Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

OTHER AAMAL OF THE FIRST NIGHT

Fourth: It is recommended for husbands to have sexual intercourse with their wives at this night. In fact, it is discommended to have sexual intercourse with wives at the first night of the Arabic months; rather, this exception is one of the peculiarities of the holy month of Ramadan.

Fifth: It is highly advisable to bathe oneself at this night. A Hadith reads that if one washes himself at the first night of Ramadan, one will be secured against prurigo up to the next Ramadan.

Sixth: It is recommended to bathe oneself in a flowing river and to pour on the head thirty handfuls of water so as to be mentally pure up to the next Ramadan.

Seventh: It is recommended to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) so that sins will be forgiven and the like of the reward of those who undertake Hajj and ‘Umrah in that year will be gained.

Eighth: It is recommended, at this night, to begin with the one thousand unit prayer that has been previously mentioned at the end of the second part of the rites of Ramadan.

Ninth: It is recommended to offer a two unit prayer reciting in each unit Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-An’am (No. 6) and to pray Almighty Allah for security against apprehensions and ailments.

Tenth: It is recommended to say the aforementioned supplicatory prayer that begins with:

اللّهمّ ان هذا الشّهر المبارك

This supplicatory prayer has been mentioned within the rites of the last night of Sha’ban.

Eleventh: It is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer while raising the hands after the Maghrib Prayer. The supplicatory prayer has been reported in al-Iqbal from Imam Muhammad and Jawad al-Taqi(a.s.):

اللّٰهُمَّ يَا مَنْ يَمْلِكُ التَّدْبِيرَ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ يَا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ خَائِنَةَ الْاَعْيُنِ وَ مَا تُخْفِي الصُّدُورُ وَ تُجِنُّ الضَّمِيرُ وَ هُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ اللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِمَّنْ نَوَى فَعَمِلَ وَ لا تَجْعَلْنَا مِمَّنْ شَقِيَ فَكَسِلَ وَ لا مِمَّنْ هُوَ عَلَى غَيْرِ عَمَلٍ يَتَّكِلُ اللّٰهُمَّ صَحِّحْ اَبْدَانَنَا مِنَ الْعِلَلِ وَ اَعِنَّا عَلَى مَا افْتَرَضْتَ عَلَيْنَا مِنَ الْعَمَلِ حَتَّى يَنْقَضِيَ عَنَّا شَهْرُكَ هٰذَا وَ قَدْ اَدَّيْنَا مَفْرُوضَكَ فِيهِ عَلَيْنَا اللّٰهُمَّ اَعِنَّا عَلَى صِيَامِهِ وَ وَفِّقْنَا لِقِيَامِهِ وَ نَشِّطْنَا فِيهِ لِلصَّلاةِ وَ لا تَحْجُبْنَا مِنَ الْقِرَاءَةِ وَ سَهِّلْ لَنَا فِيهِ اِيتَاءَ الزَّكَاةِ اللّٰهُمَّ لا تُسَلِّطْ عَلَيْنَا وَصَبا وَ لا تَعَبا وَ لا سَقَما وَ لا عَطَبا. اللّٰهُمَّ ارْزُقْنَا الْاِفْطَارَ مِنْ رِزْقِكَ الْحَلالِ اللّٰهُمَّ سَهِّلْ لَنَا فِيهِ مَا قَسَمْتَهُ مِنْ رِزْقِكَ وَ يَسِّرْ مَا قَدَّرْتَهُ مِنْ اَمْرِكَ وَ اجْعَلْهُ حَلالا طَيِّبا نَقِيّا مِنَ الْآثَامِ خَالِصا مِنَ الْآصَارِ وَ الْاَجْرَامِ اللّٰهُمَّ لا تُطْعِمْنَا اِلا طَيِّبا غَيْرَ خَبِيثٍ وَ لا حَرَامٍ وَ اجْعَلْ رِزْقَكَ لَنَا حَلالا لا يَشُوبُهُ دَنَسٌ وَ لا اَسْقَامٌ يَا مَنْ عِلْمُهُ بِالسِّرِّ كَعِلْمِهِ بِالْاَعْلانِ يَا مُتَفَضِّلا عَلَى عِبَادِهِ بِالْاِحْسَانِ يَا مَنْ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَ بِكُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ اَلْهِمْنَا ذِكْرَكَ وَ جَنِّبْنَا عُسْرَكَ وَ اَنِلْنَا يُسْرَكَ وَ اهْدِنَا لِلرَّشَادِ وَ وَفِّقْنَا لِلسَّدَادِ وَ اعْصِمْنَا مِنَ الْبَلايَا وَ صُنَّا مِنَ الْاَوْزَارِ وَ الْخَطَايَا يَا مَنْ لا يَغْفِرُ عَظِيمَ الذُّنُوبِ غَيْرُهُ وَ لا يَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ اِلا هُوَ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ ، وَ اَكْرَمَ الْاَكْرَمِينَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ وَ اجْعَلْ صِيَامَنَا مَقْبُولا وَ بِالْبِرِّ وَ التَّقْوَى مَوْصُولا وَ كَذَلِكَ فَاجْعَلْ سَعْيَنَا مَشْكُورا وَ قِيَامَنَا مَبْرُورا وَ قُرْآنَنَا [وَ قِرَاءَتَنَا] مَرْفُوعا وَ دُعَاءَنَا مَسْمُوعا وَ اهْدِنَا لِلْحُسْنَى [الْحُسْنَى‏] وَ جَنِّبْنَا الْعُسْرَى وَ يَسِّرْنَا لِلْيُسْرَى وَ اَعْلِ لَنَا الدَّرَجَاتِ وَ ضَاعِفْ لَنَا الْحَسَنَاتِ وَ اقْبَلْ مِنَّا الصَّوْمَ وَ الصَّلاةَ وَ اسْمَعْ مِنَّا الدَّعَوَاتِ وَ اغْفِرْ لَنَا الْخَطِيئَاتِ وَ تَجَاوَزْ عَنَّا السَّيِّئَاتِ وَ اجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الْعَامِلِينَ الْفَائِزِينَ وَ لا تَجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ لا الضَّالِّينَ حَتَّى يَنْقَضِيَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ عَنَّا وَ قَدْ قَبِلْتَ فِيهِ صِيَامَنَا وَ قِيَامَنَا وَ زَكَّيْتَ فِيهِ اَعْمَالَنَا وَ غَفَرْتَ فِيهِ ذُنُوبَنَا وَ اَجْزَلْتَ فِيهِ مِنْ كُلِّ خَيْرٍ نَصِيبَنَا فَاِنَّكَ الْاِلَهُ الْمُجِيبُ وَ الرَّبُّ الْقَرِيبُ [الرَّقِيبُ‏] وَ اَنْتَ بِكُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ مُحِيطٌ .

