SayyidMurtada's Treatises
* Inqaz al-Bashar min al-Jabr wa al-Qadar: is a concise treatise concerning theology in which SayyidMurtada, through an eloquent style has dealt with the issue of ordinance and destiny, and has provided numerous Qur'anic verse in arguing for his viewpoint. Furthermore, he has provided a background to the discussion, beginning by Ma'bad Juhani and Abu al-Aswad Du'ali up until his own period.
This concise treatise containing ۹۰ pages was published in Najaf in ۱۹۳۵ through an attempt made by Shaykh Ali Khaqani. The treatise has not been mentioned in Basrawi's certificate[۱] but it has been referred to in Ma'alim al-'Ulama.[۲] In this treatise, SayyidMurtada has referred to one of his works titled as Safwat al-Nazar.[۳]
* al-Muhkam wa al-Mutashabih: is a concise treatise published in Iran along with a number of other treatise in ۱۲۸ small-sized pages. The discussions in this treatise include abrogating and abrogated, unambiguous and ambiguous, a general from which a particular is implied, deviation in recitation, the difference between dispensation and will, and some other issues.
The writers of Fihrists have considered this treatise among Sayyid's works, however, in the first page of the treatise, it has been clearly stated that it was totally cited from the interpretation by Muhammadibn Ibrahim ibn Hafs al-Nu’mani, who lived at the period before SayyidMurtada. Therefore, there is no way to consider this treatise as Sayyid's work, except that he made a copy out of it. Furthermore, it has not been included among the books mentioned by Basrawi; however, the author of Bihar and Shaykh Shahid in their annotations have mentioned it among Sayyid's works.[۴]
* Ahkam Ahl al-Akhirah: is a concise treatise containing the opinions of the theologians concerning the status of the ones passed away to the hereafter. As it can be understood from the treatise itself, before SayyidMurtada, Abu al-Hazil al-'Alaf argued about this issue. This treatise was published as an index to the book Duraral-Fawa'id in ۱۳۱۹ AH.[۵]
* al-Masa'il al-Tirablosiyyat al-Ula: The author of Adab al-Murtada writes, I could not find a copy of this work, but Sharif has made a reference to it in al-Masa'il al-Tirablusiyat al-Thaniah; so it can be implied that such a treatise existed among Sayyid's works.[۶]
* al-Masa'il al-Tirablusiyat al-Thaniah: is a concise treatise in ۱۱ pages each of which contains ۲۱ lines. SayyidMurtada wrote this treatise in response to the questions he received from Abulfazl, Ibrahim ibn al-Hasan al-Abani.[۷]
This treatise is based on the principles of the Imamiyyah sect; and in this work, Sayyid has referred to two of his books, i.e. al-Muqni’ fi al-Ghaybah and al-Shafi fi al-Imamah.[۸]
* al-Masa'il al-Tirablusiyat al-Thalithah: is a manuscript of a treatise[۹] including ۲۳ issues which are answers provided to questions that Sayyid received from Abulfazl Ibrahim ibn al-Hasan al-Abani in ۴۲۷ AH.[۱۰] It can be implied from the questions that the person who asked them was a follower of Imamiyyah and sought responses to his theological questions concerning the issues such as God’s knowledge of things, the revelation of the Qur’an as a single sentence [i.e. all at once], the martyrs’ life after death, the news of the soothsayers and their validity.[۱۱]
In this treatise, Sayyid has made a reference to his books al-Mulakhkhas[۱۲], al-Dhakhirah and Tanzih al-Anbia’[۱۳]; and since he did not consider single narrations valid, he insisted on the necessity of avoidance from the acceptance of the narrations of al-Kafi compiled by Kulayni.[۱۴]
* al-Masa'il al-Rasiyyat al-Ula: is the manuscript of a treatise including ۲۸ issues in ۲۴ pages, each containing ۲۱ lines. The book includes answers to the questions asked from him by Abu al-Hussayn, al-Muhsin ibnMuhammadibn al-Nasir al-Hussayni al-Rasi. This person, as described by Ibn Idris[۱۵] and as it is implied from his questions, was an accurate scholar and a genius faqih, who argued firmly; and his answers needed to be answered by some knowledgeable debater like Sayyid. SayyidMurtada acknowledged and appreciated his talent and capability, as well.
