NAJAF (Dispatches) – A special ceremony was held at the Holy Shrine of Imam Ali (AS) in Najaf to honor Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli, a senior Iranian Shia scholar, for his lifelong scholarly contributions to Islamic philosophy and Qur’anic studies.
The event was organized by the Intellectual and Cultural Affairs Department of the shrine. It was attended by Sayyed Issa al-Kharsan, the custodian of the shrine, as well as members of the shrine’s board of trustees, departmental heads, seminary scholars, university professors, and students of Najaf’s religious schools.
Speakers at the gathering highlighted the influential role of Ayatollah Javadi Amoli in spreading Islamic teachings and promoting unity among Muslims through his academic work.
They emphasized his efforts to strengthen the intellectual foundations of the Muslim world, especially through his interpretation of the Qur’an and teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS).
The ceremony was held in an atmosphere of deep respect and spiritual reflection, drawing wide participation from scholars and students alike.
During his current visit to Iraq, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli is touring key religious cities, including Najaf and Karbala. These cities are significant centers of Shia scholarship and pilgrimage, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Ayatollah Javadi Amoli is widely recognized for his monumental Qur’anic commentary, the Tasnim Exegesis. 
This multi-volume work is considered one of the most comprehensive and scholarly interpretations of the Qur’an in contemporary Islamic literature. 
It integrates rational analysis, philosophical insight, and traditional exegesis, making it a cornerstone in modern Shia thought.
On Monday, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli met with Iraq’s top Shia authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf and discussed their scholarly works as well as relations between the two countries.
According to details published by the Imam Ali shrine website, Ayatollah Amoli was received with warmth and respect by Ayatollah Sistani, who expressed great joy over his visit to the holy sites.
During the meeting, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli presented the complete 80-volume set of Tafsir Tasnim to Ayatollah Sistani.
Praising Tafsir Tasnim as “a source of pride for the Shia community,” Ayatollah Sistani acknowledged Ayatollah Amoli’s four decades of scholarly contributions.
“You have spent 40 years in the service of the Holy Qur’an and have made great efforts. Your work is an honor for the Shia (world),” he was quoted as saying.
“The essence and foundation is the Holy Qur’an; the narrations of the Ahlul-Bayt (AS) must be evaluated in light of the Qur’an, and only if they are in agreement with it can they be considered authentic,” he added, emphasizing the central role of the Holy Quran in religious scholarship.
Ayatollah Sistani also reaffirmed his support for religious institutions in both Najaf and Qom.
“Our view of the Qom Seminary is no different from our view of the Najaf Seminary, and to the extent possible, we will do whatever we can to support the seminaries,” he stated.
Expressing admiration for his guest, Ayatollah Sistani remarked, “We had heard much about your qualities and scholarly works, but hearing is not the same as seeing.”
For his part, Ayatollah Amoli commended Ayatollah Sistani’s moral and intellectual leadership.
“Your presence is a great blessing for the seminaries and the Islamic community. You are like a kind and compassionate father to the Shia and the people of Iraq. May your presence remain a lasting blessing,” he was quoted as saying.
He also acknowledged the enduring influence of the Najaf Seminary, noting its crucial role in shaping religious thought and its contribution to regional stability.
“Your role in preserving the social order and confronting extremist movements like Daesh has been historic and enduring,” Ayatollah Amoli noted.
Ayatollah Amoli also emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between religious seminaries and expressed appreciation for Ayatollah Sistani’s support of religious education.