The Lantern of Najaf: A Tale of Ayatollah Bahr al-ʿUlūm (ra)

In the holy city of Najaf, under the golden dome of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), lived a scholar whose light continues to guide hearts centuries after his time. Sayyid Muḥammad Mehdi Bahr al-ʿUlūm (may Allah elevate his station), born in 1155 AH (1742 CE) and passing to the mercy of Allah in 1212 AH (1797–1798 CE), was not just a scholar of books but a scholar of souls.

His very title, Bahr al-ʿUlūm, meaning “Ocean of Knowledge”, was not given lightly. His knowledge was so vast, and his humility so deep, that even the angels of learning would gather at the doorstep of his sincerity. But what makes his story truly inspiring is not merely the depth of his scholarship, but the purity of his heart and the trust Allah (swt) placed upon him.

Sayyid Bahr al-ʿUlūm studied under some of the greatest scholars of his era in the renowned Hawza of Karbala, before becoming a pillar of the Hawza of Najaf. His life was devoted to preserving and spreading the knowledge of Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them), ensuring that the light of guidance continued to shine for generations to come.

It is narrated by reliable scholars that Sayyid Bahr al-ʿUlūm was blessed with the honour of seeing the Imam of our time, Imam al-Mahdi (may our souls be sacrificed for him), and even being in his service — but he never boasted of this closeness. He never sought fame or status from it. Instead, he poured his heart into the service of the people, especially the poor and the seekers of knowledge.

During an epidemic in Najaf, fear had paralysed the city. Markets were empty, and even the burial of the deceased had become neglected out of fear of contagion. Yet, Sayyid Bahr al-ʿUlūm, with his immense tawakkul (trust in Allah), led by example. He personally buried the dead, comforted grieving families, and reminded the community of Allah’s mercy that surpasses all hardships.

His bravery rekindled the spirit of the people, and slowly, the community regained its strength. In their darkest moments, he became their lamp of hope.

His approach to teaching was equally remarkable. When students asked him questions, he would not merely give them direct answers. Instead, he taught them how to think — how to anchor themselves in the Qur’an, how to draw wisdom from the lives of the Ahlulbayt (as), and most importantly, how to purify their hearts so they could understand divine knowledge deeply.

One day, a student humbly asked him:

“O Sayyid, what is the secret to such nearness to the Imam (aj)?”

With tears welling in his eyes, he replied:

“Serve the people for the sake of Allah, hide your deeds from the eyes of creation, and keep your heart yearning for the Imam. He is nearer to you than you realise.”

Sayyid Bahr al-ʿUlūm’s life is a shining example for us today — especially in these times, when our hearts long for the reappearance of our beloved Imam (aj). His story teaches us that preparing for the Imam is not about waiting passively, but living actively in service, sincerity, and knowledge. It is about becoming the kind of people who are worthy of joining the Imam’s army when he rises.

May Allah (swt) raise the ranks of this noble servant, and may we be inspired to walk in his footsteps, so that we too may be counted among the helpers of al-Ḥujjah (aj).

The Three Days of Hunger

It was the month of Ramadan in Medina, and the air was filled with the fragrance of freshly baked bread from the humble home of Imam Ali (a) and Sayyida Fatima (a). As the golden light of sunset signaled the time to break their fast, Imam Hasan (a) and Imam Hussain (a) eagerly sat down, their small hands reaching for the food they had longed for all day. The hunger they had felt since dawn made the meal even more precious.

Just as they were about to take their first bite, a faint knock echoed from the door. Sayyida Fatima (a) immediately rose and went to answer it. A poor beggar stood before her; his eyes full of desperation.

“O family of the Prophet,” he pleaded, “I am starving and have nothing to eat. Can you spare me some food?”

Imam Ali (a) looked at his family and smiled gently. Without hesitation, he motioned for his family to give everything they had. One by one, they handed their bread over to the beggar, leaving themselves with nothing but water. Despite their own hunger, they felt compassion for the man’s suffering.

That night, the family went to bed hungry, but their hearts were filled with contentment in their sacrifice for the sake of Allah.

The next day, they fasted again. As the sun set, signalling the time to break their fast, another knock came at the door. This time, it was an orphan, shivering from hunger. Sayyida Fatima (a) opened the door, and once again, the family gave up their food, placing their last meal in the hands of the orphan. They chose to remain hungry rather than turn someone away.

On the third night, after fasting throughout the day, the family prepared to eat, but another figure appeared at the door—a prisoner, frail and exhausted from captivity. His plea for food was met with the same selflessness. Imam Ali (a), Sayyida Fatima (a), Imam Hasan (a), and Imam Hussain (a) shared their remaining food with the prisoner, leaving nothing for themselves.

For three days, this noble family went without food, choosing sacrifice and compassion for others over their own comfort. Their devotion to Allah and care for others, even in their time of need, was a profound act of faith.

Allah, pleased with their selflessness, revealed Surah Al-Insan (76:8-9):

“They give food, despite their love for it, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, (saying) ‘We feed you for the sake of Allah alone; we desire neither reward nor thanks from you.’”

On the fourth day, as their hunger became unbearable, Allah sent them heavenly sustenance as a divine reward. Their story became an eternal lesson: true fasting is not just abstaining from food, but practicing selflessness, compassion, and putting others before our own desires. The family of the Prophet’s example continues to inspire all who seek to live a life of generosity and humility.