In those same first few days...

In those same first few days, before I had participated in any study sessions, I was sitting at home and thinking about the future when suddenly somebody knocked on the door. I opened the door, and saw that it was one of the prominent scholars. I greeted him, and he entered the house. He sat in the room and wished me well. His luminous face was striking and attractive. With complete pleasantness and sincerity he sat talking and I had a chance to get to know him better.

During the conversation he recited poetry for me, and said something along the lines of: “It is beneficial for someone who comes to Najaf with the intention of studying that in addition to increasing his intellect, he does not ignore self-purification.” After telling me this he left. In that session I had become enamored with his manners and his Islamic behavior. The precise and effective words of that saintly scholar left such an effect on my heart that I realized my plan for the future.

During the time when I was in Najaf, I never left the presence of that pious scholar, participating in his classes of Akhlāq and benefiting from his company. That great intellectual was none other than Ayatullah Hājj Sayyid Mīrzā Alī Aghā Qādhī – may God be pleased with him. ‘Allāmah Tabātabā’ī Story n. 3 (Narrated by ‘Allāmah) …One day I was standing in the madrasa when suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard this sentence: “O son!

If you want this world then pray the Night Prayer ( Namaze Shab/Salatul Layl ), and if you want the Hereafter then pray the Night Prayer.” These words had such a profound effect on me that from that day onwards until I moved to Iran five years later, I spent day and night in his presence. Not for a moment did I withhold from being in his blessed presence, and we kept in touch at all times until the end of his life. Throughout this time he used to give me prescribed instructions ( dastūrat ).

He was none other than the late Ayatullah Hājj Sayyid Mīrzā Alī Aghā Qādhī Tabrīzī. ‘Allāmah Tabātabā’ī Story n. 4 ‘Allāmah Tabātabā’ī was so devoted to this teacher of his (Ayatullah Sayyid Qādhī) that when a friend offered him a bottle of perfume out of sincerity and affection, he replied: “From the time of the death of the late Qādhī to this day, I haven’t worn perfume and haven’t felt like making myself sweet-smelling”. Story n.