Twelfth: It is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer that is reported from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) as is mentioned in the book of al-Iqbal:

اللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ مُنَزِّلَ الْقُرْآنِ هٰذَا شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي اَنْزَلْتَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنَ وَ اَنْزَلْتَ فِيهِ آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَ الْفُرْقَانِ اللّٰهُمَّ ارْزُقْنَا صِيَامَهُ وَ اَعِنَّا عَلَى قِيَامِهِ اللّٰهُمَّ سَلِّمْهُ لَنَا وَ سَلِّمْنَا فِيهِ وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنَّا فِي يُسْرٍ مِنْكَ وَ مُعَافَاةٍ وَ اجْعَلْ فِيمَا تَقْضِي وَ تُقَدِّرُ مِنَ الْاَمْرِ الْمَحْتُومِ وَ فِيمَا تَفْرُقُ مِنَ الْاَمْرِ الْحَكِيمِ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ مِنَ الْقَضَاءِ الَّذِي لا يُرَدُّ وَ لا يُبَدَّلُ اَنْ تَكْتُبَنِي مِنْ حُجَّاجِ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ الْمَبْرُورِ حَجُّهُمْ الْمَشْكُورِ سَعْيُهُمْ الْمَغْفُورِ ذُنُوبُهُمْ الْمُكَفَّرِ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُهُمْ وَ اجْعَلْ فِيمَا تَقْضِي وَ تُقَدِّرُ اَنْ تُطِيلَ لِي فِي عُمْرِي وَ تُوَسِّعَ عَلَيَّ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ الْحَلالِ .

Thirteenth: It is recommended to say the supplicatory prayer No. 44 of al-Sahifah al-Kamilah al-Sajjadiyyah, which begins with the following statement:

Fourteenth: It is recommended to say the lengthy supplicatory prayer that is mentioned by Sayyid Ibn Tawus in Iqbal al-A’mal and beings with the following statement:

اللّهمّ انّ هذا شهر رمضان...

Fifteenth: It is recommended to say the following:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنَّهُ قَدْ دَخَلَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ اللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي اَنْزَلْتَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنَ وَ جَعَلْتَهُ بَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَ الْفُرْقَانِ اللّٰهُمَّ فَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ اَعِنَّا عَلَى صِيَامِهِ وَ صَلَوَاتِهِ وَ تَقَبَّلْهُ مِنَّا

According to a Hadith, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to say this supplicatory prayerat the beginning of Ramadan.

