Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

AAMAL OF MASJID AL KUFAH

As is mentioned in the book of Misbah al-Za’ir and other books, the recommended devotional acts at Masjid al-Kufah are as follows:

You may begin with the following words when you enter the city of al-Kufah:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ اللّٰهُمَّ اَنْزِلْنِي مُنْزَلا مُبَارَكا وَ اَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْمُنْزِلِينَ.

You may then walk toward the mosque, repeating the following statements:

اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ وَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ

When you reach the gate of the mosque, you may stop there and say the following words:

السَّلامُ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ وَ آلِهِ الطَّاهِرِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَى اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ اَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ وَ عَلَى مَجَالِسِهِ وَ مَشَاهِدِهِ وَ مَقَامِ حِكْمَتِهِ وَ آثَارِ آبَائِهِ آدَمَ وَ نُوحٍ وَ اِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ اِسْمَاعِيلَ وَ تِبْيَانِ [بُنْيَانِ‏] بَيِّنَاتِهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى الْاِمَامِ الْحَكِيمِ الْعَدْلِ الصِّدِّيقِ الْاَكْبَرِ الْفَارُوقِ بِالْقِسْطِ الَّذِي فَرَّقَ اللّٰهُ بِهِ بَيْنَ الْحَقِّ وَ الْبَاطِلِ وَ الْكُفْرِ وَ الْاِيمَانِ وَ الشِّرْكِ وَ التَّوْحِيدِ لِيَهْلِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ عَنْ بَيِّنَةٍ وَ يَحْيَا مَنْ حَيَّ عَنْ بَيِّنَةٍ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّكَ اَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ خَاصَّةُ نَفْسِ الْمُنْتَجَبِينَ وَ زَيْنُ الصِّدِّيقِينَ وَ صَابِرُ الْمُمْتَحَنِينَ وَ اَنَّكَ حَكَمُ اللّٰهِ فِي اَرْضِهِ وَ قَاضِي اَمْرِهِ وَ بَابُ حِكْمَتِهِ، وَ عَاقِدُ عَهْدِهِ وَ النَّاطِقُ بِوَعْدِهِ وَ الْحَبْلُ الْمَوْصُولُ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ عِبَادِهِ وَ كَهْفُ النَّجَاةِ وَ مِنْهَاجُ التُّقَى وَ الدَّرَجَةُ الْعُلْيَا وَ مُهَيْمِنُ الْقَاضِي الْاَعْلَى يَا اَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِكَ اَتَقَرَّبُ اِلَى اللّٰهِ زُلْفَى اَنْتَ وَلِيِّي وَ سَيِّدِي وَ وَسِيلَتِي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ،

You may then enter the mosque.

It is however more favorable to enter the mosque from the gate situated at the backside. This gate is known as bab al-fil (The Elephant Gate). You may then say the following words:

اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ هَذَا مَقَامُ الْعَائِذِ بِاللّٰهِ وَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ حَبِيبِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ بِوِلايَةِ اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْاَئِمَّةِ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ الصَّادِقِينَ النَّاطِقِينَ الرَّاشِدِينَ الَّذِينَ اَذْهَبَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمُ الرِّجْسَ وَ طَهَّرَهُمْ تَطْهِيرا رَضِيتُ بِهِمْ اَئِمَّةً وَ هُدَاةً وَ مَوَالِيَّ سَلَّمْتُ لِاَمْرِ اللّٰهِ لا اُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئا وَ لا اَتَّخِذُ مَعَ اللّٰهِ وَلِيّا كَذَبَ الْعَادِلُونَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ ضَلُّوا ضَلالا بَعِيدا حَسْبِيَ اللّٰهُ وَ اَوْلِيَاءُ اللّٰهِ اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ اَنَّ عَلِيّا وَ الْاَئِمَّةَ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ اَوْلِيَائِي وَ حُجَّةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ.

You may then walk to the fourth column of the mosque, which is situated next to bab al-anmat and opposite to the fifth column. This column is also called istiwanat ibrahim (the column of Prophet Abraham). You may then offer a four-unit prayer. In the first two units, you may recite Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Tawhid. In the other two units, you may recite Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Qadr (No. 97). When you finish, you may say tasbih al-zahra’ litany and then say the following words:

السَّلامُ عَلَى عِبَادِ اللّٰهِ الصَّالِحِينَ الرَّاشِدِينَ الَّذِينَ اَذْهَبَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمُ الرِّجْسَ وَ طَهَّرَهُمْ تَطْهِيرا وَ جَعَلَهُمْ اَنْبِيَاءَ مُرْسَلِينَ وَ حُجَّةً عَلَى الْخَلْقِ اَجْمَعِينَ وَ سَلامٌ عَلَى الْمُرْسَلِينَ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ذَلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ

You may then repeat the following statement seven times:

سَلامٌ عَلَى نُوحٍ فِي الْعَالَمِينَ.

You may then say the following words:

نَحْنُ عَلَى وَصِيَّتِكَ يَا وَلِيَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّتِي اَوْصَيْتَ بِهَا ذُرِّيَّتَكَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ وَ الصِّدِّيقِينَ [وَ الصَّادِقِينَ‏] وَ نَحْنُ مِنْ شِيعَتِكَ وَ شِيعَةِ نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ عَلَيْكَ وَ عَلَى جَمِيعِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ وَ الْاَنْبِيَاءِ وَ الصَّادِقِينَ [الصِّدِّيقِينَ‏] وَ نَحْنُ عَلَى مِلَّةِ اِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ دِينِ مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ الْاُمِّيِّ وَ الْاَئِمَّةِ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ وَ وِلايَةِ مَوْلانَا عَلِيٍّ اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَى الْبَشِيرِ النَّذِيرِ صَلَوَاتُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ رَحْمَتُهُ وَ رِضْوَانُهُ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ وَ عَلَى وَصِيِّهِ وَ خَلِيفَتِهِ الشَّاهِدِ لِلَّهِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ عَلِيٍّ اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الصِّدِّيقِ الْاَكْبَرِ وَ الْفَارُوقِ الْمُبِينِ الَّذِي اَخَذْتَ بَيْعَتَهُ [اُخِذَتْ بَيْعَتُهُ‏] عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ رَضِيتُ بِهِمْ اَوْلِيَاءَ وَ مَوَالِيَّ وَ حُكَّاما فِي نَفْسِي وَ وُلْدِي [وَلَدِي‏] وَ اَهْلِي وَ مَالِي وَ قِسْمِي وَ حِلِّي وَ اِحْرَامِي وَ اِسْلامِي وَ دِينِي، وَ دُنْيَايَ وَ آخِرَتِي وَ مَحْيَايَ وَ مَمَاتِي اَنْتُمُ الْاَئِمَّةُ فِي الْكِتَابِ وَ فَصْلُ الْمَقَامِ وَ فَصْلُ الْخِطَابِ وَ اَعْيُنُ الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لا يَنَامُ وَ اَنْتُمْ حُكَمَاءُ اللّٰهِ وَ بِكُمْ حَكَمَ اللّٰهُ وَ بِكُمْ عُرِفَ حَقُّ اللّٰهِ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ اَنْتُمْ نُورُ اللّٰهِ مِنْ بَيْنِ اَيْدِينَا وَ مِنْ خَلْفِنَا اَنْتُمْ سُنَّةُ اللّٰهِ الَّتِي بِهَا سَبَقَ الْقَضَاءُ يَا اَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اَنَا لَكُمْ مُسَلِّمٌ تَسْلِيما لا اُشْرِكُ بِاللّٰهِ شَيْئا وَ لا اَتَّخِذُ مِنْ دُونِهِ وَلِيّا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هَدَانِي بِكُمْ وَ مَا كُنْتُ لِاَهْتَدِيَ لَوْ لا اَنْ هَدَانِيَ اللّٰهُ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى مَا هَدَانَا .

AAMAL IN THE SEAT OF JUDGMENT (DAKKAT AL QAZA) AND THE PLACE OF THE WASH-TUB (BAYT AL TASHT)

The seat of judgment (dakkat al-qaza’) was a shop-like structure inside Masjid al-Kufah in which there was a bench that was used by Imam ‘Ali (‘a) for judging. Next to this place, there was a short column on which the following holy verse was written:

انّ اللّه يامر بالعدل و الاحسان

The place of the washtub (bayt al-tast) is the place where one of the miracles of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) was shown:

While an unmarried girl was swimming in a pool, a leech could penetrate into her body to settle in her womb. This leech fed on the blood of that girl and thus grew up. Hence, the girl’s belly began to grow bigger and bigger that her brothers though that she was illegally pregnant. As they intended to kill their sister, they first provided the case before Imam ‘Ali (‘a) to decide about her. The Imam (‘a) ordered that a thick curtain should be erected in one of the sides of the mosque (Masjid al-Kufah) behind which the girl would sit. The Imam (‘a) then asked a famous midwife in al-Kufah city to check the girl. The answer of the midwife came as follows: “O Amir al-Mu’minin, this girl is pregnant. She carries a fetus in her womb.”

However, the Imam (‘a) ordered them to bring a washtub made of clay and he asked them to make that girl sit there. When the leech felt the stench of the clay, it sneaked out from where it had entered and it fell in the washtub. Thus, the innocence of the girl was proved.

According to other narrations, Imam ‘Ali (‘a) extended his hand and brought a piece of ice from the mountains of Syria and put it in the washtub, causing the leech to come out.

