The great Allamah, the late Mulla Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi (r.a.), is the author of Bihar al-Anwar; the thirteenth volume of which is devoted to the traditional reports about the twelfth Shiite Imam, Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (‘a). Allamah al-Majlisi (r.a.) was one of the most prolific writers of Shi’a Islamic books of traditions. It was the singular effort of this great scholar that Shi’a Islam was able to preserve its heritage and to popularize it among the masses, even though anti-Shi’a people tried their best to destroy the heritage of Shi’aism and consign its books to the flames, as is known to all.

Here we shall present the biography of Allamah al-Majlisi in brief and for details, one may refer to books like Mirza Husayn Noori’s Faiz al-Qudsi Fee Ahwal al-Majlisi etc. This book includes details of the ancestors, siblings, teachers and students of Allamah al-Majlisi (r.a.). It also deals with the writings of this great scholar in Arabic as well as in Persian. The same was also mentioned in the old edition of the first volume of Bihar al-Anwar.

Father - Allamah Al-Majlisi, The First

Mulla Taqi al-Majlisi, son of Maqsood ‘Ali Isfahani, famous by the title of al-Majlisi the first, was the father of Mulla Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi, the author of Bihar al-Anwar. He was one of the most prominent Shi’a scholar of the Safavid Era. His contribution to the preservation and revival of Shi’a heritage was such that every Shi’a person is indebted to him. The great jurist and famous scholar, Shaykh Hurr al-Amili says: “Mulla Muhammad at-Taqi al-Majlisi was an accomplished scholar, a great researcher, a pious worshipper, a trustworthy scholastic theologian and a jurist of his time.”

Mulla Taqi al-Majlisi was a student of Mulla Abdullah Shustari and Shaykh Bahauddin al-Amili (r.a.). He resembled his teacher in piety and worship. All his life, he was busy in practicing the best of the morals and in propagating the traditions of the house of the Prophet. He was a prolific poet, who used the nom de plume of al-Majlisi and hence this title became popular among his descendants.

He passed away in the year 1070 Hijri at the age of sixty-seven years.

Among his writings is a gloss on Man La Yahduruh al-Faqih in Arabic as well as Persian, a commentary on At-Tahdhib, commentary on Ziyarat Jamia. A gloss on Usul Al-Kafi; as well a commentary on Sahifa Kamilah of Imam as-Sajjad (‘a).

Sons Of Al-Majlisi I

According to all books, al-Majlisi, the first, had three sons: Mulla Azizullah, Mulla Abdullah and Mulla Muhammad Baqir (al-Majlisi II). He also had four daughters who were also accomplished and educated like his sons.

Allamah Al-Majlisi

The great Allamah, Mulla Muhammad Baqir Isfahani, famous as Allamah al-Majlisi and al-Majlisi II, was the third and the youngest son of Mulla Muhammad at-Taqi or al-Majlisi I. According to Mir Abd al-Husayn Khatoonabadi, al-Majlisi II was born in 1037 in Isfahan, which was a centre of Shi’a Islam at that time. However, in some other sources the year of his birth is mentioned as 1038.

Allamah al-Majlisi had a natural inclination to learning and he set upon the pursuit of knowledge since his childhood. He received his early education from his father and then from various scholars of that time, whom we shall mention below.

Allamah Al-Majlisi And The Post Of Shaykh Al-Islam

He was elevated to the post of Shaykh al-Islam by Shah Sulayman Safavi, which was the highest religious post in Iran. At that time, his age was sixty-one years and he retained that post till the end of his life. Shah Sulayman Safavi also formed endowments for the scholarly pursuits of the Allamah and for the spread of Islamic education.

Valuable Writings Of Allamah Al-Majlisi

Since Persian was language of the common people at that time, Allamah al-Majlisi wrote a large number of books in this language to popularize Shi’a Islam among the masses. His Persian books are as follows:

1- Hayat al-Qulub (3 volumes)

2- Hilyat al-Muttaqeen

3- Ain al-Hayat

4- Mushkilat al-Anwar, Mukhtasar Ain al-Hayat

5- Zaad al-Maad

6- Tohfat az- Zair

7- Haqq al-Yaqeen (his last book)

8- Jilal al-Uyun

9- Rabi al-Asabi

10- Maqabis al-Masabih

… and around forty other books.

Arabic Books Of Allamah Al-Majlisi

1- His magnum opus, the encyclopaedic Bihar al-Anwar was originally published in twenty-five volumes as follows:

Vol. 1. Book of knowledge and ignorance; excellence of knowledge and scholars and their classes.

