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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Al Kafi (volume One) Commentaries of Al-kafi There are various commentaries written for the book of al-Kafi by different scholars, among which we wish to quote herebelow some famous and well known ones: ash-Shafi fi sharhƒu al-kafi, by ash-Shaykh Khalil ibn al-Ghazi al-Qazwini (1001/1595 ،X 1089/1678); The commentary of al-Mawla Sƒladru'd-Din ash-Shirazi (d.

1050/1640); published in thick volume; The commentary of al-Mawla Muhammad Sƒlalih al-Mazan-darani (d. 1081/1670); published in Tehran in twelve volumes in 1382/1962 ،X 1388/1968; Mir'at al-،¥uq.l fi sharh akhbar Al ar-Ras.l, by al-Mawla Muhammad Baqir ibn Muhammad Taqi, al-،¥Allamah al-Majlisi (1037/1628 ،X 1111/1700); published in Tehran in 1321/1903 in four thick volumes.

This book is" now under printing in Tehran, out of which eight volumes have already come out from the printing and the rest are being gradually printed. The Year of al-Kulayni's Death? According to an-Najashi, al-Kulayni (the compiler) died at Baghdad in 329/941,75 and according to at-Tint, he died in 328/940.76 But afterwards atƒz-Tƒl.si agreed with an-Najashi as recorded in his book ar-Rijal77 which he compiled later on.

Says as-Sayyid Radƒuiyu'd-D.n ibn Tƒlaw.s, "It was ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ya،¥q.b (al-Kulayn.) who was a contemporary of (all the four) representatives of Imam al-Mahd. (p.b.u.h.) namely: i) ،¥Uthman ibn Sa،¥.d al-،¥Amri; ii) Abi Ja،¥far Muhammad (son of al-،¥Amri); iii) Abi'l-Qasim Husayn ibn Rawhƒu; and iv) ،¥Ali ibn Muhƒuammad as-Samuri.،¨ as-Samuri died after the death of the compiler (al-Kulayni). He died in the month of Sha،¥ban 329 A. H. (941 A. D.) and al-Kulayni died in 328/940.

Both of them died in Baghdad.78 Ibn al-Ath.r and Ibn Hajar both agree that al-Kulayni died in 328/940.79 ash-Shaykh al-Baha'. al-،¥Amil. says in his book al-Waj.zah that al-Kulayni died in 329/941 or 330/942.80 To me, the correct date of his death is Sha،¥ban 329/941 which has also been described by an-Najashi, who was the closest to the period of al-Kulayni. Further, ash-Shaykh atƒz-Tƒz.s. and al-،¥Allamah al-Hƒmill.

have also agreed with the same date.41 These were the persons who had better knowledge of the life history of the Sh.،¥ite scholars than Ibn al-Ath.r and Ibn Hƒmajar.