Sixteenth: The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is also reported to have said the following supplicatory prayer at the first night of Ramadan:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي اَكْرَمَنَا بِكَ اَيُّهَا الشَّهْرُ الْمُبَارَكُ اللّٰهُمَّ فَقَوِّنَا عَلَى صِيَامِنَا وَ قِيَامِنَا وَ ثَبِّتْ اَقْدَامَنَا وَ انْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ اللّٰهُمَّ اَنْتَ الْوَاحِدُ فَلا وَلَدَ لَكَ وَ اَنْتَ الصَّمَدُ فَلا شِبْهَ لَكَ وَ اَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ فَلا يُعِزُّكَ شَيْ‏ءٌ وَ اَنْتَ الْغَنِيُّ وَ اَنَا الْفَقِيرُ وَ اَنْتَ الْمَوْلَى وَ اَنَا الْعَبْدُ وَ اَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ وَ اَنَا الْمُذْنِبُ وَ اَنْتَ الرَّحِيمُ وَ اَنَا الْمُخْطِئُ وَ اَنْتَ الْخَالِقُ وَ اَنَا الْمَخْلُوقُ وَ اَنْتَ الْحَيُّ وَ اَنَا الْمَيِّتُ اَسْاَلُكَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ اَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي وَ تَرْحَمَنِي وَ تَجَاوَزَ عَنِّي اِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ.

Seventeenth: As has been previously mentioned in the book, it is recommended to say the supplicatory prayer known as Dua al-Jawshan al-Kabir at the first night of Ramadan.

Eighteenth: It is recommended to say the supplicatory prayer known as Dua al-Hajj, which has been previously mentioned in this book.

Nineteenth: It is highly advisable to recite the Holy Qur’an very frequently at the first hours of Ramadan. In this respect, it has been narrated that Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) used to say the following supplicatory prayer before he would start reciting the Holy Qur’an:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ هٰذَا كِتَابُكَ الْمُنْزَلُ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ عَلَى رَسُولِكَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ كَلامُكَ النَّاطِقُ عَلَى لِسَانِ نَبِيِّكَ جَعَلْتَهُ هَادِيا مِنْكَ اِلَى خَلْقِكَ وَ حَبْلا مُتَّصِلا فِيمَا بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي نَشَرْتُ عَهْدَكَ وَ كِتَابَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ فَاجْعَلْ نَظَرِي فِيهِ عِبَادَةً وَ قِرَاءَتِي فِيهِ فِكْرا وَ فِكْرِي فِيهِ اعْتِبَارا وَ اجْعَلْنِي مِمَّنِ اتَّعَظَ بِبَيَانِ مَوَاعِظِكَ فِيهِ وَ اجْتَنَبَ مَعَاصِيَكَ وَ لا تَطْبَعْ عِنْدَ قِرَاءَتِي عَلَى سَمْعِي وَ لا تَجْعَلْ عَلَى بَصَرِي غِشَاوَةً وَ لا تَجْعَلْ قِرَاءَتِي قِرَاءَةً لا تَدَبُّرَ فِيهَا بَلِ اجْعَلْنِي اَتَدَبَّرُ آيَاتِهِ وَ اَحْكَامَهُ، آخِذا بِشَرَائِعِ دِينِكَ وَ لا تَجْعَلْ نَظَرِي فِيهِ غَفْلَةً وَ لا قِرَاءَتِي هَذَرا اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الرَّءُوفُ الرَّحِيمُ

When he finished reciting the Holy Qur’an, Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) used to say the following supplicatory prayer:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي قَدْ قَرَأْتُ مَا قَضَيْتَ مِنْ كِتَابِكَ الَّذِي اَنْزَلْتَهُ عَلَى نَبِيِّكَ الصَّادِقِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ رَبَّنَا اللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِمَّنْ يُحِلُّ حَلالَهُ وَ يُحَرِّمُ حَرَامَهُ وَ يُؤْمِنُ بِمُحْكَمِهِ وَ مُتَشَابِهِهِ وَ اجْعَلْهُ لِي اُنْسا فِي قَبْرِي وَ اُنْسا فِي حَشْرِي وَ اجْعَلْنِي مِمَّنْ تُرْقِيهِ [تُرَقِّيهِ‏] بِكُلِّ آيَةٍ قَرَاَهَا دَرَجَةً فِي اَعْلَى عِلِّيِّينَ آمِينَ رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ.

THE 1ST DAY OF RAMADHAN

The rites of the first day of Ramadan are as follows:

First: It is recommended to bathe oneself in flowing water and to pour on the head thirty handfuls of water, for such a deed brings about security against all pains and ailments up to the next year.

Second: It is recommended to wash one’s face with a handful of rose water so as to be saved against humiliation and poverty, and to pour some of it on the head so as to be saved from pleurisy.

Third: It is recommended to offer the prayer of the first of the month that consists of two units and to give alms after that.

Fourth: It is recommended to offer a two-unit prayer at the first of which Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Fath (No. 48) should be recited and at the second, Surah al-Faatehah and any other Surah. If one offers this prayer, Almighty Allah will save him from all evils and will keep him under His custody up to the next year.

Fifth: When the dawn breaks forth, it is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer:

اللّٰهُمَّ قَدْ حَضَرَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَ قَدِ افْتَرَضْتَ عَلَيْنَا صِيَامَهُ وَ اَنْزَلْتَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنَ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَ بَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَ الْفُرْقَانِ اللّٰهُمَّ اَعِنَّا عَلَى صِيَامِهِ وَ تَقَبَّلْهُ مِنَّا وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنَّا وَ سَلِّمْهُ لَنَا فِي يُسْرٍ مِنْكَ وَ عَافِيَةٍ اِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ .

Sixth: If one has not had the opportunity to say it at night, it is recommended to say the supplication No. 44 of al-Sahifah al-Kamilah al-Sajjadiyyah, which has been previously cited.

Seventh: In his book of Zad al-Ma’ad, ‘Allamah al-Majlisi has mentioned that al-Kulayni, al-Tusi, and others, through an authentic chain of authority, have reported Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) as saying, “Say the following supplicatory prayer in the month of Ramadan (on the first day of it, as is understood by scholars), for whoever prays Almighty Allah with this supplicatory prayer purely and without associating any false purposes or showing off, will be saved throughout that year from all seditious and misleading matters as well as all afflictions that may injure his religion or his body. In addition, Almighty Allah will save him from the evils of all the misfortunes that will take place that year.” The supplicatory prayer is as follows:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي اَسْاَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي دَانَ لَهُ كُلُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ الَّتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَ بِعَظَمَتِكَ الَّتِي تَوَاضَعَ لَهَا كُلُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَ بِعِزَّتِكَ الَّتِي قَهَرَتْ كُلَّ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَ بِقُوَّتِكَ الَّتِي خَضَعَ لَهَا كُلُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَ بِجَبَرُوتِكَ الَّتِي غَلَبَتْ كُلَّ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَ بِعِلْمِكَ الَّذِي اَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ يَا نُورُ يَا قُدُّوسُ يَا اَوَّلا قَبْلَ كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَ يَا بَاقِيا بَعْدَ كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ يَا اللّٰهُ يَا رَحْمَانُ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تُغَيِّرُ النِّعَمَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تُنْزِلُ النِّقَمَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تَقْطَعُ الرَّجَاءَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تُدِيلُ الْاَعْدَاءَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تَرُدُّ الدُّعَاءَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي يُسْتَحَقُّ بِهَا نُزُولُ الْبَلاءِ، وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تَحْبِسُ غَيْثَ السَّمَاءِ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تَكْشِفُ الْغِطَاءَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تُورِثُ النَّدَمَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تَهْتِكُ الْعِصَمَ وَ اَلْبِسْنِي دِرْعَكَ الْحَصِينَةَ الَّتِي لا تُرَامُ وَ عَافِنِي مِنْ شَرِّ مَا اُحَاذِرُ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ فِي مُسْتَقْبَلِ سَنَتِي هَذِهِ اللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَ رَبَّ الْاَرَضِينَ السَّبْعِ وَ مَا فِيهِنَّ وَ مَا بَيْنَهُنَّ وَ رَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ رَبَّ السَّبْعِ الْمَثَانِي وَ الْقُرْآنِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ رَبَّ اِسْرَافِيلَ وَ مِيكَائِيلَ وَ جَبْرَئِيلَ وَ رَبَّ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ سَيِّدِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ وَ خَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّينَ اَسْاَلُكَ بِكَ وَ بِمَا سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ يَا عَظِيمُ اَنْتَ الَّذِي تَمُنُّ بِالْعَظِيمِ، وَ تَدْفَعُ كُلَّ مَحْذُورٍ وَ تُعْطِي كُلَّ جَزِيلٍ وَ تُضَاعِفُ [مِنَ‏] الْحَسَنَاتِ بِالْقَلِيلِ وَ بِالْكَثِيرِ وَ تَفْعَلُ مَا تَشَاءُ يَا قَدِيرُ يَا اللّٰهُ يَا رَحْمَانُ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ اَلْبِسْنِي فِي مُسْتَقْبَلِ سَنَتِي هَذِهِ سِتْرَكَ وَ نَضِّرْ وَجْهِي بِنُورِكَ وَ اَحِبَّنِي بِمَحَبَّتِكَ وَ بَلِّغْنِي رِضْوَانَكَ وَ شَرِيفَ كَرَامَتِكَ وَ جَسِيمَ عَطِيَّتِكَ وَ اَعْطِنِي مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا عِنْدَكَ وَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا اَنْتَ مُعْطِيهِ اَحَدا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ وَ اَلْبِسْنِي مَعَ ذَلِكَ عَافِيَتَكَ يَا مَوْضِعَ كُلِّ شَكْوَى وَ يَا شَاهِدَ كُلِّ نَجْوَى وَ يَا عَالِمَ كُلِّ خَفِيَّةٍ وَ يَا دَافِعَ مَا تَشَاءُ مِنْ بَلِيَّةٍ يَا كَرِيمَ الْعَفْوِ يَا حَسَنَ التَّجَاوُزِ تَوَفَّنِي عَلَى مِلَّةِ اِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ فِطْرَتِهِ، وَ عَلَى دِينِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ سُنَّتِهِ وَ عَلَى خَيْرِ الْوَفَاةِ فَتَوَفَّنِي مُوَالِيا لِاَوْلِيَائِكَ وَ مُعَادِيا لِاَعْدَائِكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَ جَنِّبْنِي فِي هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ كُلَّ عَمَلٍ اَوْ قَوْلٍ اَوْ فِعْلٍ يُبَاعِدُنِي مِنْكَ وَ اجْلِبْنِي اِلَى كُلِّ عَمَلٍ اَوْ قَوْلٍ اَوْ فِعْلٍ يُقَرِّبُنِي مِنْكَ فِي هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ وَ امْنَعْنِي مِنْ كُلِّ عَمَلٍ اَوْ قَوْلٍ اَوْ فِعْلٍ يَكُونُ مِنِّي اَخَافُ ضَرَرَ عَاقِبَتِهِ وَ اَخَافُ مَقْتَكَ اِيَّايَ عَلَيْهِ حِذَارَ اَنْ تَصْرِفَ وَجْهَكَ الْكَرِيمَ عَنِّي فَاَسْتَوْجِبَ بِهِ نَقْصا مِنْ حَظٍّ لِي عِنْدَكَ يَا رَءُوفُ يَا رَحِيمُ. اللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي فِي مُسْتَقْبَلِ سَنَتِي هَذِهِ فِي حِفْظِكَ وَ فِي جِوَارِكَ وَ فِي كَنَفِكَ وَ جَلِّلْنِي سِتْرَ عَافِيَتِكَ وَ هَبْ لِي كَرَامَتَكَ عَزَّ جَارُكَ وَ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُكَ وَ لا اِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ اللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي تَابِعا لِصَالِحِي مَنْ مَضَى مِنْ اَوْلِيَائِكَ وَ اَلْحِقْنِي بِهِمْ وَ اجْعَلْنِي مُسَلِّما لِمَنْ قَالَ بِالصِّدْقِ عَلَيْكَ مِنْهُمْ وَ اَعُوذُ بِكَ اللّٰهُمَّ [يَا اِلَهِي‏] اَنْ تُحِيطَ بِي خَطِيئَتِي وَ ظُلْمِي وَ اِسْرَافِي عَلَى نَفْسِي وَ اتِّبَاعِي لِهَوَايَ وَ اشْتِغَالِي بِشَهَوَاتِي فَيَحُولُ ذَلِكَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ رَحْمَتِكَ وَ رِضْوَانِكَ فَاَكُونَ مَنْسِيّا عِنْدَكَ مُتَعَرِّضا لِسَخَطِكَ وَ نِقْمَتِكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَفِّقْنِي لِكُلِّ عَمَلٍ صَالِحٍ تَرْضَى بِهِ عَنِّي وَ قَرِّبْنِي اِلَيْكَ زُلْفَى اللّٰهُمَّ كَمَا كَفَيْتَ نَبِيَّكَ مُحَمَّدا صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ هَوْلَ عَدُوِّهِ وَ فَرَّجْتَ هَمَّهُ وَ كَشَفْتَ غَمَّهُ [كَرْبَهُ‏] وَ صَدَقْتَهُ وَعْدَكَ وَ اَنْجَزْتَ لَهُ عَهْدَكَ، اللّٰهُمَّ فَبِذَلِكَ فَاكْفِنِي هَوْلَ هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ وَ آفَاتِهَا وَ اَسْقَامَهَا وَ فِتْنَتَهَا وَ شُرُورَهَا وَ اَحْزَانَهَا وَ ضِيقَ الْمَعَاشِ فِيهَا وَ بَلِّغْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ كَمَالَ الْعَافِيَةِ بِتَمَامِ دَوَامِ النِّعْمَةِ عِنْدِي اِلَى مُنْتَهَى اَجَلِي اَسْاَلُكَ سُؤَالَ مَنْ اَسَاءَ وَ ظَلَمَ وَ اسْتَكَانَ وَ اعْتَرَفَ وَ اَسْاَلُكَ اَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي مَا مَضَى مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ الَّتِي حَصَرَتْهَا حَفَظَتُكَ وَ اَحْصَتْهَا كِرَامُ مَلائِكَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَ اَنْ تَعْصِمَنِي اِلَهِي [اللّٰهُمَ‏] مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فِيمَا بَقِيَ مِنْ عُمُرِي اِلَى مُنْتَهَى اَجَلِي يَا اللّٰهُ يَا رَحْمَانُ يَا رَحِيمُ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَهْلِ بَيْتِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آتِنِي كُلَّ مَا سَاَلْتُكَ وَ رَغِبْتُ اِلَيْكَ فِيهِ فَاِنَّكَ اَمَرْتَنِي بِالدُّعَاءِ وَ تَكَفَّلْتَ لِي بِالْاِجَابَةِ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

It is worth mentioning that Sayyid Ibn Tawus has mentioned this supplicatory prayer within the rites of the first night of Ramadan.

