’an. Completed on 28 Jamadi al-Thani, 1292 A.H. (This book was disputed by scholars and its replies were written by Muhaddith Noori in other books).

17. Risalah fi Radd Ba’dh al-Shubhat ‘ala Fasl al-KhiTab رسالة في رد بعض الشبهات على فصل الخطاب. Reply to Kashf al-Irtiyab ‘an tahrif al-Kitab by Shaykh Mahmud Tehrani.

18. Al-Faydh al-Qudsi fi Ahwal al-‘Allamah al-Majlisi الفيض القدسي في أحوال العلامة المجلسي. Completed in 1302 A.H. and now printed in Vol. 105 of Bihar al-Anwar, printed by Maktabah al-Islamiyah.

19. Kashf al-Astar ‘an Wajh al-Gha’ib ‘an al-Absar كشف الأستار عن وجه الغائب عن الأبصار. Reply to Qasida al-Baghdadi, a denial of belief of al-Mahdi (‘aj). He wrote this book after al-Najm al-Thaqib.

20. Kalimah at-Tayyibah كلمة الطيب. In Persian; based on traditions and moral stories. Completed in 1301 A.H. Printed in Mumbai in 1352 in 616 pages. This book emphasizes propagation of religion and respect of scholars and believers etc.

21. Mustadrak al-Wasa’il مستدرك الوسائل. Agha Buzurg Tehrani said that this is a book for which Allamah al-Majlisi and Hurr al-‘Amili could not get the Tawfiq for writing, but Allah blessed Muhaddith Noori to write such a book. It is obligatory to be studied by all Mujtahids to derive Islamic laws14.

22. Mawaqi’ al-Nujum مواقع النجوم. Containing license of scholars from Muhaddith Noori up to the time of the occultation (ghaybah). This was the first book of Muhaddith Noori, written in Rajab, 1275 A.H.

23. Mawalid al-A’immahمواليد الأئمة Research on the birth dates of Imams (‘a) as per traditions.

24. Mustadrak Mazar al-Bihar مستدرك مزار البحار. Muhaddith Noori could not complete this book due to his death.

25. Mizan al-Sama’ fi Ta’yin Mawlid Khatim al-Anbiya’ ميزان السماء في تعيين مولد خاتم الأنبياء. Muhaddith Noori proved in this book that the Prophet (S) was born on 17th Rabi’ al-Awwal. He completed this book on 13th Rabi al-Thani 1299 A.H. and it was printed the same year.

26. Nafs al-Rahman fi Fadha’il Sayyidina Salman نفس الرحمان في فضائل سيدنا سلمان.

27. Ma’alim al-‘Abr fi Istidrak al-Sabi’ ‘Ashr معالم العبر في استدراك السابع عشر.

28. Lu’lu’ wa al-Marjan لؤلؤ و المرجان در شرط بله آول و دوم روضه خوان.

29. List of books in the library of the author.

30. Sahifa ‘Alawiya al-Thaniya الصحيفة العلوية الثانية. Consisting of 103 supplications of Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a). The author regarded it as the completion of first Sahifah ‘Alawiya.

Ashfaque Mortazavi,

3rd Jamadi al-Thani, 1434, 14th April 2013.

Ayyame Fatimiyah

• 1. Nuqaba’ al-Bashar, vol.2, p.545.
• 2. Nuqaba’ al-Bashar, vol.2, p.555.
• 3. A’yan al-Shi’a, vol.6, p.143.
• 4. Mustadrak al-Wasa’il wa Mustanbat al-Masa’il, vol.1, p.41, footnote 1.
• 5. Fawa’id al-Radhawiyah, pp.150-151.
• 6. Nuqaba’ al-Bashar, vol.2, pp. 998 to 1001.
• 7. Rayhana al-Adab, v. 3, p.194; Ma’arif al-Rijal, vol.2, pp.51-53.
• 8. Nuqaba’ al-Bashar, vol.2, p.552; al-Dhari’ah, vol.3, p.68.
• 9. Nuqaba’ al-Bashar, vol.2, p.552.
• 10. Nuqaba’ al-Bashar, vol.2, p.554.
• 11. Nuqaba’ al-Bashar, vol.2, p.554.
• 12. Al-Dhari’ah, vol.1, p.436, no.2208.
• 13. Al-Fawa’id al-Radhawiyah, p.151; Nuqaba’ al-Bashar, vol.2, p.554.
• 14. Al-Dhari’ah, vol.2, pp.110-11.