Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

ZIYARAH ON THE DAY OF ARAFAT

MERITS

Be it known to you that the traditions that are reported from the Ahl al-Bayt the Immaculate and infallible about the merits and advantages of visiting Imam al-Husayn (‘a) on the ‘Arafat Day are innumerable. Heading for filling the dear believers with desire for visiting Imam al-Husayn (‘a) on this day, we will hereinafter cite a few number of these traditions:

Bashir al-Dahhan, through a valid chain of authority, has reported that he, once, said to Imam al-Sadiq (‘a), “Some years, I miss the hajj season; therefore, I present myself at the tomb of al-Husayn (‘a).” The Imam (‘a) commented, “Well done, Bashir! Any faithful believer who comes to the tomb of al-Husayn, Allah’s blessings be upon him, with full recognition of his real position on a day other than the feast days, he shall be granted the reward of twenty times of admissible and acceptable hajj and twenty times of admissible and acceptable ‘umrah as well as the reward of participation in twenty campaigns with a commissioned prophet or a decent leader. Moreover, whoever comes to his (i.e. Imam al-Husayn) tomb on the ‘Arafat Day, with full recognition of his real position, will be granted the reward of one thousand times of admissible and acceptable hajj and one thousand times of admissible and acceptable ‘umrah as well as the reward of participating in one thousand campaigns with a commissioned prophet or a decent leader.”

Bashir said, “What shall I be awarded if I present myself at Mount ‘Arafat on that day?”

Somewhat angrily, the Imam (‘a) looked at him and said, “Bashir, if a faithful believer comes to the tomb of al-Husayn, Allah’s blessings be upon him, on the ‘Arafat Day, washes himself with the water of the River Euphrates, and then turns his face for visiting him, Almighty Allah shall record for him the reward of an entire hajj along with all of its rituals for every step he makes.”

The reporter then added, “Most probably, the Imam (‘a) added to this the reward of an entire ‘umrah (or campaign, according to another form of this report).”

According to many validly reported traditions, on the ‘Arafat Day, Almighty Allah looks at the visitors of Imam al-Husayn’s tomb with mercy before He looks at those gathering on ‘Arafat Mountain.( )

According to another validly reported tradition, Rafa’ah reported that Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) once asked him, “Did you go on hajj this year?”

Rafa’ah answered, “May Allah accept me as ransom for you! I did not have enough resources to go to hajj. Rather, I could present myself at the tomb of al-Husayn (‘a).”

The Imam (‘a) commented, “Rafa’ah, you have thus not failed to gain what those who presented themselves at Mina have gained! Were it not for that I do not want people to desert going on hajj, I would pass on to you a discourse that if you hear it, you will never leave visiting the tomb of al-Husayn, Allah’s blessings be upon you.”

The Imam (‘a) then paused for a while and then continued, “My father has told me that whoever travels to the tomb of al-Husayn (‘a) recognizing his actual position and showing no pride, will be accompanied by one thousand angels on his right side and one thousand angels on his left. The reward of one thousand times of hajj and one thousand times of ‘umrah with a prophet or a prophet’s successor will also be recorded for him.”

METHOD

The method of visiting Imam al-Husayn’s tomb on the ‘Arafat Day, according to the words of master scholars and chiefs of our sect and faith, is as follows:

If you intend to visit Imam al-Husayn (on the ‘Arafat Day), you may bathe yourself using water from the River Euphrates if possible and any other possibly obtained water. You may then put on the purest (and cleanest) of your clothes and walk towards the holy shrine with tranquility and solemnity. When you reach the gate of the holy shrine (i.e. Ha’ir), you may profess Almighty Allah’s most greatness:

اللّه اكبر

Then, say the following words:

اللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ كَبِيرا وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيرا وَ سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ بُكْرَةً وَ اَصِيلا وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هَدَانَا لِهَذَا وَ مَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْ لا اَنْ هَدَانَا اللّٰهُ لَقَدْ جَاءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ السَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ السَّلامُ عَلَى اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ الزَّهْرَاءِ سَيِّدَةِ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَى الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ السَّلامُ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ السَّلامُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ السَّلامُ عَلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ السَّلامُ عَلَى مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ السَّلامُ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى السَّلامُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ السَّلامُ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ السَّلامُ عَلَى الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ السَّلامُ عَلَى الْخَلَفِ الصَّالِحِ الْمُنْتَظَرِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا اَبَا عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ عَبْدُكَ وَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ وَ ابْنُ اَمَتِكَ الْمُوَالِي لِوَلِيِّكَ الْمُعَادِي لِعَدُوِّكَ اسْتَجَارَ بِمَشْهَدِكَ وَ تَقَرَّبَ اِلَى اللّٰهِ بِقَصْدِكَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هَدَانِي لِوَلايَتِكَ وَ خَصَّنِي بِزِيَارَتِكَ وَ سَهَّلَ لِي قَصْدَكَ.

You may then enter the shrine, stop next to the side of the Imam’s head, and say the following words:

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ آدَمَ صَفْوَةِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ نُوحٍ نَبِيِّ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ اِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ مُوسَى كَلِيمِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ عِيسَى رُوحِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ مُحَمَّدٍ حَبِيبِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ فَاطِمَةَ الزَّهْرَاءِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْمُصْطَفَى السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ عَلِيٍّ الْمُرْتَضَى السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ فَاطِمَةَ الزَّهْرَاءِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ خَدِيجَةَ الْكُبْرَى السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ثَارَ اللّٰهِ وَ ابْنَ ثَارِهِ وَ الْوِتْرَ الْمَوْتُورَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّكَ قَدْ اَقَمْتَ الصَّلاةَ وَ آتَيْتَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ اَمَرْتَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ، وَ نَهَيْتَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَ اَطَعْتَ اللّٰهَ حَتَّى اَتَاكَ الْيَقِينُ فَلَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً قَتَلَتْكَ وَ لَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً ظَلَمَتْكَ وَ لَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً سَمِعَتْ بِذَلِكَ فَرَضِيَتْ بِهِ يَا مَوْلايَ يَا اَبَا عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ اُشْهِدُ اللّٰهَ وَ مَلائِكَتَهُ وَ اَنْبِيَاءَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ اَنِّي بِكُمْ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ بِاِيَابِكُمْ مُوقِنٌ بِشَرَائِعِ دِينِي وَ خَوَاتِيمِ عَمَلِي [وَ مُنْقَلَبِي اِلَى رَبِّي‏] فَصَلَوَاتُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ عَلَى اَرْوَاحِكُمْ وَ عَلَى اَجْسَادِكُمْ وَ عَلَى شَاهِدِكُمْ وَ عَلَى غَائِبِكُمْ وَ ظَاهِرِكُمْ وَ بَاطِنِكُمْ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ خَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ ابْنَ سَيِّدِ الْوَصِيِّينَ وَ ابْنَ اِمَامِ الْمُتَّقِينَ وَ ابْنَ قَائِدِ الْغُرِّ الْمُحَجَّلِينَ اِلَى جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ وَ كَيْفَ لا تَكُونُ كَذَلِكَ وَ اَنْتَ بَابُ الْهُدَى وَ اِمَامُ الْتُّقَى وَ الْعُرْوَةُ الْوُثْقَى وَ الْحُجَّةُ عَلَى اَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا وَ خَامِسُ اَصْحَابِ [اَهْلِ‏] الْكِسَاءِ غَذَتْكَ يَدُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ رُضِعْتَ [رَضَعْتَ‏] مِنْ ثَدْيِ الْاِيمَانِ وَ رُبِّيتَ فِي حِجْرِ الْاِسْلامِ فَالنَّفْسُ غَيْرُ رَاضِيَةٍ بِفِرَاقِكَ، وَ لا شَاكَّةٍ فِي حَيَاتِكَ صَلَوَاتُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْكَ وَ عَلَى آبَائِكَ وَ اَبْنَائِكَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا صَرِيعَ الْعَبْرَةِ السَّاكِبَةِ وَ قَرِينَ الْمُصِيبَةِ الرَّاتِبَةِ لَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً اسْتَحَلَّتْ مِنْكَ الْمَحَارِمَ [وَ انْتَهَكَتْ فِيكَ حُرْمَةَ الْاِسْلامِ‏] فَقُتِلْتَ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْكَ مَقْهُورا وَ اَصْبَحَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ بِكَ مَوْتُورا وَ اَصْبَحَ كِتَابُ اللّٰهِ بِفَقْدِكَ مَهْجُورا السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ وَ عَلَى جَدِّكَ وَ اَبِيكَ وَ اُمِّكَ وَ اَخِيكَ وَ عَلَى الْاَئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَنِيكَ وَ عَلَى الْمُسْتَشْهَدِينَ مَعَكَ وَ عَلَى الْمَلائِكَةِ الْحَافِّينَ بِقَبْرِكَ وَ الشَّاهِدِينَ لِزُوَّارِكَ الْمُؤَمِّنِينَ بِالْقَبُولِ عَلَى دُعَاءِ شِيعَتِكَ ، وَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ بِاَبِي اَنْتَ وَ اُمِّي يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ بِاَبِي اَنْتَ وَ اُمِّي يَا اَبَا عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ لَقَدْ عَظُمَتِ الرَّزِيَّةُ وَ جَلَّتِ الْمُصِيبَةُ بِكَ عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَى جَمِيعِ اَهْلِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ فَلَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً اَسْرَجَتْ وَ اَلْجَمَتْ وَ تَهَيَّاَتْ لِقِتَالِكَ يَا مَوْلايَ يَا اَبَا عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ قَصَدْتُ حَرَمَكَ وَ اَتَيْتُ مَشْهَدَكَ اَسْاَلُ اللّٰهَ بِالشَّأْنِ الَّذِي لَكَ عِنْدَهُ وَ بِالْمَحَلِّ الَّذِي لَكَ لَدَيْهِ اَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَنْ يَجْعَلَنِي مَعَكُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ بِمَنِّهِ وَ جُودِهِ وَ كَرَمِهِ.

You may then kiss the tomb and offer a two-unit prayer in which you may recite any Surah you wish. Upon accomplishment, you may say the following supplicatory words:

اللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّي صَلَّيْتُ وَ رَكَعْتُ وَ سَجَدْتُ لَكَ وَحْدَكَ لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لِاَنَّ الصَّلاةَ وَ الرُّكُوعَ وَ السُّجُودَ لا تَكُونُ اِلا لَكَ لِاَنَّكَ اَنْتَ اللّٰهُ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اَنْتَ اللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَبْلِغْهُمْ عَنِّي اَفْضَلَ التَّحِيَّةِ وَ السَّلامِ وَ ارْدُدْ عَلَيَّ مِنْهُمْ التَّحِيَّةَ وَ السَّلامَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَ هَاتَانِ الرَّكْعَتَانِ هَدِيَّةٌ مِنِّي اِلَى مَوْلايَ وَ سَيِّدِي وَ اِمَامِي الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلامُ اللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ تَقَبَّلْ ذَلِكَ مِنِّي وَ اجْزِنِي عَلَى ذَلِكَ اَفْضَلَ اَمَلِي وَ رَجَائِي فِيكَ وَ فِي وَلِيِّكَ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

You may then turn to the side of the Imam’s feet and visit ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn (‘a) whose head is at the side of Imam al-Husayn’s feet, and say these words:

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ نَبِيِّ اللّٰهِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ الشَّهِيدِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ اَيُّهَا الشَّهِيدُ ابْنَ الشَّهِيدِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ اَيُّهَا الْمَظْلُومُ ابْنَ الْمَظْلُومِ لَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً قَتَلَتْكَ وَ لَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً ظَلَمَتْكَ وَ لَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً سَمِعَتْ بِذَلِكَ فَرَضِيَتْ بِهِ [السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا مَوْلايَ‏] السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَلِيَّ اللّٰهِ وَ ابْنَ وَلِيِّهِ لَقَدْ عَظُمَتِ الْمُصِيبَةُ وَ جَلَّتِ الرَّزِيَّةُ بِكَ عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَى جَمِيعِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَلَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً قَتَلَتْكَ وَ اَبْرَاُ اِلَى اللّٰهِ وَ اِلَيْكَ مِنْهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ.

You may then turn your face to the martyrs and visit them with the following words:

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا اَوْلِيَاءَ اللّٰهِ وَ اَحِبَّاءَهُ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا اَصْفِيَاءَ اللّٰهِ وَ اَوِدَّاءَهُ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا اَنْصَارَ دِينِ اللّٰهِ وَ اَنْصَارَ نَبِيِّهِ وَ اَنْصَارَ اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ اَنْصَارَ فَاطِمَةَ سَيِّدَةِ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا اَنْصَارَ اَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ الْحَسَنِ الْوَلِيِّ النَّاصِحِ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا اَنْصَارَ اَبِي عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ الْحُسَيْنِ الشَّهِيدِ الْمَظْلُومِ صَلَوَاتُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِمْ اَجْمَعِينَ بِاَبِي اَنْتُمْ وَ اُمِّي طِبْتُمْ وَ طَابَتِ الْاَرْضُ الَّتِي فِيهَا دُفِنْتُمْ وَ فُزْتُمْ وَ اللّٰهِ فَوْزا عَظِيما يَا لَيْتَنِي كُنْتُ مَعَكُمْ فَاَفُوزَ مَعَكُمْ فِي الْجِنَانِ مَعَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ حَسُنَ اُولَئِكَ رَفِيقا وَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ .

You may then return to the side of Imam al-Husayn’s head and pray as frequently as possible for yourself, your family members, and your brethren-in-faith.

Sayyid Ibn Tawus and al-Shahid added the following:

You may then walk to the shrine of al-’Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him. When you reach there, you may stop at the tomb and say the following words:

السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا اَبَا الْفَضْلِ الْعَبَّاسَ ابْنَ اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ سَيِّدِ الْوَصِيِّينَ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ اَوَّلِ الْقَوْمِ اِسْلاما وَ اَقْدَمِهِمْ اِيمَانا وَ اَقْوَمِهِمْ بِدِينِ اللّٰهِ وَ اَحْوَطِهِمْ عَلَى الْاِسْلامِ اَشْهَدُ لَقَدْ نَصَحْتَ لِلَّهِ وَ لِرَسُولِهِ وَ لِاَخِيكَ فَنِعْمَ الْاَخُ الْمُوَاسِي فَلَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً قَتَلَتْكَ وَ لَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً ظَلَمَتْكَ وَ لَعَنَ اللّٰهُ اُمَّةً اسْتَحَلَّتْ مِنْكَ الْمَحَارِمَ وَ انْتَهَكَتْ فِي قَتْلِكَ حُرْمَةَ الْاِسْلامِ فَنِعْمَ الْاَخُ الصَّابِرُ الْمُجَاهِدُ الْمُحَامِي النَّاصِرُ وَ الْاَخُ الدَّافِعُ عَنْ اَخِيهِ الْمُجِيبُ اِلَى طَاعَةِ رَبِّهِ الرَّاغِبُ فِيمَا زَهِدَ فِيهِ غَيْرُهُ مِنَ الثَّوَابِ الْجَزِيلِ وَ الثَّنَاءِ الْجَمِيلِ وَ اَلْحَقَكَ اللّٰهُ بِدَرَجَةِ آبَائِكَ فِي دَارِ النَّعِيمِ اِنَّهُ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ .

