Bihaar Al-anwar Vol. 43 P. 78 ((new)) [LATEST]
Volume 43 falls within the historical section of Bihaar al-Anwar , specifically dedicated to the life, martyrdom, and aftermath of Imam Husayn. Typically, this volume (along with volumes 44 and 45) is known as the Mowsu’at Karbala (The Karbala Encyclopedia) within the larger Bihaar . Thus, mentioning immediately signals to a scholar that we are deep in the tragic topography of the year 61 AH (680 CE).
Additionally, some critics claim Majlisi included fabricated material. But concerning the core Karbala narratives on , comparative analysis with Tarikh al-Tabari (vol. 5, p. 419) shows remarkable consistency in the sequence of events, thus supporting the page’s historical credibility.
Before diving into page 78 of volume 43, one must understand the vessel carrying us there. Bihaar al-Anwar is not a single book but a 110-volume monumental hadith (tradition) collection. Allama Majlisi (d. 1110 AH/1699 CE) spent decades compiling narrations from earlier primary sources—many of which are now lost or rare. The work covers everything from exegesis of the Quran to ethics, theology, history, and the biographies of the Imams.
“Be patient, O sons of the generous ones. Death is nothing but a bridge that carries you from pain and suffering to the vast gardens of eternity. Who among you dislikes to move from a prison to a palace?” bihaar al-anwar vol. 43 p. 78
If you have access to a digital edition, a (English or Urdu) with a verse-by-verse cross-link to Qur’an 2:154, 3:169, etc. would be highly practical for researchers and preachers covering that page’s content.
However, the most famous passage found on or near p. 78 of vol. 43 (depending on pagination variations among prints) is the Waq’at al-Taff narration concerning the Imam’s final sermon to his 72 companions. It records Imam Husayn’s words:
A responsible researcher cannot merely cite a page number; they must ask: What is Majlisi’s grading? Allama Majlisi was known for a conservative approach—he rarely omitted narrations, even weak ones, preferring to compile everything and then comment. Volume 43 falls within the historical section of
What makes vol. 43, p. 78 unique is not the novelty of the content, but the isnad (chain of transmission) that Majlisi provides, connecting directly from the 10th century back to the 7th century. This page serves as a nexus: it proves that the Karbala narrative was systematically taught in the circles of Imam al-Baqir and Imam al-Sadiq (c. 100-148 AH) long before it became political history.
Specifically, page 78 in this volume often contains traditions related to:
Whether you are a historian verifying chains of narration, a student researching the philosophy of martyrdom, or a seeker wanting to understand why millions weep for Imam Husayn each year, your journey inevitably passes through this coordinate. In the words of the narration found there: “Every day is Ashura, and every land is Karbala.” And with vol. 43, p. 78, Allama Majlisi ensured that the words of that day would never be lost to the tides of time. 419) shows remarkable consistency in the sequence of
This powerful metaphor—death as a bridge ( jisr )—is a direct quote often cited by preachers during the Mourning of Muharram. Its primary documented source in the late Shia hadith corpus is indeed .
On this page, Majlisi records a narration from an earlier primary source, Kamil al-Ziyarat by Ibn Qulawayh (d. 368 AH/978 CE), tracing it back to Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (the great-grandson of Husayn). The text on typically describes: