His Eminence

Ayatollah al-Uzma

Al-Sheikh Bashir Hussain Al-Najafi

All Praise due to Almighty Allah, The creator of universe, May peace be upon Prophet Mohammad (swa) and His Infallible progeny, May our eyes see the light and miracle appearance of His last Hujjat, The Imam Of Our Time, Imam Mahdi (aj). Ameen

A number of verses in the Holy Qur'an and in the sayings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUHF) and His holy family describe the importance, value and the effects of knowledge in social and family life of human, as Allah says in the chapter of Qur'an Al-Mujadilah, 11^th verse "Allah has raised the (meaningful and spiritual) status of those who embraced Iman (Islam) and people of knowledge".

This a bright truth that the ULAMA had given large and unbelievable sacrifices to protect the knowledge and its propagation, and for sure, Allah prays those who knowledgeable ULAMA in the Qur'an by saying, "Say (O Prophet Mohammad), are literates and illiterates equal (in any standard)? " Therefore, Only learned people are those who know the highness of Almighty Allah and they propagate Islam and teach the rules of jurisprudence of the religion of Allah, so that Allah says: "For sure, only learned people fear Allah in their worships" and this is only due the light of knowledge.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUHF) says: "This is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman to gain knowledge", again says: "For sure, Allah loves the learned people (Ulama)"

Imam Ali (a.s) says: "O you people! Gain knowledge, as the peak of the religion of Allah (Islam) is in the knowledge and its practice".

11^th Imam Hassan Al-Askari (a.s) Says, "Whoever amongst the Fuqaha' (scholars of Islamic jurisprudence) guards himself against evil, protects (and upholds) his religion, counters his base desires, and obeys the commands of his Lord, then the general public should follow (do Taqleed of) him in religious matters"

Ayatollah al-Udhma Al-Sheikh Bashir Hussain Najafi

Ayatollah al-Uzma Sheikh Bashir Hussain Najafi was born in Jalindher, a city in India in 1942, he then migrated to Islamic Republic of Pakistan after the division in 1947. He started his Islamic studies in Pakistan with memorizing the Holy Qur'an and basics of Knowledge of Arabic language and grammar known as Al-Sarf and Al-Nahaw, logic and philosophy hadees etc..  and then for higher study he moved to Najaf, The City Of Imam Ali (a.s) In Najaf, there were uncountable difficulties for Shia students, specially the students from abroad in the dark time of the rule of Wahabies, but in the Hawza of Najaf, under the management of Ayatollah Al-Uzma Al-Syed Mohsin Al-Hakeem, Ayatollah Najafi found a place and started gaining the knowledge of Ahulbait (a.s) He is among the bright students of Ayatollah Al-Khoi'e and Ayatollah Al-Syed Mohammad Al-Rohani.

He started delivering the lectures as well and it was soon after his joining the Hawza, and within the period of three years, he became the famous teacher in Hawza and was mentioned as the first teacher from the sub-continent. Then he started giving the lectures of Khaarij (Dars-e-Kharij - The Highest Stage of Hawza) in year 1974 in the time of Ayatollah Al-Uzma Syed Al-Khoi'e.

Currently, many of the Ulama, Mudariseen, and speakers are among the students of Ayatollah Bashir Al-Najafi, including the family members of many renowned Ulama and Marajieen. The leader of Pakistani Shias Syed Sajid Ali Naqavi, Late Syed Arif Hussain Al-Hussaini, Late Syed Ijaz Kazmi, Molana Syed Nabi Hassan are some of the famous students of Ayatollah Al-Najafi.

The members of the families of Grand Marajieen and scholars i.e. family of Bahar Al-Uloom, family of Kashif Al-Ghita, family of Al-Hakeem, family of Al-Khoi'e specially the sons of Ayatollah Al-Syed Al-Khoi'e, family of Khalkhali and the family of Sahib Al-Jawahir are the students of Ayatollah Al-Najafi. 

His Ijtihaad and Religious Authority

In the life of Ayatollah Al-Khoi'e, Ayatollah Al-Najafi attained a distinguished degree in Ijtihaad but in the respect of his great teacher Ayatollah Al-Khoi'e, he did not announce his Marjiyyat as Syed Al-Khoi'e was the grand Marja of that time and all matters related to Taqleed all over the world were in his hand, but Sheikh Al-Najafi was assessing him in the matter of Hawza and students.

After the death of Ayatollah Al-Khoi'e, Ayatollah Al-Najafi was the first Mujtahid to announce the Marja'iyya in Najaf, followed by other students of Ayatollah Khoi'e announced their status of Marjaiyyah. (May Allah Protect The Ulama Of Shiat)

The reputation for his expertise and excellence in Jurisprudence Of Fiqh-Al-Jafriyya and Ijtihaad such that he became renowned Marja in the elite circle of Grand Religious Authorities due to his brilliance in Usool, Fiqh, Logic, Philosophy, Piety, Nahaw and Sarf, Eloquence, righteousness, Interpretation of Qur'an, Believes, the quality of the dialogue (Manazra) and Elm Al-Rijaal (the knowledge to know the validity of Hadees) etc...

