It is tried to make a collection about the life of the renowned mystic and Arif bellah Syed Abdolkarim Kashmiri, quoted by his family, disciples and his companions like Hojtol Isalam Syed Ali Akbar Sedaghat who had the opportunity of accompanying him for 13 years. Syed Ali Akbar Sedaghat then wrote 5 books about his highness in years between 1378 and 1390 named Aftabe khuban, Rouh va Reihan, Sohbate Janan, Minagare Del and Mojdeh Didar.

Since its been hard to find the books in different cities around the country its decided to provide the contents of the 5 volumes in a series called Jamale Janan and present it to those interested . There are also stories in addition to Jamale Janan given by the name of Mostadrek in this site.

I must note that the whole project is a blessing given to me and my friends by Allah Almighty and definitely the holy spirit of Ayatollah Kashmiri and the guidance of Ostad Ali Akbar Sedaghat have been always helpful to fulfill the task.Hope interested readers benefit fully from this mystical series.

It must be asserted that the quotations from the 5 volumes have been demonstrated by abbreviations like A for Aftabe KHuban , R for Rouh va Reihan, S for Sohbate Janan, M for Minagare Del and MD for Mojdeh Didar.

 

 

 

 

Ayatollah Syed Abdolkarim Kashmiri was born in a spiritual family. His father was Hojatol Islam Syed Mohammad Ali Kashmiri the third child of Ayatollah Syed Hassan Kashmiri who was born in Karbala and obtained religious knowledge under his fathers surveillance and became a clergyman being famous for his continence, obedience and sanctity. He lost his father when he was sixteen.

 

 

He married with the daughter of Ayatollah Syed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi the writer of Orvatolvosga after graduation. The fruits of this marriage were children like Agha Syed Abdolkarim who was an honor among clergies and a blessing for his father.

His father as a religious and pious personality was also strict in observing religious duties such as Vajib and Mostahab and going to trips. For example he would ask the shoe keeper in the holy shrine of Amirol momenin if his son were present in the shrine. Because of the very strict situation in Najafs theological school, his father didnt like him to mingle with mystics like Ayatollah Ghazi who was treated harshly. He presumed his son to be out of mind if accompanied a person like Ayatollah Ghazi while his son insisted upon his father that he knew nothing about him.

Whenever one of the known clerics passed away it was announced above the minarets in Iraq. One of Iranian Clerics was incidentally died and his father asked him who that person was. Abdolkarim answered his fathers question also told his mother that it would be his fathers turn the other day. The mother got mad at his son told he had absolutely lost his mind. To her surprise his father passed away the other day in the age of 56 in Najaf Ashraf.

 

He described his father as a knowledgeable man but not Mojtahid (an upper level in theological schools). His father used to recite Doas like Komeil, Ehtejab and Yastashir and advised him to recite Yastashir that his father Agha Syed Hassan had recommended him. His father was an intimate friend with Sheikh Abdolkarim Haeri Yazdi and named his son Abdolkarim after his friend. He liked clerics specific dress thats why he selected this dress for his son in very early age. His father had kept soils (Torbat) from Imam Husseins shrine along with a stick of a mat that turned black due to excessive use for healing the patients who used to come to him to be cured. He used to lend a tablet (Loah) to pregnant ladies to deliver their babies easily.

 

There were tough rules in theological schools of those days where many clerics were accused of being mystics like Ayatollah Ghazi. The father of Agha Abdolkarim was obsessively forbidding his son to get close to them. If the shoe keeper of Amir –ol- momenin shrine told him that he wasnt present in the shrine he wouldnt speak to his son that day.

 

If he had a trip from Karbala to Najaf his father would accompany him to the car and would repeatedly remind him not to go to Bagdad threatening if he didnt obey his command he would abandon him for good. If he asked his father to permit him to go to Kazemein located near Baghdad for Ziarat, he forbade and threatened him not do so otherwise he would abandon him.

 

Once he fed up with his fathers obsessive attitude went to Amir-ol- momenin Shrine complained about his fathers behavior while he didnt have any illegal actions. After a while, his father saw Amir-ol-momenin in his dream describing Agha Abdolkarim being like him from head to belly; a dream that changed his fathers mind letting his son a bit relaxed.

 

His father migrated from Karbala to Najaf settled there after getting married with the daughter of Ayatollah Syed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi whereas he persisted to be buried in Karbala in his will which was against the regular rule of burying those who died in Najaf. Those days the body of Clerics (Alems) usually carried to Karbala to the shrine of Imam Hussein and buried in Najaf. He was an exception among all whose body was carried from Najaf to Karbala and buried there. Its note mentioning that the father of Syed Hassan Kashmiri was also buried in Karbala near Imamzade Ibrahims grave.

 

One night Agha Abdolkarim dreamt of a rosary (Tasbih) being torn in his hand. His dream was interpreted and he was told that the head of his family would die and his relatives would be fallen apart. The dream turned to reality and his father passed away in the age of 56 and his relatives were separated. When Agha Abdolkarim was asked who he missed the most his answer was summarized in two personalities Syed Ali agha Ghazi and his father.

 

 

Agha Abdolkarims respected mother the daughter of Ayatollah Syed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi was a virtuous lady.

The son of Agha Abdolkarim told about his grandmother who was respected differently. She lived with her brothers in Baghdad where Agha Abdolkarim used to visit her very often. He used to sit respectfully for minutes in front of her.

 

 

Agha Abdolkarims grandfather was very knowledgeable and wise who wrote the book Orvatolvosga that many others wrote about it. He passed away in 1337 in Najaf Ashraf.

 

Agha Abdolkarim liked the portraits of his two grandfathers Agha Syed Hassan Keshmiri and Agha Syed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi that were hung on the walls of his house attracting eyes of those entered.

 

His grandfather was born in 1246 (1257) in one of the villages in Yazd city, migrated to Isfahan when he was very young. He was benefited by teachings of Agha Sheikh Mohammad Bagher Najafi and Syed Mohammad Bagher khansari the writer of Roazatol jannat.

 

Then he went to Najaf Ashraf and got benefited by teachings of Mirza Mohammad Shirazi the writer of the book The boycott of tobacco and started teaching after his demise. He had publications like Orvatolvosgha, passed away in 27th Rajab 1337 and buried in Najaf Ashraf.

 

It was narrated by Ayatollah Bahjat that someone got lunatic and was seen in streets of Najaf to the Peoples surprise who had seen him perfectly all right. As a matter of fact, he insulted Agha Syed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi pulled his prayer- mat while he was sitting on it, so was punished by Almighty and lost his mind completely.

 

 

Agha Syed Mohammad Hassan arrived in Karbala along with his father in childhood started classes in Theological school and achieved the level of high theological authority (Marjaiat) and reached to upper levels in refinement and morality.

 

He was a great Alem who attended classes of Molla Fazel Ardekani and Molla Mohammad Taghi Harati and reached to the level of high theological authority.

 

He was from among pure, righteous and devotee who was attracted by noble and plebeian and was Imam of a mosque behind the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala.

 

Agha Abdolkarim believed that his grandfathers rights had been violated in history; he was a great man whose personality was not reflected in a proper way. Thats why he was recommended to write about him thoroughly. He said that his grandfather had a great voice also very fascinating accent in a way many were present in Jemaah prayers ( praying in group) to hear his mesmerizing voice.

He revealed facts about his grandfather like finding the grave of hazrat Ali Asghar -he was also known for lengthy prostrations (sajdaz).

 

The two great Alems the late Syed Ali Agha Ghazi and Ayatollah Kuhistani told a lot about him and Ayatollah Kuhistani had an intimacy with his grandfather. Ayatollah Sheikh Abdolkarim Haaeri and Sheikh Ali Zahed Qomi were among his disciples.

 

He left the world due to sickness in 6th Safar 1328, buried in the shrine of Syed -o -shohada near the grave of Imamzadeh Ibrahim Mojab son of Musa bin Jafar.

 

He had three sons named Syed Mustafa, Syed Mohammad Hussein and Syed Mohammad Ali (the father of Agha Abdolkarim).Syed Mustafa had the responsibility of Imam of the mosque after his fathers death. Syed Mohammad Hussein erected Karbalas flag in municipality square and Agha Syed Mohammad Ali was his father.

 

He described his grandfather as very good looking in a way Sheikh Abdolkarim Haari who took part in his classes stared sometimes at his face rather than listening to his lessons. He had the high theological authority and many from Karbala and India were his followers -he was mystic and had miraculous deeds in a way when his grandfather (mothers father) had sickness he asked to bring him Agha syed Mohammad Hassans dress to wear and get cured.

 

Agha Abdolkarim said that the late Syed Ali Agha Ghazi had seen his grandfather and praised him. He had such a lengthy prostration (Sajda) that the households having known the reality would cover him with a blanket in that condition.

 

One of his miraculous deeds written in some of famous books also in Magatel was locating the grave of Hazrat Ali Asghar. A group of Turks from Iran who had come to Karbala for Ziarat visited Agha Syed Mohammad Hassan wanted to know the location of Hazrat Ali Asghars grave. He asked them to wait for a night to get their answer. In that specific night he resorted to the holy spirit of Agha Aba Abdullah Hussein to help him. In his dream or revelation Imam Hussein showed him the grave next to Imams grave.

 

After Agha Syed Hassans demise the uncle of Agha Abdolkarim took the responsibility of being Imam of the mosque. Agha Abdolkarim in periods that theological school in Najaf was closed used to go to Karbala to be Imam of the mosque.

 

Have you seen India?

My grandfather left Kashmir when he was only 7 but none of us have seen Kashmir.

 

Tell us about your grandfather (fathers father).

He was an Alem and mujtahed in Karbala and had followers in Azerbaijan a province in Iran. He was a clergy and had miraculous deeds as well. Ayatollah Sheikh Abdolkarim Haaeri was one of his disciples.

 

 

Agha Abdolkarim married with the daughter of the Mujtahed and learned the late Mirza Mohammad Shirazi son of Ayatollah Kazem Shirazi. Agha Abdolkarims mother the daughter of Ayatollah Mohammad Kazem Yazdi was the aunt of his wife.

 

 

Agha Abdolkarim, in his last trip, to Isfahan went to Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Naseri Dolatabadi. One of the landlords families had died and they had a function in their house where the physical condition of Agha Abdolkarim changed. They brought a doctor to check him and the doctor injected morphine to him that made him sleep in a way he was woken up for morning prayers. He said his prayers slept till 7 and when waking up started saying:

Sheikh Hadi Marvi asked him if there was something wrong. He told him he would like to be buried in the shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh in Qom city if he died. In case he werent buried in that place there was no difference where he buried. He asked him if he had any other wishes that his answer was negative.

 

 

Agha Abdolkarim went to Qom on a Friday in the month of Ramzan in the year 1377. He looked at Sheikh Hadi Marvi and told him that he wont see him the other week. His prophecy about his death was true because he had a stroke few days later.

 

When Ayatollah Kashmiri passed away there was an order from the office of the leader to the authorities of Hazrat Masoumehs shrine to bury him above the head of Hazrat Masoumeh according to the wish of Ayatollah Kashmiri. His body, after a funeral procession in Tehran was taken to Qom to the Baaqei grave to be ceremonially washed and shrouded.

 

Sheikh Hadi says "I went to find a grave for him. One of the sons in laws of the president of the shrine who was a young man told him that he knew where he had to be buried provided that he didnt ask who informed him. He showed a grave near to Allameh Tabatabais grave. When I asked the grave digger to dig the place he refused at first and said there was no grave there. By my persistence he started digging and to his surprise he found a ready grave there."

 

After a ceremonial wash and funeral procession his body was brought to the shrine and Ayatollah Bahjat prayed on his body. A lot of people were gathered and the body of Ayatollah Kashmiri was taken into the grave with difficulty. The body was to be covered when Ayatollah Amoli decided to go into the grave and touch his dress and turban with the soil of his highness grave. Then the body was covered.

 

Ayatollah Kashmiri in the last days of his life wished to go to Qom city to the shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh. He used to say "if I die take me to Hazrat Masoumehs shrine"."

