About Nasiriyyah Library

Our History

Founded by the eminent Shi‘a scholar Sayyid Muhammad Quli Musawi Hindi (1761–1844) at the beginning of the 13th/19th century, the Nasiriyyah Library has served as a beacon of Islamic scholarship for over two centuries. The library was further expanded by his illustrious son, Mir Hamid Husayn, author of the monumental work “Abaqat al-Anwar,” and later managed by Nasir Husayn, after whom the library is named.

Collection Building

The founders and their successors traveled extensively across Islamic countries to acquire rare manuscripts, demonstrating remarkable dedication to preserving Islamic heritage. Their efforts included sending copyists to distant locations and maintaining correspondence with scholars worldwide to obtain valuable texts. In one famous instance, Mir Hamid Husayn waited 20 years to acquire a specific two-volume work, showing extraordinary commitment to building a comprehensive collection.

Our Collection

The library's collection of approximately 30,000 books encompasses:

• 5,000 rare manuscripts
• Works on Islamic jurisprudence and theology
• Historical chronicles and documents
• Hadith collections and commentaries
• Philosophical treatises
• Arabic, Persian, and Urdu literature

Scholarly Recognition

The library has been recognized by prominent scholars including ‘Allama Amini as one of the greatest libraries in the Islamic world. It has served as a crucial resource for researchers and academics, particularly in the compilation of significant scholarly works like “Abaqat al-Anwar.”

Current Status

Today, the library operates with support from the provincial government and maintains active preservation efforts. A comprehensive list of its manuscripts is available at the Library of Ayatullah Mar’ashi Najafi in Qom, Iran, facilitating international scholarly collaboration.