You may then throw yourself on the tomb and say the following words:

اللّٰهُمَّ لَكَ تَعَرَّضْتُ وَ لِزِيَارَةِ اَوْلِيَائِكَ قَصَدْتُ رَغْبَةً فِي ثَوَابِكَ وَ رَجَاءً لِمَغْفِرَتِكَ وَ جَزِيلِ اِحْسَانِكَ فَاَسْاَلُكَ اَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَنْ تَجْعَلَ رِزْقِي بِهِمْ دَارّا وَ عَيْشِي بِهِمْ قَارّا وَ زِيَارَتِي بِهِمْ مَقْبُولَةً وَ ذَنْبِي بِهِمْ مَغْفُورا وَ اقْلِبْنِي بِهِمْ مُفْلِحا مُنْجِحا مُسْتَجَابا دُعَائِي بِاَفْضَلِ مَا يَنْقَلِبُ بِهِ اَحَدٌ مِنْ زُوَّارِهِ وَ الْقَاصِدِينَ اِلَيْهِ بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا اَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

You may then kiss the tomb and offer there the prayer of ziyarah as well as any other prayer you wish to offer. When you intend to bid farewell to him, you may say the words that have been previously cited at bidding farewell.

ZIYARAH ON THE DAY OF ASHURA

Actually, there are many forms of ziyarah dedicated to the ‘Ashura’ Day. However, we will limit ourselves to mentioning two forms only. In the previous chapter on the recommended acts on the ‘Ashura’ Day, we have mentioned some forms of ziyarah and other acts corresponding to this occasion.

FIRST FORM OF ZIYARAH OF THE FAMOUS ZIYARAH OF ASHURA

MERITS

The first form of ziyarah to be mentioned hereinafter is the famous ziyarah of ‘Ashura’, which can be said at the tomb of Imam al-Husayn (‘a) and also from far distance. The following is the elaborate report of this form of ziyarah, as has been narrated by Shaykh Abu-Ja’far al-Tusi in his book of al-Misbah:

Muhammad ibn Isma’il ibn Buzaygh has reported on the authority of Salih ibn ‘Aqabah on the authority of his father on the authority of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (‘a) who said, “Whoever visits al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali (‘a) on the tenth of Muharram (i.e. the ‘Ashura’ Day) and remains there weeping, will meet Almighty Allah on the day of meeting Him having the reward of two thousand times of going on hajj, two thousand times of going on ‘umrah, as well as the reward of one who has participated with the Holy Messenger of Allah and with the Holy Imams in two thousand campaigns.”

The reporter asked, “May Allah accept me as ransom for you! What should one who lives in remote regions and cannot come to the tomb on that day do?”

The Imam (‘a) explained, “As for such people, they may come out to a wasteland or go up a high roof in their houses, wave towards Imam al-Husayn (‘a) with greeting, invoke earnestly curses on those who killed him, and then offer a two-unit prayer. They may do so before midday. They may then mourn and weep for al-Husayn (‘a) and order those who live with them in their houses to weep for him, unless they fear for themselves from certain individuals who live with them. They may hold mournful ceremonies in their houses and show grief for him. They may also console one another on this terrible occasion of Imam al-Husayn’s sufferings. If they do all that, I myself guarantee for them to grant the rewards that I have mentioned beforehand.”

The reporter asked, “May Allah accept me as ransom for you! Do you really promise them and guarantee for them to have that reward?”

The Imam (‘a) answered, “Yes, I do. I do promise them and guarantee for them having that reward.”

The reporter asked, “In which method should we console one another on this occasion?”

The Imam instructed, “You may address the following words at one another:

اَعْظَمَ اللّهُ اُجُورَنا وَاُجورَكُمْ بِمُصابِنا بِالْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَجَعَلَنا وَاِيّاكُمْ مِنَ الطّالِبينَ بِثارِهِ مَعَ وَلِيِّهِ الاِمامِ الْمَهْدِىِّ مِنْ الِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ.

If possible, you may not leave your house on that day to settle any of your needs, because this day is doomed and no need of a faithful believer is settled on it; and even if it is settled, it will be unblessed. Moreover, whatever is saved on this day will be unblessed and so will be his family members. If they do all that, they will have the reward of one thousand times of hajj and one thousand times of ‘umrah as well as one thousand participations in campaigns with the Holy Messenger of Allah. They will also gain the reward of all misfortunes that have inflicted every prophet, prophet’s successor, veracious, and martyr who have died or been killed since Almighty Allah has created this world up to the Resurrection Hour.”

Salih ibn ‘Aqabah and Sayf ibn ‘Umayrah have reported ‘Alqamah ibn Muhammad al-Hazrami as saying that he, once, asked Imam al-Baqir, Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, to teach him a supplicatory prayer with which he would pray Almighty Allah on that day (of ‘Ashura’) when he would visit Imam al-Husayn’s tomb and to teach him another supplicatory prayer with which he would pray Almighty Allah on that day when he would be unable to visit the tomb and then he would point to the tomb and send greetings to Imam al-Husayn (‘a) from his own house.

The Imam thus said, “Listen, ‘Alqamah! After you point to Imam al-Husayn (‘a) with greetings and offer the two-unit prayer, you may utter the Takbir statement (i.e. allahu-akbar) and then say... (the forthcoming form of Ziyarah). If you do so, you will have said the prayer that is said by the angels who visit Imam al-Husayn (‘a). You will be also raised one hundred million ranks to join the rank of those who were martyred with him (i.e. Imam al-Husayn) and you will be included with their group. You will, moreover, be awarded the reward of the visiting of all Prophets and Messengers as well as the reward of all the visitors of Imam al-Husayn (‘a) since the day of his martyrdom. Peace of Allah be upon him and upon his household.”

METHOD

The form of ziyarah of ‘Ashura’ is as follow:

اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يا اَبا عَبدِ الله اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيكَ يَابْنَ رَسُوْلِ الله اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا بْنَ اَميِر المُؤمِنِيَن وَ ابْنَ سَيِدِ الوَصيّيَن اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيكَ يَا بْنَ فاطِمَةَ سَيِدَةِ نِساءِ العْالَمِينَ اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ثَارَ الله وَ اَبنِ ثَارِهَ وَالوِتْرَ الْمَوْتُورِ اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيكَ وَ عَلي الَأرواحِ الَّتِي حَلَتْ بِفِنآئِكَ عَلَيكُمْ مِنْي جَمِيعاً سَلامُ اللهِ اَبداً ما بَقَيتُ وَ بَقِيَ الَّليلِ وَ النَّهارُ يا اَبا عَبدِ اللِه،لَقَدْ عَظُمَتِ الرَّزِيَّةُ وَ جَلَتْ وَ عَظُمَتِ الُمصيبَةُ بِكَ عَلَينْا وَ عَلي جَميِع اَهْلِ الِأسْلِام وَ جَلَّتْ وَ عَظُمَتِ اَلمُصيبَتكَ في السَّمواتِ عَلي جَميع اَهْلِ السَّمواتِ فَلَعِنَ اللهُ اُمَّةً اَسَسَتْ اَساسَ الظُّلمِ وَ الجُورِ عَلَيكُمْ اَهْلِ البَيتِ وَلَعَنْ اللهُ اُمَّةً دَفَعَتْكُمْ عَنْ مَراتِبِكُمُ الَّتي رَتَبِكُمُ اللهُ فيها وَ لَعَنَ اللهُ اُمةً قَتَلَتكُمْوَ لَعَنَ اللهُ المُمهِدِينَ لَهُمْ بِا لتَمكيِن مِنْ قِتالِكُمْ بَرِئتُ اِلَي اللهِ وَ اِلَيكُمْ مِنهُمْ وَ اَشياعِهِمْ وَ اَتْباعِهِمْ وَ اَوْليائهِمْ يا اَبا عَبدِ الله اِني سِلْمٌ ِلِمَنْ سالَمَكُمْ وَ حَربٌ لِمَنْ حارَبَكُم اِلي يُومِ القِيمةِ وَ لَعَنَ اللهُ الُ زِيادٍ وَ ال مَروانَ وَلَعَنَ اللهُ بَنِي اُمَيةَ قاطِبَةً وَ لَعَنَ اللهُ بْنَ مَرجانَةً وَ لَعَنَ اللهُ عُمَرِبْنِ سَعْد وَ لَعَنَ اللهُ شِمراً،وَلَعَنَ اللهُ اُمةً اَسْرَجَتْ وَالجَمَتْ وَ تَنَقَّبَتْ لِقِتالِكَ بِاَبي اَنتَ وَ اُمّي لَقَدْ عَظُمَ مُصابي بِكَ فَاَسئلُ اللهَ الَّذي اَكرَمَ مَقامَكَ وَ اَكْرَمَني اَنْ يَرزُقَني طَلَبَ ثارِكَ مَعَ اِمامٍ مَنصُورٍ مِنْ اَهْلِ بَيْتِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلي اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ الِه اَللّهُمَّ اَجْعَلني عِندكَ وَجيهًا با الحُسَينِ عَليهِ السَّلامُ فيِ الدُنيا وَ الأخِرَةِ يا اَبا عَبْدِ اللهِ اِني اَتَقرَّبُ اِليَ اللهِ وَ اِلَي رَسُولِهِ وَ اِلَي اَمير الُمؤمِنينَ وَ اِلي فاطِمَةً وَ ِالي الْحَسَنْ وَ اِلَيكَ ِبمُوالاتِكَ وَ بالَبرائةِ ِ.ممنِ اَسَّسَ ذلِكَ وَ بَني عَليهِ بُنيانَهُ وَ جَري في ظُلمِه وَجَوْرِه عَلَيْكُمْ وَ عَلي اَشياعِكُمَ بَرِئتُ اِليَ اللهِ وَ اِليكُمْ مِنْهُمْ وَ اَتَقَربُ اِلَي اللِه ثمَّ اِلَيكُمْ بِموالاتِكُمْ وَ مُوالاةِ وَلِيكُمْ وَ بِالبَرائةِ مِنْ اَعدائِكُمْ وَ النّاصِبينَ لَكُمُ الْحَرْبَ وَبالبرآئةِ مِنْ اَشياعِهمْ وَ اَتباعِهمْ اِنيّ سِلمٌ لِمَنْ سالَمَكُمْ وَ حَربٌ لِمَنْ حارَبَكُمْوولٌّي لِمَن والاكُمْ وَ عَدُ وٌّ لِمَنْ عاداكٌمْ فَاسُئلُ الله اَلذي اَكرَمَني بِمَعرفَتِكُمْ وَ مَعرفَةِ اَوليائِكُمْ وَرَزَقنِي اَلبرائَةَ مِن اَعدائِكُمْ اَنْ يَجعَلنِي مَعَكُمْ في الدُّنيا وَ الاخرةِ وَ اَن يُثَبِتَ لي عِنْدَكُمْ قَدَمَ صِدْقٍ في الدُّنيا وَالأخرةِ وَ اَسَئلهُ اَن يُبَلغَنيَ المَقامَ الَمحمودَ لَكُمُ عِنْدَ اللهِ وَ اَنْ يَرزُقَني طَلَبَ ثاري مَعَ اِمامٍ هُدي ظاهِرٍ ناطِقٍ بالحَقِ مِنْكُمْ وَ اَسئلُ اللهَ بِحَقِكُمْوَ بِالشَانِ اَلذيِ لَكُمْ عِندهُ اَنْ يَعطنِي بِمصابي بِكُمْ اَفْضَلَ ما يُعطي مُصاباً بِمُصيبةً ما اَعْظَمَها وَ اَعظمَ رَزَيِتها ِفي اِلاسلامِ وَ في جَميعَ السَّمواتِ وَ الارضِ اَللهُمَّ اجْعَلني في مَقامي هذا ِممَنْ تَنالُهُ مِنكَ صلَواتٌ وَ رحمةٌ وَ مَغفِرةٌ اَللهُمَّ اَجْعَلْ مَحيايَ مَحيا محمدٍ و ال مُحمد وَ مَماتي مَماتَ مُحمدٍ وَ ال مُحمدٍ.للهمَّ اِنَّ هذا يَوْمٌ تَبركَتْ به بنوامَيَةَ وَ ابْنُ اكِلةَ الاَكبادِ الَّلعينُ ابنُ اللعينِ عَلي لِسانِك وَ لِسانِ نَبِيكَ صليَّ الله عليهِ و اله في كُلِ مَوْطِن وَ مَوقِفٍ وَقَفٍ فيهِ نَبيكَ صلي الله عليهِ و اللهمَّ الَعن اَبا سُفيانَ وَ معاويةَ وَ يزيدَ بْنَ مُعاويةَ عَليهِمْ مِنكَ الَّلعنةُ اَبَدَ الابِدينَ وَ هَذا يَوْمٌ فَرِحَتْ به ال زِيادٍ وَ الُ مَروانَ بِقَتلِكُمْ اَلحسُيَن صَلواتُ اللهِ عَليهِ اَللهُمَّ فَضاعَفْ عَليهمُ اللعنَ منكَ وَالعذابِ الاَليمَ اللهمَّ اني اتقربُ اليكَ في هذا اليومِ وَفي مَوقفي هذا وَ اَيام حَيوتي بِالبرآئةِ مِنهم وَاللعنةِ عَليهَمّْ وبِالمُوالاتِ لِنبِیَّکَ وَ الِ نَبِیَّک(عَلَیهِ وَ) عَلَیهِمُ السلامُ.

You may then repeat the following words one hundred times:

اللهمَّ العن اولَ ظالم ظلمَ حقَّ محمد و ال محمد و اخِرَ تابِع له علي ذالكَ اللهمَّ العنِ العصابةَ التي جاهدتِ الُحسين وَشايعتْ و بايِعتْ و تابِعتْ علي قِتله اللهمَّ العنهم جميعاً

You may then repeat the following words one hundred times:

السلام عليكَ يا ابا عَبداللهِ وَ علي الاَرواح الَّتي حَلت بفنآئِكَ عليكَ مِني سلامُ الله ابداً ما بَقيتُ وَ بقيَ الليلُ وَ النهارَوَ لاجعلهُ اللهُ اخرَ العهدِمني لزيارتكم السلامُ علي الحسين وعلي علي بن الحسين و علي اولاد الحسين و علي اصحاب الحسين

You may then say the following words:

اللهمَ خُصَّ انتَ اَوّل ظالم باللعن مني وَابدَءُ به اولاًثمَّ الثاني وَالثالث َوَالرابعَ اللهمَّ العنِ يزيد خامساً و العن عبيدَ اللهِ بن زيادٍ و ابن مرجانةَ و عمربن سعد وَ شمراً و ال ابي سفيانَ وَال زياد و ال مروان و الي يوم القيامَة

You may then prostrate yourself and say the following words meanwhile:

اللهمَّ لكَ الحَمد حمدَ الشاكرينَ لَكَ علي مصابهم الحمدُ للهِ علي عَظيمِ رَزيتي اللهمَّ ارزقني شَفاعَةَ الْحُسَيْنِ يَوْمَ الْوُروُدِ وَثبِتْ لي قَدَمَ صِدْقٍ عِنْدِكَ مَعَ الحُسَينِ وَ اَصْحابِ الحُسَينِ الَّذينَ بَذَلُوا مُهْجُهْم دُوْنَ الحُسَينِ عَلَيه السَّلام.

DUA ALQAMAH

Alqamah added: Imam al-Baqir (‘a) said, “If possible, you may visit him (i.e. al-Husayn) with this form of ziyarah every day from your house. If you do, you will have the entire reward of that ziyarah.”

Muhammad ibn Khalid al-Tayalisi has reported the following from Sayf ibn ‘Umayrah:

Accompanied by Safwan ibn Mahran and a group of our companions, I convoyed Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) to al-Ghari (currently al-Najaf). After that, we traveled from al-Hirah towards al-Madinah. When we accomplished visiting the tomb of Imam ‘Ali Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a), Safwan turned his face towards the tomb of Imam al-Husayn (‘a) and said to us, “Would you like to visit al-Husayn (‘a) from this very place, which was the side of Imam ‘Ali’s head?” So, Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) and I pointed to him in affirmative. Safwan then uttered the ziyarah form, which was reported by ‘Alqamah ibn Muhammad al-Hazrami from Imam al-Baqir (‘a) to be said on the ‘Ashura’ Day. He then offered a two-unit prayer at the side of Imam ‘Ali’s head. Upon accomplishment of the prayer, Safwan bid farewell to Imam ‘Ali (‘a), turned his face towards the tomb of Imam al-Husayn (‘a), pointed to him with his hand, and bid farewell to him, saying the following supplication:

يَا اللّٰهُ يَا اللّٰهُ يَا اللّٰهُ يَا مُجِيبَ دَعْوَةِ الْمُضْطَرِّينَ يَا كَاشِفَ كُرَبِ الْمَكْرُوبِينَ يَا غِيَاثَ الْمُسْتَغِيثِينَ يَا صَرِيخَ الْمُسْتَصْرِخِينَ [وَ] يَا مَنْ هُوَ اَقْرَبُ اِلَيَّ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ [وَ] يَا مَنْ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَ قَلْبِهِ [وَ] يَا مَنْ هُوَ بِالْمَنْظَرِ الْاَعْلَى وَ بِالْاُفِقِ الْمُبِينِ [وَ] يَا مَنْ هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيمُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى [وَ] يَا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ خَائِنَةَ الْاَعْيُنِ وَ مَا تُخْفِي الصُّدُورُ [وَ] يَا مَنْ لا يَخْفَى عَلَيْهِ خَافِيَةٌ يَا مَنْ لا تَشْتَبِهُ عَلَيْهِ الْاَصْوَاتُ [وَ] يَا مَنْ لا تُغَلِّطُهُ [تُغَلِّظُهُ‏] الْحَاجَاتُ [وَ] يَا مَنْ لا يُبْرِمُهُ اِلْحَاحُ الْمُلِحِّينَ يَا مُدْرِكَ كُلِّ فَوْتٍ [وَ] يَا جَامِعَ كُلِّ شَمْلٍ [وَ] يَا بَارِئَ النُّفُوسِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ يَا مَنْ هُوَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ فِي شَأْنٍ يَا قَاضِيَ الْحَاجَاتِ يَا مُنَفِّسَ الْكُرُبَاتِ يَا مُعْطِيَ السُّؤْلاتِ يَا وَلِيَّ الرَّغَبَاتِ، يَا كَافِيَ الْمُهِمَّاتِ يَا مَنْ يَكْفِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَ لا يَكْفِي مِنْهُ شَيْ‏ءٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ اَسْاَلُكَ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ خَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ عَلَيٍّ اَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ بِحَقِّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ نَبِيِّكَ وَ بِحَقِّ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ فَاِنِّي بِهِمْ اَتَوَجَّهُ اِلَيْكَ فِي مَقَامِي هَذَا وَ بِهِمْ اَتَوَسَّلُ وَ بِهِمْ اَتَشَفَّعُ اِلَيْكَ وَ بِحَقِّهِمْ اَسْاَلُكَ وَ اُقْسِمُ وَ اَعْزِمُ عَلَيْكَ وَ بِالشَّأْنِ الَّذِي لَهُمْ عِنْدَكَ وَ بِالْقَدْرِ الَّذِي لَهُمْ عِنْدَكَ وَ بِالَّذِي فَضَّلْتَهُمْ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ وَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي جَعَلْتَهُ عِنْدَهُمْ وَ بِهِ خَصَصْتَهُمْ دُونَ الْعَالَمِينَ وَ بِهِ اَبَنْتَهُمْ وَ اَبَنْتَ فَضْلَهُمْ مِنْ فَضْلِ الْعَالَمِينَ حَتَّى فَاقَ فَضْلُهُمْ فَضْلَ الْعَالَمِينَ جَمِيعا اَسْاَلُكَ اَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَنْ تَكْشِفَ عَنِّي غَمِّي وَ هَمِّي وَ كَرْبِي وَ تَكْفِيَنِي الْمُهِمَّ مِنْ اُمُورِي وَ تَقْضِيَ عَنِّي دَيْنِي وَ تُجِيرَنِي مِنَ الْفَقْرِ وَ تُجِيرَنِي مِنَ الْفَاقَةِ وَ تُغْنِيَنِي عَنِ الْمَسْاَلَةِ اِلَى الْمَخْلُوقِينَ، وَ تَكْفِيَنِي هَمَّ مَنْ اَخَافُ هَمَّهُ وَ عُسْرَ مَنْ اَخَافُ عُسْرَهُ وَ حُزُونَةَ مَنْ اَخَافُ حُزُونَتَهُ وَ شَرَّ مَنْ [مَا] اَخَافُ شَرَّهُ وَ مَكْرَ مَنْ اَخَافُ مَكْرَهُ وَ بَغْيَ مَنْ اَخَافُ بَغْيَهُ وَ جَوْرَ مَنْ اَخَافُ جَوْرَهُ وَ سُلْطَانَ مَنْ اَخَافُ سُلْطَانَهُ وَ كَيْدَ مَنْ اَخَافُ كَيْدَهُ وَ مَقْدُرَةَ مَنْ اَخَافُ [بَلاءَ] مَقْدُرَتَهُ عَلَيَّ وَ تَرُدَّ عَنِّي كَيْدَ الْكَيَدَةِ وَ مَكْرَ الْمَكَرَةِ اللّٰهُمَّ مَنْ اَرَادَنِي فَاَرِدْهُ وَ مَنْ كَادَنِي فَكِدْهُ وَ اصْرِفْ عَنِّي كَيْدَهُ وَ مَكْرَهُ وَ بَأْسَهُ وَ اَمَانِيَّهُ وَ امْنَعْهُ عَنِّي كَيْفَ شِئْتَ وَ اَنَّى شِئْتَ اللّٰهُمَّ اشْغَلْهُ عَنِّي بِفَقْرٍ لا تَجْبُرُهُ وَ بِبَلاءٍ لا تَسْتُرُهُ وَ بِفَاقَةٍ لا تَسُدُّهَا وَ بِسُقْمٍ لا تُعَافِيهِ وَ ذُلٍّ لا تُعِزُّهُ وَ بِمَسْكَنَةٍ لا تَجْبُرُهَا اللّٰهُمَّ اضْرِبْ بِالذُّلِّ نَصْبَ عَيْنَيْهِ وَ اَدْخِلْ عَلَيْهِ الْفَقْرَ فِي مَنْزِلِهِ، وَ الْعِلَّةَ وَ السُّقْمَ فِي بَدَنِهِ حَتَّى تَشْغَلَهُ عَنِّي بِشُغْلٍ شَاغِلٍ لا فَرَاغَ لَهُ وَ اَنْسِهِ ذِكْرِي كَمَا اَنْسَيْتَهُ ذِكْرَكَ وَ خُذْ عَنِّي بِسَمْعِهِ وَ بَصَرِهِ وَ لِسَانِهِ وَ يَدِهِ وَ رِجْلِهِ وَ قَلْبِهِ وَ جَمِيعِ جَوَارِحِهِ وَ اَدْخِلْ عَلَيْهِ فِي جَمِيعِ ذَلِكَ السُّقْمَ وَ لا تَشْفِهِ حَتَّى تَجْعَلَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ شُغْلا شَاغِلا بِهِ عَنِّي وَ عَنْ ذِكْرِي وَ اكْفِنِي يَا كَافِيَ مَا لا يَكْفِي سِوَاكَ فَاِنَّكَ الْكَافِي لا كَافِيَ سِوَاكَ وَ مُفَرِّجٌ لا مُفَرِّجَ سِوَاكَ وَ مُغِيثٌ لا مُغِيثَ سِوَاكَ وَ جَارٌ لا جَارَ سِوَاكَ خَابَ مَنْ كَانَ جَارُهُ سِوَاكَ وَ مُغِيثُهُ سِوَاكَ وَ مَفْزَعُهُ اِلَى سِوَاكَ وَ مَهْرَبُهُ [اِلَى سِوَاكَ‏] وَ مَلْجَؤُهُ اِلَى غَيْرِكَ [سِوَاكَ‏] وَ مَنْجَاهُ مِنْ مَخْلُوقٍ غَيْرِكَ فَاَنْتَ ثِقَتِي وَ رَجَائِي وَ مَفْزَعِي وَ مَهْرَبِي وَ مَلْجَئِي وَ مَنْجَايَ، فَبِكَ اَسْتَفْتِحُ وَ بِكَ اَسْتَنْجِحُ وَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ اَتَوَجَّهُ اِلَيْكَ وَ اَتَوَسَّلُ وَ اَتَشَفَّعُ فَاَسْاَلُكَ يَا اللّٰهُ يَا اللّٰهُ يَا اللّٰهُ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَ لَكَ الشُّكْرُ وَ اِلَيْكَ الْمُشْتَكَى وَ اَنْتَ الْمُسْتَعَانُ فَاَسْاَلُكَ يَا اللّٰهُ يَا اللّٰهُ يَا اللّٰهُ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ اَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَنْ تَكْشِفَ عَنِّي غَمِّي وَ هَمِّي وَ كَرْبِي فِي مَقَامِي هَذَا كَمَا كَشَفْتَ عَنْ نَبِيِّكَ هَمَّهُ وَ غَمَّهُ وَ كَرْبَهُ وَ كَفَيْتَهُ هَوْلَ عَدُوِّهِ فَاكْشِفْ عَنِّي كَمَا كَشَفْتَ عَنْهُ وَ فَرِّجْ عَنِّي كَمَا فَرَّجْتَ عَنْهُ وَ اكْفِنِي كَمَا كَفَيْتَهُ [وَ اصْرِفْ عَنِّي‏] هَوْلَ مَا اَخَافُ هَوْلَهُ وَ مَئُونَةَ مَا اَخَافُ مَئُونَتَهُ وَ هَمَّ مَا اَخَافُ هَمَّهُ بِلا مَئُونَةٍ عَلَى نَفْسِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ اصْرِفْنِي بِقَضَاءِ حَوَائِجِي وَ كِفَايَةِ مَا اَهَمَّنِي هَمُّهُ مِنْ اَمْرِ آخِرَتِي وَ دُنْيَايَ يَا اَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ [وَ يَا اَبَا عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ‏] عَلَيْكَ [عَلَيْكُمَا] مِنِّي سَلامُ اللّٰهِ اَبَدا [مَا بَقِيتُ‏] وَ بَقِيَ اللَّيْلُ وَ النَّهَارُ، وَ لا جَعَلَهُ اللّٰهُ آخِرَ الْعَهْدِ مِنْ زِيَارَتِكُمَا وَ لا فَرَّقَ اللّٰهُ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَكُمَا اللّٰهُمَّ اَحْيِنِي حَيَاةَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ وَ اَمِتْنِي مَمَاتَهُمْ وَ تَوَفَّنِي عَلَى مِلَّتِهِمْ وَ احْشُرْنِي فِي زُمْرَتِهِمْ وَ لا تُفَرِّقْ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُمْ طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ اَبَدا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ يَا اَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ يَا اَبَا عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ اَتَيْتُكُمَا زَائِرا وَ مُتَوَسِّلا اِلَى اللّٰهِ رَبِّي وَ رَبِّكُمَا وَ مُتَوَجِّها اِلَيْهِ بِكُمَا وَ مُسْتَشْفِعا [بِكُمَا] اِلَى اللّٰهِ [تَعَالَى‏] فِي حَاجَتِي هَذِهِ فَاشْفَعَا لِي فَاِنَّ لَكُمَا عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ الْمَقَامَ الْمَحْمُودَ وَ الْجَاهَ الْوَجِيهَ وَ الْمَنْزِلَ الرَّفِيعَ وَ الْوَسِيلَةَ اِنِّي اَنْقَلِبُ عَنْكُمَا مُنْتَظِرا لِتَنَجُّزِ الْحَاجَةِ وَ قَضَائِهَا وَ نَجَاحِهَا مِنَ اللّٰهِ بِشَفَاعَتِكُمَا لِي اِلَى اللّٰهِ فِي ذَلِكَ فَلا اَخِيبُ وَ لا يَكُونُ مُنْقَلَبِي مُنْقَلَبا خَائِبا خَاسِرا بَلْ يَكُونُ مُنْقَلَبِي مُنْقَلَبا رَاجِحا [رَاجِيا] مُفْلِحا مُنْجِحا مُسْتَجَابا بِقَضَاءِ جَمِيعِ حَوَائِجِي [الْحَوَائِجِ‏] وَ تَشَفَّعَا لِي اِلَى اللّٰهِ انْقَلَبْتُ عَلَى مَا شَاءَ اللّٰهُ ، وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلا بِاللّٰهِ مُفَوِّضا اَمْرِي اِلَى اللّٰهِ مُلْجِئا ظَهْرِي اِلَى اللّٰهِ مُتَوَكِّلا عَلَى اللّٰهِ وَ اَقُولُ حَسْبِيَ اللّٰهُ وَ كَفَى سَمِعَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ دَعَا لَيْسَ لِي وَرَاءَ اللّٰهِ وَ وَرَاءَكُمْ يَا سَادَتِي مُنْتَهًى مَا شَاءَ رَبِّي كَانَ وَ مَا لَمْ يَشَأْ لَمْ يَكُنْ وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلا بِاللّٰهِ اَسْتَوْدِعُكُمَا اللّٰهَ وَ لا جَعَلَهُ اللّٰهُ آخِرَ الْعَهْدِ مِنِّي اِلَيْكُمَا انْصَرَفْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي يَا اَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ مَوْلايَ وَ اَنْتَ [اُبْتُ‏] يَا اَبَا عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ يَا سَيِّدِي [وَ] سَلامِي عَلَيْكُمَا مُتَّصِلٌ مَا اتَّصَلَ اللَّيْلُ وَ النَّهَارُ ، وَاصِلٌ ذَلِكَ اِلَيْكُمَا غَيْرُ [غَيْرَ] مَحْجُوبٍ عَنْكُمَا سَلامِي اِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰهُ وَ اَسْاَلُهُ بِحَقِّكُمَا اَنْ يَشَاءَ ذَلِكَ وَ يَفْعَلَ فَاِنَّهُ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ انْقَلَبْتُ يَا سَيِّدَيَّ عَنْكُمَا تَائِبا حَامِدا لِلَّهِ شَاكِرا رَاجِيا لِلْاِجَابَةِ غَيْرَ آيِسٍ وَ لا قَانِطٍ آئِبا عَائِدا رَاجِعا اِلَى زِيَارَتِكُمَا غَيْرَ رَاغِبٍ عَنْكُمَا وَ لا مِنْ [عَنْ‏] زِيَارَتِكُمَا بَلْ رَاجِعٌ عَائِدٌ اِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰهُ وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلا بِاللّٰهِ يَا سَادَتِي رَغِبْتُ اِلَيْكُمَا وَ اِلَى زِيَارَتِكُمَا بَعْدَ اَنْ زَهِدَ فِيكُمَا وَ فِي زِيَارَتِكُمَا اَهْلُ الدُّنْيَا فَلا خَيَّبَنِيَ اللّٰهُ مَا [مِمَّا] رَجَوْتُ وَ مَا اَمَّلْتُ فِي زِيَارَتِكُمَا اِنَّهُ قَرِيبٌ مُجِيبٌ

RECOMMENDED RITUALS OF FRIDAY NIGHT (SHAB-E-JUMAH)

Although the recommended rites on Friday nights are too many, we will briefly mention some of them as follows:

First: Repeat very often the following litanies:

“سبحان اللّه،و اللّه اكبر،و لا اله الاّ اللّه اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ”

It has been narrated that because Friday nights are illustrious and daytimes are brilliant, you may repeat very often the litanies of subhanallah, Allahu-akbar, and la-Ilaha-illallah. You may also invoke Almighty Allah’s blessings upon Muhammad and his Household very frequently at this night.

