and his excellences and meritorious traits exceed numeration...

and his excellences and meritorious traits exceed numeration and limitation beside leaving behind well-known compilations. He was a faqih (jurisprudent), a mujtahid , a grammarian, a philosopher, a mutakallim , having full command over all fields of knowledge. He was the first among the Imamiyyah to compile a book on dirayat al-hadith (acquaintance of traditions).”[^1] In his book Rawdat al-jannat , al-Sayyid al-Khunsari says in his regard: “Till the present time “1260 H.

“I have never met, among the renowned ‘ulama’ , anyone reaching his sublime status, great position, high rank, efficient comprehension, firm resolute, elegant instinct, straightforward method, discipline in acquiring knowledge, multiplicity of professors, delicate disposition, tender making, and objectivity and perfection of his compilations and works.

Rather he was characterized with the morals prescribed by Allah “the Exalted “to the extent making him occupy the second rank after the infallible ( ma’lum ).”[^2] He also was referred to by al-’Allamah al-’Amin, the author of al-Ghadir , when he said: “He was the greatest of time graces, the most profound in knowledge, the best of religion and sect, and shaykh of the reputable fuqaha’ .

Further, he contributed to significant sciences including philosophy, kalam , fiqh , u’Iul (principles), poetry, literature, natural philosophy, and mathematics. His large-scale fame and reputation can introduce him much better than all that we said, leaving no room for uttering more words in his regard, as what can be said by that who drawls with his rhetoric. Whatever is said fails short of realizing his far-reaching privileges and wide-spread renown.

Peace be upon him for the services he contributed to his ummah (nation) by his generous hands, and his propagation of beneficial sciences.”[^3] The Martyr Murtaza Mutahhari,[^4] in his book al-`Ulum al-’Islamiyyah , extolled him by saying: “Al-Shaykh Zayn al-Din, known as al-Shahid al-Thani, is counted among the greatest Shi’ah ‘ulama’ , comprehending all fields of knowledge, belonging to Jabal ‘Amil. His sixth grandfather (Salih), was a disciple under al- `Allamah al-Hilli.

He was born in 911 H., and was martyred in 966 H. He made so many trips and travels, meeting a large number of professors in Egypt, Damascus, Yijaz, Quds, Iraq, Istanbul, picking from every farm a fruit.