The Alawi Library, affiliated with the Department of Intellectual and Cultural Affairs of the Alawi Holy Shrine, announced the final stages of the research and printing project for the book “The Past and Present of Najaf” by Shaikh Jafar Mahbubah.
This initiative is part of the preparations for the events commemorating the millennium of the founding of the Hawza (Islamic Seminary) of Najaf al-Ashraf.
The head of the library, Ammar MaShaAllah, stated in an interview with shrine’s the news center:
“This project is one of the most important initiatives the library is pursuing to revive the scientific and historical heritage of the city of Najaf al-Ashraf.”
He added:
“This manuscript is considered one of the most important sources regarding the history of Najaf in the past and present, and it is over ninety years old.”
He continued:
“This book is not limited solely to documenting the history of the city and the Holy Alawi Shrine; rather, it includes biographies of the scholarly families residing in Najaf from the era of Shaikh al-Tusi to the present day. Furthermore, this work relies on rare manuscripts that have not been published before.”
He also explained:
“The author had published only three volumes of this book during his lifetime, and the work of re-researching them is currently underway. The Alawi Holy Shrine intends to complete the remaining volumes with comprehensive scientific research, such that the total set will exceed fifteen volumes. This collection includes the documentation of Alawi families with their various branches and is scheduled to be published this year in a complete printed format with a modern scientific approach, worthy of the value of this great historical work.”
It is worth mentioning that Shaikh Jafar Mahbubah was born in Najaf al-Ashraf around 1314 AH and passed away in 1377 AH. He was raised in a scholarly environment, joined the Islamic Seminary, and studied under several great scholars, including Grand Ayatollah Sayed Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei (may his soul be sanctified), which played a significant role in shaping his scientific personality and his valuable works.
