Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

VISITING THE TOMB OF LADY FATIMAH BINT ASAD - IMAM ALI’S MOTHER

You may stop at the tomb of Lady Fatimah bint (daughter of) Asad and say the following words:

السَّلامُ عَلَى نَبِيِّ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ سَيِّدِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ سَيِّدِ الْاَوَّلِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ سَيِّدِ الْآخِرِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَى مَنْ بَعَثَهُ اللّٰهُ رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ اَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلامُ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ اَسَدٍ الْهَاشِمِيَّةِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكِ اَيَّتُهَا الصِّدِّيقَةُ الْمَرْضِيَّةُ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكِ اَيَّتُهَا التَّقِيَّةُ النَّقِيَّةُ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكِ اَيَّتُهَا الْكَرِيمَةُ الرَّضِيَّةُ [الْمَرْضِيَّةُ] السَّلامُ عَلَيْكِ يَا كَافِلَةَ مُحَمَّدٍ خَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّينَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكِ يَا وَالِدَةَ سَيِّدِ الْوَصِيِّينَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكِ يَا مَنْ ظَهَرَتْ شَفَقَتُهَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ خَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّينَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكِ يَا مَنْ تَرْبِيَتُهَا لِوَلِيِّ اللّٰهِ الْاَمِينِ، السَّلامُ عَلَيْكِ وَ عَلَى رُوحِكِ وَ بَدَنِكِ الطَّاهِرِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكِ وَ عَلَى وَلَدِكِ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّكِ اَحْسَنْتِ الْكَفَالَةَ وَ اَدَّيْتِ الْاَمَانَةَ وَ اجْتَهَدْتِ فِي مَرْضَاةِ اللّٰهِ وَ بَالَغْتِ فِي حِفْظِ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ عَارِفَةً بِحَقِّهِ مُؤْمِنَةً بِصِدْقِهِ مُعْتَرِفَةً بِنُبُوَّتِهِ مُسْتَبْصِرَةً بِنِعْمَتِهِ كَافِلَةً بِتَرْبِيَتِهِ مُشْفِقَةً عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَاقِفَةً عَلَى خِدْمَتِهِ مُخْتَارَةً رِضَاهُ [مُؤْثِرَةً هَوَاهُ‏] وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّكِ مَضَيْتِ عَلَى الْاِيمَانِ وَ التَّمَسُّكِ بِاَشْرَفِ الْاَدْيَانِ رَاضِيَةً مَرْضِيَّةً طَاهِرَةً زَكِيَّةً تَقِيَّةً نَقِيَّةً فَرَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْكِ وَ اَرْضَاكِ وَ جَعَلَ الْجَنَّةَ مَنْزِلَكِ وَ مَأْوَاكِ اللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ انْفَعْنِي بِزِيَارَتِهَا وَ ثَبِّتْنِي عَلَى مَحَبَّتِهَا وَ لا تَحْرِمْنِي شَفَاعَتَهَا وَ شَفَاعَةَ الْاَئِمَّةِ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهَا، وَ ارْزُقْنِي مُرَافَقَتَهَا وَ احْشُرْنِي مَعَهَا وَ مَعَ اَوْلادِهَا الطَّاهِرِينَ اللّٰهُمَّ لا تَجْعَلْهُ آخِرَ الْعَهْدِ مِنْ زِيَارَتِي اِيَّاهَا وَ ارْزُقْنِي الْعَوْدَ اِلَيْهَا اَبَدا مَا اَبْقَيْتَنِي وَ اِذَا تَوَفَّيْتَنِي فَاحْشُرْنِي فِي زُمْرَتِهَا وَ اَدْخِلْنِي فِي شَفَاعَتِهَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ اللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّهَا عِنْدَكَ وَ مَنْزِلَتِهَا لَدَيْكَ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ لِوَالِدَيَّ وَ لِجَمِيعِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَ آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَ قِنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Before you leave, you may offer a two unit prayer (i.e. salat al-ziyarah) and pray Allah for anything you want.