This treatise includes fiqh and theological issues. Concerning some discussions in this work, Sayyid has made references to his books Masa’il fi Usul al-Fiqh and Masa’il al-Matlabiyyat. He wrote the book in ۴۲۸ AH, and the work is so important because it includes his last fiqh discretions and theological views. The author of Adab al-Murtada states: I own a copy of this treatise penned by Aqa Bozorg Tehrani.[۱۶]
* al-Masa'il al-Rasiyyat al-Thaniyah: is also a treatise in response to the questions asked by Abu al-Husayn, al-Muhsin ibnMuhammadibn al-Nasir al-Husayni al-Rasi. These questions were asked following the questions responded in the former treatise, and Sayyid attached them to the previous treatise. The work consists of ۴ pages, each page containing ۲۲ lines, and each including ۲۸ words. The first issue is a fiqh issue and the rest deal with both fiqh and theology. This work is among Sayyid’s last writings, and hence it provides his latest opinions and thoughts.
The author of Adab al-Murtada states: I own a copy of this treatise penned by Aqa Bozorg Tehrani
* al-Masa’ilal-Mousiliyyat al-Ula: deals with three issues: trust, threat and analogy.[۱۷] The author of Adab al-Murtada states that: I did not find a copy of this book but Sayyid has made a reference in his books to this work. These issues were asked from Sayyid at his youth.[۱۸]
* al-Masa’ilal-Mousiliyyat al-Thaniyah: includes nine fiqh issues which mostly deal with the Imamiyyah’s Mutafarridat (isolations) or the things which are not considered definite from the viewpoint of the Imamiyyah Tafarrud (isolation). The treatise includes ۷ pages, each of which consists of ۲۲ lines, with about ۲۵ words in each line. The author of Adab al-Murtada states: I own a copy of this treatise. There is another copy in the Library of the Astan Quds Razawi.
al-Masa’ilal-Mousiliyyat al-Thalithah: includes ۱۰۹ issues in ۳۶ pages, each of which consists of ۲۶ lines. The issues in this treatise, similar to the treatise of Intisar, are mostly about fiqh. In this work, Sayyid has made references to al-Masa'il al-Tabaniyyat[۱۹],al-Masa’il al-Mousiliyyat al-Ula[۲۰], al-Masa’il al-Mousiliyyat al-Thaniyah[۲۱]. The author of Adab al-Murtada states: There is a copy of this treatise written in ۶۷۶ AH, which is in the Library of the Astan Quds Razawi,[۲۲] and I own another copy penned by Aqa Bozorg Tehrani. The significance of this treatise is because it implies the amount of the expansion of Shiism in Mousil and The Island in the fourth century.
* al-Masa'il Ahl al-Mayyafariqin: includes ۶۶ fiqh and religious-belief issues which are Sayyid’s answers to the questions asked by the people of Mayyafariqin. The author of Adab al-Murtada states: there is a copy of this treatise written in ۶۷۶ AH, which is in the Library of the Astan Quds Razawi. This copy consists of ۱۰ pages and each page contains ۲۲ lines. At the end, the debate between Sayyid and Abu al-‘AlaMa’arri has been recorded. I own another copy penned by Aqa Bozorg Tehrani.
* A Collection of Miscellaneous Issues: consisting of ۲۷ issues in ۲۷ pages.
The author of Adab al-Murtada states:[۲۳] I own a copy of this treatise penned by Aqa Bozorg Tehrani. It can be implied from the book that its issues are a compilation of the discussions from Sayyid’s various books and treatises such as the treatise of Ramliyyah, the treatise of Wasitiyyah and the book of Ghurar wa Durar.[۲۴] Furthermore, the compiler was not Sayyid, himself; rather someone else compiled them and put them together as a book. Therefore, it includes issues written by Sharif in different dates.[۲۵] In this treatise, Sayyid has made a reference to his book in fiqh, titled as Misbah.[۲۶]
* Mas’alah fi ‘Ismah: consists of two pages, which is available included in the collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani.[۲۷]
* Mas’alah fi al-I’tirad ‘ala Man Yuthabbit Qadam al-Ajsam: is also a treatise available in two pages attached to the collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani.[۲۸]
In this treatise Sayyid has made a reference to his book al-Mulakhkhas fi al-Usul. The treatise deals absolutely with philosophy.
