Muhammad Jawad b. Shaykh Mashkur (r.a.) is considered amongst the most eminent
of scholars from Najaf. He had the distinction of leading the jama’at in the precincts
of the shrine of Ameerul Mo’mineen (a.s.). He expired at the age of ninety years in
1337 A.H. He was buried near the blessed grave of Ameerul Mo’mineen (a.s.)
On the 26thof Safar, 1336, Shaykh Muhammad Jawad (r.a.) saw Malikul Maut in a
dream.
He greeted Malikul Maut and inquired, ‘Where are you coming from?’
The latter replied, ‘I am coming from Shiraz where I captured the soul of Mirza Ibrahim Mahlaqi.’
Shaykh asked, ‘What is his condition in Barzakh?’
Malikul Maut replied, ‘He is residing in the most exquisite of gardens in Barzakh.God has nominated angels at his beckoning.
Shaykh : ‘Has he merited this distinction from his own actions or from training his students?’
Malikul Maut : ‘Neither’
Shaykh : ‘Has he earned this merit from leading ja’maat or from propagating Allah’scommands?’
Malikul Maut : ‘Neither’
Shaykh : ‘Then what action has he performed that has warranted such eminence.’
Malikul Maut : ‘He has attained this elevated status by reciting Ziarate Ashoora.’
The following day Shaykh Mashkur visited Ayatullah Mirza Muhammad Taqi Shirazi
(r.a.) and recounted the strange dream. Mirza Shirazi (r.a.) heard Shaykh’s narration,
and when he had finished, began weeping uncontrollably. The people sought the
reason for Mirza’s wailing. Mirza Shirazi (r.a.) replied, I am lamenting on account of
Mirza Mahlaqi’s demise. For he was the pillar of jurisprudence (fiqh).’ The people
said, ‘It is possible that the dream was not true.’ Mirza rejoined, ‘Although a dream, it
was not witnessed by some ordinary individual, but by Shaykh Mashkur.’
The very next day a telegram was delivered to Najaf from Shiraz announcing Mirza
Ibrahim Mahlaqi’s demise. Consequently the dream’s veracity was proved beyond
doubt.
Scholars who were well acquainted with Mirza Ibrahim Mahlaqi have affirmed that,
for the last thirty years of his life he had regularly recited Ziarat Ashoora. When some
malady or ailment hindered him from recitation, he designated someone to recite it on
his behalf. The distinguished scholar, Mulke Hussaini Shirazi, attests to this fact when
he relates that Shaykh Abul Hasan Hadaiq (another scholar) had narrated to him that
when Mirza Ibrahim Mahlaqi was ill he appointed him to recite this Ziarat on his
behalf.
Certain other scholars from Najaf have narrated this episode from Ayatullah SayyedAbdul Hadi Shirazi. The latter says, ‘I was present when Shaykh Mashkur was narrating his dream to Mirza Muhammad Taqi.’ Besides this, Mirza Mahlaqi’s son Sadruddeen Mahlaqi, had himself heard the narration of Shaykh’s dream