 

In 30th Aban 1374 he repeated the words Hazrat Ali(p) written on the shroud of Salman "the journey of death is close and Im empty handed." He used to say" the death is close and its not a joke". I asked him what his feeling was and he answered" to be in the throes of death". He said "I saw Agha Syed Hashem in dream who asked me why I was in agony whereas the comfort was ahead." He used to repeat the following verse many times:

He then added: "all of them went and the last one was Syed Hashem Haddad."

 

The word of death and murmur of flight was sometimes heard from his mouth. Some of those who met him asked why he didnt attempt to write Touzihol Masael( Catechism/ a book written by Mujtahed to help people in observing religious deeds). He answered "death is ahead", recited a verse from Holy Koran:

 

Ayatollah was sick for almost 10 years and had heart attacks and stroke for many times. In his last stroke in the last days of Holy Ramzan 1419, he was unconscious for three months and was kept in Naft hospital in Tehran. He passed away in the age of 74 on Wednesday, 18th Farvardin, 1378 of the solar year and 20th Zelhajeh, 1419 of the lunar year.

 

 

When mystic (Salek) refines himself his insight gradually opens a divine path for him and he would be able to foresee the past and the future.

Our master says that when the mystic is in the world of ecstasy (embezzlement) he would have the ability to see and speak, a power that Almighty Allah bestows upon him. The following stories are about Ayatollah Kashmiri that show how he was able to foresee and prophesize the incidents:

 

One of the disciples says:" I had two schools going sons-- one day (about the year 1366) I took them to the Ostads house and asked him to tell me about their future. He explained to me that my elder son would be interested in knowledge and the younger in collecting money. Years passed and my younger son started doing business from the very young age while he was almost eleven and he was getting richer day by day and my elder son got his B.A. from the university that year and whatever Ostad foresaw exactly happened in reality."

 

 

He was frequently asked about Saddam Husseins situation (the dictator of Iraq) during and after the war till the last moments of his life and his answer was the same: "not yet" and according to his prophecy Saddam continued his dictatorship for a long time.

 

 

One of the knowledgeable individuals who had a governmental designation asked Ostad to give him a clue to help him get the spiritual knowledge and inner realities. His request was ignored politely due to the Ostads friendship with him. One day I asked his highness about what prevented him to give that person a hand. He replied:" being a boss is a hinder on his way"."I talked to the person by phone ( the year 1373) and he thanked me for giving him the news but didnt leave that job and nothing special happened in his spiritual life."

 

 

One of his Lebanese disciples who attempted to leave Iran and Najaf where he had the honor of meeting his highness went to him asking to make an augury. Ostad had a negative opinion about his move to another place pointing out that he would be repentant if he gets back. One and half years before our masters demise he got back to his country and told his relatives who asked about his situation that he suffered from heart complications and wasnt happy about living there.

 

 

A person entered his highness house like someone whos not slept well; being drowsy he complained that he didnt sleep well the previous night!! Ostad disclosed the fact that he had slept in the yard while he missed his morning prayers a reality that shocked the man.

 

 

One day he was told about the marriage of the son of a knowledgeable person who was known to him and he immediately said:" God saves the boy!! -- if he consulted with me I would not recommend him to get married with that girl". The couple got divorced after they had a baby and what happened was exactly according to what he foresaw.

 

 

A rug merchant that had two girls and didnt get any other child for more than 18 years went to his highness being assured that his heart would be all right and that was true when the doctors checked him up. One day his highness told the merchant that he would be blessed by a son soon. The merchant was in Germany when he was given the news of his wife being pregnant. The doctors told the wife that her baby was a girl. The merchant went to Ostad and told him what the doctors said according to various checkups. He repeated his words and assured the merchant that his baby would be a boy and he better select the name of Ali for him. When the merchant spoke to a doctor about his highness claim he replied that clergies talk a lot against the truth. His wife got birth to a baby boy after two days and surprised all the doctors of the hospital. One of the doctors asked the merchant to take him to the clergy who gave the right news beforehand.

 

His highness and some of his disciples were guests of a friend in one of the villages around Qom city. There were cherry and apricot trees in the yard. The child of one of the guests climbed the tree to pick apricots. Our master told his father that he was thinking about his boy lest not to fall and that was exactly what the father was thinking about at that specific moment. (M, page 38)

 

 

One day we were honored to meet Ayatollah Kashmiri and asked him about Ayatollah Kouhistani. He described him as the owner of a purified ego.

I met Ayatollah Kashmiri in Imam Alis shrine and asked him if he had a meeting with Ayatollah Kouhistani when he was in Iran. He replied:"Yes I met him and said my prayers with him a prayer that I m sure of its acceptance." (S, Page 196)

 

 

Ostad who was a resident of Qom city made a trip to Tehran to see his children.

In one of his trips one of his relatives( maybe his daughter or his daughter in law) asked him:" there is a lady in Tehran who preaches and claims to foresee things and does works accordingly- Id like you to see her."

His highness declined the proposal by saying that he didnt feel well. In his other trip he was requested to see her repeatedly and he had to accept her request finally. The lady met him staring at his face started talking about his personality and at the end objected all clergies by saying that they got nothing.

Ayatollah Kashmiri felt that what she was saying was against the truth and gave him a shocking answer. He put all his attention to Imam Ali (p) and told that she tricked her husband and was treacherous to him!! --- This changed the color of her face and was embarrassed. He brought Imam Ali to his mind again and said that she was superficially Muslim.

Being panic she started telling the truth by confessing that she was a Christian resident of London wanted to get married with an Iranian merchant. She wasnt virgin but tried to fabricate the fact and to get that purpose accepted Islam superficially. She was a student of a school in reading faces and got her diploma in that science by learning some formulas in eyes, eyebrows, lips and chicks one could be able to tell people about their personality. (MD, Pages 19, 20)

 

 

A relative or a friend of his highness took his wife to Tehran city to deliver a baby. The doctors counsel advised that the baby in her belly was dead and had to be aborted by cortege otherwise the mother would be at risk. The man decided to go to Ostad and tell him the story. His highness revealed the fact that his baby boy was quite fine and his wife would have a normal delivery.

The man happily managed to go to the hospital and tell the Ostads prophecy to related doctors. Hearing his story, the doctors got furious repeated that his wife had to be taken for surgery. The man decided not to let them do that-- astonishingly what happened to his wife was according to the Ostads prophecy. She had a normal delivery gave birth to a chubby baby boy.

The doctors were astonished willing to meet him but Ostad politely declined having a meeting with them. (MD, pages 21, 22)

 

 

The late Hojjat-ol-Islam Syed Hashem Rizvi( died in 1371) who was Arif Bellah Syed Ali Agha Ghazis disciple had a meeting with Ostad . His highness told him some of his secret dimensions of Agha Rizvi that astonished him greatly and asked how he knew. Ostad answered:" this is a talent given by Almighty".

The answer was just the same as the answer of the Prophet Jacob in interpreting the dreams of the two newly imprisoned men. One of them dreamed that he was making juice with grapes to make wine and the other dreamed that he was carrying bread on his head while the birds gathered above his head to take pieces. The Prophet Jacob interpreting their dreams asserted:" such a talent was blessed by Almighty. (MD, pages 21, 22)

 

 

Mr. Sherkat was too depressed by being rubbed by a thief who took some of his luggage. He went to Jafar Agha Mujtahedi asking him if he could find the thief and was assured that the thief would be found.

One day he met Ayatollah Kashmiri who intended to go to Jafar Agha Mujtahedis house in the lane and asked him if his luggage could be found. He replied he would not get them back. Years passed and Mr. Sherkat was unable to get his luggage back. (MD, page 29)

 

 

The renowned preacher Hojjatol- Islam Sheikh Hussein Ansarian spoke of those days of revolution and times of Monafeghin group (hypocrites) and their assassinations in Tehran, days that he had to go everywhere on foot being always scared of their terrorist attack. Agha Kashmiri was not known to many except a few in Qom and Tehran those days. One day someone went to his house and gave him a message from Agha Kashmiri that when he stepped out of the house recite Surat Tawhid 6 times in 6 directions and he would be safe and sound and no one would dare attack him. Mr. Ansarian didnt know the man and didnt ask him who that person was.

Explanation: Surat Tawhid is recited one time for each direction as Imam Sadegh(p) told Mofzal- bin- Omar:" protect yourself by reciting Surath-ol- Towhid round yourself in six directions- front, back, left, right, up and down. (MD, pages 30, 31)

 

 

One of Ostads fans talked about his argument with his wife and children at home. He persisted in making them understand something and they were not able to get his words. He became agitated at last complained why they didnt have the ability to perceive such an easy issue.

He happened to go to Agha Kashmiri the same day; his highness told him that his family was not like Molla Sadra to perceive everything easily. The man surprisingly found out that he knew what happened in his house. (S, Page: 183)

 

 

Agha Kashmiri was told that the brother of a clergy who was the head of a regiment during Iraq- Iran war was being lost for more than 20 days and his brother didnt know whether he was dead, injured or captured by Iraqis. Ostad made a cross with his fingers on the rug and said that his brother was martyred and his body would be sent to him soon but asserted not to mention anything to his brother before the arrival of the body. Ahamad reza Rahimis body was buried in Ali bin Jafar cemetery in Qom city. (S, page 136)

 

 

One afternoon Agha Kashmiri visited a Lebanese clergy in his house along with two of his disciples. The clergy offered them tea, coffee and fruits and asked Ostad to say something. Ayatollah Kashmiri said that his Lebanese wife was too depressed and her heart was full of sorrows. The clergy nodded his head affirmatively and told that his wife had been working at home doing all the households and taking care of children and had not been able to step out of the house for a long time. (S, page 137)

 

 

One of friends being his highness’s disciple too, proceeded to a city to be Imam of the mosque due to friends’ and relatives’ persistence. This was told to Ostad who showed concern about this pious man and told he would be losing face in that city.

Later he gave his story by saying that he was being envied by some who spread rumors against him in a way he was on the verge of losing face but decided to get back to Qom city after a year nullifying their treacherous acts. (S, page: 139)

 

 

In the first days of Islamic Revolution a Judge who was not satisfied about his designation as being a judge went to his highness to take augury consulting with the Holy koran without letting him know what his intention was. His highness told him that the place he was standing was just 20 meters away from torment and asked him to leave there immediately. The judge decided to quit the job started another major and became quite successful in it. (S, page 160)

 

 

Two knowledgeable young men who were Arab met his highness in his house. One of them confessed he had beaten his wife and she had escaped from the house in Qom city where she was regarded as a stranger- being repentant he was very much worried about her.

His highness scorned him for such a bad action especially because he was among the literate ones. He told the Arab that his wife had gone to friends’ or relatives’ home and would show up soon. (S, Pages 162,163)

 

 

A knowledgeable friend who was a fan of his highness told his story about his own marriage. His mother had given him a message from Tehran to have found a good match for him and he didn’t pay attention until he was invited to a wedding in Tehran where his highness was also invited. He panegyrized in the function and was encouraged by Ostad greatly. Remembering his mother’s words he decided to ask his highness to do augury by the Holy Koran. Ostad started opening the holy Koran in his own way of looking at the sentence before and after the specific sentence smiled and said that he liked to get married and started telling him that the girl was from Alavies with a very good personality and then gave him some of her physical signs and the man also smiled In hearing such a good news. He then called his mother asking about the girl but his mother had no idea about her personality. He attempted to ask the girl’s hand and found out what his highness had told about her was very much true. He married with her in the year 1362. (S, Page 210)

 

 

His highness, in the first days of his departure from Najaf to Qom city, was blessed by a special sort of spiritual contemplation in a way he could see the real side of the things. One day he revealed a reality about some of the doctors in Barzakh( the interval between death and resurrection) whose condition was not so good except one of them called Syed Mohammad who was righteous by being very much regular in giving alms for Imam Zaman every day, going to hazrat Masoomeh’s (Shiaas’s eight Imam’s sister who is buried in Qom city) shrine regularly and being so much into Doaa and Dhikr all the time.(S, page 208)

 

The first days of migration to Qom from Najaf some of his admirers asked him his opinion about a person who claimed to be virtuous and into mysticism. He without visiting the person said that he was cursed by women. Years later it became evident that what his highness revealed about him was true since he was a polygamist got married and later divorced his wives and this brought him misfortunes and mishaps in a way all his followers left him. (S, page 159)

 

 

The friend of someone who was a known person told his highness that his friend had decided to have a trip to one of Iran’s provinces. Ostad told the man to tell his friend not to go to that trip. The man told his highness that nothing could be done since the trip was confirmed and there was no possibility to cancel it. The known person went to that trip and spoke of something he should not have said. (S, page 158)

 

 

His highness mostly had a meeting with the late Syed Hashem Haddad while paying a visit to Howze Elmieh(Theological school) in Karbala.