ORDER OF DEVOTIONAL ACTS IN MASJID AL-KUFAH

Be it known to you that the order of doing the recommended acts in Masjid al-Kufah according to the opinion of the majority of scholars is that the acts to be done in the center of the mosque come directly after the acts at the fourth column. Hence, the acts of the seat of judgment and the place of washtub should be the last of all, which means that they are done after the accomplishment of the acts at the seat of Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) (dakkat al-sadiq).

In this book, I imitate the order followed by Sayyid Ibn Tawus, in his book of Misbah al-Za’ir, ‘Allamah al-Majlisi, in his book of Bihar al-Anwar, and Shaykh Khazir, in his book of al-Mazar.

In conclusion, one who desires to follow the opinion of the majority of scholars may do the acts at the seat of judgment (dakkat al-qaza’) and the place of washtub (bayt al-tast) after accomplishing all the other acts of Masjid al-Kufah.

Back to the acts of dakkat al-qaza’ and bayt al-tast, after finishing from the fourth column, you may walk to dakkat al-qaza’ and offer there a two-unit prayer, reciting in each unit Surah al-Fatihah and any other Surah you like to recite. After accomplishment, you may say the famous Tasbih al-Zahra’ litany and then say the following supplicatory words:

يَا مَالِكِي وَ مُمَلِّكِي وَ مُتَغَمِّدِي [مُعْتَمَدِي‏] بِالنِّعَمِ الْجِسَامِ مِنْ غَيْرِ اسْتِحْقَاقٍ وَجْهِي خَاضِعٌ لِمَا تَعْلُوهُ الْاَقْدَامُ لِجَلالِ وَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ لا تَجْعَلْ هَذِهِ الشِّدَّةَ وَ لا هَذِهِ الْمِحْنَةَ مُتَّصِلَةً بِاسْتِيصَالِ الشَّأْفَةِ وَ امْنَحْنِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ مَا لَمْ تَمْنَحْ بِهِ اَحَدا مِنْ غَيْرِ مَسْاَلَةٍ اَنْتَ الْقَدِيمُ الْاَوَّلُ الَّذِي لَمْ تَزَلْ وَ لا تَزَالُ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي وَ زَكِّ عَمَلِي وَ بَارِكْ لِي فِي اَجَلِي وَ اجْعَلْنِي مِنْ عُتَقَائِكَ وَ طُلَقَائِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

At the place of the washtub, which is connected to the seat of judgment, you may offer a two-unit prayer. When you finish the prayer and say the Tasbih statements, you may say the following supplicatory words:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي ذَخَرْتُ تَوْحِيدِي اِيَّاكَ وَ مَعْرِفَتِي بِكَ وَ اِخْلاصِي لَكَ وَ اِقْرَارِي بِرُبُوبِيَّتِكَ وَ ذَخَرْتُ وِلايَةَ مَنْ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ بِمَعْرِفَتِهِمْ مِنْ بَرِيَّتِكَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عِتْرَتِهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَوْمِ فَزَعِي اِلَيْكَ عَاجِلا وَ آجِلا وَ قَدْ فَزِعْتُ اِلَيْكَ وَ اِلَيْهِمْ يَا مَوْلايَ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ وَ فِي مَوْقِفِي هَذَا وَ سَاَلْتُكَ مَادَّتِي [مَا زَكَى‏] مِنْ نِعْمَتِكَ وَ اِزَاحَةَ مَا اَخْشَاهُ مِنْ نَقِمَتِكَ وَ الْبَرَكَةَ فِيمَا رَزَقْتَنِيهِ وَ تَحْصِينَ صَدْرِي مِنْ كُلِّ هَمٍّ وَ جَائِحَةٍ وَ مَعْصِيَةٍ فِي دِينِي وَ دُنْيَايَ وَ آخِرَتِي يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ .

It is narrated that Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) offered a two-unit prayer in this place; the place of the washtub (bayt al-tast).

PRAYERS AND SUPPLICATIONS IN THE CENTER OF THE MOSQUE

At the center of Masjid al-Kufah, you may offer a two-unit prayer, reciting in the first unit Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Tawhid, and in the second unit Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Kafirun (No. 109). After you finish the prayer and say the Tasbih statements, you may say the following:

اللّٰهُمَّ اَنْتَ السَّلامُ وَ مِنْكَ السَّلامُ وَ اِلَيْكَ يَعُودُ السَّلامُ وَ دَارُكَ دَارُ السَّلامِ حَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا مِنْكَ بِالسَّلامِ اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي صَلَّيْتُ هَذِهِ الصَّلاةَ ابْتِغَاءَ رَحْمَتِكَ وَ رِضْوَانِكَ وَ مَغْفِرَتِكَ وَ تَعْظِيما لِمَسْجِدِكَ اللّٰهُمَّ فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ ارْفَعْهَا فِي عِلِّيِّينَ وَ تَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

It is worth mentioning that the center of Masjid al-Kufah is also called dakkat al-mi’raj (Seat of the Ascension to the Heavens). Apparently, when the Holy Prophet (s), at the night of his Ascension, asked permission from Almighty Allah to visit this mosque, he offered his prayer at this place. Previously, I have mentioned the narration involving this incident.