According to another narration, one may repeat the invocation of blessings upon Muhammad and his Household one hundred times at least at Friday nights. Yet, the more the best.

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported as saying, “To invoke Almighty Allah’s blessings upon Muhammad and his Household at Friday nights is equal to winning one thousand rewards, having one thousand evildoings erased, and having one thousand ranks raised.”

It is recommended to start these invocations immediately after the Asr Prayer on Thursday up to the end of Friday daytime. In this regard, it has been authentically narrated that Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) said, “On Thursday afternoons, angels from the heavens descend to the lowest space carrying golden pens and silver papers on which they record nothing except the invocations of blessings upon Muhammad and his Household."

Shaykh al-Tusi says it recommended, on Thursdays, to repeat the invocations of blessings upon Muhammad and his Household one thousand times in the following form:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ وَ اَهْلِكْ عَدُوَّهُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَ الْاِنْسِ مِنَ الْاَوَّلِينَ وَ الْآخِرِينَ.

Great reward will be the share of him who utters this invocation from Thursday afternoons up to the last hour of Fridays.

Shaykh al-Tusi has also recorded that it is recommended to say the following prayer of forgiveness at the last hour of Thursdays:

اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لا اِلَهَ اِلا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ تَوْبَةَ عَبْدٍ خَاضِعٍ مِسْكِينٍ مُسْتَكِينٍ لا يَسْتَطِيعُ لِنَفْسِهِ صَرْفا وَ لا عَدْلا وَ لا نَفْعا وَ لا ضَرّا وَ لا حَيَاةً وَ لا مَوْتا وَ لا نُشُورا وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عِتْرَتِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ الطَّاهِرِينَ الْاَخْيَارِ الْاَبْرَارِ وَ سَلَّمَ تَسْلِيما .

Second: At Friday nights, it is recommended to recite the following chapters (Surah) of the Holy Qur’an:

(1) Surah al-Isra’ (Bani-Isra’il; No. 17),

(2) Surah al-Kahf (No. 18),

(3) the three Surahs beginning with Ya-Sin, i.e. Surah al-Shu’ara’ (No. 26), Surah al-Naml (No. 27), and Surah al-Qasas (No. 28),

(4) Surah al-Sajdah (No. 32),

(5) Surah Yasin (No. 36),

(6) SurahSad (No. 38),

(7) Surah al-Ahqaf (No. 46),

(8) Surah al-Waqiah (No. 56),

(9) Surah Fussilat (No. 41),

(10) Surah al-Dukhan (No. 44),

(11) Surah al-Tur (No. 52),

(12) Surah al-Qamar (No. 54), and

(13) Surah al-Jumu’ah (No. 62).

If there is not enough time to recite all these Surahs, one may choose Surah al-Waqiah and those preceding it [in the aforesaid list].

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said that one who recites Surah al-Isra’ each Friday night will join Imam al-Mahdi(a.s.) as one of his companions.

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites Surah al-Kahf at Friday nights will die as martyr and will be resurrected with and in the line of the martyrs (on the Resurrection Day).

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites the three Surahs beginning with Ya-Sin at Friday nights will be included with the intimate saints of Almighty Allah, will be made in the vicinity and under the protection of Him, will never be inflicted with misery in his worldly life, and will be given beyond his pleasure on the Resurrection Day.

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites Surah al-Sajdah at Friday nights will be given his Record of Deeds in his right hand, will not be interrogated about his evildoings, and will be included with the companions of Muhammad and his Household - peace be upon them all.

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) is authentically reported to have said that one who recites SurahSad at Friday nights will be granted the welfare of this world as well as the Next World in such an excellent way that none would deserve except Prophets and archangels and will be allowed to Paradise as well as all those whom he loves among his household including the servants.

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said that one who recites on Fridays or at Friday nights Surah al-Ahqaf will be saved, by Almighty Allah, from terrors in the worldly life and will be secured from the horror of the Resurrection Day.

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites Surah al-Waqiah at Friday nights will be loved by Almighty Allah, all people will be made to love him, will be saved from all miseries, poverty, neediness, and misfortunes in this worldly life, and will be joined to the companions of Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) because this Surah is ascribed to him.

It has been also narrated that to recite Surah al-Jumu’ah at Friday nights is decided as expiation (forgiving the sins) for the evildoings committed throughout the week. A similar merit has been narrated for reciting Surah al-Kahf at Friday nights or after the two obligatory Zohr and Asr Prayers on Fridays.

It is worth mentioning that it is highly recommended to offer many (supererogatory) prayers at Friday nights such as Imam Ali’s Prayer, known as (Salat Ameer al-Momineen) and the two-unit prayer in each of which one should recite Surah al-Faatehah once and repeat Surah al-Zalzalah (No. 99) fifteen times. It has been narrated that one who offers this prayer will be saved, by Almighty Allah, from the grave torment and the horrors on the Resurrection Day.

Third: It is recommended to recite Surah al-Jumu’ah (No. 62) in the first unit of the Maghrib (Sunset) and Isha’ (Evening) obligatory Prayers, and to recite Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) in the second unit of the Maghrib Prayer and Surah al-A’la (No. 87) in the second unit of the Isha’ Prayer.

Fourth: It is highly recommended to avoid reciting poetry at Friday nights. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is authentically reported to have said that it is abominable to say poetry for one observing fasting (sawm), the Muhrim (entering into Ihram: putting the pilgrimage uniform and entering the state of being performing the obligatory rites of the ritual Hajj), and on Fridays and at Friday nights. When he was asked whether this instruction is effective on the religiously acceptable poetry too, the Imam (a.s.) answered affirmatively.

It has been also authentically narrated on the authority of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, “One who utters even one verse of poetry on Fridays and at Friday nights will have nothing of the rewards except that of uttering that poetry.”

According to another narration, the prayers of those who recite poetry on Fridays will not be accepted.

Fifth: It is highly recommended to pray Almighty Allah for the good of one’s brethren-in-faith very frequently so as to copy the deed of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra’. According to a Hadith, one who prays for ten deceased individuals will be unquestionably allowed to enter Paradise.

Sixth: It is also recommended to say the supplications dedicated to Fridays. Actually, these supplications are too numerous to be cited in this chapter; therefore, a few of them will be hereinafter mentioned:

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is authentically reported as saying that one who says the following supplicatory prayer in the last prostration of the Isha’ supererogatory prayer at Friday nights and repeats it seven times will have all his sins forgiven as soon as he accomplishes that prayer. Yet, it is desirable to repeat this deed each night:

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّي اَسْاَلُكَ بِوَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ وَ اسْمِكَ الْعَظِيمِ اَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي ذَنْبِيَ الْعَظِيمَ .

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is reported to have said that one who repeats the following supplicatory prayer seven times at Friday night will be allowed Paradise if he departs life at that night; and one who repeats it seven times on Friday will be also allowed Paradise if he departs life on that day:

اللَّهُمَّ اَنْتَ رَبِّي لا اِلَهَ اِلا اَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَ اَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَ ابْنُ اَمَتِكَ وَ فِي قَبْضَتِكَ وَ نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ اَمْسَيْتُ عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَ وَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ اَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ اَبُوءُ بِنِعْمَتِكَ [بِعَمَلِي‏] وَ اَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي [بِذُنُوبِي‏] فَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي اِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ اِلا اَنْتَ .

Shaykh al-Tusi, Sayyid Ibn Tawus, al-Kaf’ami, and Sayyid Ibn Baqi have recorded that it is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer on Fridays and at Friday nights and on the day and night of ‘Arafat (the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah). However, the supplication will be hereinafter cited as quoted from Shaykh al-Tusi’s book of al-Misbah:

اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ تَعَبَّاَ وَ تَهَيَّاَ وَ اَعَدَّ وَ اسْتَعَدَّ لِوِفَادَةٍ اِلَى مَخْلُوقٍ رَجَاءَ رِفْدِهِ وَ طَلَبَ نَائِلِهِ وَ جَائِزَتِهِ فَاِلَيْكَ يَا رَبِّ تَعْبِيَتِي وَ اسْتِعْدَادِي رَجَاءَ عَفْوِكَ وَ طَلَبَ نَائِلِكَ وَ جَائِزَتِكَ فَلا تُخَيِّبْ دُعَائِي يَا مَنْ لا يَخِيبُ عَلَيْهِ سَائِلٌ [السَّائِلُ‏] وَ لا يَنْقُصُهُ نَائِلٌ فَاِنِّي لَمْ آتِكَ ثِقَةً بِعَمَلٍ صَالِحٍ عَمِلْتُهُ وَ لا لِوِفَادَةِ مَخْلُوقٍ رَجَوْتُهُ اَتَيْتُكَ مُقِرّا عَلَى نَفْسِي بِالْاِسَاءَةِ وَ الظُّلْمِ، مُعْتَرِفا بِاَنْ لا حُجَّةَ لِي وَ لا عُذْرَ اَتَيْتُكَ اَرْجُو عَظِيمَ عَفْوِكَ الَّذِي عَفَوْتَ [عَلَوْتَ‏] بِهِ [عَلَى‏] عَنِ الْخَاطِئِينَ [الْخَطَّائِينَ‏] فَلَمْ يَمْنَعْكَ طُولُ عُكُوفِهِمْ عَلَى عَظِيمِ الْجُرْمِ اَنْ عُدْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِالرَّحْمَةِ فَيَا مَنْ رَحْمَتُهُ وَاسِعَةٌ وَ عَفْوُهُ عَظِيمٌ يَا عَظِيمُ يَا عَظِيمُ يَا عَظِيمُ لا يَرُدُّ غَضَبَكَ اِلا حِلْمُكَ وَ لا يُنْجِي مِنْ سَخَطِكَ اِلا التَّضَرُّعُ اِلَيْكَ فَهَبْ لِي يَا اِلَهِي فَرَجا بِالْقُدْرَةِ الَّتِي تُحْيِي بِهَا مَيْتَ الْبِلادِ ، وَ لا تُهْلِكْنِي غَمّا حَتَّى تَسْتَجِيبَ لِي وَ تُعَرِّفَنِي الْاِجَابَةَ فِي دُعَائِي وَ اَذِقْنِي طَعْمَ الْعَافِيَةِ اِلَى مُنْتَهَى اَجَلِي وَ لا تُشْمِتْ بِي عَدُوِّي وَ لا تُسَلِّطْهُ عَلَيَّ وَ لا تُمَكِّنْهُ مِنْ عُنُقِي اللَّهُمَّ [اِلَهِي‏] اِنْ وَضَعْتَنِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَرْفَعُنِي وَ اِنْ رَفَعْتَنِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَضَعُنِي وَ اِنْ اَهْلَكْتَنِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَعْرِضُ لَكَ فِي عَبْدِكَ اَوْ يَسْاَلُكَ عَنْ اَمْرِهِ، وَ قَدْ عَلِمْتُ اَنَّهُ لَيْسَ فِي حُكْمِكَ ظُلْمٌ وَ لا فِي نَقِمَتِكَ عَجَلَةٌ وَ اِنَّمَا يَعْجَلُ مَنْ يَخَافُ الْفَوْتَ وَ اِنَّمَا يَحْتَاجُ اِلَى الظُّلْمِ الضَّعِيفُ وَ قَدْ تَعَالَيْتَ يَا اِلَهِي عَنْ ذَلِكَ عُلُوّا كَبِيرا اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّي اَعُوذُ بِكَ فَاَعِذْنِي وَ اَسْتَجِيرُ بِكَ فَاَجِرْنِي وَ اَسْتَرْزِقُكَ فَارْزُقْنِي وَ اَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ فَاكْفِنِي وَ اَسْتَنْصِرُكَ عَلَى عَدُوِّي [عَدُوِّكَ‏] فَانْصُرْنِي وَ اَسْتَعِينُ بِكَ فَاَعِنِّي وَ اَسْتَغْفِرُكَ يَا اِلَهِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي آمِينَ آمِينَ آمِينَ .

Seventh: It is highly recommended to say the famous supplicatory prayer known as Dua Kumayl, which will be cited in the coming section of this book, at Friday nights.

Eighth: It is also recommended to say the supplication that begins with the following statements. This supplication is also recommended to be said at the ‘Arafat Night, and will be cited later on in this book:

“اللّهمّ يا شاهد كلّ نجوى”

Ninth: It is recommended to repeat the following supplicatory prayer ten times:

يَا دَائِمَ الْفَضْلِ عَلَى الْبَرِيَّةِ يَا بَاسِطَ الْيَدَيْنِ بِالْعَطِيَّةِ يَا صَاحِبَ الْمَوَاهِبِ السَّنِيَّةِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ خَيْرِ الْوَرَى سَجِيَّةً وَ اغْفِرْ لَنَا يَا ذَا الْعُلَى فِي هَذِهِ الْعَشِيَّةِ.

This honorable supplicatory prayer is also recommended to be said at the night of ‘Id al-Fitr (fast-break Feast; the first of Shawwal).

Tenth: Following Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) it is recommended to have pomegranate at Friday nights. Yet, it is preferable to have it before going to sleep. In this respect, it has been narrated that to eat pomegranate before going to sleep procures security until morning. It is also instructive to extend a handkerchief on the ground so as to save all the seeds of a pomegranate from loss and then eat them all. It is also recommended not to share anyone with it.

