The Grand Library of Ayatullah al-Uzma
Marashi Najafi(R.A.)

In The Name of God The Compassionate the Merciful
Name of the Library: The Grand Library of Ayatullah al-Uzma
Marashi Najafi(R.A.)

Founder of the Library
Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.), the
leading jurist, the Grand Marja of the Shi'ites in the world, the
great preserver of Islamic heritage, renowned jurisprudent, the
great researcher, historian and genealogist.
Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid Shihab al-Din Hussaini al-Marashi
al-Najafi was born on 20the Safar 1315 A.H./ July 21, 1897 in the
holy city of Najaf(Iraq) in a famous religious family renowned for
its high knowledge and ardent faith. In the beginning he was
taught by his learned father Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid Shams
al-Din Mahmood Husaini al-Marashi al-Najafi (passed away in
1338 lunar Hijrah) who was one of the greatest Islamic
jurisprudent of that era.
He also learned Qur'anic sciences and its exegesis,
fundamentals of jurisprudence, mathematics, astronomy,
medicine, Rijal, Dirayah and theology from a large group of
well-known professors in the Hawzah (Islamic seminaries) in the
hoy city of Najaf (Iraq), which was one of the greatest Islamic
seminary in the Islamic world.
He attained the highest degree of Ijtihad in a short period and
be came renowned amongst the scholars for his in depth research
and also for lecturing religious sciences in the seminary.
Some years later Iman Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.) went to
Mashhad(Iran) to perform the ziyarah of Imam Reza(A.S.). On
his return he stayed in Tehran to persue his studies and
researches.
After a year stay in Tehran he decided to move to the holy city
of Qom to attend the lectures of Ayatullah al-Uzma Shaykh
Abdul Karim Haeri al-Yazdi, the founder of the Hawzah (Islamic
Seminary) in Qom. On his arrival in Qom he also began lecturing
in the Islamic seminary as well as attended the advanced courses
in jurisprudence lectured by Ayatullah al Uzma Haeri al-Yazdi.
He decided to stay in the holy city of Qom and very soon emerged
as a leading professor in the Hawzah.
After a short time the leading Ulama and professors of the
Islamic seminary of Qom declared him as the Grand
Marja(religious leader) of the Shi'ites in the world. Millions of the
Shi'ites in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, U.A.E, Bahrain, Pakistan,
India, Turkey, Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar and the eastern
provinces of Saudi Arabia followed his rulings in Islamic juris
prudence.
Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.) was the leading professor in the
Hawzah of Qom for more than 67 years. His lectures every day
was attended by hundreds of Ulama and Tullab (seminary
students). He also led the daily congregational prayers in the holy
shrine of Hadrat Fatima Masoomah(A.S.) for more than half a
century.
Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.) dedicated all his efforts towards
the progress and advancement of the Hawzah in the holy city of
Qom. He trained hundreds of jurisprudents and theologians who
later on became famous professors in Hawzah and the universities
in Iran and abroad.
He wrote outstanding books in almost all the Islamic sciences.
Most of them were written in Arabic and they are as follows:
* Molhaqat al Ahqaq
* Al Hashiyah Ala al-Orwat al-Wothqa
* Minhaj al-Momineen
* Taqrirat al-Qusas
* Tabaqat al-Nassabeen
* Al-Hashiyah Ala Kifayah al-Usul
* Al-Hashiyah Ala Al-Rasail
* Al Mashhahed Wal Mazarat
* Aayan al-Marashieen
* Al-Moawal Fee Amr al-Motawal
* Ulama al-Sada'at
* Masareh al-Afkar Wa al-Hashiyah Ala Taqrirat al Shaykh
al-Murtuza al-Ansari
* Al-Fawa'id al-Rijaliyah
* Kashf al-Irtiyab
* Al Mujdi Fi Hayat Saheb al-Mujdi
* Raf al-Ghashiyah An Wajh al-Hashiyah
* Al-Rad Ala Moddae'i al-Tahreef
* Taliqah Ala Omdat al-Taleb
* Mushajjarat Aal Rasool Allah al-Akram
* Rehlah Isfahan, Shiraz, Samarrah Wa Azarbaijan.
The Prominent Personalities Who Met Imam Marashi
Al-Najafi(R.A.)
1) The famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore.
2) Rashid Raza, the Egyptian author of Tafseer al-Manar.
3) Shaykh al-Tantawi al-Jawhari, the famous Egyptian author
of Tafseer al-Jawaher.
4) The Cardinal Al-Kermily from Baghdad(Iraq).
5) Henry Corbin, the famous French philosopher and
orientalist.
6) Shaykh Muhammad Bin Zebarah, the famous historian from
Yemen.
One of the most famous and important cultural services of
Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.) was the establishment of a grand
library in the holy city of Qom which has international reputation
and prestige to its credit. This library is considered as the greatest
cultural heritage in the history of Iran. Imam Marashi
al-Najafi(R.A.) is also famous as "The Greatest Preserver of the
Islamic Heritage" in the world's scientific circles and centres.
After rendering selfless service in the fields of learning,
teaching and disseminating Islamic culture for nearly a century,
Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.) passed away after suffering a heart
attack on Wednesday, 29 August 1990. He was 96 years of age.
Soon after this heart rending event the government of the
Islamic Republic of Iran announced three days of national
mourning. The Shi'ite Muslims all over the world also mourned
the passing away of their great religious leader.
On Friday, 31 August 1990, millions of devoted Shi'ites from
throughout Iran and various countries carried the holy remains of
Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.) in the historical funeral procession
which was attended by all the Grand Marja, Ulama, Tullab,
high-ranking government and military officials of Iran and
diplomatic staff of the many Islamic countries based in Tehran. As
per his last will he was laid to rest at the entrance of the Grand
Library which was established by his ceaseless and incessant
efforts. His last will states: "Bury me at the entrance of the library
so that the feet of the researchers of Islamic sciences step beside
my grave."

