In the Alleys of the Beloved

About In the Alleys of the Beloved

Collection of Works by Ayatollah Haj Sheikh Gholamreza Najafi Qumshahi

Introduction:

To reach the lofty peaks of faith, guidance is essential; one who has traversed the rugged path of perfection, who is himself a lover and practices love, to lead the lovers of the Beloved's abode to their desired destination. So, arise if you seek love and possess the longing for union with the Friend. Now, the wayfarer who has reached the destination of love calls you from "In the Alleys of the Beloved."

The Islamic Sciences Computer Research Center, which for years has been providing religious and scientific books in the format of digital libraries, has this time taken a step towards producing software titled "In the Alleys of the Beloved," aiming to benefit and elevate the religious level of society, particularly researchers and those interested in studying religious works. This work, which contains "The Collected Works of Ayatollah Haj Sheikh Gholamreza Najafi Qumshahi," is recommended to researchers and users of Noor software. We hope that the production and presentation of this work will be accepted by the Lord and by the Lord of the Age (may God hasten his reappearance). Below, the "Content" and "Features" of this program are introduced.

A. Program Content:

This software provides access to the full text of 6 volumes of the works of Ayatollah Haj Sheikh Gholamreza Najafi Qumshahi, covering topics such as: Islam, Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil, Islamic Ethics, and Hajj Rituals.

It is worth noting that the following books are available in this program:

1. A Drop from the Ocean of Knowledge (Qatreh-i az Daryaye Ma'arif);

2. With the Wayfarers of the Valley of Light (Ba Salakan-e Wadi-ye Nur);

3. Springs of Spiritual Journey (Cheshmeh-haye Suluk);

4. A Series of Discussions on Theoretical Ethics (Vol. 1-2); specifically for students of religious sciences.

Additionally, beyond the mentioned books, dozens of images, audio clips, and videos related to him have been included in the Gallery section for the audience's use.

B. Program Features:

* Text Display:

– Access to the full text and indices of the books in the display section.

– Ability to select tree-view and selective indices, linked to the text, featuring bi-directional synchronization between text and index.

– Capability to select book title, volume, and page, along with the option to expand the text and index views.

– Simultaneous comparison of two texts from one or two different books.

– Restricting the scope of text and book indices to desired selections.

* Search:

– Simple and advanced search within the text and indices of the program's books.

– Capability to save each performed search independently for easy retrieval.

– Limiting the search scope to specific desired texts, accompanied by special features.

– Index generation using general symbols to create dynamic and diverse word lists.

* Dictionary:

– Full text of several lexical dictionary editions, with access to word roots and derivatives.

– Linking vocabulary in the texts to the program's dictionaries for easier understanding of meanings.

* Active Research:

– Integration of text and book indices with other program sections, such as Display, Search, Quran, Dictionary, or Bibliography.

– Capability to transfer selected text to external storage or the MS Word environment.

* Bibliography:

– Access to useful information regarding the edition history (manuscript verification) of each book.

* Note-taking:

– Ability to transfer desired text or indices to the program's note section.

– Capability to save and edit transferred text within the note page.

– Transfer of text from the note section to the MS Word environment.

* Printing:

– Printing of desired text or indices, accompanied by multiple features.

* Help:

– Access to useful explanations for better familiarity with various parts of the program.

* Research Tools:

– Indexing, marginalia (footnoting), highlighting, and marking within the text to facilitate faster information retrieval and record additional data related to the program's texts.

– User management capabilities for the program's research tools.

* Additional Features:

– Access to several common keyboard types and multiple display fonts for easier software usage.

– Ability to specify a path for saving research projects, accompanied by diverse capabilities.

– Option to display or hide diacritics (vowel marks) and headers in the program's texts.

A Glimpse into the Biography of Ayatollah Haj Sheikh Gholamreza Najafi Qumshahi:

* Opening Words:

Ayatollah Haj Sheikh Gholamreza Najafi Qumshahi was born in 1940 (1319 SH) in Shahreza, Isfahan. After completing his preliminary studies in his hometown, he moved to the Qom Seminary, where he studied under great masters such as: Grand Ayatollah Golpaygani, Grand Ayatollah Mirza Hashem Amoli, Allameh Tabatabai, Martyr Motahhari, Hakim Elahi Qumshahi, Ayatollah Jawadi Amoli, Ayatollah Hassanzadeh Amoli, and Ayatollah Haj Aqa Mohammad Shahabadi. It is worth noting that Master Najafi Qumshahi is a veteran of the tragic event of July 7, 1981 (7 Tir 1360 SH) and is the father of a martyr.

* Revolutionary and Political Activities:

Before and after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the Master engaged in numerous political activities, including:

– Participating in sit-ins and demonstrations alongside scholars and people to overthrow the Pahlavi regime;

– Exposing the crimes of the tyrannical regime and introducing the ideals, path, and line of the Imam;

– Being banned from preaching due to political and revolutionary activities;

– Representing the people of Shahreza in the 1st and 5th terms of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament);

– Deputy for Human Resources Supply of the Islamic Revolution Committees nationwide;

– Supreme Supervisor for the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the International University;

– Cultural Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs;

– Member of the Faculty Board of the International University;

– Member of the Board for Investigating Violations at the International University;

– Establishing an office for religious inquiries (Istifta) and connecting with representatives across the country;

– Representative of the Supreme Leader at Shahid Abbaspour University of Water and Electricity Technology;

– Cultural Advisor to the Ministry of Interior;

– Member of the Board for Investigating Violations at the Ministry of Interior;

– Member of the Selection Committee for Shahid Motahhari Graduate School;

– Member of the Selection Committee for Representatives of the Supreme Leader in universities nationwide;

– President of the Society of Clerics in Shahreza for several terms.

* Scientific Works:

Numerous written works by him have been published so far, including:

1. With the Wayfarers of the Valley of Light: On spiritual journey (Sayr wa Suluk);

2. A Drop from the Ocean of Knowledge (2 volumes): On beliefs, rulings, and Islamic ethics;

3. Theoretical Ethics (Specifically for students of religious sciences);

4. Springs of Spiritual Journey: The topics of this book, which consists of four sections, are:

– An approach to recognizing special guidances;

– A part of the secrets of prayer and worship;

– Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil, focusing on a passage from the advice of Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him) to his dear son, Imam Hassan Mujtaba (Peace Be Upon Him), in Letter 31 of Nahj al-Balagha;

– Passages from the life and will of his martyred son, Martyr Mostafa Najafi.

* Lectures and Teaching:

A collection of his lectures was broadcast on the "Makarem-e Khooban" program of Ma'aref Radio. These lectures were compiled, duplicated, and published by the responsible officials of this radio in the form of four CDs. In addition to these, he is currently engaged in preaching, guidance, and delivering sermons, as well as teaching at the seminary and university.

* Concluding Words:

For further familiarity with the personality of this great master, refer to the treatise "The Man of Cry and Silence" and "The Book: A Drop from the Ocean of Knowledge, Vol. 2, Chapter 5, p. 586."

In conclusion, I express my utmost appreciation and gratitude to all the staff of the Islamic Sciences Computer Research Center who kindly converted the collection of works of this great master into software. May God Almighty grant them all His favor.

Seyyed Mehdi Mir-Mosayyeb