The representative of Grand Ayatollah al-Najafi and the director of his office in the holy city of Najaf, Ayatollah Sheikh Ali al-Najafi, has issued an extensive and deeply poignant statement to the media, full of sorrow and historical testimony. The remarks came during the press coverage of the passing of Grand Ayatollah Sheikh al-Fayyad (may Allah's mercy be upon him). In his address, Sheikh al-Najafi recalled the fatherly and jihadi dimensions of the late senior cleric in a detailed account of this tragedy.

A Departure on the Day of Covenant and Allegiance

"On a day when the greatest meanings of loyalty were manifest—the glorious day of Ghadir—the Islamic nation and the seminary were struck by the departure of a great figure who long served as a fundamental pillar of thought and piety. The news of Grand Ayatollah Sheikh al-Fayyad's death came as an extremely harsh blow to the hearts of both followers and scholars alike. Despite continuous monitoring of his health since his infection with the coronavirus and the suffering he endured throughout that period, his absence has created an immense void. For decades, his blessed presence was a safety valve and a source of stability and reassurance for the entire nation. He passed away on this great day, and as Grand Ayatollah al-Najafi (the father) described in his statement: 'He has gone to renew his allegiance to the Commander of the Faithful at the Pool of al-Kawthar.'" Sheikh Ali al-Najafi stated.

Self-Made Scholarship: Forging Religious Authority in the Crucible of Hardship and Challenges

"The path to religious authority and ijtihad was not strewn with roses for the late marja'. Rather, he was a unique model of self-reliance and scholarly struggle. Sheikh al-Fayyad carved his way in the pursuit of knowledge and seminary studies, enduring the harshest living conditions and overcoming the challenges of bitter estrangement and the harshness of life faced by seminary students in Najaf decades ago. Neither lack of means nor the cruelty of the times deterred him from linking night to day in research, teaching, and authorship. Instead, that suffering refined him and forged him into a rare jurisprudential metal and a towering scholarly pillar. The output we see today, and the stature before which minds bowed in recognition of his uniqueness and humility, are the product of decades of extraordinary patience and absolute trust in Allah. He was truly a school that inspires rising generations that true knowledge is born from the womb of suffering and sacrifice." His Eminence stated.

The Tears of the Marjas and the Seminary's Great Loss

The representative of Grand Ayatollah al-Najafi added: "This was no ordinary calamity; it shook the foundations of the Najaf religious authority. The depth of the immense loss was visible on the face of Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Bashir Hussein al-Najafi (may Allah prolong his life) as he wept tears of grief for his companion on the path and his jurisprudential right-hand man. The tears of the senior marja' encapsulate the scale of the great loss inflicted upon the seminary and confirm the solidity of the spiritual and scholarly bond among the pillars of the supreme religious authority—those who together carried the trust of religion and preserved the entity of the community in the darkest circumstances and most difficult times."

Tender Fatherhood and Unparalleled Humility

His Eminence noted: "The late marja' was distinguished by moral qualities that brought him close to everyone's hearts. He was a model of divine humility that is difficult to imagine. By the testimony of those who had the honor of serving him repeatedly, kissing his blessed hands and feet, Sheikh al-Fayyad overflowed with generosity, fatherliness, and kindness in offering advice and guidance. This great, erudite scholar, who was nearing a hundred years of age, would humble himself and interact with children in a manner suitable to their youth, while engaging with scholars on the basis of his towering knowledge and with the virtuous on the basis of his vast merit—in a picture that embodies the highest levels of human tolerance and spiritual perfection."

A Cheerful Countenance and a Storehouse of Wisdom

Sheikh al-Najafi continued: "One who possesses a vast cultural, intellectual, and inherited wealth, as Sheikh al-Fayyad did, is always capable of managing crises and situations with a flexible and smiling spirit. His Eminence was known for his cheerful demeanor, his pure fatherly smile, and his remarkable ability to turn difficult and critical situations into a smile, a witty remark, or a gentle joke that dispels anxiety and plants reassurance in the hearts of those present. His noble presence radiated positivity, transforming knots and blockages in dialogues into spaces of understanding, thanks to his sound mind and wisdom derived from the teachings of the family of Muhammad (peace be upon them)."

Iraq: A Constant Concern and a Burning Heart

His Eminence affirmed: "Iraq—its land, its people, and its holy sites—was never absent from the late marja's conscience at any moment of his eventful history. From the fall of the former regime to the very last days of his life, there was no session, whether private or public or in the presence of Grand Ayatollah al-Najafi, in which Iraq and the concerns of the ordinary Iraqi citizen were not at the forefront of his priorities and on his heart and tongue. He (may his soul rest in peace) felt the people's pains, lived their suffering with a burning heart, and engaged with everything that affects this people and by which they are affected. He never hesitated to offer sound counsel, continuous prayers, sincere compassion, and great attention to the affairs of the country and its people."

Looking at Him Is an Act of Worship and a Reminder of Allah

"When one sits before Sheikh al-Fayyad (may Allah have mercy on him), one feels the truth of the narrated saying: 'Looking at the face of a scholar is an act of worship.' He was a marja' who reminded you of Allah simply by seeing him, connected you to the Creator, and alerted hearts—whether heedless or aware—to their faults. He constantly pushed his students and followers to strengthen their relationship with Allah, adhere to knowledge, and embody virtue, high morals, and tolerance. He was truly a living model and a blessed glimpse of the fragrance of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad (peace be upon them), forging his character and knowledge through exceptional self-reliance until he reached this pinnacle of majesty and sublimity." His Eminence stated.

Our Consolation Is in the Care of the Lord of the Age

"The nation that today has lost a marja' and a scholar, a father and an educator, a supporter and a supplicant who raised his hands to heaven to lift distress from the nations—has no recourse before this immense calamity but submission to Allah's decree and destiny. 'To Allah we belong and to Him we return; there is no power or strength except through Allah, the Exalted, the Great; Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.' Amid this overwhelming sorrow, the consolation and solace for the hearts of the faithful and the seminary lie in the existence and care of the father and master of the community, al-Hujjah ibn al-Hasan, the Lord of the Age (may Allah hasten his noble reappearance). For it is he who watches over the nation, through whom is blessing, and who sees and commands by Allah's decree to preserve this mission-driven path." His Eminence added.