VISITING THE TOMB OF HAMZAH AT UHUD

When you decide to visit the tomb of Hamzah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, the chief of martyrs, you may stop near his tomb and say the following words:

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا عَمَّ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا خَيْرَ الشُّهَدَاءِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا اَسَدَ اللّٰهِ وَ اَسَدَ رَسُولِهِ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّكَ قَدْ جَاهَدْتَ فِي اللّٰهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ جُدْتَ بِنَفْسِكَ وَ نَصَحْتَ رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ صلى الله عليه و آله وَ كُنْتَ فِيمَا عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ سُبْحَانَهُ رَاغِبا بِاَبِي اَنْتَ وَ اُمِّي اَتَيْتُكَ [مُتَقَرِّبا اِلَى اللّٰهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِزِيَارَتِكَ وَ] مُتَقَرِّبا اِلَى رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ بِذَلِكَ رَاغِبا اِلَيْكَ فِي الشَّفَاعَةِ اَبْتَغِي بِزِيَارَتِكَ [بِذَلِكَ‏] خَلاصَ نَفْسِي مُتَعَوِّذا بِكَ مِنْ نَارٍ اسْتَحَقَّهَا مِثْلِي بِمَا جَنَيْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي هَارِبا مِنْ ذُنُوبِيَ الَّتِي احْتَطَبْتُهَا عَلَى ظَهْرِي فَزِعا اِلَيْكَ رَجَاءَ رَحْمَةِ رَبِّي اَتَيْتُكَ مِنْ شُقَّةٍ بَعِيدَةٍ طَالِبا فَكَاكَ رَقَبَتِي مِنَ النَّارِ وَ قَدْ اَوْقَرَتْ ظَهْرِي ذُنُوبِي، وَ اَتَيْتُ مَا اَسْخَطَ رَبِّي وَ لَمْ اَجِدْ اَحَدا اَفْزَعُ اِلَيْهِ خَيْرا لِي مِنْكُمْ اَهْلَ بَيْتِ الرَّحْمَةِ فَكُنْ لِي شَفِيعا يَوْمَ فَقْرِي وَ حَاجَتِي فَقَدْ سِرْتُ اِلَيْكَ مَحْزُونا وَ اَتَيْتُكَ مَكْرُوبا وَ سَكَبْتُ عَبْرَتِي عِنْدَكَ بَاكِيا وَ صِرْتُ اِلَيْكَ مُفْرَدا وَ اَنْتَ مِمَّنْ اَمَرَنِيَ اللّٰهُ بِصِلَتِهِ وَ حَثَّنِي عَلَى بِرِّهِ وَ دَلَّنِي عَلَى فَضْلِهِ وَ هَدَانِي لِحُبِّهِ وَ رَغَّبَنِي فِي الْوِفَادَةِ اِلَيْهِ وَ اَلْهَمَنِي طَلَبَ الْحَوَائِجِ عِنْدَهُ اَنْتُمْ اَهْلُ بَيْتٍ لا يَشْقَى مَنْ تَوَلاكُمْ وَ لا يَخِيبُ مَنْ اَتَاكُمْ وَ لا يَخْسَرُ مَنْ يَهْوَاكُمْ وَ لا يَسْعَدُ مَنْ عَادَاكُمْ.

You may then turn your face towards the kiblah direction and offer a two unit prayer. After accomplishment, you may throw yourself on the tomb and say the following words:

اللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي تَعَرَّضْتُ لِرَحْمَتِكَ بِلُزُومِي لِقَبْرِ عَمِّ نَبِيِّكَ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ لِيُجِيرَنِي مِنْ نِقْمَتِكَ [وَ سَخَطِكَ وَ مَقْتِكَ‏] فِي يَوْمٍ تَكْثُرُ فِيهِ الْاَصْوَاتُ وَ تَشْغَلُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ وَ تُجَادِلُ عَنْ نَفْسِهَا فَاِنْ تَرْحَمْنِي الْيَوْمَ فَلا خَوْفٌ عَلَيَّ وَ لا حُزْنٌ وَ اِنْ تُعَاقِبْ فَمَوْلًى لَهُ الْقُدْرَةُ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ وَ لا تُخَيِّبْنِي بَعْدَ الْيَوْمِ وَ لا تَصْرِفْنِي بِغَيْرِ حَاجَتِي فَقَدْ لَصِقْتُ بِقَبْرِ عَمِّ نَبِيِّكَ وَ تَقَرَّبْتُ بِهِ اِلَيْكَ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِكَ وَ رَجَاءَ رَحْمَتِكَ فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي وَ عُدْ بِحِلْمِكَ عَلَى جَهْلِي وَ بِرَأْفَتِكَ عَلَى جِنَايَةِ نَفْسِي فَقَدْ عَظُمَ جُرْمِي وَ مَا اَخَافُ اَنْ تَظْلِمَنِي وَ لَكِنْ اَخَافُ سُوءَ الْحِسَابِ ، فَانْظُرِ الْيَوْمَ تَقَلُّبِي عَلَى قَبْرِ عَمِّ نَبِيِّكَ فَبِهِمَا فُكَّنِي مِنَ النَّارِ وَ لا تُخَيِّبْ سَعْيِي وَ لا يَهُونَنَّ عَلَيْكَ ابْتِهَالِي وَ لا تَحْجُبَنَّ عَنْكَ صَوْتِي وَ لا تَقْلِبْنِي بِغَيْرِ حَوَائِجِي يَا غِيَاثَ كُلِّ مَكْرُوبٍ وَ مَحْزُونٍ وَ يَا مُفَرِّجا عَنِ الْمَلْهُوفِ الْحَيْرَانِ الْغَرِيقِ الْمُشْرِفِ عَلَى الْهَلَكَةِ فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ انْظُرْ اِلَيَّ نَظْرَةً لا اَشْقَى بَعْدَهَا اَبَدا وَ ارْحَمْ تَضَرُّعِي وَ عَبْرَتِي وَ انْفِرَادِي، فَقَدْ رَجَوْتُ رِضَاكَ وَ تَحَرَّيْتُ الْخَيْرَ الَّذِي لا يُعْطِيهِ اَحَدٌ سِوَاكَ فَلا تَرُدَّ اَمَلِي اللّٰهُمَّ اِنْ تُعَاقِبْ فَمَوْلًى لَهُ الْقُدْرَةُ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ وَ جَزَائِهِ [جَزَاهُ‏] بِسُوءِ [سُوءُ] فِعْلِهِ فَلا اَخِيبَنَّ الْيَوْمَ وَ لا تَصْرِفْنِي بِغَيْرِ حَاجَتِي وَ لا تُخَيِّبَنَّ شُخُوصِي وَ وِفَادَتِي فَقَدْ اَنْفَدْتُ نَفَقَتِي وَ اَتْعَبْتُ بَدَنِي وَ قَطَعْتُ الْمَفَازَاتِ وَ خَلَّفْتُ الْاَهْلَ وَ الْمَالَ وَ مَا خَوَّلْتَنِي وَ آثَرْتُ مَا عِنْدَكَ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَ لُذْتُ بِقَبْرِ عَمِّ نَبِيِّكَ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ تَقَرَّبْتُ بِهِ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِكَ فَعُدْ بِحِلْمِكَ عَلَى جَهْلِي وَ بِرَأْفَتِكَ عَلَى ذَنْبِي فَقَدْ عَظُمَ جُرْمِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا كَرِيمُ يَا كَرِيمُ

MERITS OF VISITING THE TOMBS OF THE MARTYRS IN THE BATTLE OF UHUD

As a matter of fact, the merits of Hamzah - may Allah be pleased with him - are innumerable. So are the rewards of visiting his tomb. In al-Risalah al-Fakhriyyah, Fakhr al-Muhaqqiqin says that it is recommended to visit the tomb of Hamzah (‘a) as well as the tombs of the martyrs of the Battle of Uhud because the Holy Prophet (s) is reported to have said, “He who visits my tomb but does not visit the tomb of my uncle Hamzah has in fact deserted me.”

In my book of Bayt al-Ahzan fi Masa’ib Sayyidat al-Niswan, I have mentioned that Lady Fatimah al-Zahra’ (‘a), after the demise of her father (‘a), used to visit the tomb of Hamzah and the other martyrs of the Battle of Uhud every Monday and Thursday. Until her demise, she (‘a) used to offer prayers and supplicate Almighty Allah there.

Mahmud ibn Labid says that Lady Fatimah al-Zahra’ (‘a) used to visit the tomb of Hamzah and weep there. One day, I visited the tomb of Hamzah and found her weeping. I therefore waited until she would stop. I then approached, greeted her, and said, “O Lady of all women, you have certainly broken my heart on account of your weeping.” She (‘a) answered, “O Abu-’Amr, I have had to experience the misfortune of losing the best of all fathers - the Messenger of Allah (‘a).” She (‘a) then added, “Oh! How I miss the Messenger of Allah! If one dies, his mention begins to fade away. But the mention of my father is always increasing.”

Shaykh al-Mufid says that the Holy Prophet (s), during his lifetime, ordered to visit the tomb of Hamzah frequently. He also used to respect this tomb as well as the tombs of the other martyrs. After the Holy Prophet’s demise, Lady Fatimah (‘a) very regularly visited Hamzah’s tomb, which used to be visited by the Muslims frequently.

