Muhammad Jaffer
Below we have translated a beautiful qaṣīdah by the poet—Ibrāhīm ibn Yaḥyā al-‘Āmilī (1154-1214 AH)—in honor of Lady Zaynab.[1] The poet was one of the students of the famous Shī’ah scholars Shaykh Mahdī Baḥr al-‘Ulūm and Shaykh Ja’far Kāshif al-Ghiṭā’. As usual, we have appended some footnotes on deeper points of Arabic linguistics/eloquence where appropriate … Read more
By Muhammad Jaffer[1] [2] The prerogative to rationalize Imam Ḥusayn’s movement primarily emerged from theological-polemical exigencies and thereby entered the domain of fiqh only secondarily. We will survey these early 5th-6th century polemic discussions first and then proceed to describe some of the fiqhī implications that emerged out of this discussion. As we discussed previously, … Read more
On the commemoration of the demise of our Holy Prophet Muḥammad (saw), we present this humble translation of a famous qaṣīdah written in honor of our Holy Prophet by the Ṣūfī poet Abū ‘Abd Allāh Muḥammad bin Sa’īd al-Būṣīrī (1212-1294 CE). Al-Buṣīrī is known as the author of the famous Qaṣīdah al-Burdah, one of the … Read more
In the previous article, we made some prefunctory remarks regarding the challenges of extracting jurisprudential discussions from the tragedy of Karbalā. We also explained how the question of whether fiqhī implications can be drawn out of ‘Āshūrā’ is intimately tied with one’s viewpoint regarding the underlying motives of Imam Ḥusayn’s (as) uprising. We furthermore elaborated … Read more
By Muhammad Jaffer[1] Despite the relatively short span of time in which its events transpired, the fateful tragedy of Karbalā is arguably one of the most recounted, analyzed, and appraised events in human history. Whether it be in the domain of Islamic history, theology, sociology, literature, or art, the movement of ‘Āshurā’ as led by … Read more
There has unfortunately been a dearth of literature regarding the intellectual contributions of Shī’ah scholars of the Indian subcontinent. Although still extant, many of these works still exist in manuscript form in the libraries of India and Pakistan and are unknown to the public. It is particularly interesting to observe that the work of subcontinent … Read more
Exegetical Trends of the Shi’a During Imam Baqir’s Era – Exploring the Dialectical of Exoteric vs Esoteric (Ẓāhir & Bāṭin) and Revelation vs Interpretation (Tanzīl & Ta’wīl) Original in Persian Written By Dr. S.M. Hadi Gerami Translated by Muhammad Jaffer and Sayyid Burair Abbas Abstract Studies exploring the historical development of exegesis abound in the … Read more
By Shaykh Ḥaydar Ḥubbullāh and transcribed by Muḥammad Ṭarrāf Translated by Muhammad Jaffer[1] II. The Proposed Postulates for Understanding the Quranic Interior If we submit that the Qurān does have interior dimensions, taking our springboard the aforementioned ḥadīth or any of the other prior arguments discussed (aside from the claim that the Qurān contains all … Read more
By Shaykh Ḥaydar Ḥubbullāh and transcribed by Muḥammad Ṭarrāf Translated by Muhammad Jaffer[1] In the previous two articles, we discussed the various views on vernacular and transcendental language of the Qurān. We discussed that in general, there are three major camps: a group that believes that the Qurānic diction is purely vernacular, a group that … Read more
One of the most illustrious of Shī’ah poets, orators, and scholars of the past century was the Iraqi Shaykh Aḥmad al-Wā’ilī (1928-2003). Widely regarded as the “pillar of the Ḥusaynī pulpit,” he delivered highly appraised lectures for over sixty years in the Arabic language, many of which are still widely available online. In addition to … Read more
