The Tradition of Writing to the Imam – A Historical and Spiritual Precedent

Exploring the roots of journaling to the Imam through Sahīfat al-Sajjādiyya and Du‘ā al-Nudbah.

Post 3: The Tradition of Writing to the Imam – A Historical and Spiritual Precedent

Journaling, as a personal form of reflection and spiritual communication, has deep roots in the Islamic tradition, particularly in the practices associated with the Imams. One of the most profound examples of this practice can be found in the Sahīfat al-Sajjādiyya, often referred to as the Psalms of the Ahlul Bayt, and the Du‘ā al-Nudbah, both of which provide powerful precedents for reflective, heartfelt communication with the Imam. These texts not only offered a means of emotional expression but also set the tone for the modern-day practice of journaling as a spiritual dialogue.

Sahīfat al-Sajjādiyya is a collection of supplications attributed to Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin (AS), often called "the Master of the Supplicants." This book is deeply spiritual and personal, filled with prayers that mirror the inner turmoil, hopes, and gratitude of the Imam, offering insight into his relationship with God and his community. The prayers found within this collection were not simply words to be recited—they were a means of expressing the deepest emotions and seeking a connection with the divine. Through these supplications, Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin (AS) showed his followers how to communicate with God through reflection, sorrow, gratitude, and yearning—elements that also characterize modern journaling practices.

Similarly, Du‘ā al-Nudbah, which is recited particularly on Fridays and other special occasions, calls on the Imam of the time (often the Imam al-Mahdi in the context of Shia Islam) and serves as a form of spiritual mourning and yearning for the return of the Imam. This supplication is a heartfelt expression of longing and sadness, marking the distance between the believers and the Imam, a feeling shared by those in Ghaybah (occultation). In the act of reciting and reflecting on this prayer, believers are engaging in a form of journaling to the Imam, pouring their hearts out and expressing their spiritual needs and desires for a better connection with the Imam and with the divine.

Through the example of these prayers, we understand that the act of writing to or about the Imam was never seen as merely a ritualistic practice. It was a deeply emotional and spiritual act of dialogue, a way of acknowledging personal struggles and seeking guidance. The profound nature of these supplications paves the way for modern journaling to be seen as not only a personal reflection but also a form of communication with a higher, spiritual presence. By expressing our innermost thoughts, doubts, and aspirations in writing, we, in essence, continue the tradition of communicating with the divine as demonstrated by these revered texts.