ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Al-Muraja'at Author's Biography Only a few names of men, who were distinguished for their gifts and genius which lifted them to the highest peaks of recognition, are etched upon the horizons of our Islamic world. Such names, like bright stars, have kept glittering in the depth of the skies. As for those whose names are portrayed in every horizon of the Islamic world, these, indeed, are even fewer. They are a minority.

They are none other than those whom nature has elevated, achieving such rare genius that made them unique throughout all Islamic lands. Among such people is our master- author, may Allah rest his soul in peace. The Supreme Will has decreed to bless his knowledge and pen, producing from them the best intellectual output. I may not exaggerate if I allow my pen to record this: the master-author is advanced through what he produced to the very front row of Shi’a scholars.

The latter dedicated their entire lives to the service of their religion and school of thought. He, therefore, deservedly occupies the front seat among the Muslim world's contemporary elite. Within such a limited undertaking, I do not find myself inclined to elaborate on what Sayyid ‘Abdul­Husayn Sharafuddin had accomplished in life's spheres and undertakings. The task may have been easier had the author being discussed been someone else.

It would have been easier had the author been among those men whose lives and works were limited. But a man whose calibre is as vast as this author makes it very difficult for any writer to describe and be fair to. When the writer stands for such an undertaking, he will surely feel as though he is facing an entire generation reverberating with hues of life, overflowing from all sides and directions.

He can hardly refer each hue to its source except through research with full responsibilities of logic and knowledge. This may even be beyond the capacity of trustworthy historians to tackle. The Author’s Birth and Upbringing Sayyid ‘Abdul­Husayn Shrafuddin, may Allah expand his shade, was born in Kazimiyya (north Baghdad, Iraq) in 1290 A.H. for good parents linked to one another by kinship and united through a family­tree of good roots.

His father is noble Yousuf son of noble Jawad son of noble Isma’il. His mother is the virtuous Zahra daughter of Sayyid Hadi son of Sayyid Muhammad ‘Ali, ending in a short kinship to Sharafuddin, one of the renown dignitaries of this good family.