* Ibtal al-‘Amal bi Khabar al-Ahad: is a treatise copied by Shaykh Aqa Bozorg from the manuscript of Shaykh Shahid; and Shaykh Shahid copied it from his grandfather’s manuscript, who had copied it from Sharif Murtada’s manuscript. The author of Adab al-Murtada states: I possess a copy of this work in two pages, in which Sayyid has made a reference to al-Masa’il al-Halabiyyat and al-Masa’il al-Tabaniyyat.[۲۹] In this treatise, there are some objections to the hadith narrators of Imamiyyah such as Tateri and IbnSama’ah; and some narrators from among the Gholat, Mujassamah, Khatabiyyah, Mushabbaha and Mujirah.[۳۰]
* A Collection of Four Treatise: dealing with four issues: first, the ways of reasoning; second, arguing that absence of reason is a reasons for nonexistence; third, the authority of unjust ruler (this issue was discussed in Jamadial-Awwal ۴۱۵ AH in the court of Vizier Abu al-Qasim, al-Hussaynibn Ali al-Maghribi); fourth, the function of the Ba’ Ta’diyah (the preposition in Arabic language which implies simultaneity). Therefore, this treatise is a collection of the issues from the fields of fiqh, usul and syntax. The author of Adab al-Murtada states: I own a copy of this work penned by Aqa Bozorg Tehrani.[۳۱]
* Fi Man Yatawalla Ghusl al-Imam: is a concise treatise in one page on the belief that the funeral ablution of an Imam is not to be done except by an Imam. SayyidMurtada does not consider this belief valid; rather he thinks it is impossible. In this work, there is a reference to the book al-Dhakhirah.[۳۲]
* Man’ Tafdil al-Mala’ikah ‘ala al-Anbiya’: is a treatise in three pages attached to the collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani (p. ۲۳۲ - ۲۳۴).
In this treatise, Sayyid has explained about the Qur’anic verse “Verily We have honored the children of Adam. We carry them on the land and the sea, and have made provision of good things for them, and have preferred them above many of those whom We created with a marked preferment.” (the Quran ۱۷: ۷۰)
* al-‘Adad, oral-Radd ‘ala Ashab al-‘Adad: in this treatise, Sayyid rejects the viewpoint that fasting in Ramadan depends upon the numerical completion (thirty days), and argues that sighting of the moon is the criterion for its completion.[۳۳]
* al-Masa'il al-Tabaniyyat: includes the questions asked from Sayyid by Abu Abdullah Muhammadibn ‘Abd al-Malik al-Tabani. The questions imply that he had been an efficient theologian; it can even be understood that he had been more proficient than other scholars who asked questions from Sayyid. He asked why the Imamiyyah rejected consensus and analogy; he also asked why Sayyid did not consider single narrations valid, while if such narrations were discarded, most of the religious discretions would lose their validity.