His highness was a guest in his house when a young man entered and Mr. Hadad introduced him as a newlywed being a relative of his wife. His highness immediately told Mr. Haddad that he was infertile. He was so sure that before apersonality like Mr. Haddad revealed his opinion clearly. (S, page 172)

 

 

Ayatollah Mirza Seibooye asked his highness to take Istikhareh (to make an augury with the holy book) for his trip from Najaf to Tehran. Being unsure about his place of living he was recommended to go to Tehran and was assured that he would not face any difficulties regarding his place of living. This exactly happened and he was stationed in a house where he bought it after he calmly sold the house in Najaf. (S, page 186)

 

 

His highness accompanied with a knowledgeable and renowned friend went to a summering place in the years 1362 and 1363.Some of the journalists visited his friend. His highness objected it and told him not to talk to everyone and talked frankly about one of them whose beard was red as not being in a good position to be accepted by him. (S, page 186)

 

 

His highness proceeded to Karbala from Najaf by bus. He overheard the dialogues of the two young men who were sitting in front chairs talking about clergies as being servants of British people!! His highness whispered in the ear of one of them one of his secret improper actions. The young man got silent and said nothing anymore. When they were leaving the bus the young man reached to his highness and asked forgiveness and a way to make up his words. His highness showed him Imam Husains shrine where he could repent. (S, page 188)

 

Mr. Tehrani who was not sometimes in a good temper with his wife at home was being criticized by his highness for his bad temper and his behavior at home in a way he became sure that his highness was aware of what was happening in his house.(S, page 189)

 

 

A story was quoted to his highness about someone named Haaj Ali in Isfahan who was astonishingly very superb in character with bizarre gestures. A messenger from Imam Zaman took him to one of the villages in Shiraz in a minute. The host who was a peasant was one of the Imam’s true followers. Then some of Imam’s companions were present. The peasant brought them walnuts from his own orchard. A cup of tea was available for the messenger who drank a bit and gave the rest to Hajj Ali. He was then returned to Isfahan.

Hearing the story his highness told him that if he were given the chance to go to villages in Shiraz he would be able to tell him where they were drinking tea or coffee and the name of the village the messenger was ascended. (MD, page 42)

 

One of his highness disciples went to Madina asking Imam Sajjad to be blessed by a child with a talent to study and virtuous.

After many days, he happened to meet his highness asking him for Istikhareh. His highness told him that he would have children the secret wish he had in his mind for which asked Imam Sajjad in Medina. (MD, Page 75)

 

 

His highness was once asked about his long life time and he nodded affirmatively about it but in the last days of his life he would speak of leaving the world and being buried in Hazrat Maassomeh’s shrine. A week before his death he told a friend that he would not see him a week later.

There is a verse in Surah Raad in Holy the Koran where it says:

What is understood demonstrates the fact that the material life, being bound to time, is in the process of constant generation and degeneration, the process of various changes in one side and the process of stability and constancy on the other. The constant and stable dimension is regarded as Qaza and the changing and degenerating dimension is known as Qadar. The timeline for life itself is included in Qadar being longer or shorter by The Almighty’s will. (MD, pages 71, 72)

 

His highness was asked about one of the renowned individuals in the field of science and knowledge who had a short meeting with him. He replied that he was filled with scientific words from neck upward (S, page 166)

 

 

One day an educated person met his highness to get benefitted from him and Ostad stared at his face .When Ostad was asked about his personality later he told that he found him as Dervish like person. He was virtually from one of the known ranges. (S, page 166)

 

 

One of the disciples had brought his father to visit his highness. Being silent he sat with Ostad for a while. His highness told his son that his father’s mind was engaged with various thought. His son confirmed it and told that he had been suffering from physical diseases plus having some family issues. That’s why he was always overwhelmed in his thoughts. (S, page,166)

 

 

The son of a person divorced his wife while blaming her for breaking their marriage. His highness who was asked to judge blamed the man. The man got married again and it became clear that he was actually infertile. (S, pages 171,172)

 

 

Ostad revealed a story about someone in 1375 who became a student in the Islamic school of Agha Syed Kazem Yazdi in Najaf but he was fired by his highness due to his beasty character.

Time passed and the man who was revengeful asked his highness to take lunch with him. He had prepared a sword to injure or kill his highness yet he became aware of what he intended to do. The man who felt using the wash room unwillingly prepared a good opportunity for Ostad to flee the house. (S, page 164)

 

 

One of his highness followers told about him when he was newly arrived to Iran and was physically well. He told that Ostad could feel the condition of the dead people. While he was asked about the condition of his father he replied that his father was a pious man under protection of Imam Hussein (p). He told his highness that his father used to recite Ziarat Aushura from the age 14. Ostad confirmed and told him that what he did showed his sincere love for Imam Hussein and he was under Imam’s special protection and attention in Barzakh( the interval between the death and resurrection.(S, pages 115,116)

 

 

An Arab who had a family relation with his highness was sometimes in contact with his wife and became tough and said bad words to her. Being aware of his behavior his highness would advise him not to give bad words to his wife which was a shame.

The Arab being advised repeatedly was suspicious about his wife who might have disclosed what was happening in their house to the wife of his highness.

When he told his wife what he thought she swore not to have told anybody about their bad relation. One day, they went to the market together where they had a quarrel and the man started telling her bad words. They decided to go to the Ostads house on their way. When they met his highness, he started scolding the Arab for giving bad words to his wife in the market that made him assured that Ostad knew the truth himself. (S, page 183)

 

 

A man of knowledge told his highness about his meeting along with some of friends with a person who claimed to be mystic in Tehran. Ostad didn’t approve him and his claim was confirmed when they found out the man was persecuted for his false actions. (S, page 181)

 

 

One of the mystics who used to smoke cigarette once in a while met his highness and made a cigarette half and started smoking while Ostad forbade him of that action because it was an addiction. The mystic was insisting that he wouldn’t because it was little. His highness was right and after many years it was found out that he got addicted to smoke cigarette. (S, page 179)

 

 

Once his highness asked one of his disciples what news he had from his Islamic School (Howzeh) and the disciple answered very little. His highness told that very little news was also a lot. (S, page 169)

 

 

The director of one of the offices sent someone to his highness house to order him to shut the door of his house because of some people who were not liked by them had visited his house. His highness replied that what the man ordered was nonsense and the director of that office had to be sacked soon. A couple of weeks later they were given the news that the director lost his job. (M, page 65)

 

 

Once we had been to a city accompanying his highness. All were sitting in the room while someone who had a governmental post entered. His highness said a sentence referring to the man who entered in Arabic:

"He is from the hell".

هذا من اهل النار

 

Then he immediately got out of the room. Though that person was not known to him but he could read the inner side of people. (M, page 64)

 

 

He was asked how he found out that the father of Sheikh Ali had passed away in Iran. His highness replied that when he entered his house the hen in his house started walking in circle round Sheikh Ali. As soon as the Sheikh went to the market received a letter from Iran that his father had died there. (R, page 132)

 

 

The disciple of the two instructors who were themselves disciples of the great mystic Ayatollah Ghazi ( may Allah shower his blessings to him) had visited his highness regularly in days he was physically in a good situation.

In one of his meetings his highness showed his will to give him the clue to summon the spirits but he didn’t accept. The matter was that what he suggested was in a way Ostad himself liked to get the negative words from the disciple’s mouth while the person himself did not realize the facts. (M, pages 32, 33)

Is the spirit the same as Gabriel in the holy Koran?

Some of the known knowledgeable believe that the spirit is the same as Gabriel in the holy Book which is given single in the following verse :( A, 85)

Is there the possibility of ascension for the mystics both physically and spiritually?

Improbable but ascension in spirit has been occurred for many of them. (A, page 68)

Does the physical illness impair the spirit traveling beyond the material world?

They impress each other and physical illness hampers spiritual discovery. (A, page 70)

 

His highness revealed the reality of summoning the spirit of Ayatollah Ghazi conversing with him many times after his demise. (M, page 121)

 

 

In order to connect with the spirits in sleep or being awaken, his highness advised repetition of Surah Hamd as a specific kind of mortification yet the mystic had to experience years of pain and purification to get the spiritual connection and that could not materialize for the matures or those who were not experienced the days of isolation.(M, page 97)

 

 

One of the disciples sitting with his highness in the shrine of one of Imam’s sons saw changes in his condition. His highness then stated that the spirit of Ibn Fahad Helli the writer of the book Edato- daaii was summoned. (M, page 81)

 

 

One of the disciples in mysticism in the lunar year 1412 asked his highness about his wish to connect with a spirit and was recommended to recite Surah Yasseen and get connected with the late Mohammad Taqi Majlessee the son of Allama Majlessee. He asked the same question two years later in the lunar year 1414 and was given the same answer that is to be connected with the late Mohammad Taqi Majlessee.(S, pages 138,139)

 

He was asked about the reality of the conversation of the two persons who were 140 kilometers far from one another one was being in Tehran and the other in Qom. He replied that it could be possible for the one who was too strong in will. (S, page 150)

Have you been in touch with the spirits?

This happened many times to me in Iran and Iraq and the late Syed Ali Agha Ghazi and my father were the ones I was more in touch with in Iran- they talked to me and I listened to them. (A, page 80)

What was the story of the young Lebanese who summoned the spirits and some Clerics in Najaf were interested in him?

I was told that a young man from Lebanon summoned the spirits in Najaf and asked to meet him whom I refused. They then brought him to me and I tested him by asking to summon the spirit of someone but he couldn’t. I asked him what else he knew and he told about his strength to make others sleep. I asked him to try with my youngest son Syed Hassan but he failed to make him sleep. I asked the reason he replied that he failed because I had the superiority over him in power and was present.

What was needed to get the ability in order to be in touch with the spirits of wise people?

It is good to be friend with them by reciting the holy Koran and Surah Hamd for them and sending those verses to their spirits as a gift. (A, page 80)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeking knowledge is highly recommended and Alem( man of knowledge) has a highly position that even looking at the face of an Alem is itself a kind of worship.(of course not including all sciences and not all Alems).

An Alem may be limited to the superficial knowledge or reversely he may act upon what he has learned.

Practice has two sides: An Alem either acts upon what he knows about Halal and Haram, Mostahab, Makrooh and Mobah(rules of religion in general) or refines himself to save from the trap of Satan so he sees and hears things that others are deprived of seeing and hearing.

From the very beginning that our masters father sent him to the theological school he intrinsically was inclined towards going beyond knowledge. He was very talented and had a very sharp memory that helped him to learn the elementary lessons of the theological school including literature, meanings, elucidation, logic, jurisprudence, basics of jurisprudence and the like very quickly. He was such a talent he could teach eleven lessons in a day. (such as Jurisprudence, basics of jurisprudence, philosophy, literature and the like). (R, page 22)

Besides seeking knowledge, he was after the masters of ethics and mysticism. In young age, he had an interest in painting and calligraphy painted the profiles of his grandfathers and some relatives from the rank of Alems. His portraits are kept in the tomb of his grandfather Ayatollah Syed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi.

