The family and friends of Shaykh al-Tabarsi thought he had died. He was given his ghusl (religious bath) and kafan (shroud); the prayer of the dead was recited over him and he was taken to the graveyard and buried as normal. The difference between Shaykh al-Tabarsi and others who are buried is that whilst he was in his grave, he opened his eyes – he had been buried alive by accident!
Whilst he was in the grave, he made an oath that if Allah rescued him and he came out of his grave alive, he would write a commentary of the Holy Qur’an.
No sooner had a few minutes passed when a grave robber approached the grave to take the shroud of the Shaykh so he could sell it in the market. He began to dig through the grave until he reached the body. As the thief started to remove the shroud, Shaykh al-Tabarsi suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand, terrifying him! Trying to quickly calm the thief down, he said, ‘Don’t be afraid!’ and explained what had happened, saying, ‘Allah has answered my prayer and my vow through you.
“Go to my house, bring my clothes and I will give you more than this so that you do not go back to committing this crime for it is a forbidden action.’
Shaykh al-Tabarsi returned to his house to the surprise of everyone! He then started writing a Qura’nic commentary in fulfilment of his vow. The commentary that resulted from Shaykh al-Tabarsi’s promise is considered to be one of the great Shi’a commentaries.
When Shaykh al-Tabarsi died, by the blessings of Allah, he died as a martyr. When he was buried, he was placed next to the body of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (A).”
Note : The Tafsir written by him is known as ‘Majma‘ al-Bayan fi-Tafsir al-Qur’an‘
The Ways of the Righteous’ – Inspirational Stories from the Lives of Shi’a Scholars
Salaam thanks for starting a great service and is very helpful in the understanding of our beloved heroes
ws
All in His Service (atfs)
salam
please foward to others too
thank you
kh