Hawzah News Agency- Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the first phase of the encyclopedic project Jawahir al-Siyagha fi Jam‘ Shuruh Nahj al-Balagha (Jewels of Eloquence: A Compilation of Commentaries on Nahj al-Balagha), Sheikh Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbalai, the representative of Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali al-Sistani, underscored the multidimensional nature of Nahj al-Balagha.
He said the text is deeply rooted in the Holy Qur’an, the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and the conduct of Imam Ali, making it a foundational source for Islamic thought, ethics, governance, and human values.
Practical commitment during the era of occultation
Sheikh Karbalai linked the unveiling of the project to the commemoration of the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance), saying true celebration of the occasion requires practical commitment to the principles taught by the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
“Supporting Imam Mahdi is not confined to the time of his reappearance,” he said. “It begins in the era of occultation through adherence to the values, concepts, and responsibilities emphasized by the Ahl al-Bayt.”
Beyond rhetoric and eloquence
He stressed that Nahj al-Balagha should not be reduced to a work of rhetoric and literary brilliance alone, despite its unmatched eloquence. “It is a profound intellectual and knowledge-based source that has yet to receive the level of scholarly engagement it truly deserves,” he noted.
The cleric said the Nahj al-Balagha Sciences Institute bears a major responsibility in explaining and contextualizing the text, particularly its Qur’anic foundations, philosophical depth, ethical teachings, and insights into governance and management.
A comprehensive and unprecedented academic effort
According to organizers, the Jawahir al-Siyagha encyclopedia is the largest academic project of its kind, aiming to collect, analyze, and compare all major commentaries on Nahj al-Balagha within a single, structured body of work. The project also introduces new analytical layers, including comparative studies, linguistic examination, and detailed rhetorical analysis.
Scholars involved say the initiative is designed not only to preserve the intellectual heritage of Nahj al-Balagha, but also to revitalize its sciences and firmly embed its teachings in contemporary intellectual and social discourse.
Husayni Shrine-backed research initiative
The encyclopedia is being developed under the supervision of the Nahj al-Balagha Sciences Institute, an academic body affiliated with the Imam Husayn Holy Shrine in Karbala. Organizers say subsequent phases will expand the project further, incorporating additional manuscripts, modern research tools, and interdisciplinary approaches.
Observers describe the unveiling as a milestone in Islamic scholarship, one that reinforces Nahj al-Balagha’s enduring relevance as a living source of guidance for individuals, societies, and systems of governance in the modern world.
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