His father was Nur al-Din ‘Ali...

His father was Nur al-Din ‘Ali, one of the honourable ‘ulama’ , and so also were his both grandfathers Jamal al-Din and al-Taqi, beside his great grandfather al-Shaykh Salih. Hence his family was called Silsalat al-Dhahab (Golden Chain). Further his only son al-Shaykh Yasan was one of the most eminent Imamiyyah ‘ulama’ , compiling the book al-Ma’ali [^2] m on usul al-fiqh .

Also his grandson, from his daughter, al-Sayyid Muhammad ‘Ali al-’Amili, who was one among the most reputable Shi’ah researchers. He authored the book al-Madarik on fiqh .[^3] To him belong scientific personages of great influence and role in the thought and social fields, like al-’Imam Musa al-Sadr,[^4] the President of the Supreme Shi’i Council in Lebanon, and the martyr al-Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr[^5] with his sister the martyr Aminat al-Sadr, known as Bint al-Huda.

His Birth On the thirteenth of Shawwal 911 H., at Jub’i, one of south Lebanon villages, a lightening planet has brightened from Nur al-Din ‘Ali’s house, overshadowing the world with a shining comely face, overwhelming his parents heart with warmth and hope. So they gave him the name Zayn al-Din, and after elapse of few days, the signs of smartness and genius, began to emerge as talents endowed on him. The boy grew up inside a chaste house, overfull of piety ( taqwa ), faith and modesty.

He recited the whole holy Qur’an before reaching the age of nine. His Learning Al-Shahid has betaken himself at this prime age to study the arts of Arabic literature and jurisprudence ( fiqh ). His first teacher was his father, who was among the grand ‘ulama’ of Jabal ‘Amil during his time, teaching him the books al-Mukhta’ar al-nafi’i and al-Lum’ah alDimashqiyyah .

For the latter one, al-Shahid has compiled his well-known exposition ( sharh ) under the title: al-Rawdhah al-bahiyyah , beside other various literary books. Enough be for his father to boast of, is that he has educated al-Shahid in a way that put him on the course leading to geniusness and aptitude. He continued his study till the year 925 H. when his father deceased, while his age was less than 14 years.

But the dread of this shock and bitterness of orphanhood could never curb his activity, or frustrate his enthusiastic spirit from seeking knowledge, as it was the conduct of other genius unique men, whose talents were burnished by experiences of life.