By Shaykh Ḥaydar Ḥubbullāh[1] Transcribed by Muhammad Jaffer In the previous article, we explained the vernacular theory of Qurānic language as espoused by a wide range of exegetes, tradents, and jurists.[2] In this discussion we will expand on the opposing perspective, which posits that the language of the Qurān transcends the bounds of human communication. … Read more
By Shaykh Ḥaydar Ḥubbullāh[1] Transcribed by Muhammad Jaffer I. Introduction What is meant when we discuss the vernacular and common rational language of the Holy Qurān? Does the Qurān utilize a language that is supposed to be understood by all? Or does it seek to be inscrutable and inaccessible to the common man so that … Read more
One of the most well-grounded traditions of the Shī’ah is the composition of poetry for the Ahl al-Bayt. This practice was generally sanctioned by our Imāms who urged their Shī’ah to compose and memorize poems extolling their virtues and mourning their tragedies.[1] Nonetheless, there are only a handful of poems well-documented to have been recited … Read more
It is said that one of the famous Sunni poets and literarians of Syria, Muhammad Majdhoob (d 1999 CE), visited al-Najaf al-Ashraf out of curiosity to pay respect to Imam ‘Ali (as) and see how the Shi’a pay their respects to him. When he returned to Syria, he asked those in Damascus to guide him … Read more
By Shaykh Haider Hobbollah The question of an illegitimate child (al-ibn ghayr al-shar’ī) or a child born out of illicit relations (walad al-zinā) is one of the major points of contention between Islamic jurisprudence (al-fiqh) and contemporary understandings of individual, family, and community rights. In general, Islamic jurisconsults (except for a late movement that has … Read more
Before you lies our humble endeavor to translate the legendary panegyric by al-Sayyid al-Ḥimyarī (may God have mercy on his soul; 105-173 AH): his famous al-Qaṣīdah al-‘Ayniyyah regarding the Pond of Kawthar and the Wilāyah of Imam ‘Alī (as). We have also addended copious commentary derived from the great scholar al-‘Allāmah al-Fāḍil al-Hindī’s “The Effulgent … Read more
Below we have translated an excerpt from an excellent work by Shaykh Ḥusayn al-Khechin entitled “Al-Mar’ah fī al-Naṣṣ al-Dīnī: Qirā’ah Naqdiyyah fī Riwāyāt Dhamm al-Mar’ah” (Women in Religious Literature: A Critical Reading of the Narrations Rebuking Women). In this book, the author seeks to critically analyze the various ḥadīth reported from the Holy Prophet (saw) … Read more
Muhammad JafferMuhammad Jaffer is a neurologist by profession, and his field of interest is Islamic literature. He enjoys translating Arabic poetry in particular.
Originally written in Arabic by Sayyid Muḥammad Riḍā Ḥusaynī al-Jalālī and translated into Persian by Dr. Jūyā Jahānbakhsh[1] Translated and Annotated into English by Muhammad Jaffer Edited by Sayyid Burair Abbas The question of the Twelfth Imām’s (as) ghaybah (occultation) features widely in the writings of Shaykh Muḥammad bin Muḥammad bin Nu’mān al-‘Ukbarī al-Mufīd (336-413 … Read more
Translated by Muhammad Jaffer and edited by Sayyid Burair Abbas Unfortunately, a trend that has been becoming increasingly prevalent within the English-speaking Shī’ah community has been the character assassination of unorthodox scholars. While establishing a healthy environment of critique is important, we ought to abstain from employing ad hominem and personal disparagement. Attempts to … Read more
Below we have translated a famous eulogy composed by the Mu’tazilite Shāfi’ī commentator of Nahj al-Balāghah, ‘Abd al-Ḥamīd ibn Abī al-Ḥadīd (d. 586-656 AH), regarding Imām Ḥusayn (as) and the tragedy of Karbalā’.[1] As usual, for the advanced readers we have appended some detailed footnotes regarding points in Arabic eloquence that escape translation. ولقد … Read more
