Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

DUA FOR ONE'S BROTHER IN FAITH WHILE IN PROSTRATION

It is worth mentioning that within the rites of Masjid al-Kufah and Masjid Zayd that are mentioned in my book of Mafatih al-Jinan, I have referred to some supplicatory prayers to be said in prostrations.

Mentioning the thanksgiving prostration, Shaykh al-Tusi, in his book of Misbah al-Mutahajjid, says that it is recommended to pray for one’s brothers-in-faith while prostrating. The following supplicatory prayer is thus advisable:

اَللّهُمَّ رَبَّ الْفَجْرِ وَاللَّيالِى الْعَشْرِ وَالشَّفْعِ وَالْوَتْرِ وَاللَّيْلِ اِذا يَسْرِ وَرَبَّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَاِلهَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَ خالِقَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَمَليكَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ صَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ وَافْعَلْ بى وَبِفُلانٍ وَفُلانٍ ما اَنْتَ اَهْلُهُ وَلا تَفْعَلْ بِنا ما نَحْنُ اَهْلُهُ فَاِنَّكَ اَهْلُ التَّقْوى وَاَهْلُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ

Once you raise your head from prostration, you may pass your hand over the place of prostration and then pass it on your right cheek, forehead, and left cheek respectively three times, repeating each time the following supplicatory prayer:

اَللّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ لا اِلهَ اِلاّ اَنْتَ عالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهادَةِ الرَّحْمنُ الرَّحيمُ اَللّهُمَّ اَذْهِبْ عَنِّى الْهَمَّ وَالْحَزَنَ وَالْغِيَرَ وَالْفِتَنَ ما ظَهَرَ مِنْها وَما بَطَنَ

ETIQUETTES OF THE NOON (ZUHR) PRAYER

THE TIME BETWEEN SUNRISE AND SUNSET

Before sunrise, it is recommended to say the supplicatory prayers, which will be cited in Chapter Five.

It is highly advisable to begin the day with giving as alms any thing; no matter how little it is.

ETIQUETTES OF THE NOON (ZOHR) PRAYER

It is obligatory to prepare yourself for performing the Noon Prayer and to precede it by a nap that is taken in order to help do the night acts of worship and to observe fasting during daylight. It is also important to exert all efforts in order to wake up before noon so as to perform the ritual ablution, go to the mosque, and offer there the two-unit Greeting Prayer (Salat al-Tahiyyah). You may wait for midday, if it has not come yet.

DUA OF THE NOON (ZUHR)

It is recommended to perform the Noon Prayer at the beginning of its time. However, the first thing to do when it is midday is to say the following doxology:

سُبْحانَ اللّٰهِ وَلا اِلهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذى لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ صاحِبَةً وَلا وَلَدا وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ شَريكٌ فِى الْمُلْكِ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَلِىُّ مِنَ الذُّلِّ وَكَبِّرْهُ تَكْبيرا.

It is reported that Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) instructed Muhammad ibn Muslim to keep on saying this doxology as same as he keeps his eyes from harm.

If you have not yet done the ritual ablution, you may hurry up and observe all the aforementioned etiquettes.

NAFILAH ZUHR

The Supererogatory Noon Prayer consists of eight units as follows: In the first two units, you may intend offering them, utter the Takbir statement seven times as has been previously explained, say the supplications dedicated to these statements, and pray Almighty Allah to protect you against Satan the accursed:

اعوذ باللّه من الشيطان الرجيم

You may now recite Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Tawheed in the first unit and Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Kafirun (No. 109) in the second. Upon accomplishment, you may repeat the Takbir statements three times, as has been previously explained in the beginning of the general post-prayer utterances, utter Tasbih al-Zahra’, and then say the following supplicatory prayer:

اَللّهُمَّ اِنّى ضَعيفٌ فَقَوِّ فى رِضاكَ ضَعْفى وَخُذْ اِلَى الْخَيْرِ بِناصِيَتى وَاجْعَلِ الاْيمانَ مُنْتَهى رَضاىَ وَبارِكْ لى فيما قَسَمْتَ لى وَبَلِّغْنى بِرَحْمَتِكَ كُلَّ الَّذى اَرْجُو مِنْكَ وَاجْعَلْ لى وُدّا وَسُرُورا لِلْمُؤْمِنينَ وَعَهْدا عِنْدَكَ

