Sheikh-e Mufīd

Birth

Sheikh-e Mufīd, Muhammad, the son of Muhammad, the son of No’mān was born around the city of Baghdād in 336 Hegira.

Scientific Position

Sheikh-e Mufīd is one of the most brilliant dignitaries in the world of Islām. He is a ‘Mutakallim’ (theologian) and a ‘Faqīh’ (religious jurisprudent) as well. 

‘Ibn-e Nadīm’ in his book ‘Al-Fihrist’ – where discussing about the theologians of Shiism – commends Sheikh-e Mufīd as ‘Ibn-e Mu’allim’ (son of teacher).  Sheikh’s famous book in ‘Fiqh’ is ‘‘Al-Muqna’ah’’.

Abū Ya’lī Ja’farī  – Sheikh-e Mufīd’s son in law says: “Sheikh-e Mufīd usually had a short rest at nights, and most of the night he was engaged in prayers, recitation of the holy Qurān, and studying the books.”

Education

Sheikh-e Mufīd is one of the pupils of ‘Ibn-e Abī Aqīl’. He was born around Baghdād and completed his elementary educations in his hometown under the supervision of his own father. His family was a noble and reputable family in Shi’a sect, and his ancestors were all virtuous and righteous people. All members of his family had a hearty affectionate and cordial love towards the Ahl-ul-Bayt (the infallible household of the holy prophet of Islam S.A.). In Baghdād, Sheikh-e Mufīd acquired Islamic knowledge from the great scholars and Ulamā and gradually turned out as the eminent sage in the fields of Kalām (theology), Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and Usūl (principles of Fiqh).

According to the Shi’a & Sunnī Ulamā, Sheikh-e Mufīd has a lofty position in the world of Islām.

Sayings of the great men

1-Najāshi, the well-known pupil of Sheikh-e Mufīd and his trustworthy student, cites about him: “Muhammad the son of Muhammad the son of No’mān, is our Sheikh and mentor; may Allāh’s blessings be upon him. His supremacy in Fiqh and Hadīth (traditions) as well as his trustworthiness is famous enough and does not need to be described. He has numerous compilations.”

2-Sheikh-e Tūsī, the outstanding student of Mufīd’s school, in his book ‘Fihrist’ writes about him: “Muhammad the son of Muhammad the son of No’mān – titled as Ibn-e Mu’allim – is one of the theologians of ‘Imāmiyyeh’ or Shi’a sect. He was selected and known as the Chief Islāmic Jurisprudent at his time. In Fiqh and Kalām (theology) Sheikh-e Mufīd was the supreme sage. He had a strong memory and a keen mind. He was very quick in answering the questions. He has more than 200 volumes of books on different subjects.”

3- ‘ Ibn-e Hujr-e ‘Asqalāni ’ also says about him: “He was much pious, ascetic and humble. At night, he usually engaged himself in night prayers. He was industrious in acquisition of science and knowledge. A large number of students took advantage of his teachings. The Shi’as are indebted to him. His father lived in ‘Wāsit’ as a teacher, and was killed in ‘Akbari. It is cited that, Adhud-ud-Dawlah( one of Diālamah dynasty kings) regularly visited him; especially when Sheikh was ill.”

4- ‘Imād-e Hanbalī – one of the Sunnī Ulamā – says about him: “Sheikh-e Mufīd is the great of greats in ‘Imāmiyyeh’, and the master in Fiqh, Kalām, and ‘Mubāhithah (religious debates). He was prepared to participate in any ideological debate with followers of any other sects. He had a high position in the system of Āl-e Būyeh government. Mufīd was bound to pay alms to the poor. He was much humble, and engaged himself much in night prayers, and fasting. He was always well dressed.  Adhud-ud-Dawlah regularly visited him. He lived for nearly 76 years, and left more than 200 compilations after him. His funeral ceremony is very famous, for, more than 80,000 Shi’as took part in that ceremony which occurred in the holy month of Ramadhān. May Allah’s mercies be upon him…”.

His teachers

Some of his preceptors are as follows:

1-     Ibn-e Qūlawaih Qummī

2-     Sheikh-e Sadūq

3-     Ibn-e Walīd-e Qummī

4-      Abū Ghālib-e Zorārī

5-      Ibn-e Jonaid-e Iskāfī

6-      Abū Alī Sawlī Basrī

7-     Abū Abdillāh Safwānī

His Pupils

1-       Sayyid Murtadhā (Alam-ul-Hudā)

2-       Sayyid-e Radhī

3-       Sheikh-e Tūsī

4-        Najāshī

5-        Abul-Fat’h-e Karājakī

6-        Abū Ya’lī Ja’far Ibn-e Sālār

Compilations

According to Sheikh-e Tūsī – the prominent student of Mufīd – he has more than 200 compilations, such as:

1-       Al-Muqna’ah

2-        A l-Farāidh-ul-Shar’īyyah

3-        Ahkām-un-Nisā’

4-        l-Kalām Fī Dalā’il-ul-Qurān

5-        Wujūh-e I’jāz-il-Qurān

6-        An-Nusrah Fī Fadhl-il-Qurān

7-        Wā’il-ul-Maqālāt

8-        Naghdh-e Fadhīlat-ul-Mu’tazilah

9-        Al-Ifsāh

10-    Al-Īdhāh

Death

Sheikh-e Mufīd passed away in 413 Hegira in Baghdād after 75 years of endeavors and valuable services to Islām, and was praised both by laymen and the Islāmic Ulamā and sages.

Sheikh-e Tūsī, who has personally been present at his funeral ceremony, says: “The day of Sheikh-e Mufīd’s death has been a matchless day because of the populous and overcrowded funeral ceremony formed not only by his friends and followers, but also by the opponents and enemies who had come to pray at his body and mourn for him. Around 80,000 people joined the funeral procession, and his pupil – Sayyid Murtedhā – prayed at his body. He was then buried in the holy shrine of Imām Jawād (A.S.) near the tomb of his preceptor ‘Ibn-e Qūlawaih’.