According to the author of Adab al-Murtada, there is a copy of this treatise in the library of the Astan Quds Razawi, including ۳۰ pages and written in ۶۷۶ AH; the author of Adab al-Murtadaalso states that he owns another copy penned by Aqa Bozorg Tehrani.[۳۴]
* Ajwabat al-Masa’il al-Deilamiyyah: there is a copy of this treatise in the library of the Astan Quds Razawi.[۳۵]
* Ajwabat al-Masa’il al-Tabariyyah: there is a copy of this treatise in the library of the Astan Quds Razawi, written in ۱۰۹۳ AH.[۳۶]
* al-Shahab fi al-Shaib wa al-Shibab: is a book published by Matba’at al-Jawa’ib in ۱۳۰۲ AH along with another book titled Silwat al-Kharif, believed to have been written by Jahiz. Sayyid, in this book which was written in ۴۱۹ AH,[۳۷] compiled the best of what had been said about “Shaib” (hoariness) and “Shibab” (youth), and compared their meanings critically. To this end, he compiled ۴۶ couplets from the poems by Ibn Rumi, ۳۹ couplets from Abu Tamam’s poems, ۱۴۰ couplets from Abu ‘Ibadat al-Bahtari’s poems, ۳۱۴ couplets from his brother’s (Razi) poems, and ۴۶۳ couplets from his own poems.[۳۸] The last poem of his own included in this book was a poem he composed in ۴۲۱ AH. He has made repetitious references to his book al-Ghurarwa al-Durar.[۳۹]
According to the author of Adab al-Murtada, there are citations in this book from the book al-Muwazinah written by Amudi, which are not found in al-Muwazinah’s printed copy; therefore, it seems that the printed copy is not complete.[۴۰]
* al-Usul al-I’tiqadiyyah: is a concise treatise concerning the attributes of God, prophethood, Imamat, resurrection, intercession, chastisement in the grave, annihilation of the world, the scale, The Path, the paradise and the hell. It was published in ۴ pages in Baghdad in ۱۹۵۴ AD.[۴۱]
* al-Wilayah ‘an al-Ja’ir or al-Wilayah min Qibal al-Zalimin: is a concise treatise which was written by Sayyid in ۴۱۵ AH for the Vizier Abu al-Qasim Hussaynibn Ali Maghribi. The treatise is about the legitimacy of being appointed as a ruler by the unjust caliphs, which has generally been discussed and criticized among the Imamiyyah. In this treatise, Sayyid has clarified what such a ruler is allowed to do on behalf of the unjust caliph and what he is not allowed to do. The work has been mentioned in the Basrawi’s certificate, and the author of Adab al-Murtada states: I own a copy of this work penned by Shaykh Aqa Bozorg Tehrani.[۴۲]
* Muqaddamah fi al-Usul: is a treatise which deals briefly with the principles of the beliefs of the Imamiyyah, including unity, justice, imamat, resurrection, promise and threat; the work also criticizes some of the viewpoints of the Mu’tazilah. The author of Adab al-Murtada states: I own a copy of this work attached to the collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani in one page written in a small font.[۴۳]
* Munazirah al-Sharif al-Murtada li Abi al-‘Ala al-Ma’arri (The Debate between al-Sharif al-Murtada and Abu al-‘Ala al-Ma’arri) is a treatise in a small font in one page which was originally narrated from Sayyid by his student Shaykh Soleiman Sahrashti,[۴۴] and then Shaykh Tabarsi quoted it in his book Ihtijaj, and other scribes cross-referenced it from Tabarsi. In this treatise, Sayyid argues for the contingency of the world, while Abu al-‘Ala argues for its eternity. The author of Adab al-Murtada is suspicious about the authenticity of the work, and believes that the style of the work is not similar to Murtada’s style; therefore, he is not certain about the validity of considering the treatise to have been written either by Sharif Murtada or by Abu al-‘AlaMa’arri.[۴۵]
* Mas’alah Wajizah fi al-Ghaybah: is a treatise in three pages concerning the issue of the occultation of the Imam MahdiPBUH, the awaited Imam. There is no discrepancy between the reasons provided by Sayyid in this treatise and the reasons he has written in other works (particularly in al-Muqni’ fi al-Ghaybah) concerning this issue.[۴۶]
* Sharh Qasidat al-Sayyid al-Humairi: is an explanation to an ode published along with a number of Persian and Arabic treatise in Cairo in ۱۳۱۳ AH. The ode is in praise of Ali ibn Abu TalibPBUH, which starts with the following couplet:
Why wouldn't you stop in the green land?
Located between al-Towayla' and the desert in Kabkab.