DUA (اللهم رب هذه الدعوة التامه) THE NOON OBLIGATORY PRAYER

You may then stand up to offer other couple of units as exactly as the previous couple except that you may utter one statement of Takbir instead of seven. You may then offer another couple of units as same as you have offered the previous. Upon accomplishing these four units of prayer, you may say the same supplications and also say Tasbih al-Zahra’ as has been previously cited. The last two units (of the eight-unit Supererogatory Noon Prayer) may be offered between the adhan and Iqamah. Hence, you may say the following supplicatory prayer after the iqamah:

اَللّهُمَّ رَبَّ هذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التّامَّةِ وَالصَّلوةِ الْقآئِمَةِ بَلِّغْ مُحَمَّدا صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ الدَّرَجَةَ وَالْوَسيلَةَ وَالْفَضْلَ وَالْفَضيلَةَ بِاللّٰهِ اَسْتَفْتِحُ وَبِاللّٰهِ اَسْتَنْجِحُ وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ اَتَوَجَّهُ اَللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَاجْعَلْنى بِهِمْ عِنْدَكَ وَجيها فِى الدُّنْيا وَالاْخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبينَ.

THE NOON OBLIGATORY PRAYER

The same etiquettes of performing the Dawn Prayer may be observed in performing the Noon Prayer. You may recite the Surahs with low voice except for the basmalah. It is preferred to recite Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Qadr at the first unit and Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Tawheed at the second. After the tashahhud statement in the second unit, you may add the following:

و تقبّل شفاعته و ارفع درجته

You may then stand erect for uttering the Four Words of Glorification three times. It is better to add a statement of imploring Almighty Allah’s forgiveness (istighfar) to them in the intention of seeking nearness to Him. You may then genuflect and prostrate as has been previously instructed. You may then stand for performing the fourth unit as same as you have performed the third. In this unit, you should say the statements of tashahhud and Taslim. You may then begin with the post-prayer utterances, uttering the Takbir statement three times, saying the aforesaid doxologies (la ilaha illaAllahu...), glorifying Almighty Allah with Tasbih al-Zahra’, and then say any of the general post-prayer supplicatory utterances that you have said after the Dawn Prayer. You may then say the post-prayer utterances that are dedicated to the Noon Prayer. Some of these supplicatory utterances have been mentioned in my books of Mafatih al-Jinan and Hadiyyat al-Za’ir. However, there is no place for these supplicatory utterances in this brief book. You may finally do the thanksgiving prostration.

TAQIBAAT & NAFILAH OF ASR

Upon accomplishment of the post-prayer utterances, you may ready yourself for performing the Afternoon (Asr) Prayer.

The Afternoon obligatory, supererogatory prayers, and post- prayer utterances

You may begin with offering the Supererogatory Afternoon Prayer, which consists of eight units. Upon accomplishment, you may perform the Afternoon Obligatory Prayer, observing all the aforesaid etiquettes. It is highly advisable to recite Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Nasr (No. 110), Surah al-Fath (No. 48), Surah al-Takathur (No. 102), or a similar Surah in the first unit and Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Tawheed in the second.

Upon accomplishment, you may say any of the general post-prayer supplicatory utterances and the other supplications dedicated to the Afternoon Prayer, such as imploring Almighty Allah’s forgiveness seventy times and repeating Surah al-Qadr ten times. You may then do the thanksgiving prostration.

DUA WHEN INTENDING TO LEAVE THE MOSQUE

When you intend to leave the mosque, you may say the following:

اَللّهُمَّ دَعَوْتَنى فَاَجَبْتُ دَعْوَتَكَ وَصَلَّيْتُ مَكْتُوبَتَكَ وَانْتَشَرْتُ فى اَرْضِكَ كَما اَمَرْتَنى فَاَسْئَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَمَلَ بِطاعَتِكَ وَاجْتِنابِ مَعْصِيَتِكَ وَالْكَفافَ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ بِرَحْمَتِكَ.