AAMAL AT THE SEVENTH COLUMN (SUTOON)

The seventh column is the place where Almighty Allah guided Prophet Adam to ask for repentance. Hence, you may walk to this place, stop there, face the kiblah direction, and say the following words:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى اَبِينَا آدَمَ وَ اُمِّنَا حَوَّاءَ السَّلامُ عَلَى هَابِيلَ الْمَقْتُولِ ظُلْما وَ عُدْوَانا عَلَى مَوَاهِبِ اللّٰهِ وَ رِضْوَانِهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى شَيْثٍ [شَيْثَ‏] صَفْوَةِ اللّٰهِ الْمُخْتَارِ الْاَمِينِ وَ عَلَى الصَّفْوَةِ الصَّادِقِينَ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ اَوَّلِهِمْ وَ آخِرِهِمْ السَّلامُ عَلَى اِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ اِسْمَاعِيلَ وَ اِسْحَاقَ وَ يَعْقُوبَ وَ عَلَى ذُرِّيَّتِهِمُ الْمُخْتَارِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَى مُوسَى كَلِيمِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى عِيسَى رُوحِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ خَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّينَ السَّلامُ عَلَى اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْاَوَّلِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْآخِرِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ الزَّهْرَاءِ السَّلامُ عَلَى الْاَئِمَّةِ الْهَادِينَ شُهَدَاءِ اللّٰهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى الرَّقِيبِ الشَّاهِدِ عَلَى الْاُمَمِ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

At the same place, you may offer a four unit prayer reciting in the first unit Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Qadr and reciting in the second unit Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Tawhid and repeat the same in the third and fourth units. When you finish this prayer and say the Tasbih statements, you may then say the following supplicatory words:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنْ كُنْتُ قَدْ عَصَيْتُكَ فَاِنِّي قَدْ اَطَعْتُكَ فِي الْاِيمَانِ مِنِّي بِكَ مَنّا مِنْكَ عَلَيَّ لا مَنّا مِنِّي [بِهِ‏] عَلَيْكَ وَ اَطَعْتُكَ فِي اَحَبِّ الْاَشْيَاءِ لَكَ [اِلَيْكَ‏] لَمْ اَتَّخِذْ لَكَ وَلَدا وَ لَمْ اَدْعُ لَكَ شَرِيكا وَ قَدْ عَصَيْتُكَ فِي اَشْيَاءَ كَثِيرَةٍ عَلَى غَيْرِ وَجْهِ الْمُكَابَرَةِ لَكَ وَ لا الْخُرُوجِ عَنْ [مِنْ‏] عُبُودِيَّتِكَ وَ لا الْجُحُودِ لِرُبُوبِيَّتِكَ وَ لَكِنِ اتَّبَعْتُ هَوَايَ وَ اَزَلَّنِي الشَّيْطَانُ بَعْدَ الْحُجَّةِ عَلَيَّ وَ الْبَيَانِ فَاِنْ تُعَذِّبْنِي فَبِذُنُوبِي غَيْرَ ظَالِمٍ لِي وَ اِنْ تَعْفُ عَنِّي وَ تَرْحَمْنِي فَبِجُودِكَ وَ كَرَمِكَ يَا كَرِيمُ اللّٰهُمَّ اِنَّ ذُنُوبِي لَمْ يَبْقَ لَهَا اِلا رَجَاءُ عَفْوِكَ وَ قَدْ قَدَّمْتُ آلَةَ الْحِرْمَانِ فَاَنَا اَسْاَلُكَ اللّٰهُمَّ مَا لا اَسْتَوْجِبُهُ وَ اَطْلُبُ مِنْكَ مَا لا اَسْتَحِقُّهُ اللّٰهُمَّ اِنْ تُعَذِّبْنِي فَبِذُنُوبِي وَ لَمْ تَظْلِمْنِي شَيْئا وَ اِنْ تَغْفِرْ لِي فَخَيْرُ رَاحِمٍ اَنْتَ يَا سَيِّدِي. اللّٰهُمَّ اَنْتَ اَنْتَ وَ اَنَا اَنَا اَنْتَ الْعَوَّادُ بِالْمَغْفِرَةِ وَ اَنَا الْعَوَّادُ بِالذُّنُوبِ وَ اَنْتَ الْمُتَفَضِّلُ بِالْحِلْمِ وَ اَنَا الْعَوَّادُ بِالْجَهْلِ اللّٰهُمَّ فَاِنِّي اَسْاَلُكَ يَا كَنْزَ الضُّعَفَاءِ يَا عَظِيمَ الرَّجَاءِ يَا مُنْقِذَ الْغَرْقَى يَا مُنْجِيَ الْهَلْكَى يَا مُمِيتَ الْاَحْيَاءِ يَا مُحْيِيَ الْمَوْتَى اَنْتَ اللّٰهُ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اَنْتَ اَنْتَ الَّذِي سَجَدَ لَكَ شُعَاعُ الشَّمْسِ وَ دَوِيُّ الْمَاءِ وَ حَفِيفُ الشَّجَرِ وَ نُورُ الْقَمَرِ وَ ظُلْمَةُ اللَّيْلِ وَ ضَوْءُ النَّهَارِ وَ خَفَقَانُ الطَّيْرِ فَاَسْاَلُكَ اللّٰهُمَّ يَا عَظِيمُ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ الصَّادِقِينَ وَ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ الصَّادِقِينَ عَلَيْكَ وَ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَى عَلِيٍّ وَ بِحَقِّ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْكَ وَ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ وَ بِحَقِّ فَاطِمَةَ عَلَيْكَ، وَ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَى الْحَسَنِ وَ بِحَقِّ الْحَسَنِ عَلَيْكَ وَ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَى الْحُسَيْنِ وَ بِحَقِّ الْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْكَ فَاِنَّ حُقُوقَهُمْ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ اَفْضَلِ اِنْعَامِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ بِالشَّأْنِ الَّذِي لَكَ عِنْدَهُمْ وَ بِالشَّأْنِ الَّذِي لَهُمْ عِنْدَكَ صَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ يَا رَبِّ صَلاةً دَائِمَةً مُنْتَهَى رِضَاكَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِي بِهِمُ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَكَ وَ اَرْضِ عَنِّي خَلْقَكَ وَ اَتْمِمْ عَلَيَّ نِعْمَتَكَ كَمَا اَتْمَمْتَهَا عَلَى آبَائِي مِنْ قَبْلُ وَ لا تَجْعَلْ لِاَحَدٍ مِنَ الْمَخْلُوقِينَ عَلَيَّ فِيهَا امْتِنَانا وَ امْنُنْ عَلَيَّ كَمَا مَنَنْتَ عَلَى آبَائِي مِنْ قَبْلُ يَا كهيعص اللّٰهُمَّ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ فَاسْتَجِبْ لِي دُعَائِي فِيمَا سَاَلْتُ يَا كَرِيمُ يَا كَرِيمُ يَا كَرِيمُ .

