The Dream That Brought Two Brothers to Their Teacher

One night in Baghdad, Shaykh al Mufeed slept after long hours of study and teaching. The city was quiet. Lamps were fading. The Tigris flowed silently beneath the moonlight. During his sleep he  saw a dream. He saw the noble Lady, Sayyida Fatima al Zahra (as), radiant and dignified. In her blessed hands were two young boys. She brought them forward and said gently, “Teach them.”

He awoke with his heart trembling. What did this mean? Who were these children? Why had he seen such a vision? He carried the dream within him, reflecting on it, praying for understanding.

The very next day, as he sat in his gathering, a noble woman entered with two young boys by her side. She was from the house of the descendants of Imam Musa al Kadhim (as). Her presence carried dignity. She approached Shaykh al Mufeed and said, “These are my sons. I have brought them to you so that you may teach them.”

In that moment, his heart stopped. It was the dream. The two boys standing before him were the very same children he had seen in the care of Sayyida Fatima (as). The elder was Ali, who would become known as Sayyid al Murtada. The younger was Muhammad, who would become known as Sayyid al Radhi.

Shaykh al Mufeed felt the weight of responsibility descend upon him. This was not ordinary teaching. This was Amanah. From that day, the two brothers sat in his circle.  He taught them theology, jurisprudence, and the principles of belief. He shaped their intellect. He nurtured their humility. He refined their arguments. He reminded them that knowledge is service to the Imam of the time (atfs).

Years passed. The elder would grow into one of the greatest theologians of Shi’i Islam. The younger would gather the sermons and letters of Imam Ali (as) into Nahj al Balagha, preserving words that still shake hearts today.

This all began with a dream. A dream that was not about honour, but about responsibility. And perhaps that is the lesson for us.

Sometimes Allah (swt) entrusts you with something small, a child, a student, a circle of youth. You may not realise it then. But through sincere teaching, generations can be shaped. Through one lesson, history can be written.