THE 6TH OF RAMADAN

On the sixth of Ramadan, AH 201, Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Rida(a.s.) was appointed as the crown prince. Sayyid Ibn Tawus has mentioned that it is recommended to offer a thanksgiving two-unit prayer in which one should recite Surah al-Faatehah once and repeat Surah al-Tawheed twenty-five times.

THE 13TH NIGHT OF RAMADHAN

Three rites are dedicated to the thirteenth night of Ramadan, which is the first of the White Nights:

First: It is recommended to bathe oneself at this night.

Second: It is recommended to offer a four-unit prayer and to recite at each unit Surah al-Faatehah once and Surah al-Tawheed twenty-five times.

Third: It is recommended to offer a two-unit prayer just like the prayer that is decided to the thirteenth nights of Rajab and Sha’ban. In this prayer, it is recommended to recite Surahs al-Faatehah, Yasin, al-Mulk, and al-Tawheed.

THE 14TH NIGHT OF RAMADAN

It is recommended to offer at this night a prayer consisting of four units, each two alone. This prayer is similar to the previous one. As has been previously mentioned, if one says the famous supplicatory prayer known as Dua al-Mujir on the White Days of Ramadan, all his sins will be forgiven even if they are as many as rain drops, tree leaves, and desert pebbles.

THE 15TH NIGHT OF RAMADHAN

There are many recommended acts dedicated to this blessed night:

First: It is recommended to bathe oneself at this night.

Second: It is recommended to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.).

Third: It is recommended to offer a six unit prayer reciting at each unit Surahs al-Faatehah, Yasin, al-Mulk, and al-Tawheed.

Fourth: It is recommended to offer a one hundred unit prayer reciting at each unit Surah al-Faatehah once and repeating Surah al-Tawheed ten times. In al-Muqni’ah, Shaykh al-Mufid has reported Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) as saying, “Whoever offers this prayer, Almighty Allah will appoint for him ten angels protecting him from his human and jinn enemies and will also appoint thirty angels to secure him against Hellfire at the hour of his death.”

Fifth: When he was asked about the rewards of one who attends at the holy tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) at the fifteenth night of Ramadan, Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) said, “Congratulations be to him! At the fifteenth night of Ramadan, one who attends at the tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) and offers a ten unit prayer after the obligatory Isha’ Prayer other than the Night Prayer (Salat al-Layl), reciting in each unit Surah al-Faatehah once and repeating Surah al-Tawheed ten times, and then seeks Almighty Allah’s protection against Hellfire - if one does this, Almighty Allah will include him with those whom He releases from Hellfire and he will not die before he sees in dream angels conveying to him the good tidings of entering Paradise and security against Hellfire.”

THE FIFTEENTH OF RAMADAN

On the fifteenth of Ramadan, AH 2, Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba(a.s.) was born.

In the word of Shaykh al-Mufid, Imam Muhammad al-Taqi(a.s.) was born on the fifteenth of Ramadan, AH 195. However, it is widely known that Imam Muhammad al-Taqi was not born at this date. Anyhow, the fifteenth of Ramadan is a blessed day; to give alms and to do righteous deeds on this day bring about great merits.

THE 17TH NIGHT OF RAMADHAN

At this blessed night, the two armies of the Muslims, under the leadership of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), and the polytheists of Quraysh faced each other at Badr Spring. On the seventeenth of Ramadan, the Battle of Badr took place when Almighty Allah gave victory to the Holy Prophet’s army over the polytheists’. That was the Greatest conquest of Islam. In view of that, our master scholars have declared that it is highly recommended to give alms and thank Almighty Allah on this day. Besides, to bathe oneself and to practice acts of worship at this night achieve a great reward.

According to numerous narrations, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) asked his companions, at the night before the Battle of Badr, to go to Badr Spring and bring some water. All the companions kept silent and none of them had the courage to undertake this mission. Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.), therefore, took a skin of water and went towards that spring for getting some water. It was so murky, bitterly cold, and windy night. When Imam Ali(a.s.) reached that dark, deep spring, he could not find a bucket to use for taking water. He therefore had to step down that spring and fill in the skin with water. On his way back to the Holy Prophet’s camp, he faced such a strong storm that made him sit on the ground. When it calmed down, he continued marching. Then, another storm that was as intense as the first blew so heavily that he had to sit on the ground. When it calmed down, Imam Ali continued marching. Again, a third storm that was as intense as the previous ones blew so heavily that he had to sit on the ground. When it calmed down, he continued marching until he reached the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) who, then, asked why he had been late. “I faced three heavy storms that made me sit to the ground three times. I therefore had to wait until they would calm down,” explained Imam Ali(a.s.). “Did you know what these three storms were, Ali?” asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). As Imam Ali(a.s.) answered in the negative, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) explained, “The first storm was Archangel Gabriel with one thousand angels who, altogether, came to greet you. The second storm was Archangel Michael with one thousand angels who, altogether, came to greet you. The third storm was Archangel Seraph with one thousand angels who, altogether, came to greet you. All these angels descended to the earth to back us.”