You may then prostrate yourself and say (while prostrating) the following supplicatory prayer:

يَا مَنْ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى حَوَائِجِ السَّائِلِينَ وَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي ضَمِيرِ الصَّامِتِينَ يَا مَنْ لا يَحْتَاجُ اِلَى التَّفْسِيرِ يَا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ خَائِنَةَ الْاَعْيُنِ وَ مَا تُخْفِي الصُّدُورُ يَا مَنْ اَنْزَلَ الْعَذَابَ عَلَى قَوْمِ يُونُسَ وَ هُوَ يُرِيدُ اَنْ يُعَذِّبَهُمْ فَدَعَوْهُ وَ تَضَرَّعُوا اِلَيْهِ فَكَشَفَ عَنْهُمُ الْعَذَابَ وَ مَتَّعَهُمْ اِلَى حِينٍ قَدْ تَرَى مَكَانِي وَ تَسْمَعُ دُعَائِي وَ تَعْلَمُ سِرِّي وَ عَلانِيَتِي وَ حَالِي صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اكْفِنِي مَا اَهَمَّنِي مِنْ اَمْرِ دِينِي وَ دُنْيَايَ وَ آخِرَتِي.

You may then repeat the following statement seventy times:

يَا سَيِّدِي

You may then raise your head from the state of prostration and say the following supplicatory prayer:

يَا رَبِّ اَسْاَلُكَ بَرَكَةَ هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ وَ بَرَكَةَ اَهْلِهِ وَ اَسْاَلُكَ اَنْ تَرْزُقَنِي مِنْ رِزْقِكَ رِزْقا حَلالا طَيِّبا تَسُوقُهُ اِلَيَّ بِحَوْلِكَ وَ قُوَّتِكَ وَ اَنَا خَائِضٌ فِي عَافِيَةٍ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

In the book of al-Mazar al-Qadim, it is mentioned that the following supplication may be said immediately after the abovementioned supplication that ends with ya karimu ya karimu ya karimu:

اللّهم يا من تحلّ به عقد المكاره

This supplication, which has been mentioned in the first section of this book under the title of du’a’ al-amn (Supplication for Security), is one of the supplications of al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah.