At the moment, most of the teachers in Hawza Al-Najaf are directly or indirectly students of Ayatollah Al-Uzma Bashir Najafi.

Ayatollah Al-Uzma Al-Sheikh Bashir Hussain Najafi has a genius mind and research on modern sciences and new inventions and techniques, consuming matters (to secure the Halal Value for any consuming object), hunting, profit in the banking, drafts, money exchanges, test tube babies and relevant topics.

Innovator of Hawza

In the last days of Ayatollah Al-Khoi'e, Ayatollah Bashir Najafi visited him in his house in Kufa, and he requested him to come back to Najaf as in his absence from the Hawza, the Hawza was going down with every passing moment, but Ayatollah Al-Khoi'e said "Bashir! I have given the charge of Hawza to you and Allah, now its between Hawza, you and Allah" with this statement of Al-Syed Al-Khoi'e, the charge of Hawza Al-Najaf moved towards Ayatollah Najafi and by obeying the order of his teacher, Ayatollah Najafi is running and taking all care of Hawza Al-Najaf.

After the sorrowful death of Ayatollah Al-Khoi'e, the Hawza of Najaf was totally shut for about 6 months. Ayatollah Bashir Al-Najafi tried his best to bring the Hawza back but there were no books for the students and no salary for the teachers. Ayatollah Al-Najafi then sold his personal belonging and bought a photocopy equipment and copied the books and handed to the students for free and gave salary to the teachers and opened classes of Hawza again. Meanwhile, he was trying to get a permanent source of help to run the Hawza as it was in the time of Al-Syed Al-Khoi'e, some people promised to him and with the Grace of Almighty Allah, slowly, Hawza of Najaf was full of spring of Knowledge of Ahlulbait (a.s). Until today, Ayatollah Najafi is making all his best efforts to keep the Hawza of Najaf and its values alive. This is the reason, Ayatollah Bashir Al-Najafi is called "The Greatest Innovator of Hawza"

After the Hawza was fully established again, Ayatollah Al-Najafi invited students from around the world and students from Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, United Kingdom and United States.

Rebuilding and Serving the Hawza of Najaf

In 1991, the evil rule of Saddam attacked the Hawza Al-Najaf and destroyed many hostels and Madaris that were build by renowned scholars in the past and it was necessary to rebuild those buildings and with the tiring efforts of Ayatollah Bashir Al-Najafi all those Madaris were rebuild, some of them are named as followed:

·         Jamia Al-Najaf (Madrassa Al-Kalantar)

·         Madrassa Abdul Aziz Baghdadi

·         Madrassa Mahdi (a.j)

·         Madrassa Azri

·         Madrassa Labnania

·         Madrassa Shiraziyya Buzurg

·         Madrassa Imam Ali (a.s)

·         Madrassa Afghaniya (founded by Allama Mudarris Afghani)

·         Madrassa Kazmiyya (Sadrul-Aazam)

·         Madrassa Barojardi Al-Kubra (founded by Ayatollah Barojardi)

·         Madrassa Akhond Al-Kubra (founded by Ayatollah Isfahani – sahibul Kifayah)

·         Madrassa Akhond Al-Sughra (founded by Ayatollah Isfahani – sahibul Kifayah)

·         Madrassa Imam Sadiq (a.s) (Madrassa Shubariyya)

·         Madrassa Qiwaam

·         Madrassa Hindiyya

·         Madrassa Mahdiyya Kashif Al-Ghita

·         Madrassa Kashif Al-Ghita

·         Madrassa Quzveeni

·         Madrassa Dar Al-Abrar

·         Madrassa Dar Al-Muttaqeen

·         Madrassa Hussainia Al-Shiraziyya

In the city of Najaf, the average of electricity provided to the general public is about 8 hours a day, and this condition was difficult for the students of Hawza to study. Ayatollah Bashir Hussain Al-Najafi, with the Grace of Allah, planted 6 huge electricity power generators and provided the electricity to the Madaris and the houses of neighbors of Madaris and at the moment, more than 2500 houses are being provided electricity by Ayatollah Al-Najafi.

Moral and Ethical Values

Ayatollah Al-Uzma Al-Sheikh Bashir Al-Najafi is well known for his exemplary Islamic ethics in his personal life and as well as his Marja'iyyah.

He gives time to the people for them to know Islam more and more. He says "No question should remain unanswered regardless of who has asked and what has asked" so he spends hours and hours in the groups of people and with individuals. It is noticeable to everyone that he has renounced the pleasures of life, has lives a simple life and is content with that lifestyle.  He lives a life of piety and righteousness, reliance on Allah Almighty and entrusting Him in all issues of life.  He is humble before the people and respected the young and the old.  When faced with the trials and tribulation of life, and the difficulties he comes across in conveying the message of Islam and upholding its banner, he displays immense patience and perseverance.  He loves for the sake of Allah, and serves and cares for the people.  He shows immense tolerance and turns a blind eye upon those who hurt him and cause him harm, and forgives when he is able to respond likewise.

