Ayatullah al-`Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh
Lutfullah as-Safi, a renowned Faqhi,
Scholar of Islam and one of the greatest
thinkers of our time, was born in the
year 1337 Hijri (1917) in the city of
Gulpaygan, Iran.
1. His Parents
His father, the late Ayatullah Akhund
Mulla Muhammad al-Jawad as-Safi (b.1867)
was a wellknown 'Alim and an 'Arif. He,
along with being a specialist in Islamic
studies, was also a researcher, writer
and a teacher in various fields of
Islamic sciences such as: Fiqh, Usul,
Kalam, Akhlaq, Hadith, and other areas.
He was also well versed in Poetry, and
Calligraphy.
On the one side, his Taqwa, love for the
Wilayat (of the Ahlul Bayt (peace be
upon all of them)), and the excellence
in Akhlaq of this great man, and his
firm position of upholding the concept
of "Amr bil Ma'ruf wa Nahi anil Munkar"
(Enjoining the Good and Forbidding the
Evil), and taking a distinct stance
against those who had deviant thoughts,
the non-religious people, and the
oppressors and despotic rulers of his
time on another side had a tremendous
effect on his son.
The setting of the sun on the life of
this great scholar, was on the 25th of
Rajab, in the year 1958, which
corresponded to the night of the
Shahadat of the 7th Imam, Musa al-Kazim
('a).
His mother was Fatima, a noble woman,
poet, and a lover of the Ahlul-Bayt
(peace be upon all of them) and the
daughter of Ayatullah Akhund Mullah
Muhammad 'Ali - the roommate and study
partner of the late Ayatullah al-Uzma
Mirza Shirazi (May Allah raise his
status).
Sincerity, piety, bravery, frankness and
outspokenness, patience in the
upbringing of her children, the
remembrance of Allah, recitation of Dua',
and Salatul Lail are some of the
particular spiritual and ethical traits
of this now deceased woman.
In reality, Agha Safi Gulpaygani,
inherited his love and sincerity for the
Ahlul Bait (peace be upon all of them)
from parents like this.
2. His Studies
Ayatullah al-'Uzma as-Safi, while in his
youth, stepped into the garden of
knowledge. He started his primary Arabic
studies in the city of Gulpaygan (Iran)
under the tutelage of the great Scholar,
Marhum Akhund Mullah Abul Qasim, better
known as "Qutb". He continued his
studies in the fields of Arabic, Kalam,
Tafsir of the Quran, Hadith, Fiqh, and
Usul until the end of Suth (the second
major level of Islamic studies) in this
city. During this period, he was also
being taught by his humble father,
Ayatullah Akhund Mullah Muhammad al-Jawad
as-Safi in the above mentioned sciences
of Islam.
In the year 1940, Ayatullah as-Safi left
the city of Gulpaygan, which, at that
time for him, was his own world, with
its sweet memories of the time spent as
a youth, and love and pleasure he felt
being around his loving father and
mother. This was a move, that until
today, he still feels upset about having
to make, but none the less, with all the
difficulties involved, he made the
migration to the city of Qum. It was
here in Qum that he would take part in
the classes being offered by the
greatest Scholars of the Hauza Ilmiyyah
of Qum, and the place where he would be
able to continue on the road of
completing his studies and research in
Islam.
A few years later, Ayatullah as-Safi
made the journey to Najaf al-Ashraf and
for one year, took part in the lessons
being offered by the Great Maraja' of
that religious institution. The
exceptional power of understanding, and
the struggle and seriousness in pursuing
his studies were some of the reasons
that the great teachers in Qum and Najaf
paid special attention to him.
Some of his teachers while in Najaf
al-Ashraf
1. Ayatullah al-Uzma ash-Saykh Muhammad
Kadhim Shirazi (d. 1367)
2. Ayatullah al-Uzma as-Sayyid Jamal
ad-Din Gulpaygani (d. 1377)
3. Ayatullah al-Uzma ash-Shaykh Muhammad
'Ali Kadhimi (d. 1364)
After studying in the city of Najaf,
Hadhrat Ayatullah Lutfullah as-Safi
returned to Qum. It was there, that for
more than fifteen years, he attended
classes on Akhlaq and 'Irfan, then being
taught by the former Marja' of the Shi'a
world, Hadhrat Ayatullah al-'Uzma
al-Burujerdi (May Allah raise his
Status).
It was at this time that Ayatullah
as-Safi was chosen to be one of the
special advisors to the late Ayatullah
al-Burujerdi, and was also one of the
few selected people who worked on
answering the religious questions that
were being sent in by the Muqallidin of
the late Ayatullah.
