Aljanoob Heritage

Al-Hawza Al-Ilmiyya (of Najaf) was not limited to books and academic research in jurisprudence and its Usul only; rather, it extended to writing in other sciences that rely on deducing Islamic rulings, such as Hadeeth, history, biographies, sira (Prophetic biography), philosophy, wisdom, astronomy, and mathematics. Thousands of brilliant scholars, leaders of Islamic jurisprudence, and authorities in Usul (foundations of Islamic law), Hadeeth, and Tafseer (Quranic exegesis) graduated from it. During the first decades of the twentieth century, a number of scholars and jurists emerged who made active contributions, not only to the public life of the city of Najaf al-Ashraf but also to Iraq in general, as this country witnessed internal and external events that directly affected its social, economic, cultural, and political reality during those decades. Sheikh Abdul Karim Al-Jaza’airi was one of those prominent figures who played a distinctive role in the scholarly seminary in Najaf al-Ashraf and in its social life.

If history means search for truth, scrutinizing it, and clarifying what is obscure, there is no doubt that a biography, on the contrary, involves documenting the facts of a person’s life in order to uncover their latent talents, experiences, practices, behavior, and influence. It becomes even more important if this person possesses incisive intellect, is an event-maker, or has contributed to the processes of construction and development, the advancement and resurgence of thought, the revival of the scientific, cultural, and social heritage of the nation, and the betterment of society. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the city of Nasiriyah is the second Najaf, due to the large number of scholarly families associated with it and the processions of scholars who have left their mark on the pages of history. The historical memory still preserves this rich southern heritage, despite the tampering of some hands that tried to cover the sun with their flawed palm. Among these southern scholarly families is the Al-Khaqani family, specifically its illustrious branch, the family of the eminent Sheikh Abdul Mohsin Al-Khaqani, a distinguished scholar and noble jurist, and the Preservers of human wisdom.

After Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) granted us success in authenticating this brief treatise titled The Method of Precaution in Acts of Worship (Tariqat al-Ihtiyat fi al-Ibadat) by the distinguished scholar Sayyid Ni'amatullah Al-Jaza'airi (may Allah have mercy on him), we proceeded to categorize it according to its topics and issues. This was done to facilitate the noble reader’s understanding and ability to benefit from it. The text contains rulings on common issues faced by the accountable (Mukallafin), and the method of precaution regarding them, to avoid slipping into error or mistakes that would result in the corruption and invalidity of the act of worship. We divided the text by topic into issues of cleansing (Istinja’), ablution (Wudu), daily prayers, the prayer for the deceased, and others. We organized it into 65 legal issues, resembling the categorization found in the practical treatises (Risalah Amaliyah) of the notables of the Rightful Sect—such as Al-Masa\'il Al-Muntakhabah (Selected Issues) and Minhaj Al-Salihin (The Path of the Righteous)—and other works customarily authored by our scholars in later eras. Furthermore, we clarified some of the terminology and expressions contained therein. We have established the text in a manner that ensures faithfulness, objectivity, and solidity in presenting the treatise exactly as it came from its author—may Allah elevate his rank in the degrees of His Paradise.

Sheikh Mahdi Al-Sahain Al-Saaidi was born in Maysan Governorate, located in the far southeast of Iraq. He belongs to the ancient and well-known Arab tribe of Al-Sawaaid. This tribe—its men and women, young and old—was most renowned during the era of the Noble Muhammadian Prophetic Mission, when the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) migrated. The Sheikh (may God sanctify his soul) was born in Al-Halfaya, affiliated with the Amarah Brigade (province) in southern Iraq, in the year 1296 AH. In the year 1312 AH, he arrived in Najaf as a migrant, where he devoted himself to learning, studying, and reading day and night. He was a student of his most renowned scholars, namely: Sheikh Hadi bin Abbas bin Ali bin Jaafar bin Khadr Al-Janaji Al-Maliki Al-Kashif Al-Ghita’a Al-Najafi, Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali bin Muhammad Ridha bin Musa bin Jaafar bin Khadr Al-Janaji Al-Maliki Al Kashif Al-Ghita’a Al-Najafi, and Sheikh Muhammad Husein bin Ali bin Muhammad Ridha bin Musa bin Jaafar bin Khadr Al-Janaji Al-Maliki Al-Kashif Al-Ghita’a Al-Najafi. He received licenses of Al-Riwayah from two scholars: Sayyid Abu Al-Hasan Al-Isfahani and Sheikh Ali Al Kashif Al-Ghita’a. His most important works include: Al-Jamiaidi fi Al-Aqaid, Al-Aqaid Al-Islamiyyah, Anwar al-Afkar fi Aqaid al-Abrar, Dalail al-Murshidin ila Khilafat Ali Amir al-Mu\'aminin, Miraat al-Ajsam fi Ithbat al-Falak wa Harakatih wa Sa\'air al-Ajram, a poem (Manzumah) on the Principles of Religion and some rules and issues of Jurisprudence, Al-Fusal Al-Muhimmah fi Mashruaiyyat Ziyarat al-Nabi wa al-Aaimmah (peace be upon them).

