Abd al-Husayn Amini, known as Allama Amini the author of the well-known book al-Gadir, was a Shia jurist (faqih), hadith scholar, theologian, historian, codicologist and one of the great Shia scholars in the 14th/20th century. Besides writing numerous important scholarly works, he also established in the city of Najaf the Amir al-Mu’minin Library, which includes 70,000 manuscripts.

Migration to Najaf

Amini migrated at the age of 22 from Tabriz to Najaf and took part in the classes of prominent scholars, such as Sayyid Muhammad Firuzabadi and Sayyid Abuturab Khwansari.

License for Ijtihad and Riwaya

Amini got the permission for ijtihad from some marjas like Abu l-Hasan Na’ini, Muhammad Husayn Gharawi Isfahani and Shaykh Abd al-Karim Ha’iri Yazdi. Regarding the death date of these marjas (between the years 1355/1936 to 1364/1945), one can see that Allama Amini has gotten the permission for ijtihad and hadith transmission, prior to the age of 35. Having gained this permission (for ijtihad and hadith transmission) he returned to Tabriz, but after a short while he went back to Najaf again.

Moral Traits

Some of the students and relatives of Allama Amini have numerated his moral traits as follows:

Piety: according to Muhammad Rida Hakimi, Amini was so passionate in performing prayers and religious rituals and mustahab (recommended) prayers and reciting the Quran. He would even perform night prayers and the dawn prayers, would recite a complete juz’ of the Quran, along with reflecting on the meanings.

Righteousness: Although he had resided in Najaf for 40 years, he didn’t have a house of his own. Sayyid Ja’far Shahidi has regarded him as the best example for the Quranic verse: “They strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic” (5:54).

Demise

Allama Amini passed away at Friday noon on 28th Rabi’ II 1390 AH/ 3rd July 1970. Some have regarded the cause of his death at the age of 70 – despite having a robust and healthy body – due to severe study and his total dedication to writing and taking care of the library task. In his will, Amini has requested that one be chosen as his representative to go to Karbala for ten years. He has also willed that for ten years mourning ceremonies be held on the demise anniversary of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (SA).

 

Source: wikishia.net