DUA BETWEEN SUNSET AND BEDTIME

Be it known to you that the first thing you should do at sunset is to hurry to the mosque. When the sun is colored yellowish, you may say the following supplication:

اَمْسى ظُلْمى مُسْتَجيرا بِعَفْوِكَ وَاَمْسَتْ ذُنُوبى مُسْتَجيرَةً بِمَغْفِرَتِكَ وَاَمْسى خَوْفى مُسْتَجيرا بِاَمانِكَ وَاَمْسى ذُلّى مُسْتَجيرا بِعِزِّكَ وَاَمْسى فَقْرى مُسْتَجيرا بِغِناكَ وَاَمْسى وَجْهِىَ الْبالى مُسْتَجيرا بِوَجْهِكَ الدّآئِمِ الْباقى اَللّهُمَّ اَلْبِسْنى عافِيَتَكَ وَغَشِّنى بِرَحْمَتِكَ وَجَلِّلْنى كَرامَتَكَ وَقِنى شَرَّ خَلْقِكَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالاِنْسِ يا اَللَّهُ يا رَحْمنُ يا رَحيمُ

At that time, it is highly advisable to engage yourself in uttering expressions of glorification of Almighty Allah and implorations for His forgiveness, because this hour is as same honorable and estimable as the pre-sunrise hour, as Almighty Allah has said in the Holy Qur’an:

وَ سَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَ قَبْلَ الْغُروُبِ

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said, “When the color of the sun changes (i.e. the sun is about to set), you must remember Allah the Almighty and Majestic. If you are at that hour with one who preoccupies you from this, you must leave him and supplicate.”

SUNSET SUPPLICATION

The supplication to be said at sunset is the following:

يا مَنْ خَتَمَ النُّبُوَّةَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ اِخْتِمْ لى فى يَوْمى هذا بِخَيْرٍ وَشَهْرى بِخَيْرٍ وَسَنَتى بِخَيْرٍ وَعُمْرى بِخَيْرٍ

RITES AT SUNSET

You may say the words of professing that there is no god save Allah and the words of seeking His protection, which will be mentioned in the coming chapter about the supplications in mornings and evenings. You may then put your hand on the head and pass it over your face. You may then hold your beard and say the following:

اَحَطْتُ عَلى نَفْسى وَاَهْلى وَمالى وَوَلَدى مِنْ غائِبٍ وَشاهِدٍ بِاللّٰهِ الَّذى لا اِلهَ اِلا هُوَ عالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهادَةِ الرَّحْمنُ الرَّحيمُ الْحَىُّ الْقَيُّومُ لا تاْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلا نَوْمٌ ...

continues till

العلىّ العظيم.

ETIQUETTES OF THE SUNSET (MAGHRIB) PRAYERS

You should then hurry for performing the Sunset Prayer, because it is strongly discommended to postpone performing it at its earliest time. Actually, traditions have laid very much emphasis on warning against postponing performing the Sunset Prayer at its earliest time.

When you intend to perform this prayer, you may utter the adhan and the iqamah statements observing the previously mentioned etiquettes. In the space of time between adhan and iqamah, you may say the following supplicatory prayer:

اَللّهُمَّ اِنّى اَسْئَلُكَ بِاِقْبالِ لَيْلِكَ وَاِدْبارِ نَهارِكَ وَحُضُورِ صَلَواتِكَ وَاَصْواتِ دُعآئِكَ وَتَسْبيحِ مَلَّئِكَتِكَ اَنْ تُصَلِّىَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَاَنْ تَتُوبَ عَلَىَّ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ التَّوّابُ الرَّحيمُ

You may then perform the Sunset Obligatory Prayer, observing all of its etiquettes and meeting all of its conditions. Upon accomplishment, you may utter the Takbir statement three times and say Tasbih al-Zahra’. You may then say the following:

اِنَّ اللّٰهَ وَمَلاَّئِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِىِّ يا اَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْليما اَللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِىِّ وَعَلى ذُرّيَّتِهِ وَعَلى اَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ

You may also repeat the following litany seven times:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحيمِ وَلا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ اِلاّ بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِىِّ الْعَظيمِ

You may also repeat the following doxology three times:

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذى يَفْعَلُ ما يَشآءُ وَلا يَفْعَلُ ما يَشآءُ غَيْرُهُ

You may also say the following imploration:

سُبْحانَكَ لا اِلهَ اِلاّ اَنْتَ اِغْفِرْ لى ذُ نُوبى جَميعا فَاِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ كُلَّها جَميعا اِلاّ اَنْتَ

If you wish to say more post-prayer utterances, it is then favorable to delay saying them until you offer the supererogatory sunset prayer, which consists of four units, each two separately (i.e. you say the Taslim statement after the second and fourth units). It is discommended to say anything (other than supplications) in the space of time between the obligatory and supererogatory sunset prayers. In the first unit of the supererogatory prayer, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Kafirun. In the second, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Tawheed. In the third and fourth units, you may recite any Surah you wish although it is highly advisable to recite in the third unit Surah al-Faatehah and the following verses, which are the first six verses of Surah al-Hadid (No. 57):

It is also high advisable to recite in the fourth unit of the supererogatory sunset prayer Surah al-Faatehah and the following holy verses, which are the last four verses of Surah al-Hashr (No. 59):

Just like all other supererogatory prayers, it is acceptably sufficient to recite Surah al-Faatehah alone in each unit. It is highly advisable to recite the Surahs with audible voice, just like other supererogatory night prayers.