He sometimes wrote poems and following masters of knowledge he was expert in unfamiliar sciences like esoteric science of letters, knowledge of numbers, knowledge of letters, evident testimonies, names of Allah, squares and triangles. (R, page 13)

He had narration permission from Scholars of Hadith (Tradition). For instance, he had a written permission from Ayatollah Haj Agha Bozorge Tehrani the writer of Azzarieh. He regarded reading the Collection of Haj Molla Hadi Sabzevari as something compulsory for the students while reading other books were optional and they could select them. He himself taught this Collection and knew many of its verses by heart.

Its worth mentioning that he had such a sharp memory before the stroke and physical illness that enabled him to memorize basics of jurisprudence, philosophy( Collection of Sabzevari) and jurisprudence and used them when needed in a way that surprised everyone and Ayatollah Khuii used to tell him that Kefayatol Osoul was mingled in his blood.

This way he was an exception among the teachers of different sciences in the theological school but he tried to isolate himself due to an interest in mysticism and intuition specially when he was in touch with the late Agha Syed Hashem Haddad.(R. page 24)

He sometimes remembered his teachers in basics and told that he learned lessons such as Lomeh,Rasaael and Makaaseb with Sheikh Morteza Taleghani,Syed Ahmad Ashkevari,Sheikh Mojtaba Lankarani,Ayatollah Bahjat and Sheikh Raazi Tabrizi.

He Learned Kefayatol-Osoul with Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Tehrani,Sheik Sadr Badkubei and Haaj Feiz Khorasani and learned some of Asfar with Sheikh Abdolhossein Rashti.

He used to take part in classes of Alems like Sheikh Ali Mohammad Boroujerdi,Syed Abdolhadi Shirazi, Mirza Hassan Bojnourdi,Syed Abdol Aala Sabzevari and Sheikh Mohammad Kazem Shirazi but mostly in Jurisprudence and basics of jurisprudence he was benefited by Ayatollah Khouis classes.

He said:"Mirza Hassan Boujnordi worked mostly on philosophy and his writings on jurisprudence couldnt be a reason in this case. Sheikh Ali Mohammad Boroujerdi in basics of jurisprudence used mostly the words of his teacher the late Kompani.

Agha Syed Abdol Aala Sabzevari was contemplative and I used to go to his lessons of Kharej also learned Kharej Orve with Syed Abdol Hadi Shirazi. He was a learned Alem was in favor of the Dhikr ذكر قل هو اللّه احد and repeated it tremendously."

Yet he was mostly benefitted by the late Ayatollah Koui being able to get his oral and written permission for Ijtehad. In the written permission Ayatollah Khoui made a statement that he was forbidden to follow. (Following the opinion of a Mujtahid without considering the evidence).He also gave permission for his Ijtihad orally. (R. Pages 23, 24)

He learned some of Sath with Agha Sheikh Mojtaba Lankarani and Makaaseb with Sheikh Raazi Tabrizi and Esteshaab,Taadol and Taraajih with Ayatollah Bahjat, Kefayat-ol- osoul with Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Tehrani and Sheikh Abdol Hussein Rashti. He learned philosophy with Sheikh Sadra Badkoubei and Haaj Agha Feiz Khorasani. He also learned some of Asfaar with Sheikh Abdol Hussein Rashti.

He had permission from Hajj Agha Bozorge Tehrani to narrate Hadith. Once he said: "I wrote an explanation for Kefayat-ul-osoul and Ayatollah Khoui and Ayatollah Millani wrote Taghriz or explanation on it but all the written documents were looted by Saddams soldiers. (A. pages 22, 23)

When did you start taking lessons?

From the age of 15(it must be noted that Ostad didnt go to school and started basics of the theological school from the very beginning) yet he was officially known as a studious and knowledgeable student from the age of 15.He mentioned:" My face was hairless when my father put a turban on my head". (He was given the clerics dress in a very young age). (S. Page 203)

Did you start from childhood?

Yes I didnt mix with the youths. "I spent times with old men such as Agha Sheikh Hussein Tehrani who was one of the students of the late Aakhounde Khorasani. I learned Kefayat-ul-osoul from him."

Was he extraordinary?

"He was a good man, a cleric. I was also in touch with Sheikh Ali Akbar Araaki. "(MD. Pages 99,100)

Who were your teachers in philosophy?

Sheikh Feize Khorasani and Sheikh Sadra badkoubei.(A. page 93)

Do you remember the name of your elementary level teachers in literature and logic?

I learned the logic of Haashieh from molla Abdollah by Hajj Shams Badkoubei the instructor for logic.

How about other lessons like Lomeh, Rasaael and Makaaseb?

"Syed Ahamad Ashkevari taught me Lomeh and Agha Sheikh Morteza Taleghani the student of the late Aakhounde Khorasani taught me Rasaael and Makaaseb."

What about lessons of Kharej?

"I learned them by Aghaye Khoui from the beginning to the end." (till I came back to Iran). (MD. Page 94)

 

 

Intrinsically, Ostad had an interest towards mysticism and mystics from childhood. Though young he had the opportunity of meeting the great personalities whom he liked very much. He said:

"I was after the old personalities and had very little of young friends … and obtained knowledge from those who were into mysticism." (A. page 23)

 

 

The honorable mystics start their inner change by a spark, an attraction or words of an old man or an ostad. There was a spark in his childhood when he was playing with his playmates in the lane. He stated: "I was playing with the children in the lane close to the theological school of my grandfather Ayatollah Syed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi in Najaf, when a clergy got near and asked to go to him. When I went to him he said: "There is a light in your head; dont play with the children; you deserve more."

The old man who advised him was no one except Sheikh Morteza Taleghani (May Allah sanctify his secret).This incident happened when Ostad was about 7 or 8 years old (1350 or 135) and Sheikh was almost 70. Ostad was in touch with Sheikh for 10 years and his room was next to his room in the theological school.

Having had the inner potentiality of evolution and intrinsic attraction caused a drastic change in him from childhood before the age of puberty. Opposite to the way of other Alems who were against mysticism and an incident in their life made them changed, he was attracted to this way from very beginning. He pointed out:" Children have friends of their own age but I was friends with the old men from the beginning and took guidelines from each of them."(R. Pages 21, 22)

 

 

This range of mentors in ethics and mysticism was connected to Agha Mohammad Bidabadi in two ways .Agha Syed Ahamad Karbalai remarked that the range of the mystics of Najaf Ashraf ends with Agha Mohammad bidabadi.

First: Syed Abdolkarim Kashmiri who died in 1419 ,Syed Ali Agha Ghazi who died in 1366, Syed Ahmad Karbalai died in 1332, Mola Hussein Quli Hamadani 1311, Syed Sadreddin Kashef Dezfouli 1258, Agha Mohammad Bidabadi 1198.

Second: Syed Abdolkarim Kashmiri 1419, Sheikh Morteza Taleghani 1364, Akhound Molla Mohammad Kaashi 1333, Agha Mohammad Reza ghomshei 1306, Syed Raazi Mazandarani 1270, Akhound Molla Ali Nouri 1246, Agha Mohammad Bidabadi 1198.

Syed Ali Shoushtari is said to be connected in another way with Molla Quli Joula that is worth mentioning.

Agha Syed Ali Agha shoushtari returned to his country after graduation; he obtained scientific knowledge and Ijtihad from Najaf Ashraf and started doing a job as a judge.

Once it was midnight that someone knocked at the door and introduced himself as Molla Quli Joula.

Agha told his servant to tell him since it was late he may better refer to him in school the other day. But the wife of Agha objected and said that he might disparately need him to come in such a late time. Thats why Agha gave permission and he entered; he told Agha that what he was doing was the way to the Hell and left of the room. When Agha was asked what the man wanted by his wife he answered that the man seemed out of his mind.

8 days later he knocked on the door at the same time again and Agha told that when his madness aroused he referred to them. When he entered the house told him that his deed was the way to the Hell!! His judgment about ownership of that land was nullified since the correct document that showed the land was an endowment signed by trustees and Alems was kept somewhere, he gave the exact address and left the house. Agha was indulged in thoughts.

The next day he went to the school and told the story to some of friends and proceeded to the place with them. To their surprise, they found a box and the endowment was kept in it. This showed what he judged about the land was wrong. Therefore, he summoned the claimant and nullified the judgment.

Molla Quli knocked on their door again after 8 days. Agha himself welcomed him at the door and showed him the way respectfully and confessed that what he said was exactly right and asked him what his suggestion was about his life.

Molla Quli told him:" Now you know Im not out of mind. Sell your belongings give your dues and get back to Najaf Ashraf with whatever left. Take this guideline till I get to you there"

Syed acted upon his order and left his country soon. Once he saw him in Vadi-o- salam being engaged in praying. Mulla Quli told him:" Ill die in shoushtar tomorrow. This is your guideline."

Then he said goodbye to Agha and departed. (R. Pages 113,115)

Lack of mentors in ethics and mysticism is one of deficiencies of theological schools. It is evident that refinement should be started from the very beginning and the teacher himself must be ethical.

Ostad quoted from Syed Ablol hadi who was a mujtahid in the past:"There were 18 classes for ethics and mysticism when we entered the theological school. Around 70 Islamic religious scholars took part in the ethic class of Akound Molla Hussein Quli Hamadani but there is no body now".

Lack of teachers in ethics has got other reasons like differences in aptitudes and lack of capacity in the students.

He talked about the hardships in the Najafs theological school:" A person like Syed Abdol Aala Sabzevari who spent times with Agha Ghazi was accused of being a Sufi and sacked from the school. There was such an obnoxious atmosphere that if the book of Meraj-o- saadat were found in a room the student were accused of blasphemy and hated by others. The situation was so tense that some people cursed Syed Ali Agha Ghazi in order to get their wishes from Allah.

Agha Sheikh Ali Akbar Araaki in Najaf was a great man and used to worship the whole night to the morning. He was accused of being Sufi while I knew him as someone superior to many others. They didnt know what Sufism was.

He said:"honor of men of knowledge is deprivation. What is the reason some people go abroad? Being a good learner is not sufficient and is of no use in the grave but the best point for Allah is to teach with doing the process of refinement. Its impossible to go on without a mentor. Men of knowledge should see Allah all the time and shouldnt be ignorant." (R. pages 116,117)

Ostad who was only 18, recommended by the late Sheikh Morteza Taleghni, met the great and unique mystic Syed Ali Agha Ghazi who was almost 79 at the time and benefitted fully by being with his company for 5 years.

When the son of the late Aghaye Ghazi, the late Agha Syed Mahdi (buried in Qom city) was asked about the reason behind his fathers special attention to Aghaye Kashmiri he replied:" It was typically due to two reasons, firstly Aghaye Kashmiri had a strong interest for mysticism and secondly it was due to his grandfather Agha Syed Hassan Kashmiri whom the late Ghazi praised very much."

Ostad told about Aghaye Ghazi:" he didnt pray in jamaat (to pray in a group).He mostly prayed alone at home or somewhere else. I prayed with him and his disciples also said their prayers with him at his house. His prayer was marvelous. He was so humble in the shrine of Amir-ul- momenin while praying"

"He loved me a sort of love between father and son. He said that there was a light in my head. But my love towards him was so deep that whenever I saw him I forgot all my miseries."

"One day I told him that I liked Dari date. After a while when I got back home there was a knock on the door. When I opened the door I saw Agha Ghazi who had bought me Dari date. He was 80 and I was 19 at the time!"

Agha Syed Mahdi son of Aghaye Ghazi told Aghay Kashmiri that whenever he saw him he remembered his father.

Ostad remarked:" After the demise of Agha Ghazi I could see him in mystical apprehension for some time."

He performed Rowzeh( recital of the tragedies of Karbala) in his house every Friday and a preacher told maghtal ( a book describing the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his companions)by looking at the book lest he utters something wrong about Imams. Hearing the story of Karbala Agha Ghazi cried.

"I used to go to his house on Fridays. Once Agha Ghazi told that he saw the names of Mujtahids after the death of my grandfather Ayatollah Syed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi

and Ayatollah Syed Abolhassan Isfahani was one of them and he told him his future."

Sometimes Ayatollah Isfahani( before being Mujtahed) came for Rowzeh to his house and asked about the time and he answered soon and in fact it soon happened.

Ostad told about Agha Ghazi who used to read verses of holy Koran which started by sabeh and yosabeh.

