Aga Buzurg Tehrani

Muhammad Muhsin bin Ali bin Muhammad Reza bin Muhsin bin Ali Akbar (1876-

1970 A.D/1293-1389 A.H.), the famous Shi'ite jurist and bibliographer was born in

Tehran. His father and grand-father were also the religious scholars of this city.

Aga Buzurg started his primary religious education in Dangi Seminary and

continued in Pamnar Seminary and then in the Farhriyeh (Marwi) Seminary.

In (1897 A.D./1315 A.H.) he left for Najaf (Iraq) for pursuing higher education and

from this date till (1910 A.D. / 1329 A.H.) he studied under many great scholars of

this city. In (1912 A.D./1329 A.H.) he left for Kazmain and started extensive

research to compile the Shi'ite bibliography encyclopaedia i-e Ad. Dhariyyah ila

Tasaneef al-Shia. In (1935 A.D./1354 A.H) he returned to Najaf to publish

Ad-Dhariyyah and for this purpose he established a printing press known as

As-Sa'adah press but the Imperial Government of Iraq created obstacles in his

works by raising various excuses.

Aga Buzurg travelled extensively to compile this encyclopaedia. Aga Buzurg

obtained permissions from the traditionists of the various Islamic schools of

thoughts to quote Hadith. His important works are as follows:

1 - Ad-Dhariyyah ila Tasaneef al-Shia.

2 - Tabaqat Elam ush-Shia.

3 - Masfal Maqal fi Masnafi-i Ilm ar-Rijal

4 - Al-Mashiqah

5 - Hadiyah tar Razi ila Mujaddid al-Shirazi

6 - An-Naqd al-Taif fi Nafi al-Tahrif an-al Quran al-Sharif.

7 - Tauzeeh ar-Rashad fi Tarikh Hasr al-Ijtihad.

8 - Tafneed Qoul al-Awwam Ba Qadam al-Kalam.

9 - Zial Al-Mashiqah.

10 - Zia al Mafazat fi Tariq Mashaiq al Ijazat.

11 - Ijazat al-Riqayah wa Warasah fil Quran al-Akhirah al Salasa.

12 - Hayat ash-Shaykh al Tousi.

13 - Mustadrak Kashf az-Zunoon or Zail Kashf az-Zunoon.