 Born in Najaf in 1735 and grew up there by his father, who emigrated from Baghdad to Najaf, and taught under great Shi'a scholars of Najaf, including Mahdi Bahr al-Ulum.He was a member of Ma'rakat al-Khamis (Battle of Thursday) a literary seminar.Zayni was a salon holder, welcoming poets and writers on the holiday of each week, that made him a leading literary figure in the late 17th century in Najaf, growing capital of Twelver Shi'a Muslims.