VISITING THE TOMBS OF THE MARTYRS IN THE BATTLE OF UHUD

At visiting the martyrs of the Battle of Uhud, say the following words:

السَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى نَبِيِّ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى اَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ الطَّاهِرِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ اَيُّهَا الشُّهَدَاءُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا اَهْلَ بَيْتِ الْاِيمَانِ وَ التَّوْحِيدِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا اَنْصَارَ دِينِ اللّٰهِ وَ اَنْصَارَ رَسُولِهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ السَّلامُ سَلامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ اخْتَارَكُمْ لِدِينِهِ وَ اصْطَفَاكُمْ لِرَسُولِهِ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّكُمْ قَدْ جَاهَدْتُمْ فِي اللّٰهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ وَ ذَبَبْتُمْ عَنْ دِينِ اللّٰهِ وَ عَنْ نَبِيِّهِ وَ جُدْتُمْ بِاَنْفُسِكُمْ دُونَهُ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّكُمْ قُتِلْتُمْ عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ فَجَزَاكُمُ اللّٰهُ عَنْ نَبِيِّهِ وَ عَنِ الْاِسْلامِ وَ اَهْلِهِ اَفْضَلَ الْجَزَاءِ وَ عَرَّفَنَا وُجُوهَكُمْ فِي مَحَلِّ رِضْوَانِهِ وَ مَوْضِعِ اِكْرَامِهِ مَعَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ الصِّدِّيقِينَ وَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ حَسُنَ اُولَئِكَ رَفِيقا اَشْهَدُ اَنَّكُمْ حِزْبُ اللّٰهِ وَ اَنَّ مَنْ حَارَبَكُمْ فَقَدْ حَارَبَ اللّٰهَ وَ اَنَّكُمْ لَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ الْفَائِزِينَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ اَحْيَاءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ فَعَلَى مَنْ قَتَلَكُمْ لَعْنَةُ اللّٰهِ وَ الْمَلائِكَةِ وَ النَّاسِ اَجْمَعِينَ اَتَيْتُكُمْ يَا اَهْلَ التَّوْحِيدِ زَائِرا وَ بِحَقِّكُمْ عَارِفا وَ بِزِيَارَتِكُمْ اِلَى اللّٰهِ مُتَقَرِّبا وَ بِمَا سَبَقَ مِنْ شَرِيفِ الْاَعْمَالِ وَ مَرْضِيِّ الْاَفْعَالِ عَالِما فَعَلَيْكُمْ سَلامُ اللّٰهِ وَ رَحْمَتُهُ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ وَ عَلَى مَنْ قَتَلَكُمْ لَعْنَةُ اللّٰهِ وَ غَضَبُهُ وَ سَخَطُهُ اللّٰهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِزِيَارَتِهِمْ وَ ثَبِّتْنِي عَلَى قَصْدِهِمْ وَ تَوَفَّنِي عَلَى مَا تَوَفَّيْتَهُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ اجْمَعْ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي مُسْتَقَرِّ دَارِ رَحْمَتِكَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّكُمْ لَنَا فَرَطٌ وَ نَحْنُ بِكُمْ لاحِقُونَ.

You may then repeat reciting Surah al-Qadr as many times as possible.

Some scholars say that you may offer a two unit prayer at each tomb and then come back.

THE REVERED MOSQUES IN AL MADINAH

There is a number of holy, honorable mosques at al-Madinah, which is highly advisable to be visited. One of these is the mosque known as Masjid Quba, which was “founded on piety from the very first day.”( ) It is narrated that to visit this mosque and offer a two unit prayer therein brings about the reward of going on ‘umrah (minor hajj). You are thus recommended to go to this mosque, offer a two unit prayer of Greeting the Mosque, say the Tasbih al-Zahra’ litany, and then recite al-Ziyarah al-Jami’ah al-Kabirah (The Major Comprehensive Ziyarah Form), which will be, later on, mentioned in this book as the first of the comprehensive forms of Ziyarah. You may then pray Almighty Allah, saying the famous supplicatory prayer that begins with the following statement:

يا كائنا قبل كلّ شى‏ء ...

This is a lengthy supplicatory prayer; therefore, I have omitted it in order to avoid lengthiness and to brief as much as possible. Hence, it can be found in the book of Mazar al-Bihar( )

You may also offer a prayer in Mashrabat Ummi-Ibrahim (the Chamber of the mother of Ibrahim the son of the Holy Prophet), which was the house and prayer-place of the Holy Prophet (s).

