Ayatullah Syed Muhammad Mahdi Khersān was born on 9th Rajab 1347 AH in Najaf. It has been reported that when he was very young, he learnt the Holy Qur’an from his mother. Their house was a center of knowledge. He got his interest for religious studies from his father, Syed Hasan Khersān, who used to have classes for students daily [for about 13 years] at their house in the evenings. He was a student of Syed Mohsin al-Hakim, Syed al-Khui and many others. He has compiled and written many books. One of his books, 21 volumes about Ibn Abbas (the cousin of the Holy Prophet (saww)) earned him an award for his astounding efforts.