By Dr. Jūyā Jahānbakhsh The following is a translation of an essay written by Dr. Jūyā Jahānbakhsh on his blog site.[1] Dr. Jahānbakhsh is a literary critic, author, and seminarian from Iṣfahān. His critical Persian translation of Āyatullāh Hādī al-Najafī’s “Yawm al-Ṭaff” under the title “Rūznāmeh-ye-Āshurā” earned Iran’s Book of the Year Award. In this … Read more
Below we have translated a famous qaṣīdah attributed to the founder of the Shāfi’ī madhhab—Muḥammad bin Idrīs al-Shāfi’ī (d. 204 AH)—in mourning the tragedy of Imām Ḥusayn (as).[1] Al-Shāfi’ī was accused by several of his contemporaries for being a Shī’ite because of his deep love and attachment to the Ahl al-Bayt.[2] He was not only … Read more
Below we have translated two famous qaṣīdahs regarding Imām al-Ḥusayn (as) composed by the famous poet and jurist, al-Marḥūm al-Sayyid Riḍā’ ibn Muḥammad al-Hindī al-Naqawī (d. 1362 AH, may Allah have mercy upon his soul). In the first qaṣīdah, the Sayyid mourns the state of the womenfolk of Ḥusayn (as), and particularly the tragedy of … Read more
The below poem is composed by the illustrious Iraqi poet al-Marḥūm al-Shaykh Ṣāliḥ ibn Mahdī al-Kawwāz al-Ḥillī (d. 1290 AH). Although al-Kawwāz only sold clay pottery by trade, his poetic talent was so profound and powerful that he rose to fame through it. Nonetheless, he was extremely sincere in his work: he refused to derive … Read more
Below we have translated into rhymed English verse the famous al-Qaṣīdah al-Nūniyyah of the illustrious Iraqi scholar and poet Shaykh Aḥmad al-Wā’ilī (d. 2003, may Allah have mercy on him) extolling the pristine faḍā’il of Imām ‘Alī (as). In congruence with his elegant and clear style, al-Wā’ilī simply entitled his composition “Ilā Abī Turāb” (To … Read more
Translated by Muhammad Jaffer and edited by Sayyid Burair Abbas In the context of the recent film released in the UK regarding Lady Fāṭimah (as) entitled “Lady of Heaven,”[1] we present the following article written by the contemporary scholar Shaykh Ḥusayn al-Khechin.[2] In his usual analytical style, al-Khechin discusses how the details about the tragedy … Read more
By Shaykh Haider Hobbollah Translated by Muhammad Jaffer, Sayyid Burair Abbas, and Sayyid Ali Imran Edited by Sayyid Burair Abbas Introduction Muslims are unanimous on the prohibition of innovation (bid‘ah)[1] in religion, which is defined as the creation of rituals, practices or concepts that are attached to the creed whereas in reality they bear no … Read more
Translated by Muhammad Jaffer and edited by Sayyid Burair Abbas In the current materialistic age, one of the major causes of estrangement from organized religion lies in a perceived lack of spirituality and true connection to the Divine. On the one hand, critics claim that religious gatherings have become purely ceremonial, and that Muslims do … Read more
Translated by Muhammad Jaffer and edited by Sayyid Burair Abbas Religious adherents of Islām today struggle to maintain a strong sense of traditionalism while living amidst an ever-evolving modernity that may challenge their values. Unfortunately, religious discourse in the current era has arguably seen a decline in popularity, as evidenced by the new generation’s dwindling … Read more
The following is a translation of an originally Persian article written by Dr. Aḥmad Khāmehyār regarding the history of Jannat al-Baqī’. The original article has been linked, published on the popular Persian blog site Kātebān.[1] Dr. Khāmeyār is a prominent historian specializing in the history of Islamic sanctuaries. The tombs at Jannat al-Baqī’, which subsume … Read more