To this event has a scholar referred, saying, “Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) had three thousand merits at one night only. Similarly, al-Sayyid al-Himyari, the famous poet, composed a few laudatory poetic verses immortalizing this event:

اُقْسِمُ بِاللّٰهِ وَ آلائِهِوَ الْمَرْءُ عَمَّا قَالَ مَسْئُولٌ

اِنَّ عَلِيِّ بْنَ اَبِي طَالِبٍعَلَى الْتُّقَى وَ الْبِرِّ مَجْبُولٌ

كَانَ اِذَا الْحَرْبُ مَرَتْهَا الْقَنَاوَ اَحْجَمَتْ عَنْهَا الْبَهَالِيلُ

يَمْشِي اِلَى الْقِرْنِ وَ فِي كَفِّهِاَبْيَضُ مَاضِي الْحَدِّ مَصْقُولٌ

مَشْيَ الْعَفَرْنَا بَيْنَ اَشْبَالِهِاَبْرَزَهُ لِلْقَنَصِ الْغِيلُ

ذَاكَ الَّذِي سَلَّمَ فِي لَيْلَةٍعَلَيْهِ مِيكَالٌ وَ جِبْرِيلٌ

مِيكَالُ فِي اَلْفٍ وَ جِبْرِيلُ فِياَلْفٍ وَ يَتْلُوهُمْ سَرَافِيلُ

لَيْلَةَ بَدْرٍ مَدَدا اُنْزِلُواكَاَنَّهُمْ طَيْرٌ اَبَابِيلُ

AAMAL OF SHAB QADR

THE NINETEENTH NIGHT OF RAMADAN

The nineteenth night of Ramadan is the first of the Qadr Nights. Of course, the Qadr Night (laylat al-qadr) is unmatched in merits, since to practice acts of worship at this night is equal to the acts of one thousand nights. At this night, the affairs of the whole year are decided and the angels and the Greatest Spirit are descended by the permission of Almighty Allah so as to visit the Imam of the Age (i.e. Imam al-Mahdi), have the honor of being present before him, and provide the destinies of all the beings before him.

RECOMMENDED ACTS AT THE QADR NIGHTS

The recommended acts of the Qadr Nights are of two parts; the first part deals with the general acts that are advisably practiced at each of the three Qadr Nights. The second part deals with the private acts that are dedicated to each night exclusively.

GENERAL ACTS

First: It is recommended to bathe oneself at each of the Qadr Nights. According to ‘Allamah al-Majlisi, it is preferable to perform the bathing at sunset so as to be ready for the Isha’ Prayer with a bathing.

Second: It is recommended to offer a two unit prayer reciting at each unit Surah al-Faatehah once and repeating Surah al-Tawheed seven times. After the accomplishment of the prayer, the following imploration should be repeated seventy times:

استغفر اللّه و اتوب اليه

According to a Hadith reported from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), Almighty Allah will forgive one who offers this prayer and will forgive his parents before he leaves his place.

Third: It is recommended to open a copy of the Holy Qur’an between one’s hands and say the following:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي اَسْاَلُكَ بِكِتَابِكَ الْمُنْزَلِ وَ مَا فِيهِ وَ فِيهِ اسْمُكَ الْاَكْبَرُ وَ اَسْمَاؤُكَ الْحُسْنَى وَ مَا يُخَافُ وَ يُرْجَى اَنْ تَجْعَلَنِي مِنْ عُتَقَائِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ.

Then, one may pray God to fulfill one’s desires.

Fourth: It is recommended to put a copy of the Holy Qur’an on the head and say the following:

اللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّ هٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ وَ بِحَقِّ مَنْ اَرْسَلْتَهُ بِهِ وَ بِحَقِّ كُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ مَدَحْتَهُ فِيهِ وَ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَلا اَحَدَ اَعْرَفُ بِحَقِّكَ مِنْكَ

Then, one should repeat each of the following ten times:

بِكَ يَا اللّٰهُ

بِمُحَمَّدٍ

بِعَلِيٍّ

بِفَاطِمَةَ

بِالْحَسَنِ

بِالْحُسَيْنِ

بِعَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ

بِمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ

بِجَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ

بِمُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ

بِعَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى

بِمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ

بِعَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ

بِالْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ

بِالْحُجَّةِ

One should then pray Almighty Allah to fulfill one’s desires.

Fifth: It is advisable to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) at these nights. A Hadith, in this respect, reads that at the Qadr Nights, a caller from the heavens will call from the Seventh Sky and, specifically, from the centre of the Holy Throne that Almighty Allah shall forgive whoever visits the tomb of al-Husayn (a.s.).

Sixth: It is highly advisable to spend the whole three Qadr Nights with acts of worship. A Hadith reads that one who spends the whole Qadr Nights with acts of worship will have all his sins forgiven even if they are as many as stars, as heavy as mountains, and as weighty as seawater.

Seventh: In order to win its remarkable reward, it is recommended to offer the one hundred unit prayer. It is preferable to recite at these units Surah al-Faatehah once and repeat Surah al-Tawheed ten times.

