Sheikh Mufid

Ostad Mousavi

In the Name of Allah

 Sheikh Mufid (Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Nu'man known as Ibn Mu'allim) was born in the year 330 A.H. and passed away in 413 A.H. During his blessed life of around 83 years, he wrote about 180 books.

 He was the first to introduce Ilm Usul (the science of basic principles) and after him Seyyed Razi and Seyyed Murtiza spread this science. During the time of Bahr ul-Ulum, this science was further spread.

 Sheikh Mufid has written amazing books. One of his books is about the Wilayat of Imam Ali (AS) on the Hadith by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH): “You are to me like Harun was to Mousa except that there is no Prophet after me.”  Another book he wrote was named after the Thaqalayn Hadith by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), which says "Verily, I am leaving behind two precious things (thaqalayn) among you: the Book of God and my kindred (itrah), my household (Ahl al-­Bayt), for indeed, the two will never separate until they come back to me by the Pond (of al-­Kawthar on the Day of Judgement)."

 One significant point in the life of Sheikh Mufid (May Allah exalt his status) was the Tawqiat (written communications) Imam Zaman (May Allah hasten his reappearance) sent to him.

 The Tawqiat (written communications) of Imam Zaman were mostly sent during the Qaibat Sughra (Minor Occultation), except for the following two people who received Tawqiat during Qaibat Kubra (Major Occultation):

 1.    Sheikh Asadullah Burujerdi (May Allah exalt his status), who was Sheikh Murtiza Ansari’s[1] master. Once when Sheikh was disturbed for some reason, our Twelfth Imam (May Allah hasten his reappearance) communicated with him through a Tawqee advising him to remain calm and not to worry and that they were indirectly protecting him.

2.    The Tawqiat sent by Hazrat Mahdi (May our lives be sacrificed for him) to Sheikh Mufid. He received three Tawqiat. In other words, Imam Zaman communicated with Sheikh Mufid three times through letters bearing his holy signature. This is documented in the book, Bahjat al-Aamaal written by the great mystic and scholar Mohammad Ali Alyari. Part of the Tawqee stated in the book Al-Ihtijaj Ala Ahl al-Lijaj says: “O my strong brother! O my powerful brother, by divine favour, may you constantly remain in the path of assisting religion.”[2]

The letter went on to say, “Mr. Mufid, practice some Taghiyeh (the dissimulation of beliefs as a precautionary measure when facing opponents) so that the ignorant are not able to recognize you. However, be aware that we will not allow them to harm your precious being in any way”.

 The foregoing was one instance of a Tawqee sent by Imam Zaman to Sheikh Mufid. However, its exact date is not known.

 Another Tawqee was sent to Sheikh Mlufid on Thrusday, 23rd Dhu al-Hijja of the year 413 A.H. which was the year Sheikh passed away. The letter said, “O you who assist the truth of our religion…”[3] It then continues to write about other issues.

 One more Tawqee was sent in Shawwal of the year 412 A.H. in which Sheikh was thus addressed: “He who is divinely inspired with the true religion”.[4]

 Hence Sheikh Mufid (May Allah exalt his position) received three Tawqiat from Imam Mahdi, the Hojjat (Proof) of God (May Allah hasten his reappearance).

 The Demise of Sheikh Mufid

 When Sheikh passed away, people saw a great Seyyed (a descendent of Prophet Mohammad) weeping beside his dead body. One of his students dreamt of Sheikh Mufid and asked him who that person was. Sheikh told his student that the person crying next to his dead body was Imam Zaman.

 He passed away in his house in Baghdad and was first buried there. After some time, his body was transferred to near the holy grave of Imam Mousa ibn Jaffar (AS). Just after he was buried, once again an honourable Seyyed appeared and wrote the following on Sheikh’s grave stone:

I do not want to hear the voice of the proclaimer announcing the death of Sheikh. The day you died was very significant for the Ahl bayt. Although your material body has been hidden in the grave, in reality all monotheism and all knowledge reside in you.[5]