Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B
Who is Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B? A Biography of the Grand Ayatollah of Pakistan
Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B is a Pakistani Twelver Shia Marja, or a source of emulation and guidance for Shia Muslims. He is one of the two maraji of Pakistani descent, the other being Basheer Hussain Najafi who resides in Najaf, Iraq. He is the only marja in Pakistan and runs a Hawza, or a religious seminary, in Sargodha. He has been included in the last five editions of "The Muslim 500: The World's Most Influential Muslims" since 2010. He is one of the nine maraji mentioned in the most recent edition. In this article, we will explore his life, education, works, and contributions to Islamic education, jurisprudence, and politics.
Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B
Childhood and Family
Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B was born in Jahanian Shah, a small town in Sargodha District of Punjab province of Pakistan, in April 1932. He belongs to the Dhakku branch of Jat people. He had two paternal uncles, both of whom were Shia ulema: Maulana Imam Bakhsh was a religious teacher in Jahanian Shah, while Maulana Sohrab Ali Khan was a reputed alim of Uch Sharif. His father Rana Tajuddin was not an alim, but he had the wish of making his son a great alim. However, he died in 1944 when Allama Najafi B was 12 years old, after which the family members persuaded the widow that Allama Najafi B should look after the family lands, but she kept up the wish of her dead husband.
Early Education in Pakistan
After secondary school education, he got admission in Madrasah Muhammadia in Jalalpur Nankiana, Sargodha, where one of his prominent teachers was Ayatollah Allama Hussain Bakhsh Jarra. In 1947, he studied the courses of Dars-i-Nizami from Ayatollah Allama Muhammad Baqir Naqvi Chakralvi (known as Allama Baqir Hindi in Iraq & Iran) in Jhang. Ayatollah Baqir Naqvi had migrated from Iraq to spread Shia formal education in Pakistan. Since Ayatollah Allama Muhammad Yar Shah Najafi, the most prominent disciple of Ayatollah Baqir Naqvi, had moved from his ancestral city Alipur to Jalalpur, Allama Najafi B moved to Jalalpur to complete Dars-i-Nizami for the next five years. In 1953, he passed the examination of Molvi Fazil from Punjab University, and moved to Najaf in 1954 for higher education.
Marital Life
Before going to Najaf for higher religious education, he was married to his maternal cousin in 1952. His teacher Ayatollah Yar Shah had links with ulema of Najaf, and he wanted Allama Najafi B to get married in a scholarly family of Najaf, but Allama Najafi B declined this proposal due to cultural differences. In 1954, his only son Muhammad Sibtain was born. At the age of five, he got seriously ill and died, as Allama Najafi B did not have enough money for his treatment; he used to spend his stipend money on household and buying books. After Sibtains death, Allama Najafi B did not have children for next eleven years. He married the daughter of Haji Muhammad Shafi (Faisalabad) in 1970. He had three daughters from this marriage. His first wife died in 1996.
Emigration to Najaf and His Teachers
In 1954, he moved to Hawza Elmiye Najaf to finalize his religious education . He attended the lectures of the following marjas:
Grand Ayatollah Mohsin Al-Hakim for dars-e-kharij of Fiqh
Grand Ayatollah Syed Javad Tabrizi for dars-e-kharij of Kifaya-tul-Usool
Grand Ayatollah Mirza Baqir Zanjani for dars-e-kharij of Usool-e-Fiqh
Grand Ayatollah Bazurg Tehrani for Fehm-e-Hadees-o-Rajjal & Kutb Shanasi
Grand Ayatollah Mahmood Shahroudi for dars-e-kharij of Fiqh
Grand Ayatollah Abdul Aala Sabzwari for dars-e-kharij of Fiqh
Return to Pakistan and His Hawza
After completing his religious education in Najaf, Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B returned to Pakistan in 1979. He settled in Sargodha and established a Hawza there. He named it Hawza Elmiye Jafariya. He started teaching the courses of Dars-i-Nizami and Dars-i-Kharij to the students. He also wrote and published many books on various topics of Islamic sciences. He also issued fatwas, or religious verdicts, on various issues of Shia jurisprudence. He also participated in various religious and political activities to defend and promote the rights and interests of Shia Muslims in Pakistan and abroad.
His Works and Publications
Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B is a prolific writer and scholar. He has written more than 150 books on various topics of Islamic sciences, such as Tafsir, Hadith, Kalam, Fiqh, Islamic philosophy, Islamic ethics, and history. Some of his notable works are:
Tafsir-e-Namoona: A 27-volume commentary on the Quran based on Shia sources.
Mawsu'a-tul-Fiqh: A 30-volume encyclopedia of Shia jurisprudence.
Al-Masa'il al-Shar'iyya: A collection of his fatwas on various issues of Shia jurisprudence.
Al-Mustadrak ala Sahihayn: A critical analysis and evaluation of the two most authentic Sunni books of Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Al-Ghadir fi al-Kitab wa al-Sunnah wa al-Adab: A 12-volume book on the event of Ghadir Khumm and its implications for the succession of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Al-Muraja'at: A series of letters between him and a Sunni scholar on various topics of Shia-Sunni dialogue.
