In the Shia tradition, the teaching of the Imam (also referred to as the Ta’lim of the Imam) lights a Murid’s (an individual who has pledged his allegiance to the Imam of the Time) path to spiritual enlightenment and vision.

The spiritual enlightenment or the elevation of the soul gained by following the Imam’s Ta’lim is described in many works by Shia theologians, and is particularly evident in the Ginans, Qasidas and narrative accounts written by Ismaili scholars, missionaries and Pirs.

Here is a short piece by the renowned Fatimid Ismaili Missionary, Dai Muayyad-din-Shirazi.

He writes:

“Look at the trouble your parents have taken from the days of your childhood in the growth of your bodies and in the improvement of your physical life on earth. But for the interest they took in you, you would not have been what you are.

Your souls are thousand times more important than your bodies. The Imams are your spiritual parents.

Avail yourselves of a few days of life which are at your disposal here and look after your spiritual elevation under the care of your spiritual parents. 

Once you miss this opportunity, you will repent forever. You will not be given a second chance to set things right.” 

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