The Inspiring Life of Hujjat-ul-Islam Shafati

The esteemed scholar Mirza Muhammad Tonekaboni, author of Qisas-ul-Ulama, recounts the story of Hujjat-ul-Islam Shafati, whose early life was marked by extreme poverty and deprivation.

While studying under the great scholar Bahr-ul-Uloom in Najaf, Hujjat-ul-Islam faced such dire circumstances that he often went without food. One day, his close friend Haji Muhammad Ibrahim Kalbasi visited him and found him unconscious. It became apparent that he had fainted from hunger. Haji immediately went to the market, bought some food, and fed him until he regained his strength.

Despite his hardships, Hujjat-ul-Islam remained dedicated to his studies and was meticulous in matters of purity. He would often visit the house of his teacher, Bahr-ul-Uloom, to use the water from his courtyard pool for ablution. When Bahr-ul-Uloom learned of his student’s struggles, he urged him to join him for meals daily. However, Hujjat-ul-Islam, valuing his independence, politely refused and warned that he would leave Najaf if forced. Reluctantly, Bahr-ul-Uloom respected his wishes.

While studying in Karbala under Aqa Syed Ali, the author of Riyadh, Hujjat-ul-Islam endured further poverty. He wore worn-out sandals without heels and lacked even the means for basic sustenance. Syed Ali arranged for a servant to deliver two pieces of bread to him daily—one for lunch and one for dinner.

When he eventually moved to Isfahan, his possessions were limited to a small cloth used as a bread spread and a single book, Madarik. Despite his challenges, he maintained a strong bond with his peers, including the narrator’s father, who also lived in poverty. The narrator recalls visiting Hujjat-ul-Islam one evening at his request. After some time had passed, he laid out a meal consisting of pieces of stale, dry bread, which they shared. This simple meal reflected the humility and perseverance of the scholar.

On another occasion, when Hujjat-ul-Islam received a small amount of money, he decided to buy food for himself and his family. As he walked through the market, he carefully chose the cheapest option—a sheep’s liver—to feed his household. On his way home, he passed a ruined area where a starving mother dog and her frail pups lay, crying in hunger. Moved by their suffering, he chose to give the liver to the dog and her pups instead of keeping it for his family. The pups devoured the food while their mother looked toward the sky, as if praying in gratitude.

This act of selflessness was reminiscent of the legacy of his ancestors, who were known for their generosity and compassion. They often prioritized the needs of orphans, captives, and the destitute over their own, enduring hunger for the sake of others. This profound sacrifice is commemorated in the Quranic verse revealed in their honor:

“They give preference to others over themselves, even when they themselves are in need.” (Surah Al-Insan, 76:8-9)

This tale of poverty, generosity, and trust in divine providence illustrates how acts of selflessness and compassion resonate deeply in the heavens, bringing blessings to those who give even in their time of need.

Source: Stories of the Poor Who Became Scholars, p. 11 (Dastan-hayi Az Faqirayi Keh Alim Shodand, Safhe 11)