In this research, I have identified the errors and mistakes that manifested in the authentication of the book Rawdhat Al-Aman in Medih Sahib Al-Zaman (may God hasten his reappearance) by Sheikh Muhammad bin Tahir al-Samawi (D. 1370 AH). Once the manuscript was obtained from Diwan Al-Samawi, which is preserved in Ameer Al-Mu’amineen General Library (PBUH) in Najaf al-Ashraf, in which the copyist included all the poems of Rawdhat Al-Aman, I compared the poems of Rawdhat Al-Aman in Diwan manuscript with the authenticated text. I have included the subjects where errors and mistakes occurred, and I have documented the discrepancies in tables (included in the research). The goal was to correct the book in light of the critical perspectives included in the research or to take these perspectives and observations into account if the book were to be re-authenticated.

This paper is devoted to studying the life of Sheikh Khidr bin Shallal Al-Afkawiy Al-Najafi, tracing his scholarly journey, which began in the Holy City of Najaf and continued until he passed away there in the year 1255 AH. Biographies (Tarajim) and the lives of prominent figures are of great importance in Islamic history. Scholars have long been attentive in writing biographical dictionaries and compilations; indeed, some even wrote their own biographies within their books so that their scholarly efforts in study, teaching, and writing would not be lost in the pages of history. Among the scholars of the virtuous predecessors (al-Salaf al-Salih)—whose efforts and struggles God blessed—was Sheikh Khidr bin Shallal Al-Afkawiy (may God have mercy on him). Sheikh Al-Afkawiy was known for asceticism (Zuhd), piety, and worship. He was among the most God-fearing people of his era, and the most prominent in righteousness, spiritual integrity, and purity of thought. There are many signs in the life of Sheikh Khidr bin Shallal. Perhaps the most noticeable was his leading of the Prayer for Rain (Salat al-Istisqa), upon which God said:
"So We opened the gates of heaven, with water pouring forth" [Al-Qamar: 11], and his role in designating the most learned jurist (Al-Alam) following the death of Sheikh Musa Kashif al-Ghita. It is notable that he did not write a biography for himself, save for what others wrote about him. As a biographer is never as knowledgeable as the subject themselves, many chapters of this esteemed Sheikh’s life remain ambiguous. It is possible, however, that he wrote something concerning his life in his manuscript works. Sheikh Khidr bin Shallal was not from a well-known scholarly family; he was likely the most prominent figure within it. Therefore, it is difficult to identify the origin of his search of knowledge: Who advised this great Sheikh to seek knowledge and enter history through its widest gates, or was the Sheikh himself a lover of knowledge since his childhood? He left behind many valuable works in Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Principles of Jurisprudence (Usul), Theology (Aqaid), Visitation holy shrines (Ziyarah), and Supplication (Dua’a), in addition to his Practical Epistle (Risalah Amaliyah). Unfortunately, only one of these great works has been published, the book Abwab al-Jinan (The Gates of Gardens). Sheikh Khidr lived through the internal conflict between the Shumurt and Zugurt factions, which he documented and recorded in his work, Al-Tuhfa Al-Gharawiyya. He also lived through external conflict, represented by the Wahhabi invasion of the Holy City of Najaf. He was among the few who remained to defend the Sanctuary of the Commander of the Faithful (Imam Ali), alongside the Sheikh of the Sect, Sheikh Ja’far Kashif al-Ghita, and Sayyid Al-Amili (the author of Miftah al-Karama). The famous phrase is attributed to him during this event: "You are the Protector of the Sanctuary, yet You [now] want a protector?" (Addressing Imam Ali).

The issue regarding the ruling on the unintentional violation of an essential element (rukn) is a jurisprudential matter contained within the Book of Prayer, specifically the chapter concerning the rules of defects in prayer. It is a subject of scholarly attention, like many similar issues. Among those who have researched this is the eminent scholar Sheikh Ali ibn Sheikh Muhammad Ali Al-Haydar (may his soul be sanctified) (D. 1314 AH), within his commentary on Sharai’a al-Islam by Al-Muhaqiq Al-Hilli (may his soul be sanctified) (D. 676 AH). In this work, he provided evidence for its ruling along with the sub-issues it entails, while addressing the opinions of other eminent scholars regarding the matter. This work reveals his scholarly status and jurisprudential expertise.

The book denotes a central pillar in reliable Islamic civilization. The everlasting constitution of Islam is centered in the holy book of this nation, the Holy Qur‘an, and the Hadiths of the Prophet of Islam and his family (PBUT) were recorded in numerous Hadith collections. The same applies to the heritage of the nation’s scholars throughout their different eras and countries. The scholars’ contribution was abundant in letters, books, and encyclopedias that filled the horizons and benefited the scientific movement. This enormous quantity of works necessitated the existence of special places; to preserve the scientific heritage, libraries emerged. Among the largest libraries in the Islamic world, particularly in the holy city of Qom, is the library of Grand Ayatollah Mar’ashi Najafi. It contains thousands of manuscripts and printed works, including Arabic manuscripts authored by prominent figures from cities in southern Iraq. We examined these manuscripts in the library,s Arabic catalogue and organized them in this research, following the same catalogue system while adhering to the research methodology. The research begins with a brief introduction to the Ma’ashi’s Library, its owner, the Arabic catalogue and its methodology, and the methodology of this research; the findings and a list of consulted sources are also appended to the introduction.