Eleventh: In his book of al-’Arus, Shaykh Ja’far ibn Ahmad al-Qummi has recorded that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said that one who repeats the following litany one hundred times between the Dawn supererogatory and obligatory prayers will be owned, by Almighty Allah, a house in Paradise:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ

Twelfth: Shaykh al-Tusi, Sayyid Ibn Tawus, and others have mentioned the following supplicatory prayer confirming that it is recommended to say it at Friday nights just before dawn:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ هَبْ لِيَ الْغَدَاةَ رِضَاكَ وَ اَسْكِنْ قَلْبِي خَوْفَكَ وَ اقْطَعْهُ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ حَتَّى لا اَرْجُوَ وَ لا اَخَافَ اِلا اِيَّاكَ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ هَبْ لِي ثَبَاتَ الْيَقِينِ وَ مَحْضَ الْاِخْلاصِ وَ شَرَفَ التَّوْحِيدِ وَ دَوَامَ الاسْتِقَامَةِ وَ مَعْدِنَ الصَّبْرِ وَ الرِّضَا بِالْقَضَاءِ وَ الْقَدَرِ يَا قَاضِيَ حَوَائِجِ السَّائِلِينَ يَا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي ضَمِيرِ الصَّامِتِينَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ، وَ اسْتَجِبْ دُعَائِي وَ اغْفِرْ ذَنْبِي وَ اَوْسِعْ رِزْقِي وَ اقْضِ حَوَائِجِي فِي نَفْسِي وَ اِخْوَانِي فِي دِينِي وَ اَهْلِي اِلَهِي طُمُوحُ الْآمَالِ قَدْ خَابَتْ اِلا لَدَيْكَ وَ مَعَاكِفُ الْهِمَمِ قَدْ تَعَطَّلَتْ اِلا عَلَيْكَ وَ مَذَاهِبُ الْعُقُولِ قَدْ سَمَتْ اِلا اِلَيْكَ فَاَنْتَ الرَّجَاءُ وَ اِلَيْكَ الْمُلْتَجَاُ يَا اَكْرَمَ مَقْصُودٍ وَ اَجْوَدَ مَسْئُولٍ هَرَبْتُ اِلَيْكَ بِنَفْسِي يَا مَلْجَاَ الْهَارِبِينَ، بِاَثْقَالِ الذُّنُوبِ اَحْمِلُهَا عَلَى ظَهْرِي لا اَجِدُ لِي اِلَيْكَ شَافِعا سِوَى مَعْرِفَتِي بِاَنَّكَ اَقْرَبُ مَنْ رَجَاهُ الطَّالِبُونَ وَ اَمَّلَ مَا لَدَيْهِ الرَّاغِبُونَ يَا مَنْ فَتَقَ الْعُقُولَ بِمَعْرِفَتِهِ وَ اَطْلَقَ الْاَلْسُنَ بِحَمْدِهِ وَ جَعَلَ مَا امْتَنَّ بِهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ فِي كِفَاءٍ لِتَأْدِيَةِ حَقِّهِ [اَنَالَ بِهِ حَقَّهُ‏] صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ لا تَجْعَلْ لِلشَّيْطَانِ عَلَى عَقْلِي سَبِيلا وَ لا لِلْبَاطِلِ عَلَى عَمَلِي دَلِيلا.

When Friday dawns, it is recommended to say the following:

اَصْبَحْتُ فِي ذِمَّةِ اللّٰهِ وَ ذِمَّةِ مَلائِكَتِهِ وَ ذِمَمِ اَنْبِيَائِهِ وَ رُسُلِهِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ وَ ذِمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ ذِمَمِ الْاَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ آمَنْتُ بِسِرِّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ وَ عَلانِيَتِهِمْ وَ ظَاهِرِهِمْ وَ بَاطِنِهِمْ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّهُمْ فِي عِلْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ طَاعَتِهِ كَمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ.

It has been also narrated that one who says the following litany three times before the Dawn (Fajr) Prayer on Fridays will have all his sins forgiven even if they are as innumerable as swelling foams:

اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لا اِلَهَ اِلا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ.

RECOMMENDED RITES OF FRIDAY

Too many are the recommended rites on Fridays; yet, we will briefly mention the following:

First: In the first unit of the Dawn Prayer, it is recommended to recite Surah al-Jumu’ah (No. 62) and, in the second unit, Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112).

Second: Before opening the mouth with any word, it is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer after the Dawn Prayer so that all sins committed throughout the week will be forgiven:

اللَّهُمَّ مَا قُلْتُ فِي جُمُعَتِي هَذِهِ مِنْ قَوْلٍ اَوْ حَلَفْتُ فِيهَا مِنْ حَلْفٍ اَوْ نَذَرْتُ فِيهَا مِنْ نَذْرٍ فَمَشِيَّتُكَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ فَمَا شِئْتَ مِنْهُ اَنْ يَكُونَ كَانَ وَ مَا لَمْ تَشَأْ مِنْهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ تَجَاوَزْ عَنِّي اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ صَلَّيْتَ عَلَيْهِ فَصَلَوَاتِي عَلَيْهِ وَ مَنْ لَعَنْتَ فَلَعْنَتِي عَلَيْهِ.

This act should be done once a month at least.

It has been also narrated that one who, after the accomplishment of the Dawn Prayer on Fridays, does devotional acts and says supplications and invocations until sunrise will be raised seventy ranks to the Supreme Paradise.

Shaykh al-Tusi has recorded that it is highly recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer after the Dawn Prayer on Fridays:

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّي تَعَمَّدْتُ اِلَيْكَ بِحَاجَتِي وَ اَنْزَلْتُ اِلَيْكَ الْيَوْمَ فَقْرِي وَ فَاقَتِي وَ مَسْكَنَتِي فَاَنَا لِمَغْفِرَتِكَ اَرْجَى مِنِّي لِعَمَلِي وَ لَمَغْفِرَتُكَ وَ رَحْمَتُكَ اَوْسَعُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِي فَتَوَلَّ قَضَاءَ كُلِّ حَاجَةٍ لِي بِقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَيْهَا وَ تَيْسِيرِ [تَيَسُّرِ] ذَلِكَ عَلَيْكَ وَ لِفَقْرِي اِلَيْكَ فَاِنِّي لَمْ اُصِبْ خَيْرا قَطُّ اِلا مِنْكَ وَ لَمْ يَصْرِفْ عَنِّي سُوءا قَطُّ اَحَدٌ سِوَاكَ وَ لَسْتُ [لَيْسَ‏] اَرْجُو لِآخِرَتِي وَ دُنْيَايَ وَ لا لِيَوْمِ فَقْرِي يَوْمَ يُفْرِدُنِي النَّاسُ فِي حُفْرَتِي وَ اُفْضِي اِلَيْكَ بِذَنْبِي سِوَاكَ

Third: It has been narrated that one who says the following invocation after the Zohr and Fajr Prayers on Fridays, as well as other days, will catch Imam al-Mahdi(a.s.) before he dies:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ

In addition, it has been narrated that one who repeats the aforesaid invocation one hundred times will have sixty of his requests granted for him - thirty in this worldly life and thirty on the Resurrection Day.

Fourth: It is recommended to recite Surah al-Rahman (No. 55) after the Fajr Prayer on Fridays and to say, “None of Your favors do I deny,”wherever the verses, “Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?” are recited.

Fifth: Shaykh al-Tusi has recorded that it is highly recommended to recite Surah al-Tawheed, to invoke Almighty Allah’s blessings upon Muhammad and his Household, and to pray Him for forgiveness each one hundred times after the Fajr Prayer on Fridays. It is also highly recommended to recite Surahs al-Nisa’ (No. 4), Hud (No. 11), al-Kahf (No. 18), al-Saaffaat (No. 37), and al-Rahman (No. 55) during that time.

Sixth: It is recommended to recite Surah al-Ahqaf (No. 46) and Surah al-Mu’minun (No. 23).

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported as saying that anyone who recites Surah al-Ahqaf at Friday nights or on Fridays will not be inflicted by dismays in his worldly life and will be saved from the horrors on the Resurrection Day. The Imam (a.s.) is also reported as saying that anyone who recites Surah al-Mu’minun regularly each Friday will come upon a happy end and will be granted an abode in the Supreme Paradise with the Prophets and Messengers of Almighty Allah.

Seventh: It is recommended to repeat Surah al-Kafirun (No. 109) ten times before sunrise and then pray Almighty Allah so that all prayers will be answered.

It has been narrated that Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-’Abidin (a.s.) used to repeat reciting Ayah al-Kursi (verse No. 255 of Surah al-Baqarah No. 2) from early morning up to midday on Fridays. When he accomplished the obligatory prayers, he would recite Surah al-Qadr (No. 97) frequently.

It is worth mentioning that to recite Ayah al-Kursi in the form of revelationon Fridays achieves a great reward.

Eighth: It is highly recommended to bathe oneself. In fact, this is one of the most confirmed rituals of Fridays. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is reported to have instructed Imam Ali(a.s.) by saying, “O Ali; wash yourself every Friday even if you have to purchase water with your Daily provisions and have nothing to eat. Verily, no voluntary act is better than this.”

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is also reported to have said: Whoever washes himself on Fridays and, meanwhile, says the following supplicatory prayer will be pure all through that week:

اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ.

“Pure” in the aforesaid Hadith stands for purification from sins or acceptance of the deeds, which is thus moral purification.

In any case, it is important not to neglect bathing oneself on Fridays when possible. The recommended time of this bathing is between sunrise and midday. In addition, the nearer to midday the better.

Ninth: It is recommended to dye with hibiscus, for it saves from leprosy and insanity.

Tenth: It is also recommended to cut the mustache neatly and trim the nails so as not to miss the great merits of doing these acts. As has been mentioned in narrations, these acts bring about expansion in sustenance, cancellation of sins up to the next Friday, and security from insanity and leprosy. On doing that, it is recommended to say the following litany:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ عَلَى سُنَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ [رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ ‏] وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

It is also recommended, on cutting the nails, to start with the little finger of the left hand and end with that of the right hand. The same thing is applicable to the nails of the feet. Then, the cut nails should be buried.

Eleventh: It is recommended to apply perfume and put on the best of one’s clothes.

Twelfth: It is recommended to give alms, for the rewards are doubled up on Fridays and at Friday nights, as is confirmed by narrations, as one thousand folds as giving alms on other days.

Thirteenth: It is recommended to arrange fruits and wholesome meals to the family members so that Fridays will be their days of pleasure.

Fourteenth: It is recommended to eat pomegranate before breakfast and to eat seven leaves of endive before midday. In this connection, Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) is reported to have said, “The heart of him who eats a pomegranate before breakfast on Fridays will be enlightened for forty days. To eat two pomegranates increases the period of enlightenment to eighty days, and so on. It also dismisses the evil suggestions. Of course, to get rid of Satan’s suggestions is to stop acting disobediently to Almighty Allah; and to stop acting disobediently to Him allows entrance to Paradise.”

In al-Misbah, the author has said that to eat pomegranates on Fridays and at Friday nights achieves great merits.

Fifteenth: It is recommended to dedicate Fridays to learning the religious laws and instructions, not to wandering in others’ gardens, accompanying the vicious and the licentious, speaking about the others’ defects, laughing and guffawing, reciting poetry, and discussing useless subjects as well as similar matters. Disadvantages arisen from such matters are too many to be mentioned.

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported as saying, “Woe to a Muslim who does not dedicate Fridays to learning the affairs of his religion.”

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is also reported to have said, “If you, on Fridays, see old men telling the tales of infidelity and of the pre-Islamic era, you should then make their heads the targets of stones.”

Sixteenth: It is recommended to repeat one thousand times at least the invocation of blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) is reported to have said, “For me, no act of worship is more favorable than invoking blessings upon the Prophet and his immaculate Household - may Allah bless them all - on Fridays.”

If there is not enough time to repeat this invocation one thousand times, it must be repeated one hundred times at least so that faces will be brightened on the Judgment Day.

It has been also narrated that all sins will be totally forgiven for those who repeat invocations of blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household one hundred times, repeat the following supplicatory prayer one hundred times, and recite Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) one hundred times on Fridays:

اَستَغفِرُاللهَ رَبَّی وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَیهِ

It has been also narrated that to invoke blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his household is equal (in reward) to seventy times of going on Hajj.

Seventeenth: It is recommended to say the ritual Ziyarahs of the Holy Prophet and Imams, peace be upon them all. A section of this book is dedicated to the etiquettes and methods of Ziyarahs.

Eighteenth: It is recommended to visit the tombs of one’s relatives in general and parents in particular. Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) is reported as saying, “Visit the graves of your relatives on Fridays, for they know about those who visit their graves and will be happy for that.”

Nineteenth: It is recommended to say Dua al-Nudbah Supplication, which is one of the rites to be done on the Four Feast Days (i.e. ‘Id al-Fitr - the first of Shawwal, ‘Id al-Adha - the tenth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, ‘Id al-Ghadir - the eighteenth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and Fridays).

NAMAZ E KAMILAH

Twentieth: Excluding the Friday Supererogatory Prayer (Nafilat al-Jumu’ah), many other optional prayers are reported to be offered on Fridays. Although the majority of these prayers are not dedicated to Fridays, it is highly recommended to offer them on Fridays.

One of these prayers is al-Salat al-Kamilah (The Perfect Prayer) that has been mentioned by many master scholars through numerous authentic series of reporters from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq on the authority of his honorable fathers on the authority of the Holy Prophet - Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them all. In this connection, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is reported to have said: As for anyone who, before midday on Fridays, offers a four-unit prayer and recites the following in each unit: (1) Surah al-Faatehah ten times, (2) Surah al-Nas (No. 114) ten times, (3) Surah al-Falaq (No. 113) ten times, (4) Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) ten times, (5) Surah al-Kafirun (No. 109) ten times, (6) Ayah al-Kursi (2:155) ten times, [And, according to another narration, (7) Surah al-Qadr (No. 97) ten times, (8) Ayat Shahidallah (3:18-19) ten times,] and, after the accomplishment of the prayer,

(1) repeats the following statement one hundred times:

ASTAGFIRU ALLAH

(2) repeats the following litany one hundred times:

سُبحانَ اللهِ وَالحَمدُلِلّهِ وَ لا اِلهَ اِلّا اللهُ اَکبَرُ وَ لا حَولَ وَلا قُوَّة الّا بِاللهِ العَلِیِّ العَظیمِ .

(3) repeats the following invocation one hundred times:

ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIN WA ALI MUHAMMADIN

As for him who offers this prayer, Almighty Allah will save him from the evils of the inhabitants of the heavens, the inhabitants of the earth, the devil, and all unjust rulers.

ANOTHER PRAYER

It has been narrated on the authority of al-Harith al-Hamadani that Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) said: If possible, offer on Fridays ten units of prayer with perfect genuflection (ruku’) and prostration (sujud) repeating the following litany one hundred times between each couple (i.e. two) of units:

سبحانَ اللهِ وَ بِحَمدِهِ

To offer this prayer brings about a great reward.

A THIRD PRAYER

It has been authentically narrated that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) said, “One who recites Surahs Ibrahim (No. 14) and al-Hijr (No. 15) altogether in a two-unit prayer on Fridays will be saved from poverty, insanity, and misfortunes forever.”

NAMAZ OF HOLY PROPHET(S)

Sayyid Ibn Tawus, may Allah have mercy on him, has narrated, through an authenticated chain of authority, that when he was asked about Ja’far al-Tayyar’s Prayer, Imam al-Rida(a.s.) said, “Have you known about the Holy Prophet’s Prayer? Perhaps, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had never offered Ja’far al-Tayyar’s Prayer and Ja’far al-Tayyar had never offered the Holy Prophet’s Prayer.” When the asker asked him to teach him that prayer, Imam al-Rida(a.s.) said,

Offer a two-unit prayer reciting in each unit Surah al-Faatehah (No. 1) once and Surah al-Qadr (No. 97) fifteen times. When you come to the Ruku’ (genuflection), repeat it (i.e. Surah al-Qadr) fifteen times; when you raise your body after the Ruku’, recite it fifteen times; when you do the Sujud (prostration), repeat it fifteen times; when you raise your head from the Sujud, repeat it fifteen times; when you do the second prostration, repeat it fifteen times; and when you raise your head from the second prostration, repeat it fifteen times. When you finish your prayer, you will have all your sins forgiven by Almighty Allah and you will have all your requests granted for you. The supplication that should be said thereafter is as follows:

لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَ رَبُّ آبَائِنَا الْاَوَّلِينَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ اِلَها وَاحِدا وَ نَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ لا نَعْبُدُ اِلا اِيَّاهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَ لَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ وَحْدَهُ وَحْدَهُ اَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَ نَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَ اَعَزَّ جُنْدَهُ وَ هَزَمَ الْاَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ فَلَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ اللَّهُمَّ اَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ وَ مَنْ فِيهِنَّ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ [وَ لِلَّهِ الْمُلْكُ وَ الْحَمْدُ] وَ اَنْتَ قَيَّامُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ وَ مَنْ فِيهِنَّ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَ اَنْتَ الْحَقُّ وَ وَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ [حَقٌ‏]، وَ قَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ وَ اِنْجَازُك حَقٌّ وَ الْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ وَ النَّارُ حَقٌّ [وَ اَنْتَ الْحَقُ‏] اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ اَسْلَمْتُ وَ بِكَ آمَنْتُ وَ عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَ بِكَ خَاصَمْتُ وَ اِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَ اَخَّرْتُ وَ اَسْرَرْتُ وَ اَعْلَنْتُ اَنْتَ اِلَهِي لا اِلَهَ اِلا اَنْتَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي وَ تُبْ عَلَيَّ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ .

