Najaf Ashraf – The holy city of Najaf Ashraf continues to receive millions of pilgrims coming from various Iraqi provinces and from all corners of the world to commemorate the Arba'een pilgrimage of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him). In this flowing spiritual context, the office of His Eminence Grand Ayatollah the Religious Authority Sheikh Bashir Al-Najafi (may Allah prolong his life) is witnessing diligent activity and continuous reception of a number of participating delegations from within Iraq and abroad.

During one of these meetings, His Eminence Sayyid Muhammad al-Jaza'iri delivered a directive speech before the gathered audience, in which he highlighted the moral and spiritual dimensions that the pilgrim should keep in mind during their journey towards holy Karbala.

His Eminence emphasized the necessity of sincere and conscious adherence to the path of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), warning against empty claims of formal affiliation without being accompanied by the moral qualities and virtues that qualify a person to be a true embodiment of following them and emulating their school.

His Eminence explained that the rank of Shi'ism is a lofty station and a high spiritual standing that is not attained by outward claims, but rather through self-purification, adorning oneself with the qualities of true believers, and avoiding hypocrisy, ostentation, and superficial engagement with religious values.

The guiding speech was based on a number of narrations reported from Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), which clarified that the true Shi'a are those whose hearts are free from deceit, malice, and hypocrisy, and that genuine affiliation is clearly reflected in an individual's behavior and daily interactions with their family and society.

His Eminence called upon the pilgrims to take these blessed days as an opportunity for self-review and self-accountability, especially during the night hours, and to align their deeds and intentions with the values of the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), affirming that the reformation of religion and worldly life begins from the heart and daily conduct, not from raising slogans and being satisfied with outward appearances.

In another part of his speech, His Eminence focused on the importance of the intellectual and cognitive dimension in the pilgrim's movement, referring to the noble hadith that calls for visiting Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) while being cognizant of his right, due to the profound impact this knowledge has on solidifying doctrinal values and attaining great ranks with God Almighty.

The meeting concluded with an emphasis on the divine blessings and spiritual grace that the pilgrim receives at the thresholds of the holy shrines, foremost among them the shrine of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) in Najaf Ashraf, as a spiritual launching point for refining souls, renewing the covenant with sublime human and religious principles, and elevating the levels of faith for the individual and society.