KARBALĀʾ HERITAGE Quarterly Authorized Journal Specialized in Karbalāʾ Heritage

Since the city of Karbala attracts millions of visitors, including a large group of young people from all neighbouring countries, heading to visit Abu Abdullah Al-Hussein and his brother Al-Abbas, peace be upon them both, students from different nationalities such as India, Pakistan, Iran, Jabal Amel, Azerbaijan and other parts of the world went to study in its scientific Seminary. They left great traces and contributed to intellectual and religious activities. At the forefront were the scholars of Jabal Amel, who were distinguished by their wide knowledge of different cultures and interaction with societies of multiple religions.
This research gives a clear picture of the role of international scholars and the benefit of the Karbala Hawza and their effective and influential position in Arab culture and the intellectual cross-fertilization between them and their peers from other students, which made them the focus of attention of researchers and scholars in different periods of time. This cross-pollination generated an intellectual activity that aroused the interest of the students, so they went to the city of Karbala from their country to benefit and benefit the children of their generation, and this had a great impact in developing the cultural and scientific renaissance, to serve our Arab and Islamic heritage, excavating its treasures and analyzing its contents for benefit from it now and in the future.

The scholarly efforts of Sheikh Al-Kaf’ami (d. 905 AH) in Al-Maqam Al-Asna are connected to a series of works and interpretations that focused on the study and classification of the Beautiful Names of Allah (Asma’ Allah Al-Husna). This research presents a comparative study of Al-Kaf’ami’s writings in his book Al-Maqam Al-Asna against the works of his predecessors, particularly Al-Zajjaj (d. 311 AH) and his student Al-Zajjaji (d. 340 AH).
The study is framed within the contextual aspects derived from the instances of these names’ mention in the Quran, with a focus on the Names of Allah mentioned in verse 23 of Surah Al-Hashr:
"He is Allah, there is no deity except Him, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Granter of Security, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him." (Surah Al-Hashr, 23)

This study examines a scholarly and religious figure from Karbala, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Khatib Al-Jashaami, one of the most prominent jurists in the religious seminary (hawza). He had a significant religious, scientific, and social influence, in addition to his political stances. Sheikh Al-Khatib established a school known as "Al-Khatib School," which graduated religious scholars, preachers, writers, teachers, and missionaries. He also founded a library and authored several books on jurisprudence and linguistics. Moreover, he held noteworthy political positions regarding events of his time, which played a pivotal role in the modern history of Iraq, most notably during the May Movement and his support for the Palestinian cause.
This research represents an attempt to conduct a comprehensive study of this figure, consisting of an introduction, four sections, and a conclusion.
Keywords: Karbala Seminary, Al-Khatib School, Muhammad Al-Khatib Al-Jashaami.

Among the foundational works on the evaluation of narrators (rijal) that have reached us through successive centuries is The Men of Ahmad bin Al-Hussein bin Ubaidullah Al-Ghada’iri (may Allah have mercy on him). However, this work has been a subject of both rejection and acceptance among scholars. The objections to its credibility can be summarized into five main points:
1. First Objection:
The book's authorship has not been definitively proven, neither during the author's time nor through the currently available copies, as these were transmitted via secondary evidence rather than direct connection. The response: The book was known to scholars across different eras, including early figures such as Al-Najashi (may Allah have mercy on him), intermediate scholars such as Ibn Idris (may Allah have mercy on him), and later figures like Sayyed Ahmad bin Tawus (may Allah have mercy on him).
2. Second Objection:
It is certain that the existing version of the book does not belong to Ibn Al-Ghada’iri and was fabricated either by opponents of the sect or by negligent members of the Shia community. This view was attributed to Aqa Bozorg Tehrani (may Allah have mercy on him). The response: Several arguments refute this claim, including evidence that this attribution to Aqa Bozorg Tehrani was falsely inserted by his sons, Ali Naqli and Ahmad Al-Manzawi, rather than being his own statement.
3. Third Objection:
Even if the book's authenticity and attribution to Ibn Al-Ghada’iri were established, his criticisms cannot be accepted due to his unknown status and the lack of evidence for his reliability among experts in critique and evaluation. The response: Numerous arguments demonstrate not only the reliability of Ibn Al-Ghada’iri but also his eminence.
4. Fourth Objection:
Even if the book's authenticity and the author’s reliability were accepted, his criticisms cannot be taken seriously due to his flawed methodology, which includes hasty judgments against reliable narrators and unwarranted criticism of esteemed figures without due consideration. The response: Several arguments validate his methodology in critique and evaluation.
5. Fifth Objection:
Even if the book's authenticity, the author’s reliability, and the soundness of his methodology were accepted, his opinions remain inadmissible because they are based on conjecture and personal reasoning rather than direct evidence or narrations. Furthermore, his reasoning is based on peculiar and incorrect principles that contradict widely accepted views. This objection applies to most of his evaluations and is ultimately deemed valid and the preferred conclusion.
Keywords: Ibn Al-Ghada’iri, The Men of Ibn Al-Ghada’iri, Foundational Works on Narrators, Critique and Evaluation, Objections to Credibility.

This research aims to achieve three main objectives:
1. Critiquing fabricated historical narratives in terms of content and substance, in contrast to authentic narratives that align with historical reality.
2. Uncovering the reasons behind the distortion or concealment of truths in historical texts, whether driven by political or sectarian motives.
3. Presenting the true account of the events of Imam Hussein’s uprising by highlighting narratives that reflect the accurate historical reality.
In light of these goals, the research is titled “A Critical Perspective on Al-Tabari’s Historical Narratives: The Uprising of Imam Hussein, Peace Be Upon Him, as a Model.” The study is divided into an introduction, two main sections, and a conclusion:
Introduction: The methodology of historical criticism, its classifications, and tools.
Section One: The impact of political rulers on historical writing and its influence on public opinion.
Section Two: A critique of Al-Tabari’s narratives regarding the events of Imam Hussein’s uprising.
Conclusion: The key findings of the study.
The research employs the methodology of historical criticism to address the posed questions, relying on transmitted evidence from prophetic traditions and historical reports as its foundation in achieving the stated objectives. This methodology will be elaborated upon in the following sections.
Keywords: Al-Tabari’s Narratives, Hussaini Uprising, Historical Criticism, Critique of Narratives.

Books on the virtues of Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) represent a genre of writing dedicated to compiling the merits and noble traits of the Prophet’s family, motivated by the abundance of Quranic and hadith texts that highlight their esteemed status as equals to the Quran. The origins of such works can be traced back to the early Islamic period. Sayyed Wali bin Ni’matullah Al-Husseini Al-Ha’eri (alive in 981 AH) is considered one of the most prominent writers of the 10th century AH who devoted considerable effort to documenting the virtues of Ahlul Bayt, producing numerous works in this field.
This study examines his contribution in one of his virtuous works, Majma’ Al-Bahrayn fi Manaqib Al-Sibtayn. The study is structured into three sections:
1. Section One: Traces the history of writing on the virtues of Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them).
2. Section Two: Explores the methodology of authorship in Majma’ Al-Bahrayn.
3. Section Three: Analyzes the characteristics of virtuous prose in the writings of Sayyed Wali bin Ni’matullah Al-Ha’eri.

Within the text of the narrative, the positive traits of characters interacting with sequential events in specific times and places emerge clearly. These positive characters possess the ability to take decisive stances in their emotions and thoughts toward others. Additionally, they vividly reflect the social, cultural, and political realities and their connection to the external dynamic environment of the character, as well as the internal purposeful environment shaped by their thoughts and emotional responses.
This dual interaction seeks to convey the meanings and intended messages of the narrative text within a structured storytelling framework, designed to evoke the feelings and emotions of the audience. This prompts the audience to respond both emotionally and intellectually, filling in the gaps of the text, interpreting its symbols, and deriving its meanings through active reading and multi-layered interpretation.

Fasting holds immense virtue in Islam, promoting spiritual growth and self-purification. The Quran equates fasting with patience (And seek help through patience and prayer) Surat Al-Baqarah (45), and numerous narrations emphasize its recommended practice and benefits. Allamah Sheikh Aqa Buzurg Tehrani explains that the poem "Manhaj al-Salamat" (The Methodology of Safety) by Sheikh al-Kaf'emi serves as a guide for recommended fasting days. The poem highlights the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) and the Imams' (peace be upon them) traditions of fasting, while also mentioning the practices of prophets like David and Jesus (peace be upon them) and Mary (peace be upon her). It emphasizes the importance of adhering to Islamic principles and maintaining physical well-being during this sacred practice.

Semantics is considered the most important linguistic topic
on which research is based. In order to uncover the meanings of
words, structures, and texts, scholars, compilers, and interpreters
follow mechanisms dictated by the nature of the texts on the
one hand, and their cultural and cognitive system on the other.
We find them probing texts, explaining, quoting, comparing,
etc., as proof of what they see as a meaning that comes to their
minds and is proven to them by evidence. They establish the
supporting evidence by assuming questions that need explanations
at one time, quotations from the speech of the pure Arabs
at another time, induction and comparison with their counterparts
at a third time, and other mechanisms. This is what we
have observed in this research through looking at the mechanisms
of semantic guidance by Sheikh al-Kafami.