Library's Development Stages
The first step of constructing the library was achieved when the
great founder was busy studying in the Islamic seminary of Najaf.
He was the first person to compile the index of the manuscripts
and the rare published books which was considered as an
outstanding achievement. Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.) used to
sell his clothes and his household equipments to buy books and
manuscripts. He took lots of pain and trouble in this sacred
endeavour. He used to avoid eating one of his daily meals in
order to save money to buy the rare printed books and
manuscripts. He also used to perform the fasting and Namaz of
the deceased persons and the money paid for this pious acts were
dedicated by him to buy the manuscripts.
The books which he inherited from his late father also played
an important role in providing the library with books at its initial
stage. Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.) migrated from Najaf(Iraq)
to Iran in 1342 A.H./ 1923 A.D., and carried with himself all the
books which he had bought and inherited in Najaf and preserved
them in his residence in Qom. He continued collecting and buying
manuscripts and other rare printed books. In 1959, he presented
278 rare manuscripts in Arabic and Persian to Tehran University's
College of Theology and Divinity. He also presented numerous
rare manuscripts and valuable printed books to many of the
leading libraries in Iran.
After establishing "Marashiyah Islamic Seminary" in the holy
city of Qom in 1385 A.H./ 1965 A.D., he reserved a couple of
rooms of the seminary for the library. That was the turning point
in this glorious and shining path of establishing a grand library.
During the same year the library was inaugurated in the third
floor of the Islamic seminary. A vast collection of manuscripts and
rare printed books were transferred to this library.
The increasing number of researchers who daily visited this
library made this small but very rich library over crowded. Thus,
1000 sq.metres of adjoining land was bought and attached to
"Marashiyah Islamic Seminary" in the year 1390 A.H./ 1970 by
Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.). On 15th Shaban 1394 A.H./ 1974,
the reference section of Ayatullah Marashi Najafi's library was
inaugurated with the collection of 1600 rare manuscripts and
thousands of printed books and soon after another 500 rare
manuscripts were added to the treasury of the library.
In the course of time the library emerged as the centre of the
scholars and researchers. With the gradual increase in the number
of the visitors the space shortage was once again felt by the
library. In 1989, Imam Khomeini(R.A.), the founder of Islamic
Republic of Iran issued a decree ordering the government of the
Islamic Republic of Iran for implementing the plans for the
manifold expansion of the library in according to with the master
plan for expansion as prepared by Hojjat al-Islam Dr Mahmud
Marashi, the president of the library.
After the announcement of this historical decree Iran's
National Insurance Company presented its building adjoined to
the library for the purpose of the expansion. The nearby houses
were bought for the expansion of the library which now occupies a
total area of 2400 sq.metres.
After consulting and analyzing the building models of all the
grand libraries in the world, the Iranian engineers and consultants
with the collaboration of the foreign experts designed the map of
library's new grand building. On 20th Zee-al-Hajjah 1410 A.H./
1989, Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.) laid the foundation stone of
the new grand building.
After a decade of constructional activities the new grand
building fully equipped with ultra-modern mechanized
equipments was built. The new building possesses seven stories
and occupies a total area of 16000sq. metres . At present both the
old and the new buildings of the grand library occupies a total
area of 21,000 sq. metres.
At present the grand library has established close links and
mutual cultural relations with more than four hundred cultural
centres and libraries in the world. Now more than 100 scholars
and librarians work as the official staff of the library and with the
inauguration of new building the strength of the staff will be
doubled.
Mailing Address:
The Grand Library of Ayatullah al-Uzma Marashi
Najafi(R.A.).
Ayatullah Marashi Najafi(R.A.) Avenue.
P.O.Box.No: 37157.
Qom, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Tel: 0098-251-7741970-78
Fax: 0098-251-7743637
Websites:http://www.marashilibrary.com
http://www.marashilibrary.net
http://www.marashilibrary.org
E.mail:sm_marashi@marashilibrary.org

