Allama Muhammad ibne Ahmad Ardbeli (r.a.) was born in Ardbel, Iran. He is generally known by the name of “Muqaddas Ardbeli”. He became the Marja after the death of Shaheed-e-Sa'ni” His contemporaries were Mir Baqir Damad and Shaikh Baha'i. He died in the year 993 A.H. and was buried in the right hand corner of the Mausoleum of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.). One of his disciples was the son of Shaheed-e-Saani, who authored a book, “Mu'allim” which is being taught in the Shi'a Seminaries for the last 450 years and is constantly referred by Shi'a Jurist in their edicts (Fatwa). His two famous books are “Zabdat al-Bayan”, dealing with all Ayahs of Glorious Qur'an dealing with Jurisprudence (Fiqh), and “Hadiqat-al-Nadiya”, on the lives of the “Fourteen Infallible”
His piety may be imagined that he met The Imam of the Time (atf) several times. Throughout his life, he did only Obligatory (Wajib) and Optional (Mustaheb) acts, and did not do any Permissible (Mubah) act. It is said that his piety was like the manners of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), the valor of Imam Ali (a.s.) and the magnanimity of the famous philanthropist, Hatim Tai.

Shah Abbas was a strong king of the Safavid Dynasty. He invited Muqaddas Ardbeli to come to Iran but he refused to go as he was streaming the Seminary at Najaf al-Ashraf. Shah Abbas wrote him to give an order which he would dutifully fulfill. Once it so happened that a fugitive Momin from Iran came to Muqaddas Ardbeli in Najaf requesting him to write to the Shah recommending a pardon .

 Muqaddas Ardbeli wrote: “The holder of a temporary rule, Abbas: although this man was initially a transgressor, he now seems to be oppressed. If you pardon him, Allah may forgive some of your lapses. From the slave of the Master of Wilayat (Imam Ali a.s.) Ahmad Ardbeli.”

In reply, Shah Abbas wrote: “I bring to your esteemed notice that Abbas has rendered the service ordered by you feeling profoundly obliged. I hope you will not forget this devotee of yours in your good prayers. From a dog on the threshold of Ali (a.s.) Abbas.”

Amir Alam, one of the deputies of Muqaddas Ardbeli narrates an incident as follows: “ One night I was in my room studying and came out in the courtyard of Imam Ali (a.s.)'s Mausoleum when I saw someone walking towards the haram. Those days security was not sufficient hence I followed the stranger. When he reached the gate of haram, I saw the locks opened automatically and the man neared the sarcophagus and said salam loudly and I heard the reply from sarcophagus. Then a conversation started. Now I  recognized one of the voice was that of my mentor Ardbeli but could not identify the other sound or saw any person. After sometime I saw my mentor emerged from the mausoleum and headed towards Kufa, and entered the Masjid-e-Kufa and said salam loudly and someone replied the salam, but I could not see anyone. A conversation  started between my mentor and the invisible person. Muqaddas Ardbeli started walking towards Masjid-e-Sahla. At that time I had a loud hiccup, and my mentor stopped.. Upon inquiry, he explained the whole event. The mentor said: “As long as I live you must not mention about this incident to anyone. There was a problem and I went to Imam Ali (a.s.)'s sarcophagus and requested his guidance. He told me to go to Imam-e-Zamana who was in Masjid-e-Kufa. Hence, I/ went there and greeted him and explained my problem which he resolved.”

In those days there was no proper arrangement for supply of water. People will draw water from wells. One night, Muqaddas Ardbeli wanted water for the Night Prayers, hence he lowered the bucket in the well and withdraw the bucket, he was surprised to see the bucket full of precious stones. He turned back the precious stones in the well and lowered the bucket again and he found the precious stones again. His eyes watered. He said: “O' Allah! I want water for my ablution and not any riches!”

He was residing in Kufa and the country was passing through acute famine. During this period Muqaddas Ardbeli would give away all provisions from his house and was left with negligible provision for the family. When his wife complained, he went to the mosque for A'tikaaf for 3 days. In his absence, on the third day, someone knocked on the door. When his wife opened the door she saw an Arab standing with best quality flour bags laden on the two mules. The Arab brought the bags inside and said that it was sent by the man in A'tikaaf in the mosque. When Muqaddas Ardbeli came home and was informed about the bags of flour, he immediately knew who the person was. He immediately performed two rakat of prayers for thanksgiving and said: “My Imam has so much concern about me that he felt the scarcity in my house that he personally came for my help!”

Muqaddas Ardbeli's love for Ahlul Bayt had been proverbial. While residing in Karbala, he would walk 14 miles to attend on his nature's call as a mark of respect.

Sources used: Islamic Laws.com
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