RITES FOLLOWING THE SUPEREROGATORY SUNSET PRAYER

Upon accomplishing the supererogatory sunset prayer, you may say any of the general post-prayer utterances. You may then do the thanksgiving prostration as has been previously cited. The least thing to be said in the thanksgiving prostration is the following:

شكرا شكرا شكرا

Al-Kulayni has reported Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) as saying: When you finish the supererogatory sunset prayer, you may pass your hand over your forehead and repeat the following supplicatory prayer three times:

بسم اللّه الّذى لا اله الاّ هو عالم الغيب و الشّهادة الرّحمن الرّحيم اللّهمّ اذهب‏ عنّى الهمّ و الحزن

It is highly advisable to offer the Ghufaylah Prayer (whose merits and method have been mentioned in the book of Mafatih al-Jinan) thereafter.

ETIQUETTES OF THE (ISHA) EVENING PRAYERS

When the twilight sets, you may utter the adhan and iqamah statements for the Evening Prayer, observing all the aforesaid etiquettes. You may then perform the Evening Prayer, observing all of its etiquettes and meeting all of its conditions. It is highly advisable to prolong the Qunut in this prayer and the post-prayer utterances, because there is enough time to do so. Accordingly, you may say all the supplications of mornings and evenings as well as all supplications dedicated to evenings, which are numerous. One of these is the sustenance-seeking supplication, which is mentioned in Mafatih al-Jinan. The supplication begins with these statements:

اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لِيْ عِلْمٌ بِمَوْضِعِ رِزْقِيْ ...

It is also recommended to recite Surah al-Qadr six times and then say the following supplicatory prayer:

اَللّهُمَّ رَبَّ السَّمواتِ السَّبْعِ وَ ما اَظَلَّتْ وَ رَبَّ الاَرَضينَ السَّبِعْ وَ ما اَقَلَّتْ وَ رَبَّ الشَّياطينِ وَ ما اَضَلَّتْ وَ رَبَّ الرِّياحِ وَ ما ذَرَتْ اَللّهُمَّ رَبَّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَ اِلهَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَ مَليكَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ اَنْتَ اللّهُ الْمُقْتَدِرُ عَلى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ اَنْتَ اللّٰهُ الاَوَّلُ فَلا شَىْءَ قَبْلَكَ وَ اَنْتَ الاْ خِرُ فَلا شَىْءَ بَعْدَكَ وَ اَنْتَ الظّاهِرُ فَلا شَىْءَ فَوْقَكَ وَ اَنْتَ الْباطِنُ فَلا شَىْءَ دُونَكَ رَبَّ جَبْرَئيلَ وَميكائيلَ وَاِسْرافيلَ وَالِهَ اِبْراهيمَ وَاِسْمعيلَ وَاِسْحقَ ويَعْقُوبَ وَالاَسْباطِ اَسْئَلُكَ اَنْ تُصَلِّىَ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَنْ تَوَلاّنى بِرَحْمَتِكَ وَلا تُسَلِّطَ عَلَىَّ اَحَدا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ مِمِّنْ لاطاقَةَ لى بِهِ اَللّهُمَّ اِنّى اَتَحَبَّبُ اِلَيْكَ فَحَبِّبْنى وَ فِى النّاسِ فَعَزِّزْنى وَ مِنْ شَرِّ الشَّياطينِ الْجِنِّ وَالاِنْسِ فَسَلِمّنى يا رَبَّ الْعالِمينَ وَصَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ

You may then pray Almighty Allah for any thing you wish.

You may thereafter do the thanksgiving prostration after which you may offer the Wutayrah Prayer, which is a supererogatory prayer that is offered in the sitting position after the Evening Prayer and consisting of two units of prayer in both of which it is recommended to recite one hundred verses of the Holy Qur’an. It is therefore preferable to recite Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Waqiah (No. 56) in the first unit and Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Tawheed in the second.

