Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Alhassanain (p) Network for Islamic Heritage and Thought

Hayat Al-Qulub

Stories of the Prophets

Vol. 1

Characteristics and Circumstances of the Prophets and their Successors

Author(s): Allamah Muhammad Baqir Majlisi

Translator(s): Sayyid Athar Husayn S.H. Rizvi

Publisher(s): Ansariyan Publications – Qum

www.alhassanain.org/english

1حياة القلوب ج

Hayat al-Qulub

Stories of the Prophets

vol. 1

Author: Allamah Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi

Translator: Syed Athar Husain S.H. Rizvi

Publisher: Ansariyan Publications - Qum

ISBN Set: 964-438-463-6

ALL RIGHTS RECORDED AND RESERVED FOR THE PUBLISHER

www.ansariyan.org & www.ansariyan.org

Table of Contents

Translator's Preface 5

Aim of sending the Prophets; their miracles 6

Infallibility of the Prophets and Imams 20

Merits and Virtues of Prophets and their Successors 22

Notes 30

Merits of Adam and Hawwa’ (Eve), Reasons behind naming them so, the beginning of creation 31

Revelations on Adam 85

Death of Adam; His age and his bequest to Shith 86

Notes 90

An Account of Idris 95

Notes 100

An Account of Nuh 102

Birth of Nuh - Death and life-span of Nuh 102

Proclamation of Nuh - Propagation- Disobedience of the people and an account of their circumstances until the Deluge 106

Notes 117

Circumstances of Hud and his people 119

Notes 129

Salih, his she-camel and his people 130

An Account of Ibrahim and his righteous sons 137

Notes 177

An Account of Lut 182

Notes 192

An Account of Dhu’l-Qarnayn 194

Notes 213

An account of Ya‘qub and Yusuf 214

Notes 253

An account of Ayyub 257

Notes 261

Prophet Shu‘ayb 262

An Account of Musa and Harun 265

An account of the Israelites after Exodus 295

Death of Musa and Harun 354

Notes 359

An account of Hizqil 367

Notes 369

Prophet Isma‘il 370

A Brief Sketch of Ilyas and Yusha‘ 372

Notes 376

An account of Dhulkifl 377

An account of Luqman and his words of wisdom 379

Notes 392

An account of Ishmae’il, Talut and Jalut 393

Notes 398

An account of Dawud 399

Merits, perfections and miracles of Dawud 399

Revelations upon Dawud 408

Notes 416

A Brief Sketch of The Violators of the Sabbath 419

An account of Sulayman 422

Merits, Perfections and Miracles of Sulayman 422

Account of Sulayman and Bilquis 435

Teachings, laws and revelations revealed to Sulayman 439

Notes 442

An account of the People of Saba And People of Tharthaar 444

An account of the people of Ras 446

An Account of Shaiya and Haiqooq 451

An account of Zakariyya and Yahya 453

Notes 461

An account of Maryam, the mother of ‘Isa 462

Notes 465

An account of ‘Isa ibn Maryam 466

Merits and perfections of ‘Isa 472

Revelations and teachings revealed to ‘Isa 498

Notes 529

An account of Irmiya (Jeremiah), Daniel and Uzair 532

Notes 549

An account of Yunus ibn Matta and his respected father 550

Notes 561

An account of the people of the cave and Inscription 562

An Account Of The Makers Of The Pit 573

An account of Jirjis 577

An account of Khalid bin Sinan 579

Notes 579

Accounts of Some Unnamed Messengers 580

Stories of the sages and pious personalities of The Israelites 583

Notes 599

Accounts of Rulers and Kings 600

Notes 604

An Account of Harut and Marut 606

Notes 610

Translator's Preface

It gives me immense pleasure to present the English Translation of Allamah Muhammad Baqir Majlisi’s Hayat al-Qulub. Hayat al-Qulub is one of the best-known works of Allamah Majlisi. Published in three volumes, the first volume deals with the lives and times of all the prophets up to the Holy Prophet Muhammad. The second volume is exclusively about the Holy Prophet Muhammad. This volume was translated by Rev. James Merrick in 19th century under the title Life and Religion of Muhammad. It was later published by Zahra Trust, USA. Ansarian Publication, Iran, have also reprinted the same edition.

The third volume explores the question of Succession to Prophet Muhammad and describes the lofty position of Ahl al-Bayt in Islam.

The title, Hayat al-Qulub means the Life of the Hearts, or the lifeblood of humanity and it is most appropriate.

Indeed without the guidance of the Prophets and Imams, the life of this world would have been meaningless. Through the ages, the appointees of God sacrificed their lives to bring the errant people on the right path.

In course of their duty, they encountered unimaginable difficulties and unreliable followers. However, not once do we find them compromising with falsehood or accepting defeat from the satanic forces.

Can we get such examples of persistence, steadfastness and patience other than these divine guides? They derived strength from the unflinching faith they had on the Almighty and the realisation of the temporal nature of worldly life.

Such lessons abound in Hayat al-Qulub and this is the main benefit that I realized while translating the book.

Though it had incidents that seem incredible and somewhat incredulous, if we see the gems of prophetic morals we can discount the other shortcomings. It is a treasury of spiritual and moral teachings. This is the main aim of the mission of prophets as mentioned by Prophet Muhammad when he said, “I have been sent for the perfection of morals.”

I have adapted the language for the modern readers, but retained some key Islamic terms like Halaal, haraam etc, as they convey the exact meaning that would be difficult to express in a single word.

Since there is always scope for improvement, I invite the readers to email their comments to sayedathar@hotmail.com.

Syed Athar Husain S. H. Rizvi

M.A. (English), M.A. (Persian), M.A. (Islamic Studies)

Director

Al-Qalam Translators & Writers Bureau