Ayatullah al-Burujerdi, after
recognizing the level of knowledge and
the ability that Ayatullah as-Safi
possessed, then decided to keep him in
charge of answering the important and
sensitive questions that were coming
into the Late Marja's office in the
fields of Fiqh, and Kalam.
It was also through the encouragement of
Ayatullah al-Burujerdi that ash-Shaikh
as-Safi was able to compile the valuable
book, or rather an encyclopedia in the
study of the 12th Imam, al-Mahdi ('a),
which later took on the name of
"Muktakhab al-Athar fi Imam Thani
al-'Ashar".
Some of his teachers while in Qum
1. Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj as-Sayyid
Muhammad Taqi Khansari (d. 1371)
2. Ayatullah al-Uzma as-Sayyid Muhammad
Hujjat Kuhkamri (d. 1372)
3. Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj as-Sayyid
Muhammad Sadr ad-Din Sadr 'Amili (d.
1373)
4. Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj as-Sayyid
Muhammad Hussein Burujerdi (d. 1375)
5. Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj as-Sayyid
Muhammad Reda Gulpaygani (d. 1414)
4. Specialties of Ayatullah al-'Uzma
as-Safi
Taqwa, Ikhlas (Sincerity), Tawakkul
(Reliance on Allah), frankness in
speech, "Amr bil Ma'ruf wa Nahi anil
Munkar" (Enjoining the Good and
Forbidding the Evil) are some of the
important spiritual and ethical aspects
of this Faqhii.
His presence and existance is a
boundaryless ocean of love for the Pure
Lights of the Sinless Progeny of the
Prophet ('a), and every morning, after
his Salat, after the recitation of Dua'
al-Ahad, those around him hear his heart
crying out in love for the Hidden Imam,
Sahih al-Asr wa al-Zaman, with the plea:
"Hurry up, Hurry up, O' My Master, O'
Master of the Time!"
It has also been noted that on Friday
afternoons, he can be spotted in Masjid
al-Jamkaran, which is just outside the
holy City of Qum, sitting among the
faithful lovers of Imam al-Mahdi ('a)
engrossed in prayers.
Some of the academic achievements of
this scholar include teaching and
research in various fields of Islamic
Studies, such as Fiqh, Usul, Kalam,
Hadith, Rijal and other areas. It
suffices us to mention that along with
all of this; he is also the author of
over 80 valuable books, both in Farsi
and Arabic, of which some have been
translated into various languages.
Ayatullah as-Safi, during his studies in
the Hauza of Qum, was ranked with high
esteem as one of the greatest scholars
by leading figures of the Muslim world,
such as: Sayyid Jamal ad-Din
al-Gulpaygani, Ayatullah al-Burujerdi,
Imam al-Khumayni, and Sayyid Muhammad
Rida al-Gulpaygani, and various others.
Some 45 years ago, on the 3rd of Jumad
al-Awal, Ayatullah al-Udma al-Hajj
as-Sayyid Jamal ad-Din al-Gulpaygani,
one of the biggest and most well known
Marja' of his time in Najaf al-Ashraf,
bestowed the highest honor on Ayatullah
as-Safi by announcing his reaching to
the level of Ijtihad. Not only did he
confirm Ayatullah al-Uzma as-Safi's
reaching to this level, but in the
letter which he wrote, which is still
available today, he went on to say that
Ayatullah as-Safi Gulpaygani was at the
highest level of Ijtihad - in comparsion
to the other scholars of his time. This
is the final level in Islamic studies,
where, after completion, a person is
allowed to make his own independent
decisions in matters of Islamic law.
For many years, Ayatullah as-Safi,
during the lifetime of Marhum Ayatullah
Burujerdi, and even after his death, was
one of the few people who were
responsible for taking the exams of the
students in the Hauza. These included
the students who were at the highest
level of their studies, including those
involved in the studies known as 'B'ath
al-Kharij' (the final level of Islamic
studies, after which, if successfully
completed, entittles a person to
formulate his or her own opinion on
Islamic matters, in the light of the
Qur'an and Sunnah).
It should be noted that a large number
of the Mujtahidin and teachers who are
presently in the Hauza 'Ilmiyyah of Qum
have taken their exams at the hands of
this noble scholar.
This valuable Faqhi, in addition to what
has already been mentioned, has also
done extensive research in the area of
Arabic Syntax (the rules of Arabic
Grammar), and in the History of Islam
and Iran. He is also well acquainted
with the various forms of poetry, and is
well versed in composing verses of
poetry.
