The Lebanese Missions in Najaf Al-Ashraf from the Beginning of the 20th Century until 1968

This study examines the Lebanese scholarly missions to Najaf al-Ashraf from the early twentieth century until 1968, highlighting their role in consolidating intellectual and cultural ties between Jabal ʿAmil and Najaf. The research begins with a historical overview of Shiʿism in Jabal ʿAmil, tracing its roots to figures such as Abū Dharr al-Ghifārī, and then follows the scholarly journeys of ʿAmili scholars to Najaf and the intellectual interactions that resulted from them. The study demonstrates that Najaf was not merely a center for religious learning, but a comprehensive intellectual environment that shaped the scholarly, juristic, and literary formation of students from Jabal ʿAmil. This influence led to the establishment of schools and scholarly gatherings in Lebanon and to the emergence of prominent reformist figures such as al-Shahīd al-Awwal, Muḥsin al-Amīn, and the Sharāra family, who played a crucial role in reforming curricula, religious rituals, and enriching the cultural life of their homeland. The research concludes that Najaf al-Ashraf served as a radiant intellectual and religious center that profoundly impacted Jabal ʿAmil, contributing to its intellectual and social renaissance. Thus, the relationship between Najaf and Jabal ʿAmil stands as a model of reciprocal influence between major Shiʿi religious centers in the Islamic world.