Ziyarat al-Jami'ah al-Kabirah

Ziyarat al-Jami'ah al-Kabirah (Arabic: الزيارة الجامعة الكبيرة), "The Great Comprehensive Visitation Prayer," is one of the most sublime and theologically profound ziyarat texts in Shia Islam. It was taught by the tenth Imam, Imam Ali al-Hadi (peace be upon him), and is a collective greeting and tribute to all twelve Imams.

Ziyarat al-Jami'ah was narrated by Musa ibn Abdullah al-Nakha'i, who asked Imam al-Hadi for a comprehensive ziyarat that could be used to visit any of the twelve Imams. The Imam dictated this ziyarat, which is one of the longest and most detailed in Shia literature. It is documented in Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih by Shaykh al-Saduq (vol. 2) and in Mafatih al-Jinan.

The ziyarat contains profound theological descriptions of the Imams' rank and attributes: they are Allah's proofs (hujaj), the guardians of divine knowledge, the correct practitioners of prayer, the pillars of Islam, and guidance for humanity. The text says, among other things: "Peace be upon you, O proofs of Allah over His creation. Peace be upon you, O gates of the city of faith. Peace be upon you, O caliphs of Allah on His earth."

Ziyarat al-Jami'ah is recommended to be recited when visiting any Imam's grave or shrine, and can also be recited from a distance. It is especially recommended on the 15th of Sha'ban (Imam al-Mahdi's birthday). Many Shia scholars consider it the most authentic and theologically correct ziyarat text. It is an inexhaustible source for understanding the Imams' role in Islam and the believer's relationship with them.