Even today, this learned Marja', with
all the responsibilities that lie on his
shoulders, still finds the time to keep
himself informed on a day to day basis
of the news of the world, with special
attention taken to the news of the world
of Islam, by all means and methods at
his disposal.
With the large amount of information on
history and politics that is
continuously being passed on to him, and
with his ability to be able to analyze
all the events that are occurring in the
world today in their respective regions,
it is no wonder that he is often
referred to as "THE Scholar of our
Time."
Before the victory of the Islamic
Revolution of Iran, Ayatullah as-Safi's
presence in the various areas of
struggle and opposition against the
Shah's regime was well known. It was
with the confiscation and banning of one
of his books by the Shah's secret
police, known as the SAVAK, that added
to the friction between this Faqhi and
the former Government.
Ultimately, the printing of some of the
most important books that Ayatullah
al-'Uzma as-Safi had written, in defense
of the teachings of the Shi'a' were
banned (in Iran). At the same time, the
Leaders of some of the Arab countries,
who were working hand in hand with
paid-off authors that were in the hands
of the Colonialists, and who were not
able to hide their anger and hatred from
these conscious writings which had the
potential of awakening others, were
ultimately forced to ban his books.
With the victory of the Islamic
Revolution in Iran in 1979, Ayatullah
as-Safi, on behalf of the Late Imam
al-Khumayni, was placed in charge of the
"Shura Negahban" or the "Council of
Guardians of the Islamic Revolution".
For eight years as the Secretary General
of the "Council of Guardians", he had
provided his valuable assistance to
establishing and preserving social order
in Iran, and to the service of the
people of this nation, in guarding the
sanctity of Islam and the Qur'an. During
this eight years, not even once did he
entertain any sort of doubt or
uncertainty in his mind concerning his
role in the Government.
Ayatullah al-'Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh
Lutfullah as-Safi al-Gulpaygani, who,
over 20 years ago, possessed all the
conditions necessary for Marja'iyat,
generously and nobly passed it by.
With the untimely demise of his teacher,
the Late Ayatullah al-'Uzma as-Sayyid
Muhammad Rida al-Gulpaygani in 1993,
ash-Shaykh as-Safi was flooded with
requests from the 'Ulama and people all
over the world to accept the
responsibility of guiding the Shi'a
world. Finally, after repeated requests,
he humbly accepted the Marja'iyat, and
today, is counted as one of the leading
and outstanding Marja', and one of the
main pillars of the Hauza Ilmiyyah of
Qum.
The leader of the Islamic Revolution of
Iran, Ayatullah al-Uzma as-Sayyid
Ruhullah al-Musawi al-Khumayni (May
Allah raise his status) had personally
told Agha Safi Gulpaygani that he is
constantly praying for him and in
addition, he never forgets to pray for
him in his Salat al-Lail.
The great scholar, and Marja' Taqlid of
the Shi'a world, the late Ayatullah
al-Uzma as-Sayyid al-Hajj Muhammad Rida
al-Gulpaygani (May Allah raise his
status), in regards to Ayatullah as-Safi
al-Gulpaygani had written the following
in his will to his family:
"...Any time you need the permission of
a Faqihi (for religious issues), refer
to Ayatullah Agha Hajj Shaykh Lutfullah
Safi, since, without doubt, I consider
him to be a Mujtahid, and 'Adil."
One of the most well known teachers in
the Hauza 'Ilmiyyah of Qum, who has
written countless books on topics
ranging from Usul al-Fiqh, 'Aqaid,
History and other areas many of which
have been translated into English, Urdu,
and other languages, Ayatullah al-Hajj
Mirza Ja'far Subhani, at the funeral
ceremony of the late Ayatullah al-Uzma
as-Sayyid Muhammad Rida Gulpaygani, said
the following about Agha Safi :
"...A person whom, in his life, has
continously been busy with the pen,
writing and offering his services to
Islam - one who is counted as of the 'Arifs
and upright 'Ulama, and one whom just
looking at his face, is reminded of
Allah (SWT)..."
