In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

It was the year 1404 of the Iranian calendar. The days of Fatimiyya had just begun and were to continue for more than two weeks. I found myself sitting facing the Zari (the grave) of Lady Fatima Masuma (a). The lecture of Ayatullah Javadi Amuli حفظ الله at the Masjid-e-Rasool-e-Azam had been canceled due to the mourning days.

I began reflecting and contemplating. Among the worshippers, I noticed the same man I had seen the night before. His state was unchanged: an elderly man with a long grey beard, dressed in black, a black turban on his head, sitting on a stool slightly elevated above the others seated on the carpet. He murmured softly, reciting eulogies of the Ahl al-Bayt (a). Most worshippers remained absorbed in their prayers, but a few paused to listen and offered small gifts as a tribute.

I went and sat on the floor beside him, continuing my recitations. After completing my Ziyara, I greeted him with Salam. He introduced himself as Seyyed Chavoshi Hussaini, a Seyyed from the lineage of Prophet Muhammad (s), a Hussaini Seyyed.

He gave me advice and said: “Help the people; this will make your life, and your hereafter, a better place to live.” His words echoed the guidance of Ayatullah Makarem حفظ الله: “Be a servant of God, and serve the people of God.”

Then he began speaking about his teacher, Ayatullah Shahab ud-Din Mar’ashi Najafi. He explained how remarkable his teacher was, how he had numerous students and how, for many years, he was the foremost Zayir of Lady Fatima Masuma (a).

This is where he narrated an interesting incident his teacher had shared with him:

The Dream of Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Mar’ashi Najafi

Ayatullah Mahmoud Mar’ashi Najafi, the father of Mar’ashi Najafi, had a deep desire to locate the grave of Lady Fatima (a). After years of devotion, prayer, and supplication, he performed a special prayer for forty consecutive nights, hoping that the Imam of the Time would grant his request.

One night, he fell asleep and experienced a dream in which Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a) appeared to him. According to some accounts, it was Imam Ali (a) who appeared in the dream.

Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Mar’ashi Najafi asked the Imam, “Where is the grave of Lady Fatima (a)?” The Imam replied:

“Seyyed Mahmoud, it is among the secrets of Allah (SWT)”

Then he said:

“You should turn to the Lady of the Ahl al-Bayt (a)”

At first, he thought this referred directly to Lady Fatima (a), but the Imam clarified that it meant Lady Fatima Masuma (a) in Qom. Her shrine, he was told, is a reflection and spiritual manifestation of the sanctity of Lady Fatima (a). The message was that the actual grave of Lady Fatima (a) remains hidden for divine wisdom, but visiting her daughter’s shrine in Qom allows believers to connect spiritually.

Following this dream, Ayatollah Mar’ashi Najafi decided to leave Najaf and travel to Qom with his family, to visit and serve at the shrine of Lady Fatima Masuma (a) . He remained the first visitor to the Haram every day for sixty years. This story is widely narrated among Shia scholars.

I asked Seyyed Chavoshi Hussaini if there were any mystical stories about his teacher. He said that scholars typically do not share mystical incidents during their lifetimes. Such stories are passed down later by their close circle. The reasons are clear: people of such high devotion do not seek fame or attention; they simply carry out what Allah (SWT) has given them.

He added that Ayatullah Bahjat was the same; he was not widely known during his life, and his legacy became widely recognized only after his passing.

We continued our conversation, and I took his phone number to discuss this further in the future. I later saw him a few more times in the same spot at the Haram, known as Masjid-e-Bala Sir.

Author: Syed Muhammad Ali Jaffery