Hawzah News Agency- Speaking during the third session of an ethics course for managers of the Jamiat Al-Zahra Seminary, held at the Shahid Beheshti (RA) Hall, Ayatollah Tahriri addressed the topic of “Faith: its dimensions, pillars, and effects,” highlighting the central role of faith in the spiritual evolution of the human being.
Referring to the 31st saying of Nahj al-Balagha on the nature and pillars of faith, the seminary professor said faith is not a one-dimensional concept but a multidimensional reality with various aspects, each of which manifests in the human soul and is realized through specific commitments and responsibilities.
Ayatollah Tahriri stressed the unique position of faith in human development, noting that numerous narrations—particularly those found in Usul al-Kafi—outline the stages of human spiritual growth. He explained that the late Sheikh Kulayni, the compiler of Usul al-Kafi, first addresses epistemological and doctrinal foundations before discussing faith, a structure that reflects the fact that faith transcends mere intellectual understanding.
“Faith is a stage beyond mental knowledge,” he said. “It must penetrate the soul and spirit of the human being to become a transformative force.”
Reason as the gateway to faith
The senior ethicist described reason as the primary instrument for entering the realm of faith, through which insights and understanding are acquired. “If doctrinal truths remain confined to the intellect, they will not become faith,” he said. “Faith is realized when knowledge passes from the mind to the heart.”
Citing a narration from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) in Usul al-Kafi, Ayatollah Tahriri noted that faith has varying states, degrees, and ranks—ranging from perfection to deficiency—and that each human faculty and limb possesses its own share of faith expressed through action.
He explained that actions are both quantitative and qualitative: outward actions relate to the limbs, while inward actions pertain to the heart. “The action of the heart is the foundation of faith,” he said, adding that knowledge itself is an act of the heart upon which all other actions depend.
“Faith increases and decreases,” he said. “It can be complete or incomplete, strong or weak, depending on the depth of knowledge and sincerity of action.”
Faith, knowledge, and inner commitment
Ayatollah Tahriri pointed to narrations describing the profound relationship between the soul and the body, and between the heart and human actions. He said religious teachings emphasize self-knowledge and the soul’s existential authority over the body as the source of moral and practical behavior.
Referring to another narration from Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him), the cleric explained that the lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) fall into three categories: those whose love is outward but not inward, those whose love is inward but not outward, and those whose love is both inward and outward—the highest rank.
“This narration illustrates that faith is inseparably linked to knowledge, heartfelt action, patience, contentment, and submission,” he said. “Faith is not a slogan; it is a truth that begins with sound monotheistic knowledge and manifests itself in moral conduct, endurance in hardship, and practical responsibility.”
Rajab: a season for spiritual growth
Turning to the spiritual significance of the month of Rajab, Ayatollah Tahriri described it as one of the great divine months and a prelude to Sha’ban and the holy month of Ramadan.
“Rajab is a special opportunity for seeking forgiveness, prayer, reflection, and turning the heart toward God,” he said, noting that numerous narrations highlight the virtues of fasting, supplication, and repentance during the month.
He referred to the continuous call of the heavenly angel during Rajab as an invitation to return to God, repent, and strengthen the bond with the Divine.
“Reaching closeness to God is a journey that cannot be completed without benefiting from the stillness and blessings of the night,” he said, urging believers to make use of the long nights of the month.
Ayatollah Tahriri described supplication as a means of acquiring monotheistic and moral knowledge, adding that every form of remembrance has a unique effect, while seeking forgiveness remains the central act of Rajab with profound spiritual consequences.
Calling Rajab, the “springtime of the spiritual journey,” he concluded that its long nights offer precious opportunities for self-purification, strengthening faith, and deepening familiarity with prayer and divine remembrance.
“We hope that through planning, attentiveness of the heart, and wise use of these opportunities, our faith will move from the surface of the intellect to the depths of the soul, and its works will become evident in our conduct and character,” he said.
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