His Contributions and Influence
Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B is a respected and influential figure among Shia Muslims in Pakistan and abroad. He has made significant contributions to Islamic education, jurisprudence, and politics. He has:
Trained and educated thousands of students and scholars in his Hawza and other institutions.
Written and published numerous books and articles on various topics of Islamic sciences.
Issued fatwas and guidance on various issues of Shia jurisprudence and ethics.
Participated in various religious and political movements and organizations to defend and promote the rights and interests of Shia Muslims.
Engaged in dialogue and debate with Sunni scholars and leaders to foster mutual understanding and cooperation.
Supported the Islamic Revolution of Iran and its leader Ayatollah Khomeini.
His Challenges and Difficulties
Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B has faced many challenges and difficulties in his life and career. He has:
Lost his father at a young age and faced financial hardships.
Lost his only son and his first wife.
Faced opposition and hostility from some Sunni extremists and groups who accused him of being a heretic and an agent of Iran.
Survived several assassination attempts by terrorists and militants.
Faced censorship and harassment from the authorities and the media.
Faced health problems and old age.
His Awards and Honors
Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B has received many awards and honors for his achievements and contributions. He has:
Been included in the last five editions of "The Muslim 500: The World's Most Influential Muslims" since 2010.
Been awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, the third highest civilian award in Pakistan, in 2011.
Been conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy by the University of Sargodha in 2013.
Been honored by various religious and political leaders and organizations in Pakistan and abroad.
Been praised and respected by millions of Shia Muslims around the world.
His Current Status and Activities
Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B is currently 90 years old and lives in Sargodha. He is still active and involved in his religious and scholarly duties. He is still:
Teaching and supervising the students and scholars in his Hawza and other institutions.
Writing and publishing new books and articles on various topics of Islamic sciences.
Issuing fatwas and guidance on various issues of Shia jurisprudence and ethics.
Participating in various religious and political events and programs to defend and promote the rights and interests of Shia Muslims.
Engaging in dialogue and debate with Sunni scholars and leaders to foster mutual understanding and cooperation.
Supporting the Islamic Republic of Iran and its leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
His Legacy and Impact
Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B is a remarkable and influential figure in the history of Shia Islam in Pakistan and the world. He has left a lasting legacy and impact on the Shia community and the Islamic ummah. He has:
Produced and trained thousands of students and scholars who have spread his teachings and guidance to various parts of the world.
Written and published hundreds of books and articles that have enriched the Islamic literature and knowledge.
Issued fatwas and guidance that have solved many problems and issues of Shia jurisprudence and ethics.
Participated in various movements and organizations that have defended and promoted the rights and interests of Shia Muslims.
Engaged in dialogue and debate that have fostered mutual understanding and cooperation among Shia and Sunni Muslims.
Supported the Islamic Revolution of Iran that has inspired many Muslims to strive for justice and dignity.
His Vision and Message
Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B is a visionary and a messenger of Islam. He has a clear and comprehensive vision and message for the Shia community and the Islamic ummah. He has:
Envisioned a united and strong Shia community that follows the teachings and guidance of the Quran, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his Ahlul Bayt (AS).
Envisioned a peaceful and harmonious Islamic ummah that respects and cooperates with each other despite their differences and diversity.
Envisioned a just and righteous Islamic system that protects and fulfills the rights and needs of all people.
Envisioned a prosperous and progressive Islamic civilization that contributes to the advancement of humanity and the world.
Envisioned a faithful and pious Islamic generation that strives for the pleasure of Allah and the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS).
Message to the Shia community: To adhere to the principles of Tawhid, Nubuwwah, Imamat, Adl, and Qiyamat; to follow the marja'iyya and wilayat-e-faqih; to love and support each other; to seek knowledge and education; to perform their religious duties and obligations; to avoid sins and vices; to resist oppression and injustice; to serve humanity and society.
Message to the Islamic ummah: To respect and cooperate with each other; to avoid sectarianism and extremism; to follow the Quran and Sunnah; to uphold the values and morals of Islam; to seek unity and solidarity; to support the oppressed and resist the oppressors; to spread peace and justice; to work for the common good.
Message to humanity and the world: To recognize the truth and beauty of Islam; to appreciate the contributions and achievements of Muslims; to respect the rights and dignity of Muslims; to dialogue and interact with Muslims; to cooperate and collaborate with Muslims; to learn from Muslims; to join Muslims.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned about the life, education, works, and contributions of Allama Muhammad Hussain Najafi B, a Pakistani Twelver Shia Marja. We have seen how he has overcome many challenges and difficulties to become a respected and influential figure among Shia Muslims in Pakistan and abroad. We have also seen how he has left a lasting legacy and impact on the Shia community and the Islamic ummah. We have also seen how he has a clear and comprehensive vision and message for the Shia community, the Islamic ummah, and humanity and the world. We hope that this article has been informative and enlightening for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading! d282676c82