Bihar al-Anwar Bihar al-Anwar (Seas of Light) is one of the...

Bihar al-Anwar Bihar al-Anwar (Seas of Light) is one of the significant works in Shia Islam, which is a collection of hadiths from Imams (PBUH). This encyclopedic collection of hadith (traditions of the and the Imams), compiled over several decades, is made up of 110 volumes and encompasses a wide range of topics, including theology, history, ethics, and jurisprudence.

Bihar al-Anwar aimed to gather and preserve the vast collection of Shia traditions, ensuring their accessibility for future generations [8] . The work is meticulously organized, with each volume dedicated to specific themes and subjects, making it an invaluable reference for scholars and students of Shia Islam. 2.

Mir’at al-Uqul Mir’at al-Uqul (The Mirror of the Intellects) is another major work by Majlisi, serving as a comprehensive commentary on Al-Kafi, one of the four major collections of Shia hadith. In this multi-volume commentary, al-Majlisi provides detailed explanations and analyses of the hadith, contextualizing them within the broader framework of Shia theology and jurisprudence.

Mir’at al-Uqul is highly regarded for its scholarly depth and clarity, reflecting al-Majlisi’s profound understanding of Shia traditions and his ability to elucidate complex theological concepts. 3. Hilyat al-Muttaqin Hilyat al-Muttaqin (The Ornament of the Pious) is a practical guide to Islamic ethics and manners, based on the teachings of the Prophet and the Imams.

This work is written in Persian and covers various aspects of daily life, including personal hygiene, dress, social interactions, and worship, offering guidance on how to lead a pious and virtuous life in accordance with Shia principles. According to the author’s introduction, this work was written in response to a group of believers who asked him for a Persian treatise on Islamic manners and virtues extracted from the hadith of the [9] (a).

Some other works of Allama al-Majlisi are Sharh chehel hadith, al-Fawa’id al-tarifa fi sharh al-Sahifa (which is a commentary on al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya), Risala i’tiqadat, Risala awzan, and al-Wajiza fi al-rijal [10] . Meanwhile, apart from the major works of Majlisi, he also contributed immensely to Shia theology and jurisprudence.

In the realm of theology, al-Majlisi addressed key doctrinal issues such as the nature of God, the attributes of the Imams, the concept of divine justice, and eschatology (beliefs about the afterlife).