The Aims:
The great founder of this library established this grand library
with the aim of collecting and preserving the manuscripts for the
purpose of research and analysis by the scholars and researchers.
These aims have been achieved by implementing the following
measures:
1 - Establishing this Great International Islamic Culturral
Centre which helps in developing and describing the tremendous
and extensive scientific achievements of the Islamic culture and
civilization during the last fourteen centuries.
2 - Creating excellent group discussions and research facilities
for the researchers in the library.
3 - Keeping at the disposal of the researchers the valuable
manuscripts preserved in this great center which exhibits and
manifests for them the written Islamic culture and heritage in
different fields and branches of sciences and arts. Many of the
rare manuscripts have been edited after under going a through
process of extensive research and analysis.
4 - Collecting and preserving the exquisite and rare
manuscripts in this great centre.
5 - Providing the microfilms and photocopies of the
manuscripts preserved in other libraries of the world.
6 - Delivering this vast treasure of Islamic heritage preserved in
this great library to the next generations so that they can know
about their glorious past, culture, civilization and heritage.
7 - The photocopies, microfilms and slides of all the
manuscripts preserved in this library are made available. All the
safety measures and the international standards for book-keeping
and preservation are strictly implemented in this library.

Library's Departments and Sections
This grand library comprises of various departments and
sections which are directly administered by the president of the
library. Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.), delegated the
administration and management of the library to his son and chief
trustee, Hojjat al-Islam Dr Mahmud Marashi about 35 years ago.
The various departments and sections of the grand library are
as follows:
A - The President's Office:
This section comprises of the president's office room, reception
room, the private secretary's room, assistance room and the office
room of the manager of the women's section. The president is the
chief executive of the library and runs the administration.
The president's office consists of various departments which
are as follows:
1 - Endowments Department:
This department looks after the administration of all the
properties like residential buildings and commercial complexes
endowed to the grand library by philanthropists in Qom, Tehran
and Isfahan.
2 - Public Relations and International Affairs Department:
This department is in charge of the invitations and reception's
timetables for the Iranian and foreign guests, releasing the news
regarding the activities of the library, establishing relations with
international cultural centres and libraries, organizing and
managing conferences, exhibitions, visits, scientific competitions,
evaluating the visitors ideas and opinions about the library and
preparing the monthly and annual statistics.
3 - Ceremonies and Reception Department:
This department is in charge of welcoming and receiving the
Iranian and foreign guests, providing the necessary information
regarding the library's different sections and departments,
presenting gifts to the guests and so forth.
Every season more than 2000 guests visit the library which also
includes more than 200 high-ranking visitors and scholars from
various countries.
4 - Secretariat Department:
This department carries out all the internal and external
correspondence duties.
5 - Women's Department:
This department takes the responsbility of assisting women
researchers and scholars to get access to scientific sources and
references available in the grand library.
6 - Correspondence Department:
This department has the responsibility to post, deliver or
exchange books to some organizations or individuals as approved
by the president of the library.
B - Public Services Division
This section is in charge of rendering services to the visitors
and researchers in the various halls and reading rooms of the
library. It consists of:
1 - Ibn Sina Hall: This hall occupies an area of 2200 sq. meters
with 750 persons seating capacity. More than 2000 persons visit
this hall daily during the morning and evening working hours.
2 - Exclusive Reading Hall for the Hawzah (Islamic Seminary)
Books:
This hall is exclusively assigned for the study and research of
the scholars and students of the Islamic seminaries.
3 - Khaja Nasir al-Din Tusi Auditorium:
This auditorium has a seating capacity of 200 persons and
various national and international seminars and symposiums are
conducted in this auditorium.
4 - Shaykh Mufid Hall:
In this hall local conferences, seminars and academic sessions
are regularly conducted.
5 - Book Exhibition Hall:
In this hall the library's publications are displayed for the
visitors.
C - Reference Section:
This department has the following divisions:
1 - Manuscripts Treasury:
The manuscript copies present in the treasury till the end of
October, 2001 was more than 60,000 volumes comprising 32,000
titles of books. Sixty five percent of these manuscripts are in
Arabic and the rest of them are in Persian. A few Turkish, Urdu,
Abyssinian, Syriac and Latin manuscripts are also avaulable in the
treasury.
Every year about 500-800 other valuable and rare manuscripts