Eighth: It is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي اَمْسَيْتُ لَكَ عَبْدا دَاخِرا لا اَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي نَفْعا وَ لا ضَرّا وَ لا اَصْرِفُ عَنْهَا سُوءا اَشْهَدُ بِذَلِكَ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَ اَعْتَرِفُ لَكَ بِضَعْفِ قُوَّتِي وَ قِلَّةِ حِيلَتِي فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَنْجِزْ لِي مَا وَعَدْتَنِي وَ جَمِيعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ مِنَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ وَ اَتْمِمْ عَلَيَّ مَا آتَيْتَنِي فَاِنِّي عَبْدُكَ الْمِسْكِينُ الْمُسْتَكِينُ الضَّعِيفُ الْفَقِيرُ الْمَهِينُ اللّٰهُمَّ لا تَجْعَلْنِي نَاسِيا لِذِكْرِكَ فِيمَا اَوْلَيْتَنِي وَ لا [غَافِلا] لِاِحْسَانِكَ فِيمَا اَعْطَيْتَنِي وَ لا آيِسا مِنْ اِجَابَتِكَ وَ اِنْ اَبْطَاَتْ عَنِّي فِي سَرَّاءَ [كُنْتُ‏] اَوْ ضَرَّاءَ اَوْ شِدَّةٍ اَوْ رَخَاءٍ اَوْ عَافِيَةٍ اَوْ بَلاءٍ اَوْ بُؤْسٍ اَوْ نَعْمَاءَ اِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ

Al-Kaf’ami has narrated that Imam Zayn al-’Abidin(a.s.) used to say this supplicatory prayer very frequently at the Qadr Nights while sitting, standing, genuflecting, and prostrating.

‘Allamah al-Majlisi has mentioned that the most favorable rite at the Qadr Nights is to implore for Almighty Allah’s forgiveness, to mention Him, to pray for the settlement of one’s worldly and religious affairs as well as for one’s parents, relatives, and brethren-in-faith; the dead and the alive, and to invoke blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household.

According to some narrations, it is recommended to say the famous supplicatory prayer known as Dua al-Jawshan al-Kabir, which has been previously cited in this book, at the three Qadr Nights.

It has been also narrated that when he was asked about the best prayer that one may say at the Qadr Night, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, “Pray for good health.”

19TH NIGHT OF RAMADHAN

First: It is recommended to repeat the following imploration one hundred times at the nineteenth night of Ramadan:

اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ رَبِّي وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ

Second: It is recommended to repeat the following imprecatory prayer one hundred times at the nineteenth night of Ramadan:

اللّٰهُمَّ الْعَنْ قَتَلَةَ اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Third: It is recommended to say the aforementioned supplicatory prayer that begins with the following statement:

يَا ذَاالَّذِيْ كَانَ قَبْلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ....

Fourth: It is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer:

اللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْ فِيمَا تَقْضِي وَ تُقَدِّرُ مِنَ الْاَمْرِ الْمَحْتُومِ وَ فِيمَا تَفْرُقُ مِنَ الْاَمْرِ الْحَكِيمِ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَ فِي الْقَضَاءِ الَّذِي لا يُرَدُّ وَ لا يُبَدَّلُ اَنْ تَكْتُبَنِي مِنْ حُجَّاجِ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ الْمَبْرُورِ حَجُّهُمْ الْمَشْكُورِ سَعْيُهُمْ الْمَغْفُورِ ذُنُوبُهُمْ الْمُكَفَّرِ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُهُمْ وَ اجْعَلْ فِيمَا تَقْضِي وَ تُقَدِّرُ اَنْ تُطِيلَ عُمْرِي وَ تُوَسِّعَ عَلَيَّ فِي رِزْقِي ...

One may mention his desires after that.

AAMAL OF THE 21ST NIGHT OF RAMADHAN

The twenty-first night of Ramadan is more meritorious that the nineteenth. It is worthwhile to practice the previously mentioned general rites of the Qadr Nights, such as bathing, spending the whole nights with acts of worship, visiting the tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.), offering the two unit prayer at which Surah al-Faatehah is recited once and Surah al-Tawheed repeated seven times, putting a copy of the Holy Qur’an on the head and saying the supplication dedicated to this practice, saying the Dua al-Jawshan al-Kabir supplicatory prayer, and so on. According to narrations, it is strongly advisable to do the bathing and to spend the whole night with painstaking acts of worship at this night as well as the twenty-third, since the real Qadr Night is one of these two nights.

When the Holy Infallibles (a.s.) were asked to specify the Qadr Night, they did not specify; rather they used to say, “It is too easy to act at two nights in order to win one’s desire.” They also used to say, “What will harm you if you do righteously at two nights?”

Dictating to his students, Shaykh al-Saduq said in one of his sessions, “It is preferable to spend these two nights with studying the religious knowledge.”

Starting with this night, it is recommended to say the supplicatory prayers that are dedicated to the last ten nights of Ramadan.