In this explanation, Sayyid has clarified Ali’s conduct, virtues and standpoints. Furthermore, he has explained about the literary features of the ode. In addition, he has referred to some historical and literary events. Sayyid wrote this work for his child. The author of Adab al-Murtada states: there is a copy of this work with Sayyid Sadiq Kamunah the lawyer in Baghdad.[۴۷]
[۱]The Basrawi’s certificate is a certificate granted by Sayyid Murtada in ۴۱۷ AH to one of his students named Abu al-Hasan Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Basrawi the Faqih. In this certificate Sayyid has counted his works and allowed them to be observed. The manifest of this certificate is now available in The Library of The Astan Quds Razawi (refer to the list of the library, books in manuscript vol. ۲, p. ۳۹, entry of fiqh); furthermore the manuscript of the book Riyad al-‘Ulama has recorded this certificate on pages ۴۸۰ – ۴۸۲ (Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۳۱).
[۲]P. ۱۰۱, T. Najaf.
[۳]P. ۸۱, T. Najaf.
[۴] Themanuscript of the book Riyad al-‘Ulama , p. ۴۸۵ – ۴۸۷, Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۳۹.
[۵]Duraral-Fawa’id, printed in Iran, p. ۳۵۲ – ۳۶۳; and also, printed in Iran in ۱۳۱۵ AH along with two other treatises of Sayyid: Mas’alah fi al-‘Ismah and Ahkam Ahl al-Akhirah.
[۶]P. ۱۴۳ – ۱۴۴, quoted from the collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۱۵۷, ۱۷۲.
[۷]The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۱۵۷ (Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۴).
[۸]The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۱۵۷
[۹]The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۱۷۴ (Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۴).
[۱۰]The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, the introduction.
[۱۱]Refer to the fifth, sixth and seventh issues.
[۱۲]Refer to the first, second, twelfth, and seventeenth issues (Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۵).
[۱۳]Refer to the fourteenth issue.
[۱۴]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۵.
[۱۵]Refer to the introduction of the treatise and the writing of Aqa Shaykh Bozorg on the cover of the treatise.
[۱۶]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۵.
[۱۷]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۶, quoted from Riyad al-‘Ulama , the Manuscript, p. ۴۸۳; and Tadhkirat al-Mutabahhirin, p. ۴۸۶, T. Iran; and Shafi, p. ۲۱۹, ۲۴۹, T. Iran
[۱۸]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۶, quoted from Tadhkirat al-Mutabahhirin, p. ۴۸۶; and Tusi’s Fihrist .
[۱۹]Introduction of the treatise,
[۲۰]Issues ۳۵ and ۵۶.
[۲۱]Issue ۵.
[۲۲]The list of the manuscript ofbooks, vol. ۲, p. ۳۸.
[۲۳]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۸.
[۲۴]Refer to The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۳۱۰, ۳۴۱, ۳۴۶, ۳۴۹ (Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۸).
[۲۵]Refer to the first, second and third issues.
[۲۶]The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۳۴۲.
[۲۷]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۸.
[۲۸]The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۳۱۵ – ۳۱۷ (Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۸).
[۲۹]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۹.
[۳۰] The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۳۳۵.
[۳۱]P. ۱۴۹.
[۳۲] The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۲۱۳.
[۳۳]Refer to The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۲۱۳ – ۲۲۸.
[۳۴]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۵۲, quoted from The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۸۷ – ۱۱۹.
[۳۵]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۵۳, quoted from the list of the manuscript of books of The Library of The Astan Quds Razawi, p. ۶۷.
[۳۶]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۵۳.
[۳۷]Printed by Matba’at al-Jawa’ib, p. ۳.
[۳۸]Refer tothe copy printed by Matba’at al-Jawa’ib.
[۳۹]Printed by Matba’at al-Jawa’ib, p. ۹, ۱۲, ۱۵, ۲۰.
[۴۰]P. ۱۶۱.
[۴۱]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۴۰.
[۴۲]P. ۱۴۲.
[۴۳]P. ۱۵۰.
[۴۴]The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۳۱ – ۳۲.
[۴۵]P. ۱۵۲.
[۴۶]Adab al-Murtada, p. ۱۵۲, quoted from The Collection of Aqa Bozorg Tehrani, p. ۳۰۸ – ۳۱۱.
[۴۷]P. ۱۵۸.