The writer of al-Mazar al-Qadim has added that the following supplication may be said:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ وَ لا اَعْلَمُ وَ تَقْدِرُ وَ لا اَقْدِرُ وَ اَنْتَ عَلامُ الْغُيُوبِ صَلِّ اللّٰهُمَّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي وَ تَجَاوَزْ عَنِّي وَ تَصَدَّقْ عَلَيَّ مَا اَنْتَ اَهْلُهُ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ .

Be it known to you that the narrations carrying the merits of the seventh column in Masjid al-Kufah are numerous. For instance, al-Kulayni has reported through an authoritative chain of authority that Imam ‘Ali Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a) used to offer prayers next to the seventh column and the distance between him and this column was so close that one could hardly pass from there.

According to another validly reported narration, each night sixty thousand angels descend from the heavens to offer prayer at the seventh column and none of them returns until the Resurrection Day.

According to another validly reported tradition, Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) has said, “The seventh column is the standing-place of Prophet Abraham (‘a).”

In his book of al-Kafi, Shaykh al-Kulayni has also narrated that Abu-Isma’il al-Sarraj reported that Mu’awiyah ibn Wahab took him from the arm to the seventh column and said that Abu-Hamzah al-Thumali had taken him from the arm to this seventh column and said that al-Asbagh ibn Nubatah had taken him from the arm to this seventh column and said, “This is the place where Imam ‘Ali Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a) used to be. Imam al-Hasan (‘a) used to offer prayers at the fifth column, but when Imam ‘Ali (‘a) would be absent, al-Hasan (‘a) would take his place at the seventh column, which is at bab kindah (the Gate of Kindah).”

In conclusion, the narrations reporting the merits of the seventh column at Masjid al-Kufah are numerous; but because my course in this book is to sum up as much as possible, I will mention no more.

AAMAL AT THE FIFTH COLUMN (SUTOON)

The fifth column in al-Kufah Mosque is one of the peculiar places; therefore, it is advised not to miss offering a prayer there and not to miss supplicating Almighty Allah for granting the personal requests. According to an authoritative narration, Prophet Abraham (‘a) offered a prayer at this place.

As other narrations have mentioned that Prophet Abraham (‘a) offered prayers at other places in this mosque, this does not bring about contradiction between such narrations; rather, it means that Prophet Abraham (‘a) offered prayers at different places in this mosque.

According to another authoritative narration, Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) has said, “The fifth column is the standing-place of Archangel Gabriel (‘a).

It is also understood from an aforementioned narration that Imam al-Hasan (‘a) used to offer prayers at this place.

In conclusion, narrations have confirmed that the seventh and the fifth columns in Masjid al-Kufah are the most blessed places.

Sayyid Ibn Tawus says: At the fifth column, you may offer a two-unit prayer reciting any Surah you want after Surah al-Fatihah. When you finish the prayer and say the Tasbih statements, you may say the following supplicatory prayer:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي اَسْاَلُكَ بِجَمِيعِ اَسْمَائِكَ كُلِّهَا مَا عَلِمْنَا مِنْهَا وَ مَا لا نَعْلَمُ وَ اَسْاَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الْعَظِيمِ الْاَعْظَمِ الْكَبِيرِ الْاَكْبَرِ الَّذِي مَنْ دَعَاكَ بِهِ اَجَبْتَهُ وَ مَنْ سَاَلَكَ بِهِ اَعْطَيْتَهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَنْصَرَكَ بِهِ نَصَرْتَهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَغْفَرَكَ بِهِ غَفَرْتَ لَهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَعَانَكَ بِهِ اَعَنْتَهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَرْزَقَكَ بِهِ رَزَقْتَهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَغَاثَكَ بِهِ اَغَثْتَهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَرْحَمَكَ بِهِ رَحِمْتَهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَجَارَكَ بِهِ اَجَرْتَهُ وَ مَنْ تَوَكَّلَ عَلَيْكَ بِهِ كَفَيْتَهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَعْصَمَكَ بِهِ عَصَمْتَهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَنْقَذَكَ بِهِ مِنَ النَّارِ اَنْقَذْتَهُ ، وَ مَنِ اسْتَعْطَفَكَ بِهِ تَعَطَّفْتَ لَهُ وَ مَنْ اَمَّلَكَ بِهِ اَعْطَيْتَهُ الَّذِي اتَّخَذْتَ بِهِ آدَمَ صَفِيّا وَ نُوحا نَجِيّا وَ اِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلا وَ مُوسَى كَلِيما وَ عِيسَى رُوحا وَ مُحَمَّدا حَبِيبا وَ عَلِيّا وَصِيّا صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِمْ اَجْمَعِينَ اَنْ تَقْضِيَ لِي حَوَائِجِي وَ تَعْفُوَ عَمَّا سَلَفَ مِنْ ذُنُوبِي وَ تَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيَّ بِمَا اَنْتَ اَهْلُهُ وَ لِجَمِيعِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ لِلدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ يَا مُفَرِّجَ هَمِّ الْمَهْمُومِينَ وَ يَا غِيَاثَ الْمَلْهُوفِينَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ .

It is narrated that Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) instructed one of his companions to offer a two-unit prayer at the fifth column, for it is the place where Prophet Abraham (‘a) used to offer prayers. The Imam (‘a) then taught him to say there, while facing the kiblah direction, the aforementioned form of ziyarah that comprises the following statements:

السّلام على ابنيا ادم و امّنا حوّاء .....

AAMAL AT THE THIRD COLUMN (SUTOON)

You may then walk to the seat of Imam ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-’Abidin (‘a) that is situated near the third column from the direction of bab kindah (the Gate of Kindah). Opposite to this place from the kiblah direction is the seat of Imam ‘Ali Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a) and from the west side is bab kindah, which is now blocked. It has been also said that one who wants to offer prayers there must stand five arms far from the column, since the actual place of the seat of Imam Zayn al-’Abidin (‘a) was there. Anyhow, you may offer there a two-unit prayer reciting Surah al-Fatihah and any other Surah you like. When you finish the prayer and say the Tasbih statements, you may say the following:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ اللّٰهُمَّ اِنَّ ذُنُوبِي قَدْ كَثُرَتْ وَ لَمْ يَبْقَ لَهَا اِلا رَجَاءُ عَفْوِكَ وَ قَدْ قَدَّمْتُ آلَةَ الْحِرْمَانِ اِلَيْكَ فَاَنَا اَسْاَلُكَ اللّٰهُمَّ مَا لا اَسْتَوْجِبُهُ وَ اَطْلُبُ مِنْكَ مَا لا اَسْتَحِقُّهُ اللّٰهُمَّ اِنْ تُعَذِّبْنِي فَبِذُنُوبِي وَ لَمْ تَظْلِمْنِي شَيْئا وَ اِنْ تَغْفِرْ لِي فَخَيْرُ رَاحِمٍ اَنْتَ يَا سَيِّدِي اللّٰهُمَّ اَنْتَ اَنْتَ وَ اَنَا اَنَا اَنْتَ الْعَوَّادُ بِالْمَغْفِرَةِ وَ اَنَا الْعَوَّادُ بِالذُّنُوبِ وَ اَنْتَ الْمُتَفَضِّلُ بِالْحِلْمِ وَ اَنَا الْعَوَّادُ بِالْجَهْلِ اللّٰهُمَّ فَاِنِّي اَسْاَلُكَ يَا كَنْزَ الضُّعَفَاءِ يَا عَظِيمَ الرَّجَاءِ يَا مُنْقِذَ الْغَرْقَى يَا مُنْجِيَ الْهَلْكَى يَا مُمِيتَ الْاَحْيَاءِ يَا مُحْيِيَ الْمَوْتَى اَنْتَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِي لا اِلَهَ اِلا اَنْتَ اَنْتَ الَّذِي سَجَدَ لَكَ شُعَاعُ الشَّمْسِ وَ نُورُ الْقَمَرِ وَ ظُلْمَةُ اللَّيْلِ وَ ضَوْءُ النَّهَارِ وَ خَفَقَانُ الطَّيْرِ فَاَسْاَلُكَ اللّٰهُمَّ يَا عَظِيمُ بِحَقِّكَ يَا كَرِيمُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ الصَّادِقِينَ، وَ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ الصَّادِقِينَ عَلَيْكَ وَ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَى عَلِيٍّ وَ بِحَقِّ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْكَ وَ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ وَ بِحَقِّ فَاطِمَةَ عَلَيْكَ وَ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَى الْحَسَنِ وَ بِحَقِّ الْحَسَنِ عَلَيْكَ وَ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَى الْحُسَيْنِ وَ بِحَقِّ الْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْكَ فَاِنَّ حُقُوقَهُمْ مِنْ اَفْضَلِ اِنْعَامِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ بِالشَّأْنِ الَّذِي لَكَ عِنْدَهُمْ وَ بِالشَّأْنِ الَّذِي لَهُمْ عِنْدَكَ صَلِّ يَا رَبِّ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلاةً دَائِمَةً مُنْتَهَى رِضَاكَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِي بِهِمُ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَكَ وَ اَتْمِمْ نِعْمَتَكَ عَلَيَّ كَمَا اَتْمَمْتَهَا عَلَى آبَائِي مِنْ قَبْلُ يَا كهيعص اللّٰهُمَّ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَاسْتَجِبْ لِي دُعَائِي فِيمَا سَاَلْتُكَ.

