78. Sheikh al Tusi

Sheikh al-Tusi, also known as Sheikh al-Ta’ifa (The Sheikh of the Sect) lived in the city of Baghdad, where he initially studied under Sheikh al-Mufid, and then later under Sharif al-Murtadha.

Following Sharif al-Murtadha, Sheikh al-Tusi became his successor in leading the Shia community.

In 1055 AD, political turmoil in Baghdad led to the anti-Shia Seljuks entering the city, where they set fire to the house and books of Shiekh al-Tusi.

This resulted in Sheikh al-Tusi leaving Baghdad and settling in the city of Najaf, near the Shrine of Imam Ali (as).

Sheikh al-Tusi’s arrival in Najaf marks the establishment of what later became known as Hawzat al-Najaf, which is considered the leading centre of Shi’a scholarship. Thus, he is considered the founder of the Najaf Hawza.

Sheikh al-Tusi is buried near the shrine of Imam Ali, in a mosque known as Jami’ al-Sheikh al-Tusi.