You may do the same thing at Masjid al-Fazikh, which is close to Masjid Quba. It is also called Masjid Radd al-Shams (The Mosque of The Sun Recourse). You may also do the same at Masjid al-Fath, which is also called Masjid al-Ahzab.

You may say the following supplicatory prayer when you accomplish a prayer at Masjid al-Fath:

يَا صَرِيخَ الْمَكْرُوبِينَ وَ يَا مُجِيبَ دَعْوَةِ الْمُضْطَرِّينَ وَ يَا مُغِيثَ الْمَهْمُومِينَ اكْشِفْ عَنِّي ضُرِّي وَ هَمِّي وَ كَرْبِي وَ غَمِّي كَمَا كَشَفْتَ عَنْ نَبِيِّكَ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ هَمَّهُ وَ كَفَيْتَهُ هَوْلَ عَدُوِّهِ وَ اكْفِنِي مَا اَهَمَّنِي مِنْ اَمْرِ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

As much as you can, you are advised to offer prayers at the house of Imam Zayn al-’Abidin (‘a), the house of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (‘a), the Mosque of Sulayman, the Mosque of Imam ‘Ali Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a) - which is in the vicinity of the tomb of Hamzah - and Masjid al-Mubahalah. You may also pray Almighty Allah for any need.

BIDDING FAREWELL (WIDA) TO THE HOLY PROPHET (S)

If you intend to leave the holy city of al-Madinah, you may bathe yourself, direct to the tomb of the Holy Prophet (s), and do the acts you did before. You may then bid farewell to the Holy Prophet (s), by saying these words:

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ اَسْتَوْدِعُكَ اللّٰهَ وَ اَسْتَرْعِيكَ وَ اَقْرَاُ عَلَيْكَ السَّلامَ آمَنْتُ بِاللّٰهِ وَ بِمَا جِئْتَ بِهِ وَ دَلَلْتَ عَلَيْهِ اللّٰهُمَّ لا تَجْعَلْهُ آخِرَ الْعَهْدِ مِنِّي لِزِيَارَةِ قَبْرِ نَبِيِّكَ فَاِنْ تَوَفَّيْتَنِي قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ فَاِنِّي اَشْهَدُ فِي مَمَاتِي عَلَى مَا شَهِدْتُ عَلَيْهِ فِي حَيَاتِي اَنْ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اَنْتَ وَ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدا عَبْدُكَ وَ رَسُولُكَ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ.

Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) has instructed Yunus ibn Ya’qub to say the following words when he intends to leave the tomb of the Holy Prophet (s):

صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْكَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ لا جَعَلَهُ اللّٰهُ آخِرَ تَسْلِيمِي عَلَيْكَ

RECOMMENDED DEEDS IN THE HOLY CITY OF MADINAH

In my book of Hadiyyat al-Za’irin, I have mentioned, among the recommended deeds that ought to be done by the visitors of the holy city of al-Madinah, that it is highly important for them to seize the opportunity of their residence in this holy city and offer prayers in the Holy Prophet’s Mosque as many times as they can, because one prayer at this place is equal, in reward, to ten thousand prayers elsewhere. The best area in this mosque is Masjid al-Rawzah, which is situated between the holy tomb and the minbar.

It is worth mentioning that our master scholar, in al-Tahiyyah, says that the areas where the bodies of the Holy Prophet and the Holy Imams (‘a) are buried are more honorable than the Holy Ka’bah. This fact has been unanimously adopted by all scholars, as is stated by al-Shahid al-Awwal (the First Martyr) in his book entitled al-Qawa’id wal-Fawa’id.

According to an acceptable narration, al-Hazrami has reported that Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) instructed him to offer prayers, as many as he can, at the Holy Prophet’s Mosque, adding, “You do not always have the opportunity to present yourself in this holy area… etc.”

In Tahdhib al-Ahkam, Shaykh al-Tusi, through a considerable chain of authority, has reported on the authority of Murazim that Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) said, “To observe fasting at al-Madinah and to perform acts of worship at the Pillars of the Holy Prophet’s Mosque are not obligatory. Rather, one who wills may observe fasting, for it is verily beneficial for him. What is obligatory among these acts are only the five daily prayers and the observance of fasting during the month of Ramazan. You are recommended to offer prayers as many as possible in this mosque, for this is for your good. Be aware that one who does a worldly job perfectly wins the praise of people. What will then be the reward of him who does a religious job perfectly?!”