In 1996 Ayatollah Al-Najafi was attacked with handy bombs, one bomb was planted under the cupboard of Ayatollah Al-Najafi and another bomb was thrown on him, the room was full of smoke and smell, blood and cries, Ayatollah Al-Najafi was seriously injured, one of his senior student saw Ayatollah Al-Najafi in that condition, he laid himself on the injured Ayatollah.

Ayatollah Al-Najafi was taken to the hospital and was done a surgery as the pieces of bomb were in his body, after three days, he was moved to his house back. Police arrested the bomber and the court punished him to sentence to death and the order of punishment was sent to Ayatollah Al-Najafi for confirmation and signatures (according to the rules of Iraq), but Ayatollah Al-Najafi asked his son Al-Sheikh Ali Al-Najafi to write to the court "I, Bashir Najafi, In The Name Of Allah And For The Sake Of Imam Ali (a.s) Forgive This Criminal" and the criminal was released.

Ayatollah Al-Najafi's life is full with this kind of excellence of tolerance, patience, forgiveness and perseverance.

Writings of Ayatollah Al-Najafi

Ayatollah Al-Najafi has written more than 40 books, some of them are published. Hereunder is a list of Makhtotat and published books by Ayatollah Al-Najafi:

·         Mustafa Deen Al-Qayyam (Ebadat)

·         Deen Al-Qayyam (Muamlat) 2 volumes

·         Tozeeh Al-Masaail

·         Mukhtasar Al-Ahkam

·         Al-Kheriyyat Al-Ateed

·         Risalah Fi Salat Al-Jummah

·         Risalah Fi Al-Dairah Al-Hindiyah Wa Ta'yeen Al-Qiblah

·         Risalah Fi Ahkam Al-Qiblah

·         Ahkam Al-Soum

·         Risalah Fi Al-E'tikaaf

·         Manasik Al-Hajj

·         Al-Murshid Al-Shafiq Ela Hajj Al-Bait Al-Ateeq

·         Mi'ah Sawal Hawl Al-Khums

·         Risalah Fi Al-Khums Al-Istidlaliyyah

·         Sharh Ala Arss Al-Mo'ata

·         Waqfa Ma'a Muqallidi Al-Mot'a

·         Risalah Fi Al-Adalah

·         Risalah Fi Ahkam Al-Ghaibah

·         Hidayah Al-Nashi'ah

·         Risalah Fi Ahkam Al-Masrafiyyah

·         Risalah Fi Al-Hawalah

·         Risalah Fi Ahkam Radio Wa Television wa Al-Tamseel

·         Masail Sooq Al-Muslimeen Wa Masraf Al-Damm

·         Risalah Fi Ahkam Al-Talqee'a Al-Sanai Al-Istidlaliyah

·         Risalah Fi Ahkam Tanzeem Al-Asrah Fi Hamal Wa Mana AL-Hamal Wa Al-Ajhaaz

·         Khair Al-Sahaif Fi Ahkam Al-Afaaif

·         Al-Munhal Al-Azab Liman Hua Mughtarab

·         Jadeed Masail

·         Masail Shari'yah

·         Satabqa Al-Najaf Raidah Hawzat Al-Aalam

·         Wiladat Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j)

·         Risalah Fi Qaidah Ma Yazum'un Bi`sahih

·         Sharh Manzooma Al-Sabzawari (Mantiq)

·         Ta'leeqa Ala Sharh Al-Tajreed

·         Behas Mufassil Fi Elm Al-Darrayah

·         Tanqeeh Al-Rewat Lam Yatim

·         Sharah Matalib Al-Qawaneen

·         Mirqaat Al-Osoul

·         Sharah Mualim Al-Osoul

·         Sharah Kifayah Al-Osoul

Book that are Translated

·   Tozeeh Al-Masaail (Urdu)

·   Tozeeh Al-Masaail (Farsi)

·   Tozeeh Al-Masaail (English)

·   Tozeeh Al-Masaail (Gujrati)

·   Mustafa Deen Al-Qayyam (English)

·   Mukhtasar Al-Ahkam (Urdu)

·   Jadeed Fiqhi Masail (Urdu)

·   Masaail-e-Sharayya (Urdu)

·   Ouraton Kay Masail (Urdu)

·   Wiladat Imam Zamana (a.j) (Urdu)

Books Written About Ayatollah Al-Najafi

·   Aik Roshan Haqeeqat (by:- Agha Bilal Najafi - Urdu)

·   Life Of Religious Authority (by:- Sheikh Ibn-Taimur - English)

·   Hayat Ayatollah Al-Uzma Bashir Al-Najafi (Arabic)

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