Writing as a Path to Guidance: Seeking Through the Pen

Why Scholars Wrote and Why We Write to the Imam (atfs)

SCHOLARS WRITE TO LEARN NOT TO TEACH

Many may ask, "Why do we need to write to the Imam (atfs) when we already have duas?" But if we look at history, we find that scholars—those closest to divine knowledge—have always written, not just to teach others, but as a way of seeking guidance, refining their thoughts, and deepening their understanding.

Writing is not just for instruction; it is for discovery. It is a means of organizing knowledge, questioning assumptions, and recording insights that unfold over time. The great scholars of Islam—whether philosophers, jurists, or mystics—filled pages with their questions, reflections, and inquiries. They understood that the act of writing itself brings clarity.

Why Writing to the Imam is Different from Personal Journaling

When we journal for ourselves, we reflect. But when we write to the Imam, we seek. We direct our words toward the one whom Allah has chosen as His representative. We acknowledge his role as the true guide of the time. We are not just processing emotions—we are actively engaging in tawassul (seeking intercession).

The Power of Writing in Seeking Answers

• Scholars wrote their questions and sought answers through deep reflection and divine guidance. Writing to the Imam follows the same principle.

• Writing forces us to be intentional. It turns vague concerns into clear questions. It helps us recognize what we truly need.

• It allows us to trace how guidance unfolds. Over time, we can look back and see how problems were resolved, how our perspective changed, and how divine wisdom shaped our journey.

• Scholars knew that knowledge grows through writing. It is a form of conversation—between the seeker and the source of wisdom.

The Imam is Present—Are We Speaking to Him?

We live in a time when the Imam (atfs) is in occultation, but that does not mean he is absent. Writing to him is a way of strengthening our recognition of his presence. Scholars of the past wrote their treatises, letters, and reflections with sincerity and trust in divine guidance. We follow in their footsteps by writing—not only for personal reflection but as an active act of seeking.

The question is not: "Do I need to write?"

The question is: "Am I willing to seek, as the scholars before me have done?