Upon accomplishment, you may say any supplication you wish to say.

ETIQUETTES OF BEDTIME

When you wish to go to bed, you must prepare yourself for meeting death. You must be in a state of ceremonial purity, repent from sinning, evacuate your heart from worldly affairs, bring to mind the end of your lifetime and the time when you will lie alone in your grave without having anyone to entertain you, put your last will under your pillow, and determine to wake up for offering the Night Prayer, which is the pride of the true faithful believer and its adornment in this world as well as the Hereafter. Before sleeping, you may recite Surah al-Tawheed, Surah al-Takathur, and Ayah al-Kursi. You may also repeat the following doxology three times:

اَلْحَمْدُلِلَّهِ الَّذى عَلافَقَهَرَ وَالْحَمْدُلِلَّهِ الَّذى بَطَنَ فَخَبَرَ وَالْحَمْدُلِلَّهِ الَّذى مَلَكَ فَقَدَرَ وَالْحَمْدُلِلَّهِ الَّذى يُحْيىِ الْمَوْتى وَيُميتُ الاَحْيآءَ وَ هُوَ عَلى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَديرٌ

You may then say Tasbih al-Zahra’ and sleep on your right side, just like the dead in their graves. About sleeping like the moribund, our mentor Shaykh al-Nuri has said in his book of Dar al-Salam, “We could not find any report or tradition recommending so except something mentioned by al-Ghazzali. Of course, accuracy lies in opposing him.”

If you intend to wake up for offering the Night Prayer or another thing but you fear lest sleep overcomes you, you may recite the last holy verse of Surah al-Kahf (No. 18):

قُلْ اِنَّما اَ نَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ يُوحى اِلَىَّ اَنَّما اِلهُكُمْ اِلهٌ واحِدٌ فَمَنْ كانَ يَرْجُو لِقاَّءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلاً صالِحا وَلايُشْرِكْ بِعِبادَةِ رَبِّهِ اَحَدا

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said that whoever recites this holy verse at sleeping will certainly wake up at the very time he wants.

FEAR OF SCORPION

If you fear scorpion or any other arachnid, you may say this supplication, which Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) has guaranteed for anyone who says it safety from stings of scorpions or any pests up to the next morning:

اَعُوذُ بِكَلِماتِ اللّٰهِ التّاَّمّاتِ الَّتى لايُجْاوِزُ هُنَّ بَرُّ وَلا فاجِرٌ مِنْ شَرِّ ماذَرَءَ وَمِنْ شَرِّ ما بَرَءَ وَ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ دآبَّةٍ هُوَ اخِذٌ بِناصِيَتِها اِنَّ رَبّى عَلى صِراطٍ مُسْتَقيمٍ.

FEAR OF WET DREAMS

If you fear wet dreaming, you may say this supplication:

اَللّهُمَّ اِنّى اَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الاِحْتِلامِ وَ مِنْ شَرِّ الاَحْلامِ وَ مِنْ اَنْ يَتَلاعَبَ بِىَ الشَّيْطانُ فِى اليَقْظَةِ وَالْمَنامِ

DUA FOR PROTECTION OF THE HOUSE FROM DAMAGE & THEFT

If you fear lest your house or the place where you sleep may collapse on you, you may recite this holy verse of Surah of Fatir (No. 35):

اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُمْسِكُ السَّمواتِ وَالاَرْضَ اَنْ تَزُولا وَ لَئِنْ زالَتا اِنْ اَمْسَكَهُما مِنْ اَحَدٍ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ اِنَّهُ كانَ حَليما غَفُورا

If you fear thieves, you may recite the last two holy verses of Surah al-Isra’ (No. 17):

قُلِ ادْعُوا اللّهَ اَوِ ادْعُوا الرَّحْمنَ ....

