The number of his teachers among Ahl al-Sunnah reached twelve...

The number of his teachers among Ahl al-Sunnah reached twelve, the fact making him an all-inclusive character, as besides fiqh and usul , he had a good command over philosophy, gnosticism, medicine and astronomy, enjoying the merits of zuhd (asceticism) and taqwa (piety). Recording his biography, some of his disciples state that he used to cut firewood at night, to provide for his family, while practising the profession of teaching in the morning.

He spent a long time at Ba’labakk, teaching the rules of the five schools of thought (Ja’fari, Yanafi, Shafi`i, Maliki, and Hanbali). Al-Shahid has left numerous works, the foremost of which being Sharh al-Lum`ah of al-Shahid al-’Awwal, beside Masalik al-’ifham which was an exposition ( sharh ) for al-Muhaqqiq al-Hilli’s al-Shara’i’i . He learnt under al-Muhaqqiq al-Karaki (before the latter’s coming to Iran), never visiting Iran.

His son was called Sahib al-Ma’alim, who was among the most renowned Shiah ‘ulama’ .[^5] Ibn al-Awdi His disciple and faithful follower, who accompanied him a long time, Ibn al-Awdi, says about him: “Of the perfection merits he attained the best and most excellent, being clothed in the best of their sorts. He had a lofty self-brightened with flanks and ribs, and splendid temper of which honour diffuses and emanates. He was the Ummah’s shaykh and youth, the origin of virtues and their end ...

no moment of his life was spent but in acquiring virtues, beside occupying himself all the time with that benefitting people day and night.[^6] Ibn al-`Awdi, who was admiring his teacher to a great extent, never forgot to demonstrate some of his features and complexion, saying: “He was a square-built man, of straight stature, and at the last days of his life he inclined toward fatness ... of a circular radiant face, a lank hair nearer to fairness.

He was of black eyes and brows, white-faced, of huge arms and legs, with fingers like silver bars, whoever looking at his face, hearing his sweet utterance would never allow himself to depart him, seeing comfort in talking to him with neglecting everything, ... all eyes be filled of his solemnity, with hearts rejoicing at his splendour.

By Allah, he is higher than all that description, having praiseworthy attributes many more than those I cited.” He goes on to say that once upon an eve, he saw him leading his donkey, that was burdened with firewood, toward his house, while getting up early in the morning, betaking himself to teach at the mosque.