Thus though we have a long list of scholars and...

Thus though we have a long list of scholars and intellectuals but none was ever given the appellation of Shaykh-ut-Taifa. It is astonishing that from the aspect of his age he is described as a young man while on the basis of his accomplishments he is given the title usually reserved for those senior in age. The fact is that he was unique in having expertise in all fields since his youth.

He wrote books on various branches of jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence, exegesis, traditions, science of narrators; scholastic theology, history and Arabic literature. Among the four canonical books of Shias two are written by Shaykh Tusi: Tahzib and Istibsar . The other two books are Al-Kafi of Muhammad ibn Yaqub Kulayni and Man La Yahzarul Faqih of Shaykh Sadooq. After the passing away of his teacher, for twenty years, Shaykh Tusi studied under Sayyid Murtada Alamul Huda.

After him, he took over the responsibility of imparting knowledge to the Shia world and administration of their religious affairs. In 468 A.H. communal riots erupted in Baghdad . Shaykh Tusi left Baghdad and settled in Najaf al-Ashraf. During that time Najaf was not even worth calling a hamlet. However, gradually it became a center of Shia learning and people flocked from all over the world to obtain religious instruction.

Shaykh Tusi also is considered the founder of the first religious college in Najaf al-Ashraf. Back Index Next Previous…