Ziyarat Jamia Kabira: One of the greatest gifts Imam al-Hadi (as) left for us is a text called Ziyarat Jamia Kabira — the "Great Comprehensive Ziyarat". It is a salutation and a description of the Ahlul Bayt (as), taught by the Imam himself for when we visit any of the Imams (as).
Who the Ahlul Bayt are: In this Ziyarat, the Imam (as) teaches us who the Ahlul Bayt (as) are: they are the chosen ones of Allah, the keepers of His knowledge, the guides after the Prophet (saww), and the means of nearness to Allah. It calls them the pillars of the earth, the doors of Allah, and the trustees of His revelation.
Why we follow the Imams: For a beginner, the lesson is simple: we do not follow the Imams (as) only because of love or family feeling. We follow them because Allah chose them as guides, and because knowing them correctly is part of knowing the religion.
Example
A complete greeting: When we visit a friend's house, we greet them by name and by what we know about them. Ziyarat Jamia Kabira is like a complete greeting for the Imams (as) — it tells us who they are while we greet them.
Key Terms
- Ziyarat Jamia Kabira (زیارت جامعہ کبیرہ) — the Great Comprehensive Ziyarat taught by Imam al-Hadi (as)
- Ziyarat (زیارت) — visiting and greeting the shrine or the holy personality of an Imam (as)
- Wali (ولی) — a divinely appointed guardian and guide
Quran or Hadith
Quran, Surah al-Shura (42:23) — the Verse of Mawaddah: "Say: I ask of you no reward for it except love for my near relatives." Quoted in Shia understanding as referring to the Ahlul Bayt (as). — to be checked.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: A simple chart — the main titles given to the Ahlul Bayt (as) in Ziyarat Jamia Kabira, each with a one-line simple meaning.
- Ziyarat Jamia Kabira was taught by Imam al-Hadi (as) for greeting any of the Imams (as).
- It teaches us who the Ahlul Bayt (as) are: Allah's chosen guides and keepers of His knowledge.
- We follow the Imams (as) because Allah chose them as guides.