al-Sharif al-Radi

Abu al-Hasan Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al-Husayni al-Musawi, known as al-Sharif al-Radi, naqib of the Alids and a well-known poet. He is the brother of al-Sharif al-Murtada. ²

He was born in 359 AH and began composing verse when he was ten. Ibn al-Imad describes him as very intelligent, and says he had a diwan in four volumes. ²

It is related that he attended the session of Abu Sa'id al-Sirafi, who asked him about the sign of the accusative on "Amr", and he answered in a way that impressed those present with the sharpness of his mind. ²

Al-Tha'alibi, in "al-Yatima", says: "If I said he was the best poet of Quraysh, I would not be far from the truth." ²

His father held the naqibate of the Talibids, the review of grievances and the leadership of the pilgrimage, and these duties were returned to his son in 383 AH while his father was still alive. ²

He is credited with compiling "Nahj al-Balagha" from the sayings of Ali ibn Abi Talib (may God be pleased with him). Ibn Khallikan and Ibn al-Imad report a disagreement on this: it is said the book is not the words of Ali, and that the one who gathered it and attributed it to him is the one who composed it. ³