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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Faith of the Imamiyyah Shi'ah Glimpses into the Life of Shaykh al-Muzaffar His Family The family of al-Muzaffar([^1]) has been known as one of the scholarly and well-versed families of the holy city of al-Najaf since the middle of the twelfth century (AH). Some of the members of this family settled in the al-Jaza'ir Quarter in al-Basrah.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn `Abdullah, the well-versed jurisprudent and father of the author of this book, was one of the well-known scholars and religious authorities ( marji` al-taqlid ) of al-Najaf where he “grew up and, in the early years of his youth devoted himself diligently to scholarly education. He dedicated himself to worshipping and teaching (religious knowledge) until he became an expert in Muslim jurisprudence ( fiqh ) and was introduced as one of the skilled researchers in this field.

He compiled an estimable encyclopedia on jurisprudence, which comprised his explanations and commentaries on the famous book of ‘ Shara'i` al-Islam .’([^2]) In this book, which he entitled ‘ Tawdhih al-Kalam ’, Shaykh al-Muzaffar has left no single item of jurisprudence unexplained.”([^3]) His Birth Shaykh Muhammad Ridha al-Muzaffar was born on the fifteenth of Sha`ban, AH 1322, five months after his father’s demise.

Hence, Almighty Allah did not decide for this infant to see his father nor did He decide for the father to see his newborn. Shaykh `Abd al-Nabi, the elder brother who died in AH 1337, adopted him and provided him with custody and compassion that compensated for his father’s missed custody and compassion. Intellectual Growth Shaykh al-Muzaffar grew up in the religious environment of the holy city of al-Najaf and moved among its seminars, assemblies, gatherings, classes, and schools.

He attended the seminaries of high studies and was trained at the hands of major religious authorities and mentors as he grew up in the house of al-Muzaffar, which was one of the deep-rooted learned families in al-Najaf and was under the supervision and custody of his two learned brothers; Shaykh `Abd al-Nabi and Shaykh Muhammad Hasan.

Like the other religious students of al-Najaf, Shaykh al-Muzaffar began his scholarly life by attending the lectures of literature, jurisprudence, fundamentals of jurisprudence ( `Ilm al-Usul ) and intellectual sciences.