The late Ghazi had a large family and was poor. Ayatollah Isfahani whose generosity was known to all said that whenever intended to take something for Agha Ghazi he forgot to do so.

The late Agha Syed Hashem Rizvi Hindi another disciple of Agha Ghazi quoted from his Ostad who said" My Bardakh in the world is poverty and I wouldnt have hindrances in real Bardakh (period between death and resurrection)."

He had such a personality that in spite of having a large family and miserable poverty refused to ask other mujtahids to give him a hand and even he didnt like to talk about his appalling situation. Yes, this is truly the life of a man with certainty and certitude!!

(R. pages 27-30)

Ostad described the theological school of Najaf of those days as somewhere quite indifferent to the mystics.

The clerics of those days had a negative opinion about Agha Ghazi knew him as a Sufi. Some of them insulted him by throwing stones on his door.

If someone loyal to him wanted to enter his house he looked around before entering lest someone noticed him!!

An Alem saw Ostad going to his house nodded his head and regretfully said" even you!!! You go to his house!!!"

He stated that when the father of Ayatollah Bahjat was informed about his son being in touch with Agha Ghazi who was accused of being a Sufi, immediately forbade his son to go to his house. Aghaye Bahjat, after consulting with Agha Ghazi and other mujtahids, listened to his order and didnt step into Agha Ghazis house. (R. Pages 30, 31)

Keeping secrets and not revealing miracles and spiritual stages is required for the mystics except disclosing them to very special ones if needed. Ostad pointed out" some individuals used to meet Agha Ghazi. Allameh Tabatabai asked a question that caused them not to come again. Agha Ghazi declared there were many secrets he didnt reveal even to the closed ones.

The late Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Taghi Aamoli asked Agha Ghazi if he had the knowledge about Zamir (to know the inner side of others) and how he acquired such knowledge. He replied that what he received was due to his presence in Vadi-o- salam after morning prayer till sunrise. He used to go there before sunrise as there was a hadith that the death at that specific time could hear, see and give news.

Agha Ghazi had a small boy who was electrocuted. His mother cried a lot while Agha Ghazi wanted them to understand that the spirit of his son was with him. Normally his mother who didnt have the ability to see beyond the material world was restless and cried since she was a mother couldn’t bear the disaster.

Agha Ghazi was a friend of Allah always recommended others to have meditation. He was the man of God belonged to the world superior to this materialistic world. He had mystical apprehension and lengthy Sajdas (prostrations), was absorbed in Allah. He had guidelines about divine and intuitive knowledge, recommended all to refer to the spiritual and sacred entity of Imam Zaman( shias twelfth Imam), advised others to do Yonesia Sajda(prostration) and say Four Tasbihat after each prayer. He recommended all to recite surat اناانزلناه from Holy Koran for 100 times on Thursdays and Fridays.

He suggested Ostad that he was better going to Sahlah Mosque on Fridays (the tradition is to go to this mosque on Wednesday and Friday nights).

Ostad asked him to suggest something for brightness of heart and he suggested reading Esteghfar after Asr prayer.

He described the sixth zirarat of Amir-ol-momenin very fruitful and superb, also advised others to read the ziarat «سلام على آل ياسين» plus reading

«المستغاث بك يابن الحسن» for 786 times to resort to the sacred personality of Imam Zaman( twelfth Imam of Shias).

Though he trained many disciples but knew Syed Ahmad Kashmiri as someone annihilated in God.

In the last days of his life whenever he looked at the water started crying remembering Imam Husseins thrust; he was ready to leave and referred to his own soul which was departing.

He passed away on Wednesday fourth of Jamadi-o- thani 1366 in the age of 84. Ostad described his face that was smiling and his lips opened when his body was washed. It was washed by Agha Syed Mohammad Taleghni who was Sheikh Mohammad Taghi Aamolis son in law (died in Medina).

There was a tradition to close the shops when an Alem died. Ostad asked the shop keepers to close the shops for Agha Ghazis death since all knew him and his grandfathers. Many men of knowledge criticized him for ordering the shop keepers to close their shops for the funeral of a Sufi!!!

His solemn body was buried in Vadi-o-sallam; his demise was absolutely hard and unbearable for Agha Kashmiri (R. pages 31, 34)

There were not public programs for his death except having small functions by some of Mujtahids, his disciples and his own family.

A shopkeeper who told that Agha Ghazi used to sit in his shop for a while and didnt know his personality saw him in dreams that a light was reflected from his grave to the sky.

What is felt in Ostads opinion and utterances about Agha Ghazi without considering his knowledge, mysticism and poverty in life was his innocence among men of knowledge.

Ostad also accompanied many other men of knowledge and true servants of Allah and talked about them which are not mentioned here to abridge the book. (A. Pages 30-36)

The late Ayatollah Kashmiri hearing the name of Agha Ghazi smiled and his face changed. He knew his meeting with him the spot of change and revolution. (M. Page 121)

Ostad always praised his prayers as something different. He quoted from Aref bellah Agha Syed Hashem Rizvi Hindi who was Agha Ghazis disciple that Agha Ghazi loved Prayers and he sometimes due to vigorous attention, sweat very much and said if he were asked in The Day After what action he liked in the world he would answer prayers.

Whenever ostad wanted to give examples for seekers of prayers he referred to Agha Ghazi. (MD. Page 74)

Ostad praised Agha Ghazis humble attitude. For example, he put shoes of Ostad, in spite of Ostads refusal, in front of him to wear before leaving the house since he was from the range of Syeds.( this is a way to respect guests in Iran; people normally take off their shoes when they enter the room and the host prepares the shoes of guests when they leave the house as a sign of respect for them). The difference in age between Agha Ghazi and Ostad was considerable and the action of preparing shoes for Ostad showed his humble behavior.

Ostad adds in surprise:" God is the greatest! ; He had such an incredible temper!!!(M.Page 119)

I asked him if he was a regular student of Agha Ghazi answered that it was impossible to be regular because his father would be mad at him. His father was misunderstood about Agha Ghazi and didnt have a good relation with him. (M. Page 104)

The late Ghazi was always on the top and conscious. Having a large family, different miseries and engagements didnt divert his attention and didnt bring him down to the material world. (M. Page 61)

Ostad always said "where we are, where he is!!! Its incomparable." He had a fascinating love to him and used to go his grave every day. (M Pages 107-28)

When Ostad was asked about the spiritual level of Agha Sheikh Morteza Taleghani in comparison to Agha Ghazi he answered that though Agha Taleghani was strong and could read the faces yet didnt reach to the level of Agha Ghazi.

How was Agha Ghazi? "He had a complete trust in Allah, was isolated from people, was fasting very much, and used to do Unesieh Sajda. He was annihilated to God."

What was Agha Ghazis advice to his son the late Syed Mahdi who was intimate to you as well? Two things: firstly, go to Amir-ol- momenin (p) everyday and secondly refuse to go to the house of men of knowledge for the sake of money and worldly needs. (A. Page 94)

Which one of his students was stronger?"Syed Ahmad Kashmiri was strong being absorbed in God.

Who introduced you to Agha Ghazi?" Sheikh Morteza Taleghani told me to go to him."

How many years did you stay with Agha Ghazi?" It was about 5 years from 1361 up to 1366"(A. Page 93)

Its claimed that he was seen in Mashad in Iran that he refused. What is your opinion?" Its not impossible he may have had spiritual trip and sometimes an angel in his shape may have had such a trip in his place."(A. Page 93, 94)

Whose death made you mourn the most?" The demise of Syed Ali Agha Ghazi and my father"(A. page 81)

What did he recommend the most?" He recommended Sajdeh Unesieh at least for 400 time specially during Fajr prayer( morning prayer) and reciting Holy Koran.(S. Page 191) He also asked for Dhikr of يا حىّ يا قيّوم(S. page 204)

Did he care about lessons? "No he didnt, since he persisted on inner refinement rather than memorizing the words and sentences or rote learning …" (S. Page 206)

What did he say about his son who died?" His son was electrocuted and naturally his mother was restless and cried a lot. He told them they cried uselessly because his son was with him.

What did Agha Ghazi see? "He could see the soul of his son"(S. Page 206)

Who were his disciples?" Ayatollah Bahjat, Sheikh Ali Mohammad Boroujerdi who was a distinguished Alem , Agha Syed Ahmad Kashmiri who was a great man and second judge and didnt used to sleep at nights.(S. page 205)

A business man in Tehran told us his story about Agha Ghazi. He was given money to distribute among needy Alems and Agha Ghazi was also included. He gave money to all except Agha Ghazi since he knew him as a Sufi. Later he saw Agha Ghazi who looked at him and looked at the sky. His material life changed after that glance and he became poor. (R. Page 139)

The late Qhazi was a knowledgeable as well as a spiritual Alem. Did the men of knowledge confess about it? "Some of them used to bring their sick children to him but when their children recovered they forgot and said improper words in his behind. (R. Page 132)

He was welcome among the apprentices of Theological schools wasnt he?" Yes"

I asked him to teach me a dhikhr( invocation with the tongue) for increasing sustenance he advised me an effective Dhikr to repeat as the following:

Was there a famous student among his disciples there? Agha Sheikh Mohammad Ali Boroujerdi was among his distinguished students, Agha Sheikh Bahjat too. (MD. Page 96)

Who was Agha Ghazis teacher or mentor? I dont know, he was the student of his father Syed Hussein. ( His sickness or the long interview caused him to say" I dont know")

Was his father extraordinary? Yes and he is buried beside his fathers grave(MD. Page 102)

Each mystic has got a spark in life what was the spark in your life? It was to go to Syed Ali Agha Ghazi (S. Page 190)

 

 

He was a shepherd in Taleghan. One day hearing the voice of the Holy Koran made him changed. He came to Isfahan and started his education then he went to Najaf started teaching there and obtained high positions in Science and ethics.

He was a spark in Ostads life in childhood and strongly liked him. Ostad pointed out: "He had room in the school of my grandfather Ayatollah Syed Mohammad Kazem Yazdi and taught the students in different levels. I had a room next to his room for 10 years and he was very kind to me."

"I was so young even my face was hairless when my father put a turban on my head and I moved to the school of my grandfather. I took advantages from him since his room was next to my room. He was always busy worshipping and saying Dhikr all the time. He wasnt proud and had fun with his students. In the last days of his life he used to sit with us and gob shop. Of course he had spent his young age in hardships and refinement of his soul and he used to tell us many stories of those days.

He used to close his room sometimes for three days continuously didnt let others in and was busy worshiping and brooding.

I learned Istikhareh with four rosaries from him as a souvenir that I always did and he gave me permission for Dhikr as well. He suggested me to get in touch with Syed Ali Agha Ghazi and get benefitted by him.

He stated few stories about his miracles:" When Sheikh Morteza Taleghani was going to Karbala from Najaf along with Ayatollah Syed Jamaal Golpayegani got very much thirsty and didnt find water in desert. After a while, all of sudden a well appeared on their way that the late Taleghani tried to get water with his shoes and turban and they were saved. Its note worthy that no one had seen such a well round that area before. This story shows his strength to change.

There was a teacher in logic named Shams from Badkoubeh who met Sheikh Morteza in the first day of Moharam while he was doing ablution. Sheikh told him that ten years later in the first day of Moharam he would die and that exactly happened and he passed away in the first day of Moharam the year 1363.

An Arab came to his room and complained about Jennies who threw stones to his house. He persisted and begged Sheikh to help him. Sheikh told the man to go to the place they threw stones and tell them:

Morteza the servant of Mohammad and his family (Peace be upon them) asks you not to throw stones otherwise they would be destroyed.

They stopped throwing stones till the death of Sheik. The Arab who didnt know hed passed away came to him to complain that the Jennies had started again but he came to now he had passed away and found out that the moment they started throwing stones again Agha Taleghani had died. (R. Pages 25-27)

Sheikh Morteza was among the teachers Ostad always remembered and knew him from childhood. Sheikh was the student of Akound Kashi and remained single the whole years of his life and taught the students from any books they wanted.