Below we have translated the legendary Qaṣīdah al-Mīmīyyah of the Arabian poet-knight al-Amīr Abū Firās al-Ḥamadānī (may God have mercy on him); this poem is also famously known also as al-Shāfiyah (the Gratifier), as it quenched the anger of the Shī’ah against the ‘Abbāsid regime. It was composed in defense of the Ahlulbayt and as … Read more
The following is an abridged translation of an excellent article written by a researcher in Qum, Shaykh Rūḥullāh Malekiān, linguistically analyzing Sūrah Shūrā verse 23, the famous verse known colloquially as “Āyah al-Mawaddah.” The original article is entitled, “Kalimah Ḥawl Āyah al-Mawaddah fī al-Qurbā.”[1] The linguistic analysis provided by Shaykh Malekiān is excellent, although we … Read more
The following is a translation of Shaykh Ḥaydar Ḥubbullāh’s epistemic analysis of mysticism.[1] We found this piece particularly important to translate, especially given that religious discourse in the Shī’ah world on the pulpits today often tends to glamorize ‘irfānī experience. “From one standpoint, the religious consciousness in general and the Islamic one in particular manifests … Read more
The following is a translation of some excerpts from an interview that Shaykh Ḥaydar Ḥubbullāh had with the Baḥrainī newspaper al-Ayyām about contemporary religious thought. Although this is roughly a decade-old interview now, the issues discussed continue to be relevant today. We have selected two particularly interesting questions that were asked of the Shaykh with … Read more
The following is a translation of al-Qaṣīdah al-‘Ayniyyah of ‘Abd al-Ḥamīd ibn Abī al-Ḥadīd al-Mu’tazilī (586-656 A.H.). Ibn Abī al-Ḥadīd is widely regarded as the famous commentator of Nahj al-Balāghah. While he was actually a Sunnī Mu’tazilite who followed the Shāfi’ite school of Sunni jurisprudence, he nonetheless believed in the superiority of Imām ‘Alī (as) … Read more
Below is a famous Arabic poem in eulogy of our dearest al-Imām al-Ḥasan ibn ‘Alī (may peace be upon him) composed by the honorable scholar and cornerstone of the Ḥusaynī pulpit, the late Shaykh Aḥmad al-Wā’ili (may God have mercy on his soul). We humbly dedicate this as a small gift to our second Imām … Read more
Part 2: Answering Certain Contentions About the Verse of Purification Given the theological implications of interpreting the verse as we have sought to do in the previous section, critics often raises several contentions that we believe are appropriate to address here. For this section of the analysis, I am again highly indebted to Sayyid al-‘Āmilī’s … Read more
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ ۖ وَأَقِمْنَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتِينَ الزَّكَاةَ وَأَطِعْنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا And abide (oh wives of the Prophet) quietly in your homes, and do not flaunt your charms as they used to flaunt them in … Read more
Below is an Arabic poem by the Sunni Shāfi’ī modern-day scholar and poet ‘Abdul-Qādir Jilānī bin Sālim bin ‘Alawī Khirad regarding Sayyidah Khadījah, which we have translated into rhymed English verse on the rhyme scheme ababcc in the form of six sestains. I dedicate this as a gift to our beloved mother Khadījah bint Khuwaylid—wife … Read more
Below is a precis of an article in the Arabic journal al-Nuṣūs al-Mu’āṣirah (Contemporary Texts), written by Muḥammad Folādī, Muḥammad Jawād Nawrūzī, and Farqad al-Jazā’irī wherein the rite of pilgrimage in both faiths is discussed. The purpose of this investigation is to elucidate on the importance of pilgrimage (al-ziyārah) in Catholicism and Shī’ism while extracting … Read more
The following is a translation of a philosophical rebuttal by the grand luminary Shaykh Muḥammad Husayn al-Khorasānī (1336-1406 AH; may God have mercy on him) against the seven theoretical contentions of Satan. We have translated the below excerpt from his Persian work, “An Encyclopedia of Islamic Precepts: In Commentary on The Raḍawī Sermon of Tawḥīd” … Read more