ETIQUETTES OF APPLYING KOHL (SURMAH)

You may also darken your eyes with seven sticks of kohl; four in your right eye and three in the left. While putting kohl, you may say the following supplication:

اَللّهُمَّ اِنّى اَسْئَلُكَ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ اَنْ تُصَلِىَّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ الِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَنْ تَجْعَلَ النُّورَ فى بَصَرى وَالْبَصيرَةَ فى دينى وَالْيَقينَ فى قَلْبى وَالاِ خْلاصَ فى عَمَلى وَالسَّلامَةَ فى نَفْسى وَالسَّعَةَ فى رِزْقى وَالشُكْرَ لَكَ اَبَدا ما اَبْقَيْتَنى اِنَّكَ عَلى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَديرٌ

It is highly advisable to avoid sleeping in the space of time between dawn and sunrise and in the space of time between afternoon and sunset. If you intend to sleep, you should extinguish the lantern and direct yourself towards the kiblah direction. Avoid sleeping on fenceless roofs and avoid telling anyone about what you see in dream except sincere and kind experts.

MERITS OF THE NIGHT PRAYER

The Holy Infallibles (a.s.) are reported to have said innumerable words about the merits of offering the Night Prayer; they have therefore described it as the honor of the true faithful believers. It brings about good health, erases the sins committed in days, saves from the loneliness in graves, beautifies the face, perfumes the body smell, and produces sustenance. Wealth and sons are the ornament of this worldly life, and to offer eight units of prayer at the last hours of night, in addition to a one-unit prayer, is the ornament of the Hereafter. These two ornaments may be granted together by Almighty Allah to some people. Other traditions have it that one who claims that he offers prayers regularly at night and still he suffers hunger is liar, because the night prayer guarantees the sustenance of the next day.

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) has reported that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said to Imam Ali(a.s.), “O Ali! I shall give you some moralities that you should observe... Abide by the night prayer. Abide by the night prayer. Abide by the night prayer. Abide by the midday prayer. Abide by the midday prayer. Abide by the midday prayer.”

It is apparently understood from this tradition that the night prayer stands for the thirteen units of prayer while the midday prayer is the eight units of the supererogatory noon prayer.

Anas ibn Malik has reported that he heard the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) saying, “To offer two units of prayer in the midst of night is more favorable to me than possessing this world and whatever therein.”

When he was asked why those who practice the night worship had shining faces, Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-’Abidin (a.s.) answered, “As they withdrew themselves with their Lord, He granted them of His Light.”

In conclusion, traditions about the merits of offering the night prayer are very numerous. It is thus discommended to avoid the night acts of worship.

Shaykh has reported through an authentic chain of authority that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) said, “All servants (of Allah) wake up once, twice, or even more times at night. If a servant does not go for the night worship, Satan will open his legs and urinate in his ear. This is why those who do not do the night worship wake up in the morning heavy and lazy.”

Al-Barqi has reported through a valid chain of authority that Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) said, “There is a devil called al-Raha appointed for the night. When a servant (of Allah) intends to get up for the night prayer, this devil inspires to him that the time of prayer has not yet come. When the servant tries to get up again, the devil repeats the same evil inspiration and prevents the servant from offering the prayer until the day dawns. When it dawns, the devil urinates in the ear of that servant and goes back moving its tail in joy.”

Ibn Abi-Jumhur reported the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as saying to his companions, “When you go to sleep, Satan ties three knots at your head. Each knot inspires to you that the night is still long; therefore, you would better sleep. When you wake up and mention Almighty Allah, one knot is untied. When you do the ritual ablution, another knot is untied. When you perform the prayer, the third knot is untied. Hence, you will find yourselves active and positive in the morning; lest, you find yourselves inactive and frowning.”

This tradition is reported in Sunni books of hadith, too.

Al-Qutb al-Rawandi reported Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) as saying, “Do not expect three matters as long as you have been engaged in three: Do not expect ability to do night worship as long as you overeat. Do not expect bright-facedness as long as you spend the whole night sleeping. Do not expect security in your life as long as you accompany sinful people.”

Al-Qutb al-Rawandi has also reported that Prophet Jesus (a.s.) called his mother (a.s.) after her death and asked, “Mother, do you wish to return to life?” His mother answered, “Yes, I do, so that I will offer prayers to Almighty Allah in the midst of night and observe fasting in the extremely hot days. O son, this path is horrifying.”

