Radhīuddīn Hasan son of Fazl Tabresī

 Birth

Radhīuddīn Hasan, son of Fazl Tabresī is one of Ulamā (scholars) of the Sixth century Hejira.

 Personality

His name and fame were known far and wide. He was an upright scholar who had reached the zenith of perfection in the path toward Allah, and gained high degrees of science and virtue. He wrote valuable books by means of which he could disseminate a small portion of the abundant knowledge of the Prophet of Islam (S.A.) and Ahl-ul-Bayt(A.S.) throughout the world.

Family

Tabresī’s family members are ranged among the great Ulamā of Shi’a sect. They are so famous in the Islamic world and their books are so reliable that ‘Allāmah Majlesī’ at the opening of his book ‘Bihār-ul-Anwār’ has acknowledged: “The books written by Tabresī family are like sun at the middle of sky and do not need any interpretations  or explanation.”

His Father

His father, Fazl, son of Hasan Tabresī known as Amīn-ul-Islām, was the author of valuable books such as: ‘Maj’ma-ul-Bayān’. ‘Maj’ma-ul-Bayān’ is an exegesis on the Holy Qur’ān, which every exegete has to study it as a requisite of his work. In addition to his exegesis, he has left behind many other valuable books.

He had such mastery in each scientific field that whenever he entered a scientific discussion, no one could avoid praising him.

His tomb is located in the vicinity of the holy shrine of Imām Redhā (A.S.), a pilgrimage center for the people affectionate towards Wilāyat’ and ‘Imāmat’ (Imām Alī and his 11 infallible successor Imams A.S.)

His Son

Abulfazl, Alī son of Hasan Tabresī was his son, and the grandson of Amīn-ul-Islām. He followed his father and grandfather in various scientific and virtuous aspects, and reached the highest degrees. 

He was a great author in the history of Shi’a, who has written precious books such as: ‘Mishkāt-ul-Anwār’, ‘Nasr-ul-La’ālī’ and several other books.

His Teachers and Pupils

Unfortunately there is not enough information available about his teachers and pupils. The only person who can be considered as his teacher is his father Amīn-ul-Islām, who was both his teacher and the one who permitted him to narrate.

Among his pupils, some have pointed out his son Alī son of Hasan Tabresī, who managed his father’s affairs after his death and completed his unfinished books.

Compilations

The most important thing indicating utmost grace, excellence, and science of late Tabresī is the collection of his precious compilations. Although - due to the unpleasant events in the passage of time - only a few of his compilations have reached us, those few still manifest the magnanimity of his knowledge.

Some of his compilations are as follows: 

1-     ‘Makārim-ul-Akhlāq’ which is his most important book; it has already been reprinted several times and almost ten different translations of it have been completed. It has also been abstracted and published in form of poetry. Makārim-ul-Akhlāq is a comprehensive book on Ethics. At the preface of the book, Tabresī has quoted Sermon (Khutbah) No.160 of ‘Nahj-ul-Balāghah’ in which Amīr-ul-Mu’menīn Alī (A.S.) has introduced characteristics of the Holy Prophet of Islām Muhammad (S.A.).

2-     ‘Kunūz-ul-Nijāh’ (Kaf’amī – the great Shi’a scholar - has quoted parts of it in his book ‘Misbah’)

3-     A narrative book similar to ‘Makārim-ul-Akhlāq’, which is more voluminous than ‘Makārim’; in this book Tabresī has collected some articles that are not mentioned in ‘Makārim-ul-Akhlāq’. His honorable son, Alī son of Hasan Tabresī, at the preface of Mishkāt-ul-Anwār, states: “After compiling the book ‘Makārim-ul-Akhlāq’ which was welcomed by everyone, my father began to prepare a book in which he collected the rest of unrighteous etiquettes, decent qualities and morals. He gathered many of narrations (Riwāyat) in this regard but his life was over and could not finish it. After a while some of our companions and faithful friends asked me to complete and publish it. I did so and named the book Mishkāt-ul-Anwār Fi Ghurar-ul-Akhbār”. In fact this book belongs to ‘Radhīuddīn Hasan son of Fazl Tabresī’, after whose death his son completed and published it.

Death

After a life entirely dedicated to the school of Ahl-ul-Bayt (A.S.), Radhīuddīn Hasan son of Fazl Tabresī died in Sabzevār. Some estimated his death in 548 Hejira, though this seems to be a date related to his father Amīn-ul-Islām Tabresī.

His pure body was carried to holy city of Mashhad and buried in the vicinity of the holy shrine of Imām Redhā (A.S.).