Ostad says" I collected his lessons in ethics but when I had to get back to Iran Saddams forces took them from me. He advised me to recite the Holy Koran and do Younesieh dhikr. He refined himself from young age and in the last days of his life he used to close the door of his room for three days on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and didnt let others in. He had the ability to summon the spirits. (A. Page 24, 25)

 

In the first days of his arrival, Ostad had a meeting with his old friend Ayatollh Gharavi in the new symmetry. (the symmetry of Ayatollah Haeri, near Ahanchi bridge in Qom) Ayatollah Gharavi was remembering good days of the past being with Ayatollah Sheikh Morteza Taleghani that missed a lot. Ostad got a paper and a pen and drew the face of Sheikh Morteza Taleghani there which is printed in the book of Mojhdeh didar as benediction. (MD. Page 25)

Which one did you benefit the most among your teachers from the point of ethics and Dhikr?" From the late Sheikh Morteza Taleghani" (A. Page 91)

Have you gathered lessons from Sheikh Morteza Taleghani? "I collected some in ethics and Dhikr but Saddams forces grabbed them all when I came back to Iran." (A. Page 92)

Tell something about Sheikh morteza Taleghani." He was the student of Akhound Kashi in mystical journey. I was in his company for more than 10 years and learned most of the lessons from him. He was the man of miraculous deeds and was able to read the inner intentions.

 

 

Hazrat Ostad said:" Haaj Mastour Shirazi was annihilated in God and had passed the levels of refinement. He had an enormous feeling about Amir- ol- momenin (P). He used to say Adaan(call to salat)above the minaret in shrine of hazrat Ali every morning. I loved his Adaan and enjoyed his beautiful voice that was mingled with a sort of sadness.

He had a splendid function each year for Ghdir Eid(festival) as long as he was in Koufeh and invited the lovers of Amir-ol- momenin to join the program and received them in a very good manner.

One of those years he came to Najaf to my house and persisted to accept his invitation for that function which I accepted.

He sent someone to give me a lift to Koufeh. The function was private and most of the participants were old- those who had gained the love of Hazrat Ali and had passed the levels of refinement. The function was continued till dawn. I was anxious in the last hours since I couldn’t get the blessing of saying prayer in the shrine of Hazrat Ali. I didnt also like to see the curious faces of people the other day.

Hajj Mastour came to me and murmured in my ear not to worry I would be in Najaf on time. I reminded him the distance between Koufeh and Najaf which was around 7 kilometer.

He stated that nothing was impossible for those into Allahs way. Then he called a young man and said something in his ear. I found out that he was one of the distinguished students of Haaj Mastour. We came out of the house and the young man started saying Dhikr as well as talking to me. He was a mystic.

After a few minutes I heard the voice of Adaan from the minaret. I thought I was dreaming but the young man said: "what a fantastic voice! It takes us to the eternity isnt it so sir?"

Then he showed me the house and said: "Thanks to Allah that we reached on time. I adore Moula Ali who doesnt make his friends shameful. I beg your Doaa."

He departed and I was overwhelmed in astonishment!!!

I said my prayer in the shrine with an incredible joy that I havent forgotten it. Though years have been passed from that night but I never forget the taste and enjoyment of that night."

Ostad said:"Since the mystics were not welcome in Najafs theological school Haaj Mastour refused to take part in my Jamaat salat (praying in a group).He said he didnt want to make any harm to me by his relation. He rather met me at nights lest others realize our friendship." (M. Page 111)

He said about Hajj Mastour:" He was from Shiraz and had only a daughter and had a room in Koufeh. He was the lover of Amir-ol-momenin (p). I saw his worships and spiritual feelings many times. He used to worship at nights and was the man of Dhikr. He had special eyes."

I didnt see someone stronger than him is different ranges. He used to say

«لا اله الا الله» Touhidieh Dhikr this way لا اله الا اللّه اللّه اللّه...

He used to repeat it till he stopped breathing and he was overwhelmed in the word "Allah".

I asked him to give me a guideline to act upon for being needless to the people. He gave me the Verse «اَلَيسَ اللّهُ بكاف عَبدَهُ» along with a specific number and told me that it worked if it were done continuously which I did for a long period and saw its effectiveness.

When I asked him why he was alone in his room and if he were not scared or didnt feel lonely he answered: "I am scared of people not loneliness."

Sometimes I went to him with Haaj Agha Mostafa Khomeini and he spoke with us.

He was expert in reading the faces. Some of men of knowledge came to him when left the room I asked him how he saw them. He said their heart was with the world and they were finally given positions in the government.

One day someone came to him and asked for a Dhikr. Since he knew he wasnt into such a job suggested him sarcastically to repeat the words "yogurt or turnip" for 1000 times!!(R. Pages 34-36)

Ostad believed that he had Teolaarz ( miraculous journey, going from somewhere to somewhere else in a very short time)." He was going from Koufeh to Sahleh mosque. I decided to accompany him; when I stepped forward he had gone half of the way and after a few moments I saw myself in Sahleh mosque".

He accompanied me to home in a dark and rainy night with a muddy ground. We got home just after a few steps; it was a sign of his strength. (A. Pages 26-28)

One day a mystic who was living near Koufeh asked Hajj Mastour Agha Shirazi to give him something which he refused. He came out from his house and went to the shrine of Hazrat Ali bare foot and complained about his attitude:" Im your son, why doesnt he give me!!!"

He came out of the shrine and went back home saw the grocer in the lane who informed him that someone was looking for him. When the man went to his house saw him in the door telling why he complained to Hazrat Amir about him!!!! (M. Page 82, 83)

Hajj Mastour asked me to say Salat for his body but I was out of the town when he passed away. A person present there remarked when Hajj Mastour was spending his last minutes of his life in one of the rooms of Koufeh mosque and many were sitting round him he sometimes was unconscious sometimes conscious. He sat after a while and spoke with those who were sitting round him then said to everyone that he was told to leave. He put his head on the ground and left the world. (MD. Page 51)

 

 

Ostad told about him:" He was anonymous. The majority of Alems knew his level in mysticism and his status but men of knowledge only knew him. I was acquainted with him through Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Tehrani. He was a refined and strong man being busy with Dhikr all the time. He had probably an Aazam name (name of Allah) which was secret.Like many other great mystics he was very knowledgeable and pious known only to the mystics. I learned Riazati Istikhareh from him. (A. Page 26). I had a teacher named Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Tehrani with whom I learned Kefayat-ol- osoul and was the student of Akound Khorasani. He introduced me to Agha Sheikh Ali Akbar Araaki".

"He didnt give time to others. Whenever we went to him to get benefitted he announced after a while «فَاذا طَعمتُم فَانتَشرُوا» that means disperse when you take your food

Then he added" قُم فَانصَرف leave please! time is over!"

One day I asked him to give me a guideline for Istikhareh. He gave me Arbaeen Soum plus Surat-u- noor with certain conditions. I did it and noticed special attentions in my life. (R. Page 40, 41)

Was he a great man? "Yes he was great in knowledge and mysticism. He was the student of Akhound Molla Kazem( Khorasani).

 

 

Syed Hassan the grandfather of Agha Haddad came from India to Karbala. Agha Haddad was born and died in Karbala.

Ostad remarked" Agha Syed Hashem was a reasonable man from India and knew Persian. He was tolerant for example he didnt react to one of his relatives who wanted to disturb him and let him empty himself.

He was interested in the poems of Ibn Farez and read them. Poems of Ibn Farez in love and monotheism were like poems of Hafez in Persian. Agha Haddad didnt talk a lot instead we talked more. He expected to see me in Karbala on Fridays and if I didnt go he visited me in Najaf.

He gave permission to Agha Syed Mohammad Hussein Tehrani and me to do Dhikr. Whenever someone came to him for Dikhr he referred to me to give him/her something. He spent almost 20 years with the late Syed Ali Agha Ghazi and for the sake of being with him spent some time pulling water from the well in the theological school in Najaf. Agha Ghazi stayed in his house whenever he went to Karbala.

The first time I heard his name from one of my friends who told me that he was the student of Syed Ali Agha Ghazi and proposed to meet him. We met him in Karbalah in his house and I was fascinated by him from the very first meeting. He told me that my grandfathers were into spirituality and I should be like them. Those days I was pretty busy in teaching. He told me that a lesson and an argument are sufficient. Having different occupations prevents us to concentrate on thoughts and to pay attention to Dhikr. Gradually we were intimate and whenever I went to Karbala I stayed in his house.

Due to the opposite opinion in the theological schools of Najaf about Alems like Agha Haddad and since he didnt wear the dress of Alems, some indirectly criticized him by saying to Ostad that those who were not among the learned and were not qualified talked about religion; they meant Agha haddad.

Ostad reacted to their comments by telling them that he had been in touch with him for more than 15 years and didnt hear an irrelevant matter from his mouth even once.

Ostad says"One day he came to Najaf to my house and a man of knowledge was also my guest. He started complaining about those who are younger than people like him and dare write books for the folk in spite of the fact that our knowledge is much more than them. Agha Haddad told him only a few sentences. I saw the man after a few days and asked me who that Syed was whose words impressed him deeply."

Someone came to Agha Haddad who was very much hot blooded and talked a lot about many things. Agha Haddad recited a verse from Holy Koran that implied his temper. «وَ اذَا الجَحيمُ سُعّرَت».

A person came to him that talked irrelevantly and Agha haddad was fed up. He read this verse: «وَ اَمَّا الزَّبَدُ فَيَذهَبُ جُفاءاً» A few minutes later someone entered and asked the man to leave since he had prepared the ticket for Baghdad for him.

One day I took Shahid Motahhari who was looking for Agha Haddads house to him. He was so much impressed by his utterances; started crying severely that his turban fell from his head. He was also told that he would be killed.

Agha Haddad passed away in the age of 86 in the holy Ramazan of 1404 in Karbala. When Ostad heard the news of his death got upset very much; he spoke about Agha Haddad the man of monotheism and mysticism to his students. Ostad repeatedly told in grief that all passed away and the last one was Agha Haddad. (R. Page 37-40)

He, in a session before the death of Syed Hashem Haddad, told everyone that Syed Hashem was annihilated in God.

Whenever he went into a dark place a light projected from his forehead by uttering supreme name of Allah

Ayatollah Kashmiri was complained about not introducing Syed Hashem and not revealing his manners to them. He answered that Agha Haddad was superior to be known in this world. He was needless of people when he was living in the world; its senseless if we think he needs to be known after his death.

Hazrat Ostad told a story about Agha Syed Hashem Haddad while he was in Madaain with his companions to visit the sacred tomb of Salman Farsi. He entered the tomb with one of his companions and sat beside the feet and after a while he changed his place and sat next to the head. When they came out of the tomb his companion insisted to tell him why he changed his place. Syed hashem told him that when he sat next to the foot he saw Salman Farsi coming out of the grave telling him he was Syed and the offspring of the Prophet asking him to sit next to the head. Thats why he changed his place.

Ostad stated:" One of the men of knowledge visited me in Najaf Ashraf when Agha Haddad was my guest. When he sat Agha Haddad answered any questions he had in his heart before he asked them. Agha Haddad told him at the end that such things prevent man from perfection and the worlds occupations make man busy.

That Alem was so much surprised by what he had seen. He asked me even after 15 years that if I were sure that he wasnt Imam Zaman( twelfth Imam of Shias) and I repeatedly told to him that he wasnt and he repeated his question again.

In a night which was Imam Zamans birth day I was sitting in the Shrine of Imam Hussein (p) along with Agha Haddad who remarked the following about the people who had come for Ziarat:

Syed Abdolkarim the faces here are good but they are all gathered here for the worldly wishes.

I was in Agha Haddads house when a man of knowledge entered and sat in his front. Agha Haddad told him that he went to the shrine of Hazrat Abolfazl and read jame Kabire( its a Doaa) and sat there for one and half hour and after all asked worldly things. Wasnt he ashamed? The man was surprised hearing the truth and told Agha Haddad what he commented about him was quite true.