As much as you can, you are recommended to visit the tombs of the Holy Prophet and Imams (‘a) at al-Baqi’ Cemetery every day. Whenever your sight falls on his chamber, invoke Almighty Allah’s blessings upon the Holy Prophet (s). As long as you are at al-Madinah, watch yourself against committing any ill deed and save yourself from acts of disobedience to Almighty Allah and wrongdoings. Besides, ponder over the honor of this city in general and the Holy Prophet’s Mosque in particular, for these places are the footsteps of the Holy Prophet (s) who frequently walked in the streets and marketplaces of this city and offered prayers in its mosques. They are also the places of the Divine Revelation where Archangel Gabriel, as well as the Archangels, used to visit.

Excellent is the poet who composed this poetic verse in this respect:

اَرْضٌ مَشَى جِبْرِيلُ فِي عَرَصَاتِهَاوَ اللّٰهُ شَرَّفَ اَرْضَهَا وَ سَمَاءَهَا

You are also recommended to give alms, especially to Sayyids and to the descendants of the Holy Prophet (s), as much as you can at al-Madinah in general and at the Holy Prophet’s Mosque in particular, for this act brings about enormous rewards and great returns.

‘Allamah al-Majlisi, according to an authorized narration, said, “A single dirham (i.e. a silver old currency) that is given as alms at al-Madinah is equal (in reward) to ten thousand dirhams that are given as alms at other places.”

You are also recommended to keep yourself in the vicinity of this holy city, for numerous narrations have referred to the merits of staying at al-Madinah.

A poet says,

سَقَى اللّٰهُ قَبْرا بِالْمَدِينَةِ غَيْثَهُفَقَدْ حَلَّ فِيهِ الْاَمْنُ بِالْبَرَكَاتِ

نَبِيُّ الْهُدَى صَلَّى عَلَيْهِ مَلِيكُهُوَ بَلَّغَ عَنَّا رُوحَهُ التُّحَفَاتِ

وَ صَلَّى عَلَيْهِ اللّٰهُ مَا ذَرَّ شَارِقٌوَ لاحَتْ نُجُومُ اللَّيْلِ مُبْتَدِرَاتِ

FOURTH CHAPTER: ZIYARAAT OF IMAM ALI - AMEERULMOMENEEN

MERITS AND METHOD OF VISITING THE TOMB OF IMAM ALI - AMEERULMOMENEEN

MERITS OF VISITING THE TOMB OF IMAM ‘ALI (‘A)

Through an authentic chain of authority, Shaykh al-Tusi has reported on the authority of Muhammad ibn Muslim that Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) said, “Almighty Allah has not created a category of creatures bigger in number than angels. Verily, seventy thousand angels descend everyday to circumambulate the Much-Frequented Fane. Then, they circumambulate the Holy Ka’bah. Then, they visit the tomb of the Holy Prophet (s) to greet him. Then, they visit the tomb of Imam ‘Ali Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a) to greet him. Then, they visit the tomb of Imam al-Husayn (‘a) to greet him. They then ascend back to the skies. Everyday and up to the Resurrection Day, such a number of angels descend and do the same thing. Verily, if one visits Amir al-Mu’minin (i.e. the Comamnder of the Believers) with full recognition of his right( ) and being neither arrogant nor conceited, Almighty Allah shall decide for him the reward of one hundred thousand martyrs, forgive his past and coming sins, include him with the secured group (on the Resurrection Day), and make easy for him the calling to account; and he will be received be the angels. As he returns home (after ziyarah), these angels will visit him when he is ill. When he dies, these angels will follow him to his grave, imploring Almighty Allah’s forgiveness for him.”

In his book entitled Farhat al-Ghari, Sayyid ‘Abd al-Karim ibn Tawus has reported the following saying from Imam al-Sadiq (‘a), too:

“As for one who visits the tomb of Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a) walking, Almighty Allah shall verily decide for him the reward of one hajj and one ‘umrah. If he returns walking, Almighty Allah shall decide for him the reward of two times of hajj and two time of ‘umrah.”

Likewise, Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) is reported to have said to Ibn Marid, “As for any one who visits the tomb of my grandfather with recognition of his right, Almighty Allah shall decide for him the reward of acceptable hajj and admissible ‘umrah. Ibn Marid, I swear by Allah that He shall never give to Hellfire a foot that was dusted in the course of visiting Amir al-Mu’minin, being walking or riding. Ibn Marid, write down this saying with golden ink.”

Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) is also reported as saying, “We confirm that there is a grave near al-Kufah; Almighty Allah shall definitely heal any handicapped person who has recourse to it.”