The below piece is a translation and summary of a lecture given by the contemporary Saudi Shī’a scholar and polemicist, Shaykh Aḥmad Salmān al-Aḥmadī, on the topic of how to approach and dispute with atheists. Among the challenges facing religious thought today is the overshadowing of atheism into our societies and youth. We see that … Read more
Below, we have translated the famous Arabic qaṣīdah for the Twelfth Imām al-Mahdī (may Allah hasten his reappearance) composed by the Safavid scholar Bahā’ al-Dīn al-‘Āmilī (1547-1621 AD; may God have mercy upon him) also known as Shaykh al-Bahā’ī. Al-Bahā’ī was one of the most illustrious Shī’ah polymath ever known; in addition to being the … Read more
Below is a translation of the famous al-Qaṣīdah al-Rā’iyyah by the illustrious Imāmī Shī’a scholar, jurist, and poet, Sāliḥ ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb ibn al-‘Arandas al-Ḥillī (d. 840 AH). This famous poem is narrated by ‘Allāmah al-Amīnī in his poetic encyclopedia al-Ghadīr. Before narrating the poem, ‘Allāmah al-Amīnī states: “This poem has earned repute among our … Read more
It is narrated in Ibn Khallikān’s Wafayāt al-A’yān that one day, the Umayyad Caliph Hishām ibn ‘Abd al-Malik was at Ḥajj performing his pilgrimage. The crowd was suffocating and no matter how hard he tried, he was unable to approach the Black Stone to pay his respects. Out of frustration, he erected himself a throne … Read more
Below is a translation of the legendary al-Qaṣīdah al-‘Aynīyyah of the Iraqi poet Muḥammad Mahdī al-Jawāhirī (1899-1997)—may God have mercy on him. Al-Jawāhirī is celebrated as the best Arab poet of the 20th century par excellence. His great grandfather—Muḥammad Ḥasan al-Najafī, wrote the Shī’ah fiqhī masterpiece “Jawāhir al-Kalām” (The Jewels of Discourse), which is still … Read more
The following panegyric for Imām ‘Alī (as) is written by a famous 19th century Arab poet and the Sunnī Ḥanafī governor of Mosul for the Ottoman Empire, ‘Abdul Bāqī al-‘Umarī (1790-1862), who traces his lineage back to ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb. It is widely regarded as one of the most astonishing and eloquent tributes to Imām … Read more
It is narrated by Al-Mas’ūdī in Murūj al-Dhahab that al-Imām ‘Alī ibn Muḥammad al-Hādī (as) was called into the court of the Abbasid caliph al-Mutawakkil while the latter was indulging in alcohol and merrymaking. Al-Mutawakkil called him to partake of it, but the Imām abstained stating “My flesh and blood can never mingle with alcohol.” … Read more
Translated by Br. Muhammed Jaffer. Al-Kumayt ibn Zayd al-Asadi (may God be pleased with him) was among the staunchest in his love for the Ahlulbayt and wrote an entire diwaan, the Hashimiyyaat, in praise for them. He was also a hafidh of the Qur’an, a faqih, a philanthropist, and an archer. He was martyred by … Read more
Translated by Br. Muhammed Jaffer. خليليَّ ما أُذْني لأوَّلِ عاذلِ بِصَغْواءَ في حقٍّ ولا عندَ باطل خليليَّ إنَّ الرأيَ ليسَ بِشِركة ٍ ولا نَهْنَهٍ عندَ الأمورِ البَلابلِ ولمّا رأيتُ القومَ لا وُدَّ عندَهُمْ وقد قَطَعوا كلَّ العُرى والوَسائلِ وقد صارحونا بالعداوة ِ والأذى وقد طاوَعوا أمرَ العدوِّ المُزايلِ وقد حالَفُوا قوما علينا أظِنَّة ً يعضُّون … Read more
Translated by Br. Muhammed Jaffer. Regarding the life of Di’bil, click here. This is the famous 120 stanza Taa’iyyah of Di’bil al-Khuzaa’i’s (d. 246 AH) translated into rhyming English couplets, adhering to the meter of iambic pentameter as much as possible. This poem is deeply rooted in early Shi’i identity and creed as it was … Read more
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