One day I was with Agha Haddad intended to go to the shrine of Imam Hussein but he told me not to go. I didnt listen to him and went. On the way, I slipped and fell on the ground and if there wasnt the specific attention of Imam Hussein I would break my leg.

One day a man of knowledge persisted upon me to visit Agha Haddad which I refused since he was after reasons for things and I was afraid of misunderstandings while talking to Agha Haddad. Finally I gave up accepted to take him there. Agha Haddad welcomed him warmly and made him sit in his front. The man sat on his knees and asked Agha Haddad to make him repentant and right.

Agha haddad reacted and reminded him of being Syed and shouldnt speak like that. He asked him to sit in a place in front of him. In the mean time a Dervish who was continuously uttering the word "Ali" entered. Agha Haddad suggested the man of knowledge to go and prepare him hookah. The man surprised and told Agha Hashem: Do I prepare hookah?? Agha Haddad told him with a loud voice: Have you come to me with an idle within you. Go break it then be back.

Agha haddad was superb in knowing the inner part of others. One day we were sitting with him along with some of other friends. One of us was thinking if Agha Haddad were in Medina or Mecca in that moment. Agha Haddad reacted and told that his business was none of our business!!! Then added:"You wont be asked about me." (He meant in the Day of Judgment)

I arrived to Karbala from Najaf thinking where to go first to the shrine or Agha Haddad? I decided finally to go to Agha Haddads house first.

When I entered the lane I saw a family crossing. A child among them told his father: Look at him!! Hes left Moula and has come to the Servant!!! I was so scared and changed my way to the shrine. I knew that Agha Haddad himself wasnt satisfied by my decision to visit him first. (S. 198-202)

A man came to Agha Haddad who was dark inside and claimed much. Agha Haddad had a glance and said to me:

"When the fires of hell blaze"

He recited verses from the holy Koran when needed.

Those days the dictatorship of Saddams regime was to its summit. It was a time people were either in prisons or killed or exalted from Iraq. I used to go to Karbala on Thursday nights and go to Agha Haddads house after Ziarat( going to Imams shrine).

He told me on a Thursday night that the situation was not good and I was also a known Alem. He asked me not to go to his house again. He said that he would be having the opportunity to see me in the shrine and I accepted the proposal.

I went back to Najaf but missed him a lot after some days and wished to see him. Though controlled myself for sometime but couldnt bear it anymore and went to Karbala to his house.

The moment I entered and sat in the room I saw 8 individuals from Saddams forces entering the room one by one. I was ashamed since Agha had told me not to go to his house. All of sudden I made a trick stood up and told Agha: "Syed Im old to come to you. You come to me to the shrine to do Istikhareh. Now give me the Book to do it now".

He gave me the Holy Koran and I made myself busy with doing Istikhareh. The Batistes gradually left the room one by one.

I asked Agha Haddad forgiveness and explained him the reason.

Ostad, by remembering this story, nodded his head, sighed and repeated: "Syed Hashem was needless, needless he was deep". (MD. Pages 57, 58)

He was a great and matured man and I used to go to Karbala from Najaf to get advantage. He sometimes came to Najaf and said his prayers with the group which I was its Imam.

One day I felt a mountain on my shoulder was surprised. I found out that Agha Haddad joined the prayers the moment I felt being heavy. He told me not to worry about it. (MD. Page 24)

Its written in the book called Rouhe Mojarrad that Ayatollah Syed Abdolkarim Kashmiri was one of the devotees of the great mystic Syed Hashem Haddad.

In the year 1378 Ayatollah Kashmiri was among those who came to Karbala from najaf to Agha Haddad s house and had questions and negotiations that those sessions were an opportunity for me too( the writer of the book). (S. Page 197)

Ayatollah Kashmiri knew Agha Syed Hashem Haddad as not only Agha Ghazis disciple but his trustee. (M. Page 32)

I asked Agha Haddad about Dhikr of Younesieh, why its up to the word

«ننجى المؤمنين» rather than «الظّالمين»

He replied that the verse is divided to two parts. One part is for the servants of Allah and the other part is to save the believers by Allah. In Dikhr Younesieh it is recommended to repeat the first part.

Hazrat Ostad who was too sick in the last years of his life and had a stroke had a dream of Agha Haddad who told him why he was sad since the salvation was close. This finally became a reality and Hazrat Ostad left the world which was truly a salvation.

 

He believed that it would be impossible to step into the path of mysticism without a mentor and a guide. Anytime he was asked about the possibility of being in this path without having a mentor or a guide he asserted that a mystic journey with no guide is like an ineffective cure. (M. page 55)

I heard many times from him that a guide is a fundamental matter in refinement and Greater Holy war(Jidhad Akbar) and its so difficult to do it without its existence since the calamities, implications and carnal desires would be cured by the help of professionals who have sought this way themselves.

Its a known comment from the late Agha Ghazi (May Allah sanctify his secret) who said that there would be no harm if a person spends half of his life to look for a perfect man or a mentor.

Having a guide is essential for a mystic (A. page 54)

He stressed on having a mentor. (M. Page 87)

I asked him if a guide is needed he answered impossible without a guide. Asked him from where do I start he answered this moment is the starting spot. (S. Page 185)

Is it a must? Its Impossible without a guide. All matters need a guide.

 

 

In September 1374 one of those who was in touch with Ostad and had complications related to his wife with different diseases told him about his attempt to cure his wife by going to different mystics who had various prescriptions that he tried to apply with no result. He asked if all these were the outcome of his sinful actions.

Ostad answered that this was just a trial for him and Allah would make it up if he were patient. (S.156)

 

 

It is told that whoever is closer to God is more on trial. There is a Hadith from the Holy Prophet who says:"

«البلاء للمؤمن امتحان و للاولياء كرامة »

"Calamity is a trial for a believer and an endowment for the friend of God"

Ostad was patient in calamity due to a heart attack and succeeded in acquiring the endowment.

In a morning when he was in bed told that he couldnt recall the name of his elder son and referred to his wife to tell him. By telling this he wanted to make us understand that a man is on the verge of calamity and trial and for this he has to take refuge to God. (S. page 169)

 

 

The late Ayatollah Bahjat quoted a story from Ayatollah Kashmiri "my father Agha Syed Mohammad Ali was sitting with his father Agha Syed Hassan and Ayatollah Mohammad Taqhi Shirazi in the yard of Imam Husseins shrine. My father had an argument with Mirza Mohammad Taqhi regarding the quality of their glasses for half an hour. I objected and told my father how possible for two Alems to argue about the quality of their glasses and lose their time in nonsense. He answered that what he intended to do was to test Mirza Mohammad Taqhi if there was a change in his behavior due to his position in being a legal authority and found out that he was not changed at all and was the same Mirza as he was before being a legal authority."(MD. page 70)

 

 

He was exceptionally proficient in knowing Names of Allah which is rarely seen. Names of Allah are drugs and people are patient. He knew the sort of drug for each patient by intuition. (M. page 58)

 

 

Ayatollah Kashmiri had a sort of experience in some of verses and perfectly knew some names of Allah and their condition. He was perfect and had wide information knew which sort of Dikhr had to be given to whom in which condition and time. (M. page 58)

 

 

The forces of ignorance and carnal soul are always in clash with forces of wisdom and mostly conquer. This brings about weakness in will for the mystic in his mystic journey.

Those who revealed their weakness to Ostad were prescribed a verse from Holy Koran that is

«اللّه الصمد»

"Allah is needless"

He used to tell the effects of that verse also prescribed the last four verses of Suratul Hashr plus the whole Suratul Hashr with a specific style. (MD. page 60)

 

 

He gave names of Allah to different people in accordance with their various capacities. He asserted that each Dikhr had to be uttered in specific times. His Dikrs were stout. (M. page 87)

In Shabanieh there is a doaa:

«اَلحقنى بنُور عزّكَ الابهَج»

"Oh Almighty incorporate me into a joyful light". Is this light different from other Divine Lights?

Each Name has a specific light somewhere it is Mobin somewhere Abhaj. It depends on the capacity of each person. (A. page 61)

 

Belonging to the knowledge and wisdom

 

 

Ostad believed that the children of distinguished fathers wont be like them. He said" none of my grandfathers siblings named Syed Mostafa, Syed Mohammad Hussein, Syed Mohammad Ali were not like him".

He declared" I wished one of my children to be student of theology same as my father and forefathers". I ( Syed Ali Akbar Sedaghat the writer of the book) told him that his wish would inshallah fulfill in future by his grandsons."

A man of knowledge consulted about his son and showed his inner desire for his son to be a man of knowledge in future. Ostad, by intuition or Istikhareh, advised him to let his son do business stressing that a businessman is a friend of Allah. (S. page164, 165)

 

 

He regretted about the condition of the theological school of those days that the men of knowledge were in touch with the houses of Alems in three ways. Some of them who attended his classes had one point, some who were attentive in going to his classes as well as his prayers scored two points and the ones who joined his classes plus prayers and went to his house had three points. (M. page 100)

 

Ostad spoke about a man of knowledge who liked to be a chairman. He told Ostad to go to his house to negotiate about this matter asserting that whatever he liked would be given even if it were… (MD. page 35)

 

 

He remarked" They dont know that whenever a mystic and pious personality died calamity aroused after his demise. They all passed away- try to get their place. Those I used to see are not present now."

The late Ayatollah Syed Abdolhadi Shirazi revealed the fact that when he was a student there were at least 18 teachers in ethics in Najaf but none is present now. He regarded this lack as a great pain in theological schools.

In the time of Molla Hussein Quli Hamadani 70 men of knowledge and mystics were present in ethics classes whereas there is no one left now.

Ostad had a comment about those who have a good presentation in teaching:" teaching well is not a criterion in grave and the Day After. To teach with refinement is criterion for being good before the Almighty.

He narrated a story about the share for Imam" the wife of Ayatollah Sheikh Zein- ul- aabedin Marandi complained about having less money and wealth. He asked his wife to wash his cap. His wife soaked it into water and the dirt showed up. Mr. Marandi referred to the dirt in the pot and told his wife if she wanted him to drink the dirt.( He was so cautious about using Imams shares)

In 20th Jamdi-u-thani 1416 a group of students who had come to wear turban by the hand of Ostad (to be officially known as a clergy by wearing its specific dress and turban) asked him to give them an advice. He told them that wearing a turban has a condition that is to see The Almighty everywhere continuously and not to be negligent. (A. pages 40, 41)

 

 

Some of the workers in Mass Media had an interview with Ostad and asked him about participation of men of knowledge in a work (to be involved in a governmental job). He answered that it was better if they refused to be involved in governmental job.

When the interview was over one of the students told him that what he opined was quite opposite to the remarks of one of the Alems whom people refer to a lot. Ostad immediately asked them to change the content of the interview and discard it. (That specific question and its answer were discarded. Ostad, by his action, respected the opinion of that Alem and avoided misuse of his words by others). (MD. page 22)

To acquire knowledge is necessary yet its extreme use may cause boastfulness and lack of knowledge may cause ignorance. (A. page 54)

What is the difference between Alems of the past and Alems at present?

Alems in the past had the quality of Continence more than the present Alems. They were even more distinguished in occult sciences. (A. page 91)

Is lack of teachers in ethics the sole cause of negligence in some men of knowledge?

Lack of an ethical Ostad is one cause along with other causes like differences in their aptitudes and their different capacities. (A. page 92)

Some of men of knowledge are weak in the issue of absolute power of Infallible Imams. What is the proper way to make them understand?

To increase the number of Ostads who are expert in the issue of absolute power of Imams is an indispensible factor to subside this deficiency. (A. page 94)

Some men of knowledge who dont get their request in the shrine of Imams are resentful. What is it?

It’s vulgar. They get resentful due to lack of understanding.

 

 

He had an ordinary time for food and didnt like all types of the foods yet didnt order to make a specific food. He didnt eat curry though didnt mention not to make it. He used to come home at night eat dinner and come back. (M. page 27, 28)

 

 

He believed that when a person is invited for lunch or dinner and the food is being served with love and passion for the guest it arouses the appetite and is not heavy. If its cooked indifferently even if the guest is hungry wouldnt like to eat and if he were not forced wouldnt eat since its bad effects would show up in soul and body soon. (M. Page 117)

 

 

Sometimes when a person entered the house and his wife had peeled an apple for him he would serve it to the person and say that apple is good for heart.