Vol. 2. Book of monotheism, qualities of the Almighty Allah, His beautiful names.

Vol. 3. Book of Divine Justice

Vol. 4. Book of debates and discussions

Vol. 5. Life histories of the prophets

Vol. 6. Life history of the Holy Prophet (S) and an account of his ancestors

Vol. 7. Common account of the Holy Imams (‘a) and Imamate

Vol. 8. Mischiefs that occurred after the passing away of the Prophet

Vol. 9. Account of Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a)

Vol. 10. Account of Lady Fatimah, Imam Hasan and Imam al-Husayn (‘a).

Vol. 11. Account of four Imams after Imam al-Husayn (‘a): Imam Zayn Al-’Abidin, Imam Muhammad Baqir, Imam Ja’far Sadiq and Imam Musa al-Kazim (‘a)

Vol. 12. Account of four Imams before Imam al-Mahdi (‘a): that is Imam ‘Ali Ridha’, Imam Muhammad at-Taqi, Imam ‘Ali Naqi, and Imam Hasan al-’Askari (‘a).

Vol. 13. Account of Imam al-Mahdi (‘a).

Vol. 14. The earth and the heavens and their parts. Jinns, men, animals, eatables and drinks. Tibbe Ridha’ and Tibbe Nabi etc.

Vol. 15. Book of Faith and disbelief.

Vol. 16. Ethics, practice and manners

Vol. 17. Advices and wise sayings

Vol. 18. Part I- Purification, Part II - Prayers

Vol. 19. Excellence of the Holy Qur’an and rewards of its recitation etc.

Vol. 20. Zakat, Sadaqah, Khums, prayer, I’tikaf and other rituals of the year.

Vol. 21. Hajj, Umrah, description of Medina etc.

Vol. 22. Ziyarats that have been narrated from the Holy Imams (‘a).

Vol. 23. Vows and oaths.

Vol. 24. Practical laws till the Book of Diyats.

Vol. 25. Permissions and all the lists of Shaykh Muntakhabuddin Razi. Permission of various scholars like Allamah Hilli etc.

2- Mirat al-Uqool fee Sharh Akhbar Aali Rasool: Commentary of Usul Al-Kafi of Kulayni.

3- Commentary on Arbaeen

4- Commentary on At-Tahdhib by Shaykh at-Tusi

5- Commentary on Sahifa as-Sajjadiya

6- Al-Masail Hindiya - Replies to questions sent to him by his brother, Mulla Abdullah from India.

… and eight other books.

Translations Of The Various Books Of Allamah Al-Majlisi

Most of his Arabic writings have been translated into Persian and most of his Persian books have been translated into Arabic. Some of his Persian books have also been translated into Urdu and other languages.

The present translator has translated all the three volumes of Hayat al-Qulub into English.

The respected Mr. Sayyid Tahir Bilgrami has translated Ain al-Hayat into English for Ansariyan Publications.

Teachers Of Allamah Al-Majlisi

Allamah al-Majlisi obtained instruction from various teachers, the most prominent being the following:

1- His honourable father, Mulla Muhammad at-Taqi al-Majlisi (r.a.).

2- Mulla Muhammad Salih Mazandarani (d. 1081)

3- Maulavi Husayn ‘Ali, son of Mulla Abd al-Shustari

4- Mir Rafiuddin Muhammad Ibn Haider Husayni Naini (d. 1099)

5- Mir Muhammad Qasim Tabatabai

6- Muhammad Ibn Sharif Ibn Shamsuddin Isfahani

7- Shaykh Hurr al-Amili

8- Mulla Mohsin Faiz Kashani (d. 1091)

9- Sayyid ‘Ali Khan Shirazi (d. 1120)

10- Muhammad Mohsin Ibn Muhammad Momin Astarabadi etc.

Students Of Allamah Al-Majlisi

Among the most illustrious students of Allamah al-Majlisi were the following:

1- Sayyid Nimatullah Jazaeri

2- Mir Muhammad Salih Ibn Abd al-Wasay

3- Mir Muhammad Husayn Khatoonabadi…etc.

His Death

According to his grandson, Mir Muhammad Husayn Khatoonabadi, Allamah al-Majlisi passed away on 27th of Ramadhan 1110 Hijri at the age of 73 years. He was buried next to his respectable father in the Jame Masjid of Isfahan, which is since then a place of visitation for Shi’a people.