Muhammad Ibn Ya'qub Al-Kulayni - Mujadid of Third Century AH

Mujadid of Third Century AH

He is acknowledged by the Twelver Shiites as Mujadid of the 3rd century of the Islamic hijri calendar. It is a Shia belief that God chooses an alim (Islamic scholar) in every century for the task of reviving and strengthening Islam. Ibn Athir in his book Jami al-usul in kitab al nabuwwah quotes the hadith:

"God sends a person in every century with the responsibility for spreading and strengthening His Din."

He lists the names of persons who are regarded as mujadidun among the Shia. According to him, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir was the Mujadid of the 1st century AH, who preached and propagated Islam. Mujadid for the 2nd century was Imam Ali ar-Ridha (Imam Reza) and Mujadid for the 3rd century was Abu Jafar Muhammad ibne Yaqub al Kulayni. Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi in his book al-Kuna wa al-alqab has given the full list of the mujadidun of Shiism. He also list Kulayni as the Mujadid of 3rd century AH.