Mohammad Baqer Majlesi, also known as “Allameh Majlesi”, was born in the city of Isfahan in 1037 (A.H.) [1616 A.D.].His father named Mohammad “Taghi Majlesi” was one of the great Islamic masters of Jurisprudence in Safavi era.

The family of Allameh Majlesi is among the most honored families of Shia during the recent centuries. There are near one hundred upright and great Islamic scholars grown in this family. His brothers and sisters also conducted valuable research and compiled precious works on Islamic sciences.

His Science

Early from the beginning Mohammad Bagher was under his father teaching and then learned various science in Isfahan religious school. Because of his bright talent, he passed various scientific and educational process and became proficient in many branches of Islamic science such as: Tafseer [exegesis of the Holy Koran], Hadith [Sayings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his infallible Household], Fiqh [Islamic Jurisprudence], Osool [Basic principles and precepts of Islam], Islamic history, Rijal [the study on the authenticity of the chain of narrators of a Hadith], philosophy, logics, mathematics, literature, terminology, geography, medicine, astronomy as well as divine sciences, etc.

Political Conditions

In 1098, Allameh Majlesi was appointed as “the Sheikh of Islam” [Chief Religious Leader] in Isfahan by Shah Suleyman Safavi. It was actually the highest religious and executive authority at that time. So Allameh Majlesi took the good opportunity to fulfill his sacred goals in various aspects such as: to act as a Judge in the grievances and trials, to manage the orphanages and attended the poor, etc.

Allameh Majlesi had a very fruitful life. In his 73-year lifetime, he wrote more than 100 books, both in Arabic and Persian languages.

Some of his works

  1. Biharul-Anwar [Oceans of Light] [in 110 volumes]: an encyclopedia of historical subjects, narrations, Hadith (Sayings of the Holy Prophet and the Ahl-ul-Bayt A.S) as well as exegesis on many of the verses of the Holy Koran.
  2. Mir’atul-Oqool [The Mirror of Intellects] [in 26 volumes]: a commentary on the famous book entitled “Al-Kafi” compiled by the Late Sheikh Kuleini.
  3. Malaazul-Akhyaar [The Shelter of the Upright People] [in 16 volumes]: a commentary on the famous book entitled “Al-Tahzeeb Al-Ahkam” compiled by the Late Sheikh Tusi.
  4. Al-Fara’ed Al-Tarifah: a commentary on “Sahifeh Al-Sajjadiyyah” [a collection of the supplications/prayers of Imam Sajjad (A.S)].
  5. A Commentary on 40 Hadiths, which is among the best works on this subject.
  6. Haqq-ul-Yaqeen [Truth of Certainty]: It is written in Persian language on “Islamic tenets and beliefs”. There are also some other books written by him on the same subject.
  7. Zaad-ul-Mo’ad [Provisions for the Hereafter] (in Persian): on the special prayers, supplications, and Ziyarats to be performed in some outstanding days of the Arabic lunar months.
  8. Tuhfatul-Za’er [A Gift for the Pilgrims] (in Persian): including Ziyarat [prayers recited during pilgrimages to the holy shrines]
  9. ‘Aynul-Hayaat [The Headspring of Life] (in Persian): consisting of preaches, sermons, and wise sayings, excerpted from the Holy Koran and narrations of the Holy Ahl-ul-Bayt (A.S), etc.

 

Source: tebyan.net