In the word of authorized narrations, Almighty Allah has decided the tombs of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) and his immaculate descendants to be shelters for the fearful, refuges for the depressed, and secure places for the inhabitants of the earth. Certainly, any aggrieved person who visits these tombs, Almighty Allah shall definitely relieve him. Any ailed person who visits them, Almighty Allah shall heal him. Any seeker of security who seeks it at these tombs, Almighty Allah shall grant him security.

APPERANCE OF THE GRAVE OF AMEERUL MOMENEEN (A) DURING THE TIME OF HAROON

Sayyid ‘Abd al-Karim ibn Tawus has reported the following story on the authority of Muhammad ibn ‘Ali al-Shaybani:

I was a child when, one day in the year 260 (AH), my father, uncle, and I went out secretly directing to al-Ghari for visiting the tomb of Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a). At that time, the tomb was not constructed but surrounded by black stones. At the time that we were reciting Qur’an, offering prayers, and reciting the Ziyarah form, a lion came in the direction of us. When he approached us, we moved back. The lion came to the tomb and passed its wounded foreleg over it. Fear vanished when we were told about this scene; therefore, we all approached to see the lion, which kept on doing so for a while and then left. We then returned to the tomb.

Shaykh al-Mufid also related the following story:

One day, Harun, the ‘Abbasid ruler, went out for hunting. As he approached al-Ghari neighborhood, he saw a group of antelopes there. He thus ordered hawks and hounds to be set for chasing them. For a while, these hawks and hounds chased the antelopes, but when the antelopes would resort to a hillock, these chasing animals would stop. This process was repeated more than once before the eyes of Harun who, upon seeing this, ordered his retinue to bring to him the eldest man in al-Kufah. An old man from Banu-Asad, a famous tribe, came. Hence, Harun asked him about the secret beyond that hillock.

“Do you pledge my security if I answer your question?” demanded the old man.

“I vow by Allah that I will not hurt you,” pledged the ruler.

The man then said, “My father told me that his fathers used to say that this hillock contained the tomb of ‘Ali ibn Abi-Talib; therefore, Allah made it a secured shelter for any one that resorts to it.” Here, the story ends.

“More zealous than the protector of the locusts;” this is a famous Arab proverb that is cited for describing one’s readiness to protect someone or something. This proverb is taken from the story of Mudlaj ibn Suwayd, a man belonging to the tribe of Tayy, who was at his tent when some people came to him carrying baskets. When he asked them for explanation, they told that they came to collect a swarm of locusts that fell on his land. Immediately, he rode his horse and took his lance in the hand, threatening them by saying, “How dare you collect the locust that came to my vicinity seeking my shelter?” He therefore positioned there watching and guarding these locusts until they left his land after the land had become hot due to sunlight. He thus said, “Now, you may follow that swarm of locusts after they have left my land.”

A similar story, the author of al-Qamus relates that Dhu’l-A’wad was an Arab chief who, claimed to be the grandfather of Aktham ibn Sayfi. He used to levy taxes from the tribe of Muzar, one of the major Arab tribes. Carried on a throne, he used to visit the Arab tribes to collect levies. He was such a respected and cherished personality that any fearful one who restored to his throne would be granted security, any humiliated one who approached his throne would be fortified, and any hungry one who came to his throne would be fed… etc.

THE INCIDENT OF AHMAH AS NARRATED BY MUJEERUL JARRAD

In view of that, if a throne of an Arab man could attain such honor and sublimity, then it is not strange that Almighty Allah decides the tombs of His intimate servants, especially those whose cradles were carried by the Archangels Gabriel and Michael; namely, Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Husayn, to be shelters for the fearful, sanctuaries for the fugitive, refuges for the depressed, and remedy for the ailed.

Wherever you are, dear reader, try to reach the holy tomb of Imam ‘Ali (‘a), to stick to it by all strength, and to implore persistently there so that he may aid and save you from perdition in this world as well as the Next World.

