Draft:Jafar Kashif al ghita

• Comment: no sources. Theroadislong (talk) 16:45, 9 November 2024 (UTC)

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Jafar Kashif al-Ghita b. Khiḍr b. Yaḥyā al-Janājī al-Ḥillī al-Najafī** (Arabic: جعفر بن خضر بن یحیی الجناجی الحلّی النجفی), commonly known as **Kashif al-Ghita'** (Arabic: کاشف الغطاء) (b. 1156/1743–4 – d. 1228/1813), was a prominent Shiite Marja' (religious authority) and a key figure in 18th and 19th-century Shia Islam. He was born in Najaf, Iraq, and became a central authority in Shiite jurisprudence and theology.

File:Ja'far Kashif al-Ghita'.jpg

Ja'far Kashif al-Ghita' (c. 1800)

Early life and education

Ja'far Kashif al-Ghita' was born in Najaf into a distinguished family of scholars. His father, **Khidr**, was a pious scholar who had moved to Najaf from Janajiyya for religious studies. Kashif al-Ghita' studied under several renowned scholars, including **Wahid Bihbahani**, **Sayyid Muhammad Mahdi Bahr al-‘Ulum**, and others in Karbala and Najaf. His academic journey focused on Islamic jurisprudence, theology, and the principles of Usul al-Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence).

Scholarly career and contributions

Kashif al-Ghita' became a leading figure in Shia scholarship, succeeding **Allama Bahr al-'Ulum** as one of the foremost Shiite authorities. He played a vital role in the intellectual and religious disputes of his time, particularly against the **Akhbari school** of thought, which opposed the use of independent reasoning (Ijtihad) in interpreting Islamic law.

He wrote extensively to defend the **Usuli** school of jurisprudence and the use of Ijtihad. One of his notable works, *Al-Haqq al-Mubin fi Taswib al-Mujtahidin wa Takhti'at al-Akhbariyyin*, was written to reject the views of the Akhbaris and defend the methods of reasoning used by Usuli scholars.

Political and military involvement

Kashif al-Ghita' was not only a religious scholar but also a political figure. He played a significant role during the **Wahhabi attacks on Najaf** in 1806, when a large Wahhabi army attempted to sack the city. Kashif al-Ghita' organized the defense of the city and successfully repelled the Wahhabi forces. He also advocated for building defensive walls around Najaf to protect the city from future attacks.

Kashif al-Ghita' also engaged in political diplomacy, including advising the **Qajar dynasty** of Iran. He provided a **fatwa** (religious ruling) to the Iranian king **Fath Ali Shah** to permit Jihad against Russia during the Russo-Iranian War (1804–1813). His efforts cemented his influence in both religious and political matters across the Shia world.

Death

Ja'far Kashif al-Ghita' passed away on **Wednesday, Rajab 22, 1228 AH** (July 21, 1813 CE) in **Najaf**, Iraq. He was buried in a tomb he had prepared for himself within the seminary complex in the **'Ammara** area of Najaf. His mausoleum was later enclosed with a dome, and it has become a site of reverence for his descendants and followers. Many of his progeny, including scholars from the **Kashif al-Ghita' family**, are buried in proximity to him. His death marked the end of an era of intellectual and political influence, but his legacy continues through his family and works, which remain influential in Shia scholarship.

Legacy and family

Kashif al-Ghita' is the head of the prominent **Kashif al-Ghita' family**, a renowned lineage of Shiite scholars spanning multiple generations. His descendants continued to be influential in the religious and scholarly circles of Iraq and Iran. His grandson, **Muhammad Husayn Kashif al-Ghita'**, became a significant religious authority in the 19th century.

Kashif al-Ghita' passed away in 1228 AH (1813 CE) in Najaf, where he was buried in a grave he had prepared for himself at his seminary. His tomb is a site of reverence for Shia Muslims.

Works

Kashif al-Ghita' authored numerous works, many of which are still studied by scholars today. His key works include:

• *Kashf al-Ghita'* – His most famous work, addressing various aspects of Islamic law and theology.
• *Al-Haqq al-Mubin fi Taswib al-Mujtahidin wa Takhti'at al-Akhbariyyin* – A critique of the Akhbaree school of thought.
• *Manhaj al-Rashad li-Man Arad al-Sadad* – A treatise aimed at refuting the Wahhabi movement.
• *Al-Risala al-Sawmiyya* – A treatise on the laws of fasting.
• *Ghayat al-Murad fi Ahkam al-Jihad* – A work on the rules of Jihad in Islam.

His intellectual contributions have shaped modern Shiite jurisprudence and continue to influence scholars in the Usuli tradition.

See also

• Kashif al-Ghita Family
• Wahhabism
• Usul al-Fiqh