From the life of the author of ‘Mafatih al-Jinan’

‘Mafatih al-Jinan’ is one of the most famous books on supplications and Ziyarats. Alongside the Holy Quran, it is available in bookshelves of all houses of Muslims, mosques and holy shrines.

The author of this invaluable work  is the late Sheikh Abbas al-Qummi. Sheikh al-Qummi was very passionate in reading and writing. The son of Sheikh Abbas mentions, “In my childhood, when I left Medina with my father Sheikh Abbas, I used to see him writing and reading from morning to night.”

It is said that he traveled to the Levant with a group of believers, and they reported that when they were going out for a walk, the Sheikh would apologize to them and chose to sit with his book and pen. At night when they were resting, the Sheikh would continue reading and writing until midnight.

He, may Allah bless his soul, was very humble to everyone he met on the road or school, especially scholars who were interested in studying the hadiths of Ahlulbayt, peace be upon them.

Despite his extensive knowledge of history and hadiths, he used to read directly from the books while on the pulpit, to prevent any error or distortion in the sayings of the Infallible Imams, peace be upon them.

He would articulate his words directly out of his heart, penetrating into the hearts of the listeners, and leaving an eloquent impact on them. This effect continued and prevented the listeners from committing bad deeds for a while, and drew them towards the worship of God.

The late Sheikh al-Qummi was committed to the Night Prayer, the recitation of the Holy Quran, and the recitation of supplications narrated from the Ahlulbayt, peace be upon him.