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Allamah Sayed Mahdi Bahrul Uloom(r.a.)
He expired in 1212 A.H. he was buried next to the
shrine of Shaikh Tusi (r.a.).
source http://almuntazar. com/
Allah has always been more merciful to His servants.
After their creation, they were not left on their own; rather He
sent several guides for their guidance. Even today, despite the
occultation of Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.), He has ensured that
the course of guidance is not disrupted. He has made a provision to
the effect that some select persons are associated with the Holy
Imam (a..s.) who then provide the essential guidance to the people
at large. It will not be an exaggeration to state that these select
personalities can easily be regarded as Hazrat Salman (r.a.) and
Hazrat Abuzar (r.a.) of the modern world. In this period it is
through these chosen men that Allah has conveyed the knowledge of
the Holy Imams (a.s.) to the people.
Birth and early life
He was named Mahdi and his father was Sayed Murtuza
Tabatabai Burujardi (r.a.). His lineage can be traced to Ibrahim
(who was known as Tabataba), a descendant of Hasan Mussanna who was
from the progeny of Hazrat Imam Hasan Mujtaba (a.s.).
(Aa'yaanush Shia by Sayed Mohsin Ameen, Vol. 48,
pg. 164)
Allamah Sayed Bahrul Uloom was born in
Allamah received his training and education from his
father and other veteran scholars and jurists of the era. The
formative four years were spent in learning Arabic grammar Sarf-Nahv,
literature, logic, fiqh and Usool. Subsequently, Allamah attended
the discourses of Ayatullah Waheed Bahbahaani (r.a.) and Shaikh
Yusuf Bahrani (r.a.). In the next five years, Allamah managed to
make the grade for Ijtehaad.
Books and Compilations
Allamah has written innumerable books which are
replete with the gems of knowledge and wisdom. We mention some of
them here:
(Foqaha-e-Naader Shia, pg. 1295 by Abdur Rahim
Aqiqi Bakshaishi pub. by Kitab Khanae Ayatullah Mar'ashi)
The title of 'Bahrul Uloom' was a gift of Imam-e-Zamana
(a.t.f.s.)
Allamah Sayed Bahrul Uloom was a Shia scholar of
prominent repute. Allamah's contribution and service to the religion
is accepted by all. Shiaism became synonymous with his eminent
personality and spread wherever he went. All these evident and
hidden excellencies were undoubtedly due to the benign endowment of
Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) on him.
Mirza Abul Qasim Qummi (r.a.) writes that he used to
accompany Allamah to the lectures of Agha Baqir Bahbahaani (r.a.).
They both used to intensively debate and discuss the discourses of
Aghae Bahbahaani. At the time, Allamah used to be benefited by
Mirza's knowledge and perspective. Then Mirza writes that he had to
stay back in
Mirza writes, "I was stunned because I thought that
Allamah was not capable of such an indepth knowledge and
understanding. How did he manage to achieve this?"
Later, Mirza traveled to Najaf and happened to meet
Allamah. Mirza observed that the number of students who attended the
lectures of Allamah was easily over 100. During the question and
answer sessions, Mirza was further surprised to see Allamah's
command over theology and concepts, it was then that he conceded
that Allamah truly deserves the title of 'the pillar of knowledge'
and 'Bahrul Uloom' (the ocean of knowledge).
Once when Mirza got an opportunity to meet Allamah in
private, Mirza got straight to the point and told Allamah in as many
words that when they both used to attend the lectures Allamah was
not so well versed with the knowledge and he rather learnt lot of
concepts from the discussions with Mirza. Then how come he managed
to attain such prestigious position despite he being not such a
brilliant student, Mirza asked.
Allamah replied to this in an enigmatic manner,
"Mirza Abul Qasim the answer to your question is actually a secret.
And I will let you in on this secret only on one condition that you
will not disclose it to anyone in my lifetime."
When Mirza promised that he would be steadfast in
keeping the secret, then Allamah began his narration. "It happened
one fine evening in Masjid Kufa when Hazrat Wali Asr (a.t.f.s.)
embraced me."
Mirza was taken aback at the revelation. Not able to
hold back his curiosity, he asked
"How come?"
"One evening I saw my Master Hazrat Wali Asr (a.t.f.s.)
busy in prayers in Masjid-e- Kufa. I approached him and saluted him.
He replied to my salutations and asked me to come closer. I went
closer. He said come further close to me. I went closer to him. I
managed to inch nearer to him. He said come close." Allamah
continued, "I went so close to him that he embraced me and hugged me
tightly. After that whatever Allah wished it got transferred to my
heart."