NAMAZ OF IMAM ALI (A.S.)

Shaykh al-Tusi and Sayyid Ibn Tawus have recorded that Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) said: One who offers the four-unit prayer of Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) will be as free of sins as newborns and will have all his requests granted. In the first unit, recite Surah al-Faatehah (No. 1) once and repeat Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) fifty times. On accomplishment, say the following litany of Imam Ali, peace be upon him:

سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا تَبِيدُ مَعَالِمُهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا تَنْقُصُ خَزَائِنُهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا اضْمِحْلالَ لِفَخْرِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا يَنْفَدُ مَا عِنْدَهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا انْقِطَاعَ لِمُدَّتِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا يُشَارِكُ اَحَدا فِي اَمْرِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا اِلَهَ غَيْرُهُ

Thereafter, say the following supplicatory prayer:

يَا مَنْ عَفَا عَنِ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَ لَمْ يُجَازِ بِهَا ارْحَمْ عَبْدَكَ يَا اللَّهُ نَفْسِي نَفْسِي اَنَا عَبْدُكَ يَا سَيِّدَاهْ اَنَا عَبْدُكَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ اَيَا رَبَّاهْ، اِلَهِي بِكَيْنُونَتِكَ يَا اَمَلاهْ يَا رَحْمَانَاهْ يَا غِيَاثَاهْ عَبْدُكَ عَبْدُكَ لا حِيلَةَ لَهُ يَا مُنْتَهَى رَغْبَتَاهْ يَا مُجْرِيَ الدَّمِ فِي عُرُوقِي [عَبْدُكَ‏] يَا سَيِّدَاهْ يَا مَالِكَاهْ اَيَا هُوَ اَيَا هُوَ يَا رَبَّاهْ عَبْدُكَ عَبْدُكَ لا حِيلَةَ لِي وَ لا غِنَى بِي عَنْ نَفْسِي وَ لا اَسْتَطِيعُ لَهَا ضَرّا وَ لا نَفْعا وَ لا اَجِدُ مَنْ اُصَانِعُهُ تَقَطَّعَتْ اَسْبَابُ الْخَدَائِعِ عَنِّي وَ اضْمَحَلَّ كُلُّ مَظْنُونٍ عَنِّي اَفْرَدَنِي الدَّهْرُ اِلَيْكَ فَقُمْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ هَذَا الْمَقَامَ يَا اِلَهِي بِعِلْمِكَ كَانَ هَذَا كُلُّهُ فَكَيْفَ اَنْتَ صَانِعٌ بِي وَ لَيْتَ شِعْرِي كَيْفَ تَقُولُ لِدُعَائِي اَ تَقُولُ نَعَمْ اَمْ تَقُولُ لا، فَاِنْ قُلْتَ لا فَيَا وَيْلِي يَا وَيْلِي يَا وَيْلِي يَا عَوْلِي يَا عَوْلِي يَا عَوْلِي يَا شِقْوَتِي يَا شِقْوَتِي يَا شِقْوَتِي يَا ذُلِّي يَا ذُلِّي يَا ذُلِّي اِلَى مَنْ وَ مِمَّنْ اَوْ عِنْدَ مَنْ اَوْ كَيْفَ اَوْ مَا ذَا اَوْ اِلَى اَيِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ اَلْجَاُ وَ مَنْ اَرْجُو وَ مَنْ يَجُودُ عَلَيَّ بِفَضْلِهِ حِينَ تَرْفُضُنِي يَا وَاسِعَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ وَ اِنْ قُلْتَ نَعَمْ كَمَا هُوَ الظَّنُّ بِكَ وَ الرَّجَاءُ لَكَ فَطُوبَى لِي اَنَا السَّعِيدُ وَ اَنَا الْمَسْعُودُ فَطُوبَى لِي وَ اَنَا الْمَرْحُومُ، يَا مُتَرَحِّمُ يَا مُتَرَئِّفُ يَا مُتَعَطِّفُ يَا مُتَجَبِّرُ [مُتَحَنِّنُ‏] يَا مُتَمَلِّكُ يَا مُقْسِطُ لا عَمَلَ لِي اَبْلُغُ بِهِ نَجَاحَ حَاجَتِي اَسْاَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي جَعَلْتَهُ فِي مَكْنُونِ غَيْبِكَ وَ اسْتَقَرَّ عِنْدَكَ فَلا يَخْرُجُ مِنْكَ اِلَى شَيْ‏ءٍ سِوَاكَ اَسْاَلُكَ بِهِ وَ بِكَ وَ بِهِ فَاِنَّهُ اَجَلُّ وَ اَشْرَفُ اَسْمَائِكَ لا شَيْ‏ءَ لِي غَيْرُ هَذَا وَ لا اَحَدَ اَعْوَدُ عَلَيَّ مِنْكَ يَا كَيْنُونُ يَا مُكَوِّنُ يَا مَنْ عَرَّفَنِي نَفْسَهُ يَا مَنْ اَمَرَنِي بِطَاعَتِهِ يَا مَنْ نَهَانِي عَنْ مَعْصِيَتِهِ وَ يَا مَدْعُوُّ يَا مَسْئُولُ يَا مَطْلُوبا اِلَيْهِ رَفَضْتُ وَصِيَّتَكَ الَّتِي اَوْصَيْتَنِي وَ لَمْ اُطِعْكَ وَ لَوْ اَطَعْتُكَ فِيمَا اَمَرْتَنِي لَكَفَيْتَنِي مَا قُمْتُ اِلَيْكَ فِيهِ وَ اَنَا مَعَ مَعْصِيَتِي لَكَ رَاجٍ، فَلا تَحُلْ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ مَا رَجَوْتُ يَا مُتَرَحِّما لِي اَعِذْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَ مِنْ خَلْفِي وَ مِنْ فَوْقِي وَ مِنْ تَحْتِي وَ مِنْ كُلِّ جِهَاتِ الْاِحَاطَةِ بِي اللَّهُمَّ بِمُحَمَّدٍ سَيِّدِي وَ بِعَلِيٍّ وَلِيِّي وَ بِالْاَئِمَّةِ الرَّاشِدِينَ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ اجْعَلْ عَلَيْنَا صَلَوَاتِكَ وَ رَأْفَتَكَ وَ رَحْمَتَكَ وَ اَوْسِعْ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ رِزْقِكَ وَ اقْضِ عَنَّا الدَّيْنَ وَ جَمِيعَ حَوَائِجِنَا يَا اللَّهُ يَا اللَّهُ يَا اللَّهُ اِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ

The Imam (a.s.) then added: One who offers this prayer and says this supplication will have all his sins forgiven.

Numerous are the narrations that have mentioned splendid reward for those who offer this prayer on Fridays. Similarly, one who says the following supplicatory prayer after that prayer will have all his previous and coming sins forgiven, will be given the reward of him who recites the holy Qur’an entirely twelve times, and will be saved from thirst on the Resurrection Day:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ الْعَرَبِيِّ وَ آلِهِ

RECOMMENDED RITUALS OF FRIDAY NIGHT (SHAB-E-JUMAH)

Although the recommended rites on Friday nights are too many, we will briefly mention some of them as follows:

First: Repeat very often the following litanies:

“سبحان اللّه،و اللّه اكبر،و لا اله الاّ اللّه اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ”

It has been narrated that because Friday nights are illustrious and daytimes are brilliant, you may repeat very often the litanies of subhanallah, Allahu-akbar, and la-Ilaha-illallah. You may also invoke Almighty Allah’s blessings upon Muhammad and his Household very frequently at this night.

According to another narration, one may repeat the invocation of blessings upon Muhammad and his Household one hundred times at least at Friday nights. Yet, the more the best.

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported as saying, “To invoke Almighty Allah’s blessings upon Muhammad and his Household at Friday nights is equal to winning one thousand rewards, having one thousand evildoings erased, and having one thousand ranks raised.”

It is recommended to start these invocations immediately after the Asr Prayer on Thursday up to the end of Friday daytime. In this regard, it has been authentically narrated that Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) said, “On Thursday afternoons, angels from the heavens descend to the lowest space carrying golden pens and silver papers on which they record nothing except the invocations of blessings upon Muhammad and his Household."

Shaykh al-Tusi says it recommended, on Thursdays, to repeat the invocations of blessings upon Muhammad and his Household one thousand times in the following form:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ وَ اَهْلِكْ عَدُوَّهُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَ الْاِنْسِ مِنَ الْاَوَّلِينَ وَ الْآخِرِينَ.

Great reward will be the share of him who utters this invocation from Thursday afternoons up to the last hour of Fridays.

Shaykh al-Tusi has also recorded that it is recommended to say the following prayer of forgiveness at the last hour of Thursdays:

اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لا اِلَهَ اِلا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ تَوْبَةَ عَبْدٍ خَاضِعٍ مِسْكِينٍ مُسْتَكِينٍ لا يَسْتَطِيعُ لِنَفْسِهِ صَرْفا وَ لا عَدْلا وَ لا نَفْعا وَ لا ضَرّا وَ لا حَيَاةً وَ لا مَوْتا وَ لا نُشُورا وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عِتْرَتِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ الطَّاهِرِينَ الْاَخْيَارِ الْاَبْرَارِ وَ سَلَّمَ تَسْلِيما .

Second: At Friday nights, it is recommended to recite the following chapters (Surah) of the Holy Qur’an:

(1) Surah al-Isra’ (Bani-Isra’il; No. 17),

(2) Surah al-Kahf (No. 18),

(3) the three Surahs beginning with Ya-Sin, i.e. Surah al-Shu’ara’ (No. 26), Surah al-Naml (No. 27), and Surah al-Qasas (No. 28),

(4) Surah al-Sajdah (No. 32),

(5) Surah Yasin (No. 36),

(6) SurahSad (No. 38),

(7) Surah al-Ahqaf (No. 46),

(8) Surah al-Waqiah (No. 56),

(9) Surah Fussilat (No. 41),

(10) Surah al-Dukhan (No. 44),

(11) Surah al-Tur (No. 52),

(12) Surah al-Qamar (No. 54), and

(13) Surah al-Jumu’ah (No. 62).

If there is not enough time to recite all these Surahs, one may choose Surah al-Waqiah and those preceding it [in the aforesaid list].

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said that one who recites Surah al-Isra’ each Friday night will join Imam al-Mahdi(a.s.) as one of his companions.

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites Surah al-Kahf at Friday nights will die as martyr and will be resurrected with and in the line of the martyrs (on the Resurrection Day).

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites the three Surahs beginning with Ya-Sin at Friday nights will be included with the intimate saints of Almighty Allah, will be made in the vicinity and under the protection of Him, will never be inflicted with misery in his worldly life, and will be given beyond his pleasure on the Resurrection Day.

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites Surah al-Sajdah at Friday nights will be given his Record of Deeds in his right hand, will not be interrogated about his evildoings, and will be included with the companions of Muhammad and his Household - peace be upon them all.

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) is authentically reported to have said that one who recites SurahSad at Friday nights will be granted the welfare of this world as well as the Next World in such an excellent way that none would deserve except Prophets and archangels and will be allowed to Paradise as well as all those whom he loves among his household including the servants.

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said that one who recites on Fridays or at Friday nights Surah al-Ahqaf will be saved, by Almighty Allah, from terrors in the worldly life and will be secured from the horror of the Resurrection Day.

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites Surah al-Waqiah at Friday nights will be loved by Almighty Allah, all people will be made to love him, will be saved from all miseries, poverty, neediness, and misfortunes in this worldly life, and will be joined to the companions of Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) because this Surah is ascribed to him.

It has been also narrated that to recite Surah al-Jumu’ah at Friday nights is decided as expiation (forgiving the sins) for the evildoings committed throughout the week. A similar merit has been narrated for reciting Surah al-Kahf at Friday nights or after the two obligatory Zohr and Asr Prayers on Fridays.

It is worth mentioning that it is highly recommended to offer many (supererogatory) prayers at Friday nights such as Imam Ali’s Prayer, known as (Salat Ameer al-Momineen) and the two-unit prayer in each of which one should recite Surah al-Faatehah once and repeat Surah al-Zalzalah (No. 99) fifteen times. It has been narrated that one who offers this prayer will be saved, by Almighty Allah, from the grave torment and the horrors on the Resurrection Day.

Third: It is recommended to recite Surah al-Jumu’ah (No. 62) in the first unit of the Maghrib (Sunset) and Isha’ (Evening) obligatory Prayers, and to recite Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) in the second unit of the Maghrib Prayer and Surah al-A’la (No. 87) in the second unit of the Isha’ Prayer.

Fourth: It is highly recommended to avoid reciting poetry at Friday nights. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is authentically reported to have said that it is abominable to say poetry for one observing fasting (sawm), the Muhrim (entering into Ihram: putting the pilgrimage uniform and entering the state of being performing the obligatory rites of the ritual Hajj), and on Fridays and at Friday nights. When he was asked whether this instruction is effective on the religiously acceptable poetry too, the Imam (a.s.) answered affirmatively.

It has been also authentically narrated on the authority of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, “One who utters even one verse of poetry on Fridays and at Friday nights will have nothing of the rewards except that of uttering that poetry.”

According to another narration, the prayers of those who recite poetry on Fridays will not be accepted.

Fifth: It is highly recommended to pray Almighty Allah for the good of one’s brethren-in-faith very frequently so as to copy the deed of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra’. According to a Hadith, one who prays for ten deceased individuals will be unquestionably allowed to enter Paradise.

Sixth: It is also recommended to say the supplications dedicated to Fridays. Actually, these supplications are too numerous to be cited in this chapter; therefore, a few of them will be hereinafter mentioned:

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is authentically reported as saying that one who says the following supplicatory prayer in the last prostration of the Isha’ supererogatory prayer at Friday nights and repeats it seven times will have all his sins forgiven as soon as he accomplishes that prayer. Yet, it is desirable to repeat this deed each night:

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّي اَسْاَلُكَ بِوَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ وَ اسْمِكَ الْعَظِيمِ اَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي ذَنْبِيَ الْعَظِيمَ .

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is reported to have said that one who repeats the following supplicatory prayer seven times at Friday night will be allowed Paradise if he departs life at that night; and one who repeats it seven times on Friday will be also allowed Paradise if he departs life on that day:

اللَّهُمَّ اَنْتَ رَبِّي لا اِلَهَ اِلا اَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَ اَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَ ابْنُ اَمَتِكَ وَ فِي قَبْضَتِكَ وَ نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ اَمْسَيْتُ عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَ وَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ اَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ اَبُوءُ بِنِعْمَتِكَ [بِعَمَلِي‏] وَ اَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي [بِذُنُوبِي‏] فَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي اِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ اِلا اَنْتَ .