5. A sample of his writings
To date, this Marja' Taqlid and scholar
of Islam has over 100 books to his name,
some of which are:
1. Muntakhab al-Athar Fi al-Imam
ath-Thani Ashar
2. Imamate and Mahdiviat
3. Glimpses of the greatness of
al-Hussain (Peace be Upon Him)
4. Divinity in Nahjul Balagha
5. Tawdhiul Masail
6. Manasik Hajj (Farsi)
7. Manasik Hajj (Arabic)
8. Belief in al-Mahdi (Arabic)
9. Amr bil Ma'ruf wa Nahi anil Munkar
10. Medical Questions and Answers
11. The History of the Shi'a Hauza
12. The Epic of Karbala
13. The Good Tidings of Peace and
Security
14. Answers to Ten Questions regarding
al-Imam al-Mahdi
15. A Discussion regarding famous Hadith
of the Splitting of the Muslim Ummah
into 73 Sects
16. The Qur'an : Protected from
Corruption
17. The Call of Islam from Europe
18. Discussion concerning the Ayah of
Tathir (33:33)
19. The Month of Ramadan in History
20. The Necessity of Islamic Government
or Wilayat al-Fuqaha during the 'Asr
al-Ghaybah
21. The Relationship and Connection
between the World and Imam az-Zaman
(Peace be Upon Him)
22. Tafsir of Ayah al-Fitrah (30:30)
23. Answers to questions from a Muslim
Woman
24. A Reply to "The Belief of Mahdiism
in Shi'a Imamia" (Reply to the doctorate
thesis written by Mr. Abdul-Aziz
Sachedina)
One of the teachers of
the Theological Seminary of Najaf al-Ashraf
who has spent his entire life in the
service of All¡h (Glory and Greatness be
to Him) and the Prophet (blessings of
All¡h be upon him and his family) is
none other than the great reformer,
mujtahid, and researcher, Ayatullah al-’Uzma
al-Hajj ash-Shaykh al-Hafiz Bashir ibne
Sadiq ‘Ali ibne Muhammad Ibrahim ibne
‘Abdullah al-Lahori also known as
al-Najafi. His eminence was born in the
year 1942 in one of the cities of India
(Jalinder) into a family full of true
faith, piety and love for the Ahlul Bait
(prayers be upon all of them).
Shaykh Bashir Najafi
begin his introductory seminary studies
in the cities of Lahore under the
tutelage of his grand father, the great
scholar Mu¦ammad Ibrah¢m al-Pakistani
and his uncle Shaykh Khadim Husain. He
also benefited from such scholars as
‘Allamah Shaykh Akthar {Abbas al-Paskitani
and ‘Allamah Sayyid Riyadh °usain Naqawi
and Sayyid Safder °usain Najafi.
In order to continue his
studies, he moved to the
thousand-year-old Theological Seminary
of Najaf al-Ashraf so that he would be
blessed to drink from the springs of
Divine Knowledge and to also be in the
proximity of his master and leader, Imam
‘Ali ibne Abi Talib (peace be upon
him). It was here that he took to
studying the higher levels of Isl¡m
under the greatest and most well known
teachers of that time including the
following:
1.
Shaykh Muhammad Kadhim
Tabrizi
2.
Ayatullah al-~Uzma
Al-Hajj as-Sayyid Muhammad Ruhani
3.
Ayatullah al-~Uzma
Al-Hajj as-Sayyid Abul Qasim al-Khu’i
After acquiring knowledge
in various sciences and disciplines, in
the year 1967 he then began to teach the
second level of Hawza studies and
shortly there after, began teaching the
highest level of Hawza studies known as
Ba’thul Khaarij in the fields of
Jurisprudence and the Science of
Jurisprudence.
According to the
narration of his students, from the
point of view of his imparting
knowledge, Ayatullah Najafi is one of
the view people who pays much attention
in his method and mode of teaching and
possesses the quality and trait of being
able to express and clearly explain an
issue and in his own specific way and
technique and is able to impart and
convey the correct understanding to his
students. He explains difficult
concepts in a very easy and simple to
understand fashion and through this, is
able to keep away from any form of
supposition or multiplicity in the
meanings of the words (thus removing the
confusion in the minds of the students).
In addition, the great
teacher also goes through painstaking
efforts to ensure that he constantly
observes the Isl¡mic etiquette in his
interaction just as those people who
have been blessed to meet him and
interact him have themselves narrated.
Those who even have sat with him for
short intervals in gatherings have also
born witness to fact! In addition,
people have noted that he is very humble
and respectful when in the presence of
the believers and shows respect and
esteem to the people of knowledge…
Till today, Ayatullah
Bashir Najafi continues to live in the
city of Najaf al-Ashraf and is active in
teaching within the Theological Seminary
and is imparting knowledge in the fields
of Jurisprudence and the Science of
Jurisprudence which just happens to be
one of the most anticipated classes of
the theological seminary!
ªyatullah Najafi has
written books in a wide variety of
topics including: Jurisprudence, Science
of Jurisprudence, Philosophy, Tafsir,
hadith, ‘Ilmul Rijal and other topics
and the number of works attributed to
him totals over 25!
