Saleh Library

Saleh Library
Sufi Order of the Nematollahi Soltan Ali Shahi Gonabadi Dervishes

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One of the priorities of Hazrat Reza Ali Shah in the reconstruction of the Amir Soleymani Husayniyya was to allocate a portion of it for the establishment of a library. For this purpose, the upper floor of the Husayniyya, which is relatively spacious, was designated for the library. It includes a reading hall with an area of 160 square meters, a separate office of about 40 square meters, and an additional room for storage.

This library was inaugurated by His Eminence on the 20th of Muharram, 1403 AH (November 7, 1982), and he personally donated the first books, which included the Holy Quran and several other volumes. Afterwards, several benevolent brothers also donated books, and the library itself, through its independent budget for acquiring newly published works, has expanded its collection. Currently, the library holds approximately 22,000 volumes on diverse subjects including religion, mysticism, literature, social sciences, and natural sciences, in Persian, Arabic, English, and French. From the beginning, His Holiness emphasized that a public library should contain all kinds of books for public use. He personally supervised the library’s affairs, particularly the titles of the purchased books, reviewing the monthly library reports and examining the new acquisitions. The arrangement and classification of books in this library follow the International Dewey Decimal Classification system. The library’s periodicals section includes daily newspapers and important periodical journals.

The library is governed by a Board of Trustees and an Editorial Board, mostly composed of scholars and academics. Mr. Haj Ali Tabandeh served as the head of the Board of Trustees until the passing of Hazrat Reza Ali Shah—may his noble essence be sanctified. Following his passing, the current head of the Board of Trustees is Hazrat Dr. Noor Ali Tabandeh, Majzoub Ali Shah—may our souls be sacrificed for him.

From its inception, one of the defined duties of the Editorial Board was the publication of religious, particularly mystical, books. To that end, in 1408 AH, coinciding with the centennial of the birth of Hazrat Saleh Ali Shah—may his soul be blessed—the Editorial Board resolved that the first publication under its supervision would be a commemorative volume in his honor. This decision was presented to Hazrat Reza Ali Shah, who encouraged the initiative and personally undertook its funding. He reviewed and revised all content himself and issued the necessary instructions.

This commemorative book was prepared under the title “Yadnameh Salih” (Memorial of Salih), and His Holiness wrote the preface and an extensive article outlining the life of that great figure. During a grand celebration held on the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah, 1408 AH (corresponding to July 23, 1988) at the library, attended by many fuqara and friends, the “Yadnameh Salih” was distributed. In the ceremony, a report on the library’s activities was presented to His Holiness, who, before delivering remarks on the history of the Husayniyya Library, inaugurated the memorial ledger and shared the following:

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I am pleased that today, Saturday the 8th of the blessed month of Dhu al-Hijjah, 1408 AH, on the occasion of the centennial of the birth of our great master and highly esteemed leader, Haj Sheikh Mohammad Hassan Salih Ali Shah—may his noble essence be sanctified—we have gathered in this sacred place with a group of faithful brothers and spiritual companions to honor his memory. With recourse to his sacred soul, we seek to gladden our hearts in remembrance of God and take his noble spirit as an intercessor for the refinement of our outer and inner selves. We pray for divine grace in servitude to God, obedience to the guided Imams—peace be upon them—and for the pleasure of His Holiness to be bestowed upon us.

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And during the same ceremony, it was decreed that from then on, the Husayniyya Library be named “Saleh Library” in memory of Hazrat Saleh Ali Shah—may his soul be blessed.