The eminent scholars and researchers were pleasantly
surprised by the divinely blessed knowledge of Bahrul Uloom which
was directly bestowed on him by none other than Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana
(a.t.f.s.). Allamah stayed in Mashad for seven years. Once he
visited the martyred teacher Mirza Mahdi Isfahani (r.a.).
The eminent teacher was left speechless and
astonished with Allamah's indepth knowledge and command over the
subjects. It was then that he addressed him thus:
"Certainly thou art the ocean of knowledge".
The author of Rauzaatul Jannaat, Ayatullah al Uzma
Meer Sayed Mohammad Baqir Khwansaari (r.a.), who is enumerated among
the top scholars, writes about Allamah's title of Bahrul Uloom:
"It is sufficient for the prestige of Sayed that
none before him or after him will be honored with the title of
Bahrul Uloom."
The satisfaction of Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.)
One of the basic responsibilities of the Shias is to
earn his satisfaction. Allamah's life was the perfect embodiment of
this responsibility. A glance at the life of Allamah shows that the
cause of his elevated status was actually his persistent endeavors
to please Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) through various efforts
throughout his life which included spending money in the name of
Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.), organizing gatherings for discussions on
him, propagate his name, publishing and distribution of the books
which were written on Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.), also helping the
Sayeds and other believers. One of the ways of helping Imam-e-Zamana
(a.t.f.s.) is providing assistance and pleasant interaction with the
believers. As it is mentioned in Majmaul
"Equality of brothers is their participation and
partnership in sustenance and livelihood."
Allamah remained involved in almost all the stages of
lives of people, whether those were mundane issues or serious
matters. So much so that he was invariably helpful to everyone which
is a source of delight for Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.).
Allamah's generosity was not just limited to his friends and
associates, in fact he was also extremely compassionate and
magnanimous with the destitute and paupers. Following the example of
Imam Zainul Abedin (a.s.), Allamah used to leave home in the dead of
night with a heavy bag full of food packets and eatables on his
shoulder. Allamah distributed the food among the needy and starving,
with overwhelming grace and affection.
The stint at
As per the instructions from Hazrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.),
Allamah stayed in
According to scholars in these two years, Allamah
also stipulated the essential tenets and precepts of Hajj.
The primary reason for being the main executive of
Imam-e-Zamana's (a.t.f.s.) assignments and significant tasks was the
spiritual purity of Allamah.
Allamah Sayed Mohsin Ameen (r.a.) writes:
"During Allamah's stint at
These signs have survived even after the death of
Allamah and they immensely benefit the people. For instance Allamah
promulgated the limit for Mawaqeet and Ehraam as also rituals for
Muzdalfa. These spots were until then undiscovered, which were made
public by Allamah.
(Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) and Allamah Sayed Mahdi
Bahrul Uloom (r.a.), pg. 106 by Sayed Jaafar Rafi'ee)
Thus those Hajj rituals and obligations which we
perform today were actually facilitated by Allamah. This also
clearly indicates that in the era of the major Occultation, Imam (a.s.)
guides us in the similar manner as other Imams (a.s.) had done
during their tenure.
Some more anecdotes of meeting with Imam (a.s.)
Meeting in the Cellar
Janab Muhaddise Noori (r.a.) writes that the reliable
researcher and scholar, Sayed
"I and Allamah had left together for the Ziarat of
Saamarra. Allamah used to sleep alone in his tent, while my tent was
adjacent to his, which made it easier for me to spend days and
nights in the company of Allamah. Those were the days when people
used to gather around Allamah and spend hours with him. At times,
the discussions continued until late night.
One night as usual, there was a crowd of people
around Allamah. But it seemed that Allamah was weary of the crowd
and desired privacy. He stopped talking and the gathering dispersed,
I was the only person who remained with him.. Allamah then asked me
to leave. Although I left, I remained concerned about Allamah's
wellbeing. I could not sleep. After a while, I left my tent
surreptitiously and looked at Allamah's tent. I saw the door was
closed.. Then I peeped through ventilator, I saw the room was vacant
and the lamp was burning. Then I realized that he is not on his bed.
I entered his tent but did not find him. Then I stepped out of the
tent barefoot and began searching for him discreetly. I reached the
sacred portico of the shrine and saw that the doors of Hazrat Imam
Askari (a.s.) and Hazrat Imam Naqi's (a.s.) shrines were closed.
I returned and began looking for him in the
neighborhood of the shrine. But he was nowhere to be found. I came
back to the portico and moved towards the Cellar, where to my relief
I found that the doors were open. I began descending the stairs of
the cellar quietly. As I entered the Cellar, I heard muffled sounds
of conversation, though I could not figure out what the conversation
was about.