It is said that apple is good for heart and brain and it cleanses the stomach.

Amir-ul- momenin (p) pointed out that eating apple cleanses the stomach.

Hazrat Musa bin Jafar (p) knew three things harmless to the body that is grapes, sugar cane and apple.

There are different Hadith asserting that if people know the benefits of apple would only cure their patients by apple.(MD. Page 41)

One of the men of knowledge asked:"During the months of Ramadan and Moharam when we go to different places we sense the degrading effects of foods on us while there are those who say what they eat wouldnt harm them. Whats your opinion?

Variety of foods would have harmful effects on man and thats true. Those who are not affected are not able to sense this level. He knew the foods which were disliked not forbidden such as the beef as the cause of souls degradation. (R. page 132,133)

Its better to be away from delicious foods for refinement of the soul. (A. page 54)

What is the reason for the lack of quality and sweetness in fruits?

It is due to lack of veracity which affects blessings. (A. page 104)

There are many who are careful about their own nutrition for example they avoid drinking dark tea and the like. Is this endeavor affects the power of the soul and humanness?

The body is of no use when death shows up. The only endless entity is nourishing the soul that is permanent. (A. page 65)

A clergy whose mission is to say prayers somewhere and the people of that area who some of them are careless about their dues invite him to eat food with them. What does he do? Does he decline the invitation or accept it for propagating religion?

Its better to accept the invitation of the believers.( A. page 104)

 

 

Does apostasy among mystics have affects?

Apostasy means to walk through this way and get back

«آمَنُوا ثُمَّ ارتَدُّوا»

Such people would be ignored by Allah and their punishment is something equal to sword.(A. pages 66,67)

 

 

Those who didnt have a bright past and like to change what do they do?

They are to ask forgiveness of Allah and repeat the dikhr of Younesieh and try not to get back to their abhorred deeds and attitudes. (A page 73)

How many times should the elementary seekers of mysticism repeat asking forgiveness of Allah?

One thousand and one times. (A. page 71)

What sort of Dikhr do you recommend for summer vacations?

To ask forgiveness of Allah for 30000 times to be divided between the days for instance 3000 times daily which is good for fulfilling the debts as well. (R. Page 137)

 

 

Oh God how enjoyable is revelations in your remembrance. Revelation is in fact a declaration to the heart which is sometimes intentiona or sometimes unintentional. Its in fact supernatural revelation upon the heart.

If the revelation is compassionate it is regarded a mercy from Allah sent to the heart of the mystic and if it is evil then derived from the carnal desires and evil provocation. It is difficult to differentiate between the two for the mystics and too difficult for the ordinary folk. An expert helps the mystics realize the differences and save them if it is self-induced or evil provocation.

Some examples about revelations to Ostad are given below:

When he was teaching in Najaf asked one the students who didnt have ritual bathing (its performed in a prescribed manner to ensure purification) to leave the class and forbade him not to be present in such a class without doing ritual bathing. He immediately left the class.

One of the students says that he was sitting with Ostad in a morning in Qom city in silence. After a while Ostad looked at him and said that his mother was indulged in sorrow at the moment. He was surprised

It was weird since his mother was living in another city. After sometime he went to his city to visit his mother and incidentally found out what Ostad had told about the sorrowful condition of his mother was true that Ostad could reveal by heart.

A person in Tehran had talked negative about Ostads personality and during a visit Ostad surprisingly talked about her as not being a Muslim and she betrayed her husband too. Revealing the reality of her life the color of her face changed.(R. Page 55,57)

Where is the place of revelation in the body?

Its placed in the heart. (A. page 68)

Sometimes you took Istikhareh by rosary and gave its answer by verses from Koran. What type of Istikhareh was it?

It was a kind of revelation that repeatedly occurred and its answer was definitely true. (A. page 98)

 

Against mysticism

 

A man of knowledge passed away in Najaf long back. The biography of his life was written while it was mentioned that he was a disciple of Syed Ali Agha Ghazi. When Ostad heard that reacted and told that person was against mysticism. He was depending on jurisprudence even he forbade some students to indulge themselves in mysticism. (S. Page 142)

 

 

Ostad remarked" Imam Zaman is pure and if you like to be in touch with him you should make yourself pure"

The outward manifestation wouldnt change the man unless and until the person is ready to accept Imam inwardly unless Imam is present in his heart so close and this is a kind of preparation called waiting for him to show up one day and its the best job to do.

Resort to Imam Zaman directly and ask bless of Allah by resorting to Imam Zaman as a mediator. (M. Page 119,120)

 

 

Not only he didnt claim about visiting Imam Zaman but he was also too cautious in talking about those in touch in the past.

We were witness for many times that some came to visit Ostad and claimed to have visited Imam Zaman. He brooded for a moment and told us not to take such things seriously. (M. page 84)

 

 

He was against those who claimed to have met Imam Zaman. No one heard even a word about such things from him since he believed that Imam Zaman(p) is the secret of Allah and meeting him is also Allahs secret and if someone claims about it secrecy would be meaningless.(M. pages 59,60)

 

 

He was asked about those who claimed to have met Imam Zaman and attracted people this way. He answered such things werent noticed in Iraq and what they did was a business.

When he was asked if he had seen Imam Zaman his answer was negative though he sometimes talked about the feature of Imam Zaman and some other details.

Though there were signs that showed something else yet he never had a comment about visiting Imam Zaman.(S. Pages 177,176)

 

 

What is remained in my mind was Ostads call for Hazrat Vali Asr this way repeatedly "oh Aba Saleh Almahdi" but he didnt have a specific session or Dikhr in this regard. (M. Page 25)

 

 

He always asserted the action of waiting for him to show up one day which is regarded as the best deed in variety of Hadith. He regarded this kind of action as the sign to recognize the real Shia and knew it as a real worship. (M. Page 25)

 

He believed that having the honor of visiting Imam Zaman is a secret and knew claims about visiting Imam Zaman as something unacceptable.(M. page 63)

 

 

His style was specific - absolute silence! No one heard even a word about such things. (Claims to see Imam Zaman) (M. page 59)

 

 

The late Allameh Tabatabai had a meeting with the late Ayatollah Kashmiri when he came back to Iran. Ostad gave him a present by mentioning that if he faced difficulty he had better to say prayers on the roof of a building and send it as a gift to Imam Zaman.

Sit on the direction of Kaaba after prayers and try to make your mind free from thoughts, tensions and distractions. What comes to your mind in that moment is a revelation from Hazrat Vali Asr to resolve the difficulty. (M.Pages 121,122)

 

 

He forbade and advised us if we heard someone claiming to have met Imam Zaman not to take that seriously and leave such issues to the experts who are able to find the right from wrong.(M. Pages 84,85)

 

 

Ayatollah Kashmiri spoke about a person who was in touch. He heard that a group of the pure- hearted youths used to go to him on Thursday or Saturday nights and asked him about Imam Zaman (p) and he answered their questions.

Ayatollah kashmiri knew that person as an educated Alem who was able to answer their questions but if the youths thought that he was able to meet Imam Zaman then there was no way to justify.

One day he went to that Alems house and saw 7 or 8 young men weeping continuously. When the function was over Ostad asked him if he had told them he wasnt in touch with Imam Zaman and his answer was negative. Ostad told him how he dare let the youths who thought his words were revelation astray. Then he advised him to finish his show time. (M. Page 85)

Is it possible to meet Imam Zaman? What is the reason some claim to have met him?

Its possible to meet him but in dreams or revelation yet some look into it as a business to gather disciple by claiming to be in touch with Imam Zaman. Some distinguished like Syed bin Tavous had been able to see Imam. (A. Page 78)

Does Imam have wife and children and do they die like others?

Yes hes got wife and children who die like others. (A. Page 79)

What sort of Doaa is preferred to get the chance of meeting Imam?

Its good to read Ziarete Ale Yaasin which is written in Mafatihul Jenan plus repeating the following doaa for ten times. (A. Page 79)

«المستغاث بك يابن الحسن»

There is a satanic whispering that repeating the verse" we only worship and take guidance from you"

in Imam Zaman prayers and asking his hand to help us is a lie. Ostad advised us to take refuge to Allah from Satans provocations. (S. Page 185)

Many believe that Friday afternoon and evening is sad.

Its because Friday is the day of Imam Zaman. He gets upset to look at the deeds of Shias. When he is sad in that day his followers are also sad. ( R. Page 137)

What to do to get closer to Imam Zaman.

To be alone with him for an hour in a day. To concentrate on Imam to read Salam Ala Ale Yaasin and repeating

Then there will be a slight intimacy. (MD. page 98)

Is there a possibility to meet Imam in his long absence?

Yes if they refine themselves. Imam is refined and they should be like him.

Do you mean cognation?

Yes to make a cognation.

Is there a specific action to help honor of meeting him?

Its Salam Ala Ale Yassin and resorting to him at any time.

What do people do for his manifestation?

To resort to Imam Zaman

What to do to be closer to Imam Zaman?

To be alone with him for an hour in a day, to recite Ziarat Salam Ale Yassin and to repeat the following words for many times.

Resort to him to be intimate with him. (S. page 192)

 

 

To be acquainted with the late Imam

Ostad was an intimate friend with Ayatollah Syed Mostafa Khomeini in Najaf and knew him as a wise person being away from exoteric life. Agha Mostafa told his father Ayatollah Khomeini about Agha Syed Abdolkarim Kashmiri who revealed secrets. He told Agha Mostafa to ask Ostad to project what he had dreamt in Iran.

Agha Mostafa told Ostad Imams request. Ostad by the help of incantation could reflect the dream this way that he died in Najaf and was buried there but a stone hurt his side in the grave. Amir-ul- Momenin came to him and asked how he was. He replied that he was all right except for the stone that hurt his side. Amir-ul- Momenin (p) took the stone out.

What he had told was confirmed by Imam. Agha Mostafa asked Ostad if his father would die in Najaf he answered his father would die in Iran.

When the late Imam came to Iran gave a message to Ostad to go to him and he met him. Imam also sent a knowledgeable official to Qom to meet him and get to know his condition.

Sometimes before the Nojeh Coup in Hamadan Ostad saw in a morning dream that Iran was in fire and its smoke was entering his house. He sent a message to Imam through Syed Kamal Mosavi Shirazi to make proper steps. The coup was nipped in the bud by Imam and he thanked him for informing by a message.

The late Hojatolisalm Syed Ahmad Khomeini, few months before his demise, went to Ostads house where some of the students were also present. He asked something and Ostad gave him a guideline. It was told after his death that Hazrat Agha Kashmiri prophesized his death. I (the writer) asked if that was true he told that what came to his heart was given to him as the death was close. (A. Page 45)

Ostad liked Imam and remarked Imam was a great, stable and straightforward personality who was matchless. ( M.page 25)

Ostad was an intimate friend with Ayatollah Mostafa Khomeini and knew him as a wise man free from exoreic life. He sometimes went to receptions also to Kufe Mosque in his company.

Agha Mostafa was so close to him when Ostad fainted due to excessive worship and repetition of Dikr for 70 thousand times he took him to his house and gave him food and served him in a way he came back to his normal condition.

Ostad knew Imam Khomeini as a stead fast and exclusive personality and ignored authorities from Baath party present in sessions to offer prayers for the dead.

He asked Imam in Syed-u-shohadas shrine about the expression "how sweet is your names" in Ziarat Jame Kabire and he answered it is sweet since they are indulged in God.

He met Imam in Karbala in the shrine of Imam Hussein and told him that swear to Imam Hussein he loved him.

Imam sent someone to Qom city and gave a part of money to buy a house for Ostad in Dore Shahr Street. (R. page 121,120)

Was Agha Mostafa your disciple?

He was my intimate friend."(S. page 191)"

What did he ask you about going to Iran?

"He asked me if he would be among others in the government in Iran I told him that he won’t."(S. page 207)