are added to this great collection either gifted or procured.
The copies of the Holy Qur'an in Kufic script belonging to the
second century Hijrah comprises the oldest copies preserved in
the manuscript treasury of the library. The manuscript copies of
third and fourth century Hijrah are also avaibable and the oldest
among them is the illustrated copy of the Holy Qur'an
calligraphed in 392 A.H./ 1002 A.D., by Ali ibn Hilal Baghdadi
also famous as Ibn Bawwab, the renowned calligraphist of the
fourth century Hijrah.
Till now the catalogue of 12,000 manuscripts available in the
library has been published in 30 volumes. The complete catalogue
of the manuscripts of this grand library will be published in 90
volumes series.
2 - Photographs of the Manuscripts:
This section preserves more than 4000 photographed copies of
the priceless and valuable manuscripts obtained from the
different libraries in the world.
3 - Microfilm Section
In this section the microfilms of more than 13000 rare
manuscripts are available.
4 - Documents Treasury
This section consists of more than one hundred thousand
written documents belonging to the last five centuries.
5 - Permanent Exhibition of the Rare Manuscripts.
6 - Permanent Exhibition of the Books and Documents Written
by the Founder of the Library.
7 - Rare Printed Books Store
Some of the rare printed books dating back to last five
centuries are preserved in this store.
8 - Rare Petrographs Store
9 - The Treasuries of Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Urdu
Books.
The treasuries of the books in the above- mentioned languages
are located in the three floors of this grand library building.
10 - Newspapers and Periodicals Section:
In this section more than 2500 newspapers and periodicals in
Persian, Arabic Turkish and Urdu are kept at the disposal of the
visitors.
11 - Open Reference Book Store
12 - The Store of the Islamic Manuscripts'Catalogues of the
different libraries in the world.
13 - The Store of the Periodicals in Foreign Languages.
14 - The Archives of the Forbidden Books.
15 - The Store of Maps and Geographical Charts.
16 - The Store of the Extra Copies of the Printed Books.
17 - The Grand Reading Hall.
18 - The Special Section for the Research Scholars of the
Manuscripts and Rare Documents.
19 - The Centre for Qom Studies.
20 - The Centre for Genealogical Studies.
21 - The Centre for Preparing the Index and the Catalogues of
the Manuscripts.
22 - The Centre for Publishing the Works of the Founder of the
Grand Library.
23 - Islamic Manuscripts Edition and Research Department.
D - Administrative Department:
It includes the financial, staff affairs and training units.
E - Public Services Department:
It consists of eighteen different sections such as: Computing
Services, Telephone Exchange, Wireless Connections, Electronic
Mail (E.Mail) Services, Publication and Distribition, Conducting
Seminars and Exhibitions Affairs, Maintenance of the Guest
Houses and Restaurants, Purchase and Exchange of Books and
Reference Materials, Photo Xerox, Office of Technical Advisors,
Mirath Shahab Journal Office, Finance Office, Translation
Department, Management and Programming Office, Library's
Sub-divisions, Technical Support and Building Security Sections.
F - Book Information Research Centre
G - Manuscripts and Documents Preservation Unit
This unit includes the following sections:
1 - Book Preservation Section:
In this section books are fumigated and made free from pests
and termites
2 - Books and Documents Mending Section:
This section is the important and sensitive section of the
library.
3 - Micrographic Centre:
This centre preserves 50 million book titles in different
languages in the form of minimized films. This section is also
equipped with optical cleaner which is in turn connected to
internet through computers.
4 - The Modern Laboratory:
It is also equipped with ultra-modren and sophisticated
equipments such as electronic microscopes which are connected
to internet through computers.
H - Exquisite Objects Museum
It exhibits various types of valuable and exquisite compasses,
astrolabes, coins, keys etc
I - The Centre of the Encyclopedia of the Libraries in the
World.

Publications
1 - Mirath Shahab Journal: A specialized journal in Persian
dealing with the study of bibliography and its related subjects. The
chief editor of this journal is Dr Mahmud Marashi, the President
of the Grand Library. Till now 30 issues of this journal has been
published.
2 - The Grand Library till the end of 2002 has published 165
titles of books comprising 405 volumes.
This grand library also enjoys the rare distinction of preserving
the largest collection of rare manuscripts in Iran and in this regard
it also stands third in the Islamic world.
The library has also published the "Molhaqat Ihqaq al-Haq in
36 volumes written by Imam Marashi al-Najafi(R.A.), the late
founder of the grand library. In 1994, this book received the
"Book of the Year Award" from the government of Iran.

Observation:
Women attend the library on every Friday and Saturday. But
the women scholars who are pursuing their higher studies and
research can visit the library everyday of the week.
The library's working hours for the visitors is from 7 A.M till
9.30 P.M., without any interval.
The membership cards are provided free of cost to the
researchers, scholars and students by the secretariat of the library.
The daily average number of visitors to the library is more than
2000 visitors.