Even as I descended a few more stairs, when Allamah
suddenly raised his voice from the place where he was seated:
"O Sayyed Murtuza what are you doing here? Why did
you leave home?"
I was terrified to hear the rebuke of Allamah and
stood frozen where I was standing. I thought of returning before
giving a reply. On second thoughts, I decided to stay put, as I knew
that I could not hide myself when Allamah has already recognized me.
Subsequently, I apologized and came down from the
stairs. I saw Allamah was standing alone facing Qibla. There was
none else in the Cellar. It was evident that Allamah was in
conversation with our Hidden Imam (a.s.)"
(Najmus Saqib, pg. 256; Jannatul Mawa, pg. 228;
Darus Salaam of Noori, Vol. 2, pg. 211; Muntahal Aamaal, Vol. 2, pg.
475- 476)
When Allamah kissed the hands of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.)
The great scholar Akhund Mulla Zainul Abedin Salmaasi
(r.a.) who happened to be with Allamah in
"Despite being away from his city and separate from
his family, Allamah was a large hearted man. Due to his unabated
generosity and kindness, he had nothing left for himself.
Incidentally, I went to him on that day as I had nothing for the
expenses. I informed him of the situation. However, Allamah remained
unresponsive.
Allamah had a habit of going for a circumambulation (tawaf)
of Holy Kaaba every morning after which he went to his private
chambers. In the meanwhile, I used to bring the smoking pipe for him
and he partook it. Then he used to visit other rooms where students
from other sects were waiting for the lessons. Allamah used to teach
every group according to the tenets of their own sect.
The day after I sought financial help from Allamah as
per the routine, I brought the smoking pipe for him after the tawaf.
Suddenly someone knocked at the door. The knock made him extremely
restless. Allamah handed the smoking pipe back to me and said you
may leave and take this with you. After that Allamah rushed to
answer the door.
As the door opened, I saw a dignified man dressed in
Arabian attire entered and took seat in Allamah's room. While
Allamah sat near the door with utmost reverence and humility. He
also indicated to me that I should not bring the smoking pipe near
him.
They both sat for a while and conversed. The
dignified Arab rose to leave, Allamah too hurriedly stood up with
him and opened the door for him. At the door, Allamah kissed the
hands of the Arab and helped him mount his horse which was tied
outside the door. The Arab departed. Allamah returned and came to me
with a note in his hands. He instructed me to give it to the money
exchanger near the mount of Safa and tell him that the amount is
written in the note.
I carried the note to the money dealer at Safa. The
dealer saw the note, kissed it and touched it to his eyes. Turning
towards me, he asked me to get four workers. I got four porters. The
dealer looked at the men and as per their physical strength filled
French Francs (which was the local currency in those days) in the
sacks and loaded on their shoulder. Each Franc was equivalent to
five Iranian Qiraan (Qiraan was in currency before Riyal). The men
carried the sacks to my house.
One day I decided to check out the dealer. As I
reached the
(Dar Intezaare Khurshide Vilayat, pg. 147)
The mourning for Imam Husain (a.s.)
A great scholar narrated an incident thus: "In 1333 A
H when I was studying in Najaf, I traveled to
I approached the Marja and inquired, 'Do you have any
religious sanction for this action of yours?' The Marja replied:
Late Allamah Bahrul Uloom (r.a.) along with some students was
passing through Taviraj for
The students tried their best to control Allamah's
emotions but they failed in calming him down. Then they all made a
protective circle around Allamah.
After the maatam some of Allamah's close friends
asked him as to what happened that he plunged himself in
uncontrolled mourning.
Allamah replied that, "When I went close to the group
of mourners, I spotted Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) whose head was
uncovered and he was profusely crying and doing Maatam. At this I
lost control over myself and joined Imam-e-Zamana (a..t.f.s.) in
mourning and maatam on Imam Husain (a.s.)."
The demise
Allamah spent his entire life awaiting Imam-e-Zamana
(a.t.f.s.) and searching for him. He expired in 1212 A.H. As per the
will of Allamah, Mirza Mahdi Shahrastani led his funeral prayers and
he was buried next to the shrine of Shaikh Tusi (r.a.).
It is mentioned in the book Fawaaedur Rejaliyah:
"When this great scholar and jurist was being buried, those present
heard a call,
"Your grave is among those graves which carries
the knowledge of the prophets from Nuh (a.s.) till the end."
Your life was spent in the revival of Islam and with your death, knowledge and honor too died."