Shaykh al-Tusi, Sayyid Ibn Tawus, al-Kaf’ami, and Sayyid Ibn Baqi have recorded that it is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer on Fridays and at Friday nights and on the day and night of ‘Arafat (the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah). However, the supplication will be hereinafter cited as quoted from Shaykh al-Tusi’s book of al-Misbah:

اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ تَعَبَّاَ وَ تَهَيَّاَ وَ اَعَدَّ وَ اسْتَعَدَّ لِوِفَادَةٍ اِلَى مَخْلُوقٍ رَجَاءَ رِفْدِهِ وَ طَلَبَ نَائِلِهِ وَ جَائِزَتِهِ فَاِلَيْكَ يَا رَبِّ تَعْبِيَتِي وَ اسْتِعْدَادِي رَجَاءَ عَفْوِكَ وَ طَلَبَ نَائِلِكَ وَ جَائِزَتِكَ فَلا تُخَيِّبْ دُعَائِي يَا مَنْ لا يَخِيبُ عَلَيْهِ سَائِلٌ [السَّائِلُ‏] وَ لا يَنْقُصُهُ نَائِلٌ فَاِنِّي لَمْ آتِكَ ثِقَةً بِعَمَلٍ صَالِحٍ عَمِلْتُهُ وَ لا لِوِفَادَةِ مَخْلُوقٍ رَجَوْتُهُ اَتَيْتُكَ مُقِرّا عَلَى نَفْسِي بِالْاِسَاءَةِ وَ الظُّلْمِ، مُعْتَرِفا بِاَنْ لا حُجَّةَ لِي وَ لا عُذْرَ اَتَيْتُكَ اَرْجُو عَظِيمَ عَفْوِكَ الَّذِي عَفَوْتَ [عَلَوْتَ‏] بِهِ [عَلَى‏] عَنِ الْخَاطِئِينَ [الْخَطَّائِينَ‏] فَلَمْ يَمْنَعْكَ طُولُ عُكُوفِهِمْ عَلَى عَظِيمِ الْجُرْمِ اَنْ عُدْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِالرَّحْمَةِ فَيَا مَنْ رَحْمَتُهُ وَاسِعَةٌ وَ عَفْوُهُ عَظِيمٌ يَا عَظِيمُ يَا عَظِيمُ يَا عَظِيمُ لا يَرُدُّ غَضَبَكَ اِلا حِلْمُكَ وَ لا يُنْجِي مِنْ سَخَطِكَ اِلا التَّضَرُّعُ اِلَيْكَ فَهَبْ لِي يَا اِلَهِي فَرَجا بِالْقُدْرَةِ الَّتِي تُحْيِي بِهَا مَيْتَ الْبِلادِ ، وَ لا تُهْلِكْنِي غَمّا حَتَّى تَسْتَجِيبَ لِي وَ تُعَرِّفَنِي الْاِجَابَةَ فِي دُعَائِي وَ اَذِقْنِي طَعْمَ الْعَافِيَةِ اِلَى مُنْتَهَى اَجَلِي وَ لا تُشْمِتْ بِي عَدُوِّي وَ لا تُسَلِّطْهُ عَلَيَّ وَ لا تُمَكِّنْهُ مِنْ عُنُقِي اللَّهُمَّ [اِلَهِي‏] اِنْ وَضَعْتَنِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَرْفَعُنِي وَ اِنْ رَفَعْتَنِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَضَعُنِي وَ اِنْ اَهْلَكْتَنِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَعْرِضُ لَكَ فِي عَبْدِكَ اَوْ يَسْاَلُكَ عَنْ اَمْرِهِ، وَ قَدْ عَلِمْتُ اَنَّهُ لَيْسَ فِي حُكْمِكَ ظُلْمٌ وَ لا فِي نَقِمَتِكَ عَجَلَةٌ وَ اِنَّمَا يَعْجَلُ مَنْ يَخَافُ الْفَوْتَ وَ اِنَّمَا يَحْتَاجُ اِلَى الظُّلْمِ الضَّعِيفُ وَ قَدْ تَعَالَيْتَ يَا اِلَهِي عَنْ ذَلِكَ عُلُوّا كَبِيرا اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّي اَعُوذُ بِكَ فَاَعِذْنِي وَ اَسْتَجِيرُ بِكَ فَاَجِرْنِي وَ اَسْتَرْزِقُكَ فَارْزُقْنِي وَ اَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ فَاكْفِنِي وَ اَسْتَنْصِرُكَ عَلَى عَدُوِّي [عَدُوِّكَ‏] فَانْصُرْنِي وَ اَسْتَعِينُ بِكَ فَاَعِنِّي وَ اَسْتَغْفِرُكَ يَا اِلَهِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي آمِينَ آمِينَ آمِينَ .

Seventh: It is highly recommended to say the famous supplicatory prayer known as Dua Kumayl, which will be cited in the coming section of this book, at Friday nights.

Eighth: It is also recommended to say the supplication that begins with the following statements. This supplication is also recommended to be said at the ‘Arafat Night, and will be cited later on in this book:

“اللّهمّ يا شاهد كلّ نجوى”

Ninth: It is recommended to repeat the following supplicatory prayer ten times:

يَا دَائِمَ الْفَضْلِ عَلَى الْبَرِيَّةِ يَا بَاسِطَ الْيَدَيْنِ بِالْعَطِيَّةِ يَا صَاحِبَ الْمَوَاهِبِ السَّنِيَّةِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ خَيْرِ الْوَرَى سَجِيَّةً وَ اغْفِرْ لَنَا يَا ذَا الْعُلَى فِي هَذِهِ الْعَشِيَّةِ.

This honorable supplicatory prayer is also recommended to be said at the night of ‘Id al-Fitr (fast-break Feast; the first of Shawwal).

Tenth: Following Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) it is recommended to have pomegranate at Friday nights. Yet, it is preferable to have it before going to sleep. In this respect, it has been narrated that to eat pomegranate before going to sleep procures security until morning. It is also instructive to extend a handkerchief on the ground so as to save all the seeds of a pomegranate from loss and then eat them all. It is also recommended not to share anyone with it.

Eleventh: In his book of al-’Arus, Shaykh Ja’far ibn Ahmad al-Qummi has recorded that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said that one who repeats the following litany one hundred times between the Dawn supererogatory and obligatory prayers will be owned, by Almighty Allah, a house in Paradise:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ

Twelfth: Shaykh al-Tusi, Sayyid Ibn Tawus, and others have mentioned the following supplicatory prayer confirming that it is recommended to say it at Friday nights just before dawn:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ هَبْ لِيَ الْغَدَاةَ رِضَاكَ وَ اَسْكِنْ قَلْبِي خَوْفَكَ وَ اقْطَعْهُ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ حَتَّى لا اَرْجُوَ وَ لا اَخَافَ اِلا اِيَّاكَ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ هَبْ لِي ثَبَاتَ الْيَقِينِ وَ مَحْضَ الْاِخْلاصِ وَ شَرَفَ التَّوْحِيدِ وَ دَوَامَ الاسْتِقَامَةِ وَ مَعْدِنَ الصَّبْرِ وَ الرِّضَا بِالْقَضَاءِ وَ الْقَدَرِ يَا قَاضِيَ حَوَائِجِ السَّائِلِينَ يَا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي ضَمِيرِ الصَّامِتِينَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ، وَ اسْتَجِبْ دُعَائِي وَ اغْفِرْ ذَنْبِي وَ اَوْسِعْ رِزْقِي وَ اقْضِ حَوَائِجِي فِي نَفْسِي وَ اِخْوَانِي فِي دِينِي وَ اَهْلِي اِلَهِي طُمُوحُ الْآمَالِ قَدْ خَابَتْ اِلا لَدَيْكَ وَ مَعَاكِفُ الْهِمَمِ قَدْ تَعَطَّلَتْ اِلا عَلَيْكَ وَ مَذَاهِبُ الْعُقُولِ قَدْ سَمَتْ اِلا اِلَيْكَ فَاَنْتَ الرَّجَاءُ وَ اِلَيْكَ الْمُلْتَجَاُ يَا اَكْرَمَ مَقْصُودٍ وَ اَجْوَدَ مَسْئُولٍ هَرَبْتُ اِلَيْكَ بِنَفْسِي يَا مَلْجَاَ الْهَارِبِينَ، بِاَثْقَالِ الذُّنُوبِ اَحْمِلُهَا عَلَى ظَهْرِي لا اَجِدُ لِي اِلَيْكَ شَافِعا سِوَى مَعْرِفَتِي بِاَنَّكَ اَقْرَبُ مَنْ رَجَاهُ الطَّالِبُونَ وَ اَمَّلَ مَا لَدَيْهِ الرَّاغِبُونَ يَا مَنْ فَتَقَ الْعُقُولَ بِمَعْرِفَتِهِ وَ اَطْلَقَ الْاَلْسُنَ بِحَمْدِهِ وَ جَعَلَ مَا امْتَنَّ بِهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ فِي كِفَاءٍ لِتَأْدِيَةِ حَقِّهِ [اَنَالَ بِهِ حَقَّهُ‏] صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ لا تَجْعَلْ لِلشَّيْطَانِ عَلَى عَقْلِي سَبِيلا وَ لا لِلْبَاطِلِ عَلَى عَمَلِي دَلِيلا.

When Friday dawns, it is recommended to say the following:

اَصْبَحْتُ فِي ذِمَّةِ اللّٰهِ وَ ذِمَّةِ مَلائِكَتِهِ وَ ذِمَمِ اَنْبِيَائِهِ وَ رُسُلِهِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ وَ ذِمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ ذِمَمِ الْاَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ آمَنْتُ بِسِرِّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ وَ عَلانِيَتِهِمْ وَ ظَاهِرِهِمْ وَ بَاطِنِهِمْ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّهُمْ فِي عِلْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ طَاعَتِهِ كَمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ.

It has been also narrated that one who says the following litany three times before the Dawn (Fajr) Prayer on Fridays will have all his sins forgiven even if they are as innumerable as swelling foams:

اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لا اِلَهَ اِلا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ.

RECOMMENDED RITES OF FRIDAY

Too many are the recommended rites on Fridays; yet, we will briefly mention the following:

First: In the first unit of the Dawn Prayer, it is recommended to recite Surah al-Jumu’ah (No. 62) and, in the second unit, Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112).

Second: Before opening the mouth with any word, it is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer after the Dawn Prayer so that all sins committed throughout the week will be forgiven:

اللَّهُمَّ مَا قُلْتُ فِي جُمُعَتِي هَذِهِ مِنْ قَوْلٍ اَوْ حَلَفْتُ فِيهَا مِنْ حَلْفٍ اَوْ نَذَرْتُ فِيهَا مِنْ نَذْرٍ فَمَشِيَّتُكَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ فَمَا شِئْتَ مِنْهُ اَنْ يَكُونَ كَانَ وَ مَا لَمْ تَشَأْ مِنْهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ تَجَاوَزْ عَنِّي اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ صَلَّيْتَ عَلَيْهِ فَصَلَوَاتِي عَلَيْهِ وَ مَنْ لَعَنْتَ فَلَعْنَتِي عَلَيْهِ.

This act should be done once a month at least.

It has been also narrated that one who, after the accomplishment of the Dawn Prayer on Fridays, does devotional acts and says supplications and invocations until sunrise will be raised seventy ranks to the Supreme Paradise.

Shaykh al-Tusi has recorded that it is highly recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer after the Dawn Prayer on Fridays:

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّي تَعَمَّدْتُ اِلَيْكَ بِحَاجَتِي وَ اَنْزَلْتُ اِلَيْكَ الْيَوْمَ فَقْرِي وَ فَاقَتِي وَ مَسْكَنَتِي فَاَنَا لِمَغْفِرَتِكَ اَرْجَى مِنِّي لِعَمَلِي وَ لَمَغْفِرَتُكَ وَ رَحْمَتُكَ اَوْسَعُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِي فَتَوَلَّ قَضَاءَ كُلِّ حَاجَةٍ لِي بِقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَيْهَا وَ تَيْسِيرِ [تَيَسُّرِ] ذَلِكَ عَلَيْكَ وَ لِفَقْرِي اِلَيْكَ فَاِنِّي لَمْ اُصِبْ خَيْرا قَطُّ اِلا مِنْكَ وَ لَمْ يَصْرِفْ عَنِّي سُوءا قَطُّ اَحَدٌ سِوَاكَ وَ لَسْتُ [لَيْسَ‏] اَرْجُو لِآخِرَتِي وَ دُنْيَايَ وَ لا لِيَوْمِ فَقْرِي يَوْمَ يُفْرِدُنِي النَّاسُ فِي حُفْرَتِي وَ اُفْضِي اِلَيْكَ بِذَنْبِي سِوَاكَ

Third: It has been narrated that one who says the following invocation after the Zohr and Fajr Prayers on Fridays, as well as other days, will catch Imam al-Mahdi(a.s.) before he dies:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ

In addition, it has been narrated that one who repeats the aforesaid invocation one hundred times will have sixty of his requests granted for him - thirty in this worldly life and thirty on the Resurrection Day.

Fourth: It is recommended to recite Surah al-Rahman (No. 55) after the Fajr Prayer on Fridays and to say, “None of Your favors do I deny,”wherever the verses, “Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?” are recited.

Fifth: Shaykh al-Tusi has recorded that it is highly recommended to recite Surah al-Tawheed, to invoke Almighty Allah’s blessings upon Muhammad and his Household, and to pray Him for forgiveness each one hundred times after the Fajr Prayer on Fridays. It is also highly recommended to recite Surahs al-Nisa’ (No. 4), Hud (No. 11), al-Kahf (No. 18), al-Saaffaat (No. 37), and al-Rahman (No. 55) during that time.

Sixth: It is recommended to recite Surah al-Ahqaf (No. 46) and Surah al-Mu’minun (No. 23).

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported as saying that anyone who recites Surah al-Ahqaf at Friday nights or on Fridays will not be inflicted by dismays in his worldly life and will be saved from the horrors on the Resurrection Day. The Imam (a.s.) is also reported as saying that anyone who recites Surah al-Mu’minun regularly each Friday will come upon a happy end and will be granted an abode in the Supreme Paradise with the Prophets and Messengers of Almighty Allah.

Seventh: It is recommended to repeat Surah al-Kafirun (No. 109) ten times before sunrise and then pray Almighty Allah so that all prayers will be answered.

It has been narrated that Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-’Abidin (a.s.) used to repeat reciting Ayah al-Kursi (verse No. 255 of Surah al-Baqarah No. 2) from early morning up to midday on Fridays. When he accomplished the obligatory prayers, he would recite Surah al-Qadr (No. 97) frequently.

It is worth mentioning that to recite Ayah al-Kursi in the form of revelationon Fridays achieves a great reward.

Eighth: It is highly recommended to bathe oneself. In fact, this is one of the most confirmed rituals of Fridays. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is reported to have instructed Imam Ali(a.s.) by saying, “O Ali; wash yourself every Friday even if you have to purchase water with your Daily provisions and have nothing to eat. Verily, no voluntary act is better than this.”

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is also reported to have said: Whoever washes himself on Fridays and, meanwhile, says the following supplicatory prayer will be pure all through that week:

اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ.

