Allamah received his training and education from his father and other veteran scholars and jurists of the era. The formative four years were spent in learning Arabic grammar Sarf-Nahv, literature, logic, fiqh and Usool. Subsequently, Allamah attended the discourses of Ayatullah Waheed Bahbahaani (r.a.) and Shaikh Yusuf Bahrani (r.a.). In the next five years, Allamah managed to make the grade for Ijtehaad.
Books and Compilations Allamah has written innumerable books which are replete with the gems of knowledge and wisdom. We mention some of them here:
1. Masabih fi sharhe-Mafatih- The book was on the subject of Fiqh
2. Ad durratu Najafiyah – The book is based on Taharat and Namaaz and a thousand poems/verses and their explanations.
3. Mishkatul Hidayah – Under the instructions of Allamah, the exegesis to the book was compiled by Shaikh Jaafar Kashiful Ghita (r.a.).
4. Al Fawaedul Usuliyah
5. Hashiyah Ala Taharatish Sharaae’ of al-Muhaqqiq Al Hilli
6. Al Fawaedul Rejaaliyah
7. Resalah fil Feraq wal Milal
8. Tohfatul Keraam fi Tarikhe Makkah wal Baitil Haraam
9. Sharh Babil Haqiqah wal Majaaz
10. Qawaedul Ahkaam ash shakuk
11. Ad durrul Bahiyyah nazm baa’az al masael al usuliyah
12. Deewan (which has over 1000 couplets)
(Foqaha-e-Naader Shia, pg. 1295 by Abdur Rahim Aqiqi Bakshaishi pub. by Kitab Khanae Ayatullah Mar’ashi)
The title of ‘Bahrul Uloom’ was a gift of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.)
Allamah Sayed Bahrul Uloom was a Shia scholar of prominent repute. Allamah’s contribution and service to the religion is accepted by all. Shiaism became synonymous with his eminent personality and spread wherever he went. All these evident and hidden excellencies were undoubtedly due to the benign endowment of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.) on him.
Mirza Abul Qasim Qummi (r.a.) writes that he used to accompany Allamah to the lectures of Agha Baqir Bahbahaani (r.a.). They both used to intensively debate and discuss the discourses of Aghae Bahbahaani. At the time, Allamah used to be benefited by Mirza’s knowledge and perspective. Then Mirza writes that he had to stay back in Iran and Allamah migrated to Iraq. In the meanwhile, Allamah acquired an enviable esteem among the scholars.
Mirza writes, “I was stunned because I thought that Allamah was not capable of such an indepth knowledge and understanding. How did he manage to achieve this?”
Later, Mirza traveled to Najaf and happened to meet Allamah. Mirza observed that the number of students who attended the lectures of Allamah was easily over 100. During the question and answer sessions, Mirza was further surprised to see Allamah’s command over theology and concepts, it was then that he conceded that Allamah truly deserves the title of ‘the pillar of knowledge’ and ‘Bahrul Uloom’ (the ocean of knowledge).
Once when Mirza got an opportunity to meet Allamah in private, Mirza got straight to the point and told Allamah in as many words that when they both used to attend the lectures Allamah was not so well versed with the knowledge and he rather learnt lot of concepts from the discussions with Mirza. Then how come he managed to attain such prestigious position despite he being not such a brilliant student, Mirza asked.
Allamah replied to this in an enigmatic manner, “Mirza Abul Qasim the answer to your question is actually a secret. And I will let you in on this secret only on one condition that you will not disclose it to anyone in my lifetime.”