You may then prostrate yourself and stick your right cheek to the ground and repeat as much as possible the following statements with reverence and weeping:

يَا سَيِّدِي يَا سَيِّدِي يَا سَيِّدِي صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ اغْفِرْ لِي ...

You may then stick your left cheek to the ground and repeat the same words.

You may then supplicate Almighty Allah for anything you want.

Some inauthoritative books have mentioned that the following instruction of Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) to one of his companions may be carried out in this place. As a matter of fact, this instruction is not dedicated to this place; rather, to the courtyard of Masjid al-Kufah. However, this instruction is as follows:

It is narrated that Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) said to one of his companions: If you pass by the grand mosque of al-Kufah in the early morning, you may offer there a four-unit prayer and then say the following supplicatory prayer:

اِلَهِي اِنْ كُنْتُ قَدْ عَصَيْتُكَ فَاِنِّي قَدْ اَطَعْتُكَ فِي اَحَبِّ الْاَشْيَاءِ اِلَيْكَ لَمْ اَتَّخِذْ لَكَ وَلَدا وَ لَمْ اَدْعُ لَكَ شَرِيكا وَ قَدْ عَصَيْتُكَ فِي اَشْيَاءَ كَثِيرَةٍ عَلَى غَيْرِ وَجْهِ الْمُكَابَرَةِ لَكَ وَ لا الاسْتِكْبَارِ عَنْ عِبَادَتِكَ وَ لا الْجُحُودِ لِرُبُوبِيَّتِكَ وَ لا الْخُرُوجِ عَنِ [مِنَ‏] الْعُبُودِيَّةِ لَكَ وَ لَكِنِ اتَّبَعْتُ هَوَايَ وَ اَزَلَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَعْدَ الْحُجَّةِ وَ الْبَيَانِ فَاِنْ تُعَذِّبْنِي فَبِذُنُوبِي غَيْرَ ظَالِمٍ اَنْتَ لِي وَ اِنْ تَعْفُ عَنِّي وَ تَرْحَمْنِي فَبِجُودِكَ وَ كَرَمِكَ يَا كَرِيمُ .

You may also say the following:

غَدَوْتُ بِحَوْلِ اللّٰهِ وَ قُوَّتِهِ غَدَوْتُ بِغَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَ لا قُوَّةٍ وَ لَكِنْ بِحَوْلِ اللّٰهِ وَ قُوَّتِهِ يَا رَبِّ اَسْاَلُكَ بَرَكَةَ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ وَ بَرَكَةَ اَهْلِهِ وَ اَسْاَلُكَ اَنْ تَرْزُقَنِي رِزْقا حَلالا طَيِّبا تَسُوقُهُ اِلَيَّ بِحَوْلِكَ وَ قُوَّتِكَ وَ اَنَا خَائِضٌ [خَافِضٌ‏] فِي عَافِيَتِكَ.

Immediately after their reference to the acts to be advisably done at the fourth column, Shaykh al-Shahid and Muhammad ibn al-Mashhadi have included this act with the other acts that are done at the courtyard of the mosque. They have added that one may offer a four-unit prayer in the first two units of which one may recite Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Tawhid and the last two units one may recite Surah al-Fatihah and the Surah al-Qadr. After accomplishment, one may say the Tasbih al-Zahra’ litany… etc.

According to an authoritative narration, Abu-Hamzah al-Thumali reported that he was one day sitting in the grand mosque of al-Kufah when a man entered from bab kindah. His face was indeed the prettiest, he smelt the nicest perfume, and he put on the cleanest dress. He also put a turban, a shirt, and a jubbah (a type of long open cloth coat with wide sleeves). As he was also wearing Arabian slippers, he took them off when he entered the mosque. He then stopped near the sixth column of the mosque, raised his hands to the level of his ears and uttered a takbir statement (i.e. saying allahu-akbar) that was so reverent that my entire body shivered. He then offered a four-unit prayer with excellent genuflection and prostration. At accomplishment, he uttered the supplicatory prayer that begins with this statement:

الهى ان كنت قد عصيتك

When he reached at the statement:

يا كريم يا كريم

he prostrated himself and repeated this word as much as one breath may take. He then said while prostrating:

يا من يقدر على حوائج السّائلين

He then repeated the following word seventy times:

سيّدى

When he raised his head, I looked at him closely and could conclude that he was Zayn al-’Abidin (‘a). I thus kissed his hand and asked him what had caused him to come to the mosque. The Imam (‘a) answered, “As you have seen.” (i.e. I came here to offer prayers the al-Kufah Mosque)… etc.

At the end of the seventh form of the untimed ziyarah of Imam ‘Ali (‘a), we have mentioned this story but with a little difference due to the difference of the reports. We have also mentioned that the Imam (‘a) suggested to Abu-Hamzah al-Thumali that he would accompany him to visiting the holy tomb of Imam ‘Ali (‘a) and the man agreed… etc.