According to details published by the Imam Ali shrine website, Ayatollah Amoli was received with warmth and respect by Ayatollah Sistani, who expressed great joy over his visit to the holy sites.
During the meeting, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli presented the complete 80-volume set of Tafsir Tasnim, a renowned Quranic exegesis authored by him, to Ayatollah Sistani.
Praising Tafsir Tasnim as “a source of pride for the Shia community,” Ayatollah Sistani acknowledged Ayatollah Amoli’s four decades of scholarly contributions.
“You have spent 40 years in the service of the Holy Quran and have made great efforts. Your work is an honor for the Shia (world),” he was quoted as saying.
“The essence and foundation is the Holy Quran; the narrations of the Ahlul-Bayt (AS) must be evaluated in light of the Quran, and only if they are in agreement with it can they be considered authentic,” he added, emphasizing the central role of the Holy Quran in religious scholarship.
Ayatollah Sistani also reaffirmed his support for religious institutions in both Najaf and Qom.
“Our view of the Qom Seminary is no different from our view of the Najaf Seminary, and to the extent possible, we will do whatever we can to support the seminaries,” he stated.
For his part, Ayatollah Amoli commended Ayatollah Sistani’s moral and intellectual leadership.
“Your presence is a great blessing for the seminaries and the Islamic community. You are like a kind and compassionate father to the Shia and the people of Iraq. May your presence remain a lasting blessing,” he was quoted as saying.
He also acknowledged the enduring influence of the Najaf Seminary, noting its crucial role in shaping religious thought and its contribution to regional stability.
“Your role in preserving the social order and confronting extremist movements like ISIS has been historic and enduring,” Ayatollah Amoli noted.
Ayatollah Amoli also emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between religious seminaries and expressed appreciation for Ayatollah Sistani’s support of religious education.