“Pure” in the aforesaid Hadith stands for purification from sins or acceptance of the deeds, which is thus moral purification.

In any case, it is important not to neglect bathing oneself on Fridays when possible. The recommended time of this bathing is between sunrise and midday. In addition, the nearer to midday the better.

Ninth: It is recommended to dye with hibiscus, for it saves from leprosy and insanity.

Tenth: It is also recommended to cut the mustache neatly and trim the nails so as not to miss the great merits of doing these acts. As has been mentioned in narrations, these acts bring about expansion in sustenance, cancellation of sins up to the next Friday, and security from insanity and leprosy. On doing that, it is recommended to say the following litany:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ عَلَى سُنَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ [رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ ‏] وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

It is also recommended, on cutting the nails, to start with the little finger of the left hand and end with that of the right hand. The same thing is applicable to the nails of the feet. Then, the cut nails should be buried.

Eleventh: It is recommended to apply perfume and put on the best of one’s clothes.

Twelfth: It is recommended to give alms, for the rewards are doubled up on Fridays and at Friday nights, as is confirmed by narrations, as one thousand folds as giving alms on other days.

Thirteenth: It is recommended to arrange fruits and wholesome meals to the family members so that Fridays will be their days of pleasure.

Fourteenth: It is recommended to eat pomegranate before breakfast and to eat seven leaves of endive before midday. In this connection, Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) is reported to have said, “The heart of him who eats a pomegranate before breakfast on Fridays will be enlightened for forty days. To eat two pomegranates increases the period of enlightenment to eighty days, and so on. It also dismisses the evil suggestions. Of course, to get rid of Satan’s suggestions is to stop acting disobediently to Almighty Allah; and to stop acting disobediently to Him allows entrance to Paradise.”

In al-Misbah, the author has said that to eat pomegranates on Fridays and at Friday nights achieves great merits.

Fifteenth: It is recommended to dedicate Fridays to learning the religious laws and instructions, not to wandering in others’ gardens, accompanying the vicious and the licentious, speaking about the others’ defects, laughing and guffawing, reciting poetry, and discussing useless subjects as well as similar matters. Disadvantages arisen from such matters are too many to be mentioned.

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported as saying, “Woe to a Muslim who does not dedicate Fridays to learning the affairs of his religion.”

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is also reported to have said, “If you, on Fridays, see old men telling the tales of infidelity and of the pre-Islamic era, you should then make their heads the targets of stones.”

Sixteenth: It is recommended to repeat one thousand times at least the invocation of blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) is reported to have said, “For me, no act of worship is more favorable than invoking blessings upon the Prophet and his immaculate Household - may Allah bless them all - on Fridays.”

If there is not enough time to repeat this invocation one thousand times, it must be repeated one hundred times at least so that faces will be brightened on the Judgment Day.

It has been also narrated that all sins will be totally forgiven for those who repeat invocations of blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household one hundred times, repeat the following supplicatory prayer one hundred times, and recite Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) one hundred times on Fridays:

اَستَغفِرُاللهَ رَبَّی وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَیهِ

It has been also narrated that to invoke blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his household is equal (in reward) to seventy times of going on Hajj.

Seventeenth: It is recommended to say the ritual Ziyarahs of the Holy Prophet and Imams, peace be upon them all. A section of this book is dedicated to the etiquettes and methods of Ziyarahs.

Eighteenth: It is recommended to visit the tombs of one’s relatives in general and parents in particular. Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) is reported as saying, “Visit the graves of your relatives on Fridays, for they know about those who visit their graves and will be happy for that.”

Nineteenth: It is recommended to say Dua al-Nudbah Supplication, which is one of the rites to be done on the Four Feast Days (i.e. ‘Id al-Fitr - the first of Shawwal, ‘Id al-Adha - the tenth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, ‘Id al-Ghadir - the eighteenth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and Fridays).

NAMAZ E KAMILAH

Twentieth: Excluding the Friday Supererogatory Prayer (Nafilat al-Jumu’ah), many other optional prayers are reported to be offered on Fridays. Although the majority of these prayers are not dedicated to Fridays, it is highly recommended to offer them on Fridays.

One of these prayers is al-Salat al-Kamilah (The Perfect Prayer) that has been mentioned by many master scholars through numerous authentic series of reporters from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq on the authority of his honorable fathers on the authority of the Holy Prophet - Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them all. In this connection, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is reported to have said: As for anyone who, before midday on Fridays, offers a four-unit prayer and recites the following in each unit: (1) Surah al-Faatehah ten times, (2) Surah al-Nas (No. 114) ten times, (3) Surah al-Falaq (No. 113) ten times, (4) Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) ten times, (5) Surah al-Kafirun (No. 109) ten times, (6) Ayah al-Kursi (2:155) ten times, [And, according to another narration, (7) Surah al-Qadr (No. 97) ten times, (8) Ayat Shahidallah (3:18-19) ten times,] and, after the accomplishment of the prayer,

(1) repeats the following statement one hundred times:

ASTAGFIRU ALLAH

(2) repeats the following litany one hundred times:

سُبحانَ اللهِ وَالحَمدُلِلّهِ وَ لا اِلهَ اِلّا اللهُ اَکبَرُ وَ لا حَولَ وَلا قُوَّة الّا بِاللهِ العَلِیِّ العَظیمِ .

(3) repeats the following invocation one hundred times:

ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIN WA ALI MUHAMMADIN

As for him who offers this prayer, Almighty Allah will save him from the evils of the inhabitants of the heavens, the inhabitants of the earth, the devil, and all unjust rulers.

ANOTHER PRAYER

It has been narrated on the authority of al-Harith al-Hamadani that Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) said: If possible, offer on Fridays ten units of prayer with perfect genuflection (ruku’) and prostration (sujud) repeating the following litany one hundred times between each couple (i.e. two) of units:

سبحانَ اللهِ وَ بِحَمدِهِ

To offer this prayer brings about a great reward.

A THIRD PRAYER

It has been authentically narrated that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) said, “One who recites Surahs Ibrahim (No. 14) and al-Hijr (No. 15) altogether in a two-unit prayer on Fridays will be saved from poverty, insanity, and misfortunes forever.”

NAMAZ OF HOLY PROPHET(S)

Sayyid Ibn Tawus, may Allah have mercy on him, has narrated, through an authenticated chain of authority, that when he was asked about Ja’far al-Tayyar’s Prayer, Imam al-Rida(a.s.) said, “Have you known about the Holy Prophet’s Prayer? Perhaps, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had never offered Ja’far al-Tayyar’s Prayer and Ja’far al-Tayyar had never offered the Holy Prophet’s Prayer.” When the asker asked him to teach him that prayer, Imam al-Rida(a.s.) said,

Offer a two-unit prayer reciting in each unit Surah al-Faatehah (No. 1) once and Surah al-Qadr (No. 97) fifteen times. When you come to the Ruku’ (genuflection), repeat it (i.e. Surah al-Qadr) fifteen times; when you raise your body after the Ruku’, recite it fifteen times; when you do the Sujud (prostration), repeat it fifteen times; when you raise your head from the Sujud, repeat it fifteen times; when you do the second prostration, repeat it fifteen times; and when you raise your head from the second prostration, repeat it fifteen times. When you finish your prayer, you will have all your sins forgiven by Almighty Allah and you will have all your requests granted for you. The supplication that should be said thereafter is as follows:

لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَ رَبُّ آبَائِنَا الْاَوَّلِينَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ اِلَها وَاحِدا وَ نَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ لا نَعْبُدُ اِلا اِيَّاهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَ لَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ وَحْدَهُ وَحْدَهُ اَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَ نَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَ اَعَزَّ جُنْدَهُ وَ هَزَمَ الْاَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ فَلَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ اللَّهُمَّ اَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ وَ مَنْ فِيهِنَّ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ [وَ لِلَّهِ الْمُلْكُ وَ الْحَمْدُ] وَ اَنْتَ قَيَّامُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ وَ مَنْ فِيهِنَّ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَ اَنْتَ الْحَقُّ وَ وَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ [حَقٌ‏]، وَ قَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ وَ اِنْجَازُك حَقٌّ وَ الْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ وَ النَّارُ حَقٌّ [وَ اَنْتَ الْحَقُ‏] اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ اَسْلَمْتُ وَ بِكَ آمَنْتُ وَ عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَ بِكَ خَاصَمْتُ وَ اِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَ اَخَّرْتُ وَ اَسْرَرْتُ وَ اَعْلَنْتُ اَنْتَ اِلَهِي لا اِلَهَ اِلا اَنْتَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي وَ تُبْ عَلَيَّ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ .

NAMAZ OF IMAM ALI (A.S.)

Shaykh al-Tusi and Sayyid Ibn Tawus have recorded that Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) said: One who offers the four-unit prayer of Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) will be as free of sins as newborns and will have all his requests granted. In the first unit, recite Surah al-Faatehah (No. 1) once and repeat Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) fifty times. On accomplishment, say the following litany of Imam Ali, peace be upon him:

سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا تَبِيدُ مَعَالِمُهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا تَنْقُصُ خَزَائِنُهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا اضْمِحْلالَ لِفَخْرِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا يَنْفَدُ مَا عِنْدَهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا انْقِطَاعَ لِمُدَّتِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا يُشَارِكُ اَحَدا فِي اَمْرِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا اِلَهَ غَيْرُهُ

Thereafter, say the following supplicatory prayer:

يَا مَنْ عَفَا عَنِ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَ لَمْ يُجَازِ بِهَا ارْحَمْ عَبْدَكَ يَا اللَّهُ نَفْسِي نَفْسِي اَنَا عَبْدُكَ يَا سَيِّدَاهْ اَنَا عَبْدُكَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ اَيَا رَبَّاهْ، اِلَهِي بِكَيْنُونَتِكَ يَا اَمَلاهْ يَا رَحْمَانَاهْ يَا غِيَاثَاهْ عَبْدُكَ عَبْدُكَ لا حِيلَةَ لَهُ يَا مُنْتَهَى رَغْبَتَاهْ يَا مُجْرِيَ الدَّمِ فِي عُرُوقِي [عَبْدُكَ‏] يَا سَيِّدَاهْ يَا مَالِكَاهْ اَيَا هُوَ اَيَا هُوَ يَا رَبَّاهْ عَبْدُكَ عَبْدُكَ لا حِيلَةَ لِي وَ لا غِنَى بِي عَنْ نَفْسِي وَ لا اَسْتَطِيعُ لَهَا ضَرّا وَ لا نَفْعا وَ لا اَجِدُ مَنْ اُصَانِعُهُ تَقَطَّعَتْ اَسْبَابُ الْخَدَائِعِ عَنِّي وَ اضْمَحَلَّ كُلُّ مَظْنُونٍ عَنِّي اَفْرَدَنِي الدَّهْرُ اِلَيْكَ فَقُمْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ هَذَا الْمَقَامَ يَا اِلَهِي بِعِلْمِكَ كَانَ هَذَا كُلُّهُ فَكَيْفَ اَنْتَ صَانِعٌ بِي وَ لَيْتَ شِعْرِي كَيْفَ تَقُولُ لِدُعَائِي اَ تَقُولُ نَعَمْ اَمْ تَقُولُ لا، فَاِنْ قُلْتَ لا فَيَا وَيْلِي يَا وَيْلِي يَا وَيْلِي يَا عَوْلِي يَا عَوْلِي يَا عَوْلِي يَا شِقْوَتِي يَا شِقْوَتِي يَا شِقْوَتِي يَا ذُلِّي يَا ذُلِّي يَا ذُلِّي اِلَى مَنْ وَ مِمَّنْ اَوْ عِنْدَ مَنْ اَوْ كَيْفَ اَوْ مَا ذَا اَوْ اِلَى اَيِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ اَلْجَاُ وَ مَنْ اَرْجُو وَ مَنْ يَجُودُ عَلَيَّ بِفَضْلِهِ حِينَ تَرْفُضُنِي يَا وَاسِعَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ وَ اِنْ قُلْتَ نَعَمْ كَمَا هُوَ الظَّنُّ بِكَ وَ الرَّجَاءُ لَكَ فَطُوبَى لِي اَنَا السَّعِيدُ وَ اَنَا الْمَسْعُودُ فَطُوبَى لِي وَ اَنَا الْمَرْحُومُ، يَا مُتَرَحِّمُ يَا مُتَرَئِّفُ يَا مُتَعَطِّفُ يَا مُتَجَبِّرُ [مُتَحَنِّنُ‏] يَا مُتَمَلِّكُ يَا مُقْسِطُ لا عَمَلَ لِي اَبْلُغُ بِهِ نَجَاحَ حَاجَتِي اَسْاَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي جَعَلْتَهُ فِي مَكْنُونِ غَيْبِكَ وَ اسْتَقَرَّ عِنْدَكَ فَلا يَخْرُجُ مِنْكَ اِلَى شَيْ‏ءٍ سِوَاكَ اَسْاَلُكَ بِهِ وَ بِكَ وَ بِهِ فَاِنَّهُ اَجَلُّ وَ اَشْرَفُ اَسْمَائِكَ لا شَيْ‏ءَ لِي غَيْرُ هَذَا وَ لا اَحَدَ اَعْوَدُ عَلَيَّ مِنْكَ يَا كَيْنُونُ يَا مُكَوِّنُ يَا مَنْ عَرَّفَنِي نَفْسَهُ يَا مَنْ اَمَرَنِي بِطَاعَتِهِ يَا مَنْ نَهَانِي عَنْ مَعْصِيَتِهِ وَ يَا مَدْعُوُّ يَا مَسْئُولُ يَا مَطْلُوبا اِلَيْهِ رَفَضْتُ وَصِيَّتَكَ الَّتِي اَوْصَيْتَنِي وَ لَمْ اُطِعْكَ وَ لَوْ اَطَعْتُكَ فِيمَا اَمَرْتَنِي لَكَفَيْتَنِي مَا قُمْتُ اِلَيْكَ فِيهِ وَ اَنَا مَعَ مَعْصِيَتِي لَكَ رَاجٍ، فَلا تَحُلْ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ مَا رَجَوْتُ يَا مُتَرَحِّما لِي اَعِذْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَ مِنْ خَلْفِي وَ مِنْ فَوْقِي وَ مِنْ تَحْتِي وَ مِنْ كُلِّ جِهَاتِ الْاِحَاطَةِ بِي اللَّهُمَّ بِمُحَمَّدٍ سَيِّدِي وَ بِعَلِيٍّ وَلِيِّي وَ بِالْاَئِمَّةِ الرَّاشِدِينَ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ اجْعَلْ عَلَيْنَا صَلَوَاتِكَ وَ رَأْفَتَكَ وَ رَحْمَتَكَ وَ اَوْسِعْ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ رِزْقِكَ وَ اقْضِ عَنَّا الدَّيْنَ وَ جَمِيعَ حَوَائِجِنَا يَا اللَّهُ يَا اللَّهُ يَا اللَّهُ اِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ

The Imam (a.s.) then added: One who offers this prayer and says this supplication will have all his sins forgiven.

Numerous are the narrations that have mentioned splendid reward for those who offer this prayer on Fridays. Similarly, one who says the following supplicatory prayer after that prayer will have all his previous and coming sins forgiven, will be given the reward of him who recites the holy Qur’an entirely twelve times, and will be saved from thirst on the Resurrection Day:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ الْعَرَبِيِّ وَ آلِهِ