On the blessed anniversary of the arrival of Hazrat Fatima Masuma (SA) in the holy city of Qom, the faithful gather not only to honour her historical legacy but to reflect upon her profound cosmic and spiritual station. Among the most illuminating insights into her greatness come from the discourses of the esteemed contemporary scholar and mystic, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, which form the heart of this article.
Yet no reflection on the lady of Qom would be complete without the voice of another great luminary of the holy city. We therefore open with a beloved, widely shared video clip of the late Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi (may his soul be sanctified), in which he speaks with tender urgency about visiting her shrine — a luminous prelude that prepares the heart for the deeper discourse that follows.
Editor’s note: The opening reflection below is drawn from a video clip of Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi speaking about visiting the shrine of Hazrat Fatima Masuma (SA). The main body of this article presents the exposition of Ayatollah Javadi Amoli on her spiritual station.
A Luminous Prelude: Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi’s Call to the Shrine
In the clip, Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi speaks with the warmth of a loving father, urging the believers of Qom not to let a single day pass without connecting to Hazrat Masumeh (SA):
“If I were you, I would get up right now and go to the shrine [of Hazrat Masoumeh]. I would recite the Ziyarat. I would also pray a two-Rak’at prayer of Surahs Yasin and Ar-Rahman. And I would say, ‘Intercede for us on your behalf; our understanding [of you] falls short.’”
He then recommends that believers never forget to seek intercession (tawassul) through Hazrat Masumeh (SA): to send her greetings every morning, and — if possible — to go to the shrine, say the greetings, kiss the doors and walls of the courtyard, and return. “These actions will certainly have an effect on your success,” he assures.
Why does such simple devotion carry such weight? Because, as Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi explains, “Love for Hazrat Masoumeh (SA) is a ray of God’s love. Just mentioning her name brightens and illuminates one’s heart.” So generous is her spiritual court that even if one merely pleads there in the heart, they are rewarded for having asked.
With gentle candour, he then holds a mirror before us:
“If we have listening ears and seeing eyes, [the Ahlulbayt] are constantly saying, ‘Come, we are ready to help.’ But by our [implied] state, we say, ‘No, we don’t need anything. Don’t trouble yourselves. We’ll handle it ourselves.’”
And how much does this divine generosity cost? “How much money must we spend? Nothing,” he smiles. “Go there for a few minutes each day and say, ‘Dear Lady (Bibi Jan), we are supplicants.’ When have we ever gone [to them] and not received an answer?”
It is precisely this question — when have we ever gone and not received an answer? — that finds its profound theological answer in the words of Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, to which we now turn.
A Lineage of Light and the Promise of Paradise
Ayatollah Javadi Amoli notes that Hazrat Fatima Masuma (SA) belongs to the pure lineage of the Prophet Muhammad (S) and is among the ultimate guardians of his divine legacy. Her spiritual position is so exalted that the eighth and ninth Imams, Imam Reza (AS) and Imam Javad (AS), spoke explicitly about the virtue of visiting her shrine, urging believers to seek out her grave.
The Imams (AS) did not merely suggest this visitation; they attached a divine guarantee to it. It is narrated from Imam Reza (AS):
“Our sister Fatima Masuma will be buried in Qom. Whoever visits her will enter Paradise.”
Similarly, it is narrated from Imam Javad (AS):
“My aunt Fatima Masuma will be buried in Qom. Whoever visits her will enter Paradise.”
When Paradise Yearns for the Believer
However, Ayatollah Amoli draws a crucial theological distinction regarding how human actions relate to the hereafter. Not every good deed leads a person to Paradise in the exact same manner. Some righteous actions merely provide a person with the opportunity or eligibility to enter Paradise. Other actions, however, elevate the soul to such a degree that Paradise itself becomes their undeniable destiny.
This is why Imam Reza (AS) and Imam Javad (AS) stated that whoever visits Fatima Masuma (SA) attains Paradise. She is among those who possess the highest levels of Wilayah.
When a person establishes a genuine spiritual connection with the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and strives to walk their path, the spirit and taste of Wilayah gradually manifest within their own soul. They draw closer to Allah, eventually becoming a true Wali of Allah (a Friend of God). When a person reaches this station, a mystical reversal occurs: it is no longer the believer who is desperately striving to reach Paradise; rather, Paradise strives for them.
Ayatollah Amoli points to beautiful narrations mentioning that Paradise yearns to meet the great companion Salman al-Farsi. In fact, the yearning of Paradise for Salman is far greater than Salman’s yearning for Paradise!
Why does this happen? Because Paradise is the natural result and manifestation of correct faith, flawless character, and righteous deeds. Faith, morality, and good actions are the very manifestations of a person’s spiritual and practical life. Therefore, it is the exalted human soul—perfecting itself through these divine attributes—that effectively creates its own Paradise.
The Condition for Complete Reward: Arifan bi-Haqqiha
While the physical act of visiting Qom carries immense merit, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli emphasises that knowing the true status of Hazrat Fatima Masuma (AS) is the condition for receiving a complete and guaranteed reward.
Speaking about how to obtain the highest reward for this Ziyarat, he highlights a famous hadith from Imam Reza (AS):
“Whoever visits my sister Fatima Masuma, knowing her true right (arifan bi-haqqiha), is guaranteed Paradise.”
This profound statement implies that Hazrat Fatima Masuma (SA) possesses a special spiritual right and cosmic status that some pilgrims deeply understand, while others do not.
Many visit her shrine recognising her only by her biological ties—as the sister of an Imam, the daughter of an Imam, and the aunt of an Imam (AS). While such a visit is deeply meritorious and brings reward in accordance with the person’s understanding, it remains incomplete. Only the one who realises the true, elevated spiritual status of this noble woman—visiting her with a heart that comprehends her divine right—attains the complete reward and the absolute guarantee of Paradise.
A Ziyarat Taught by the Imam Himself
Ayatollah Amoli highlights another vital point that elevates the Ziyarat of Hazrat Fatima Masuma (SA) above many others.
Throughout Islamic history, numerous Ziyarat-Namas (supplications recited during a visit) were composed by later scholars for the descendants of the Prophet (S) and the Imams (AS). However, the text of the Ziyarat-Nama of Hazrat Fatima Masuma (SA) holds a unique authenticity: it was transmitted directly from the lips of Imam Reza (AS).
The Ayatollah recounts a beautiful historical incident involving Saad al-Ashari, one of the great hadith scholars and prominent figures of Qom, who had the honour of meeting Imam Reza (AS). During their meeting, the Imam (AS) turned to him and said:
“O Saad! In your land, there is a grave belonging to us.”
Surprised and seeking clarification, Saad asked:
“Do you mean the grave of Fatima Masuma, the noble lady of the Prophet’s household?”
The Imam (AS) replied, “Yes.”
Following this confirmation, Imam Reza (AS) personally taught Saad al-Ashari the specific words, etiquette, and spiritual focus required to properly visit this great woman.
Conclusion
Together, the voices of these two great scholars form a complete path of love. Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi ignites the longing — rise now, greet her every morning, kiss her doors, and say, “Bibi Jan, we are supplicants” — while Ayatollah Javadi Amoli unveils the reason behind it all: the shrine in Qom is not merely a historical monument, but a living sanctuary of Wilayah, where the perfected soul draws the mercy of Heaven downward.
As believers travel to Qom, they are invited to look beyond mere familial lineage and recognise the divine light Hazrat Fatima Masuma (SA) carries — so that, like Salman, they may become souls for whom Paradise itself eagerly waits, and so that they may never be among those who went to her door and returned unanswered.