It seems suitable to cite these verses on this occasion:

لُذْ اِلَى جُودِهِ تَجِدْهُ زَعِيمابِنَجَاةِ الْعُصَاةِ يَوْمَ لِقَاهَا

عَائِدٌ لِلْمُؤَمِّلِينَ مُجِيبٌسَامِعٌ مَا تُسِرُّ مِنْ نَجْوَاهَا

In the book of Dar al-Islam, it is reported, on the authority of Shaykh al-Daylami on the authority of a group of righteous people of al-Najaf, that a man saw in dream that many lines were extended from the tombs inside and outside the holy shrine of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) to connect to the dome. When the man woke up, he composed the following poetic verses:

اِذَا مُتُّ فَادْفِنِّي اِلَى جَنْبِ حَيْدَرٍاَبِي شَبَّرَ اَكْرِمْ بِهِ وَ شُبَيْرٍ

فَلَسْتُ اَخَافُ النَّارَ عِنْدَ جِوَارِهِوَ لا اَتَّقِي مِنْ مُنْكَرٍ وَ نَكِيرٍ

فَعَارٌ عَلَى حَامِي الْحِمَى وَ هُوَ فِي الْحِمَىاِذَا ضَلَّ فِي الْبَيْدَاءِ عِقَالُ بَعِيرٍ

METHOD OF VISITING AMEERULMOMENEEN'S (A)TOMB

There are two categories of Ziyarah of Imam ‘Ali’s tomb; one is general, that is; it may be done at any time, and the other is private, that is, it is specified to certain occasions. Hereinafter, I will mention the both categories of Ziyarah:

GENERAL FORMS OF ZIYARAH

The general forms of Ziyarah of Imam ‘Ali’s tomb are numerous; therefore, I will hereinafter stop at a several number of them:

FIRST ZIYARAH

Shaykh al-Mufid, al-Shahid, Sayyid Ibn Tawus, and others have mentioned the following form of Ziyarah:

As you are determined to visit the tomb of Imam ‘Ali (‘a), you should bathe yourself, put on two clean pieces of dress, and use a perfume, even though it is acceptable without it. While you are about to leave your house, you may say the following:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي خَرَجْتُ [تَوَجَّهْتُ‏] مِنْ مَنْزِلِي اَبْغِي فَضْلَكَ وَ اَزُورُ وَصِيَّ نَبِيِّكَ صَلَوَاتُكَ عَلَيْهِمَا اللّٰهُمَّ فَيَسِّرْ ذَلِكَ لِي وَ سَبِّبِ الْمَزَارَ لَهُ وَ اخْلُفْنِي فِي عَاقِبَتِي وَ حُزَانَتِي بِاَحْسَنِ الْخِلافَةِ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

You may then proceed, extolling Almighty Allah with the following doxology:

الحمد للّه و سبحان اللّه و لا اله الاّ اللّه

Once you reach the trench of al-Kufah, you may stop there and say the following words:

اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ اَهْلُ [اَهْلَ‏] الْكِبْرِيَاءِ وَ الْمَجْدِ وَ الْعَظَمَةِ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ اَهْلُ [اَهْلَ‏] التَّكْبِيرِ وَ التَّقْدِيسِ وَ التَّسْبِيحِ وَ الْآلاءِ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ مِمَّا اَخَافُ وَ اَحْذَرُ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ عِمَادِي وَ عَلَيْهِ اَتَوَكَّلُ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ رَجَائِي وَ اِلَيْهِ اُنِيْبُ اللّٰهُمَّ اَنْتَ وَلِيُّ نِعْمَتِي وَ الْقَادِرُ عَلَى طَلِبَتِي تَعْلَمُ حَاجَتِي وَ مَا تُضْمِرُهُ هَوَاجِسُ الصُّدُورِ وَ خَوَاطِرُ النُّفُوسِ فَاَسْاَلُكَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ الْمُصْطَفَى الَّذِي قَطَعْتَ بِهِ حُجَجَ الْمُحْتَجِّينَ وَ عُذْرَ الْمُعْتَذِرِينَ وَ جَعَلْتَهُ رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ اَنْ لا تَحْرِمَنِي ثَوَابَ زِيَارَةِ وَلِيِّكَ وَ اَخِي نَبِيِّكَ اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ قَصْدَهُ وَ تَجْعَلَنِي مِنْ وَفْدِهِ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ شِيعَتِهِ الْمُتَّقِينَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

Once your eyes fall on the holy dome, say these words:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى مَا اخْتَصَّنِي بِهِ مِنْ طِيبِ الْمَوْلِدِ وَ اسْتَخْلَصَنِي اِكْرَاما بِهِ مِنْ مُوَالاةِ الْاَبْرَارِ السَّفَرَةِ الْاَطْهَارِ وَ الْخِيَرَةِ الْاَعْلامِ اللّٰهُمَّ فَتَقَبَّلْ سَعْيِي اِلَيْكَ وَ تَضَرُّعِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي لا تَخْفَى عَلَيْكَ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ اللّٰهُ الْمَلِكُ الْغَفَّارُ