METHOD OF THE NIGHT PRAYER

The following is an easy-to-do method of offering the Night Prayer that everyone can do:

When you wake up at night, it is recommended to prostrate yourself before Almighty Allah. It is recommended that you say the following doxology during or after the prostration:

اَلْحَمْدُلِلّهِ الَّذى اَحْيانى بَعْدَ ما اَماتَنى وَ اِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ الَّذى رَدَّ عَلَىَّ رُوحى لاَِحْمَدَهُ وَاَعْبُدَهُ

When you get up and stand up, say the following supplication:

اَللّهُمَّ اَعِنّى عَلى هَوْلِ الْمُطَّلَعِ وَ وَسِّعْ عَلَىَّ الْمَضْجَعَ وَارْزُقْنى خَيْرَما بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ

When you hear the sounds of roosters, say the following:

سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ سَبَقَتْ رَحْمَتُكَ غَضَبَكَ لا اِلهَ اِلاّ اَنْتَ عَمِلْتُ سُوَّءً وَظَلَمْتُ نَفْسى فَاغْفِرْلى اِنَّهُ لايَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ اِلاّ اَنْتَ فَتُبْ عَلَىَّ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ التَّوّابُ الرَّحيمُ

When you raise your sight towards the sky, say the following supplication:

اَللّهُمَّ اِنَّهُ لايُوارى مِنْكَ لَيْلٌ ساجٍ وَلاسَمآءٌ ذاتُ اَبْراجٍ وَلا اَرْضٌ ذاتُ مِهادٍ وَلاظُلُماتٌ بَعْضُها فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ وَ لابَحْرٌ لُجِّىُّ تُدْلِجُ بَيْنَ يَدَىِ الْمُدْلِجِ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ تُدْلِجُ الرَّحْمَةَ عَلى مَنْ تَشآءُ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ تَعْلَمُ خآئِنَةَ الاَعْيُنِ وَ ما تُخْفِى الصُّدُورُ غارَتِ النُّجُومُ وَنامَتِ الْعُيُونُ وَ اَنْتَ الْحَىُّ الْقَيُّومُ لا تَاْخُذُكَ سِنَةٌ وَلانَوْمٌ سُبْحانَ اللّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمينَ وَ اِلهِ الْمُرْسَلينَ وَالْحَمْدُلِلّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمينَ

After that, you may recite the following five Quranic verses from SurahAl-’Imran (No. 3):

اِنَّ فى خَلْقِ السَّمواتِ وَالاَرْضِ وَاخْتِلافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهارِ لاَ ياتٍ لاِ وُلىِ الاَلْبابِ الَّذينَ يَذْكُروُنَ اللّهَ قِياماً وَ قُعُوداً وَ عَلى جُنُوبِهِمْ وَ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ فى خَلْقِ السَّمواتِ وَالاَرْضِ رَبَّنا ما خَلَقْتَ هذا باطِلاً سُبْحانَكَ فَقِنا عَذابَ النّارِ رَبَّنا اِنَّكَ مَنْ تُدْخِلِ النّارَ فَقَدْ اَخْزَيْتهَ وَ ما لِلظّالِمينَ مِنْ اَنْصارٍ رَبَّنا اِنَّنا سَمِعْنا مُنادِياً يُنادى لِلاْيمانِ اَنْ امِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنّا رَبَّنا فَاغْفِرْ لَنا ذُ نُوبَنا وَ كَفِّرْ عَنّا سَيِّئاتِنا وَ تَوَفَّنا مَعَ الاَبْرارِ رَبَّنا وَ اتِنا ما وَعَدْتَنا عَلى رُسُلِكَ وَلاتُخْزِنا يَوْمَ الْقِيمَةِ اِنَّكَ لاتُخْلِفُ الْميعادَ

When you intend to take initiative to the night worship but you need to go to toilet, you may start with it. When you go out of toilet, cleanse your teeth with the traditional stick of Miswak. Afterward, you may perform the ritual ablution as completely as possible and then perfume and ready yourself for the Night Prayer.

THE TIME OF THE NIGHT PRAYER

The time of the Night Prayer begins after midnight; yet, it is recommended to perform it as near as possible to dawn. However, when dawn comes while one has still four units of the prayer to perform, one may recite only Surah al-Faatehah in the rest of the prayer.

The Night Prayer consists of eight units of prayer; each two alone. Taslim should be said at the end of each two units with the intention of offering the Night Prayer. It is advisable to repeat Surah al-Tawheed thirty times in each unit of the first couple after reciting Surah al-Faatehah.

By doing such, one’s all sins will be forgiven as soon as he finishes the prayer. It is also recommended to recite (after Surah al-Faatehah) Surah al-Tawheed in the first unit and Surah al-Kafirun in the second.

In the other units of the prayer, one may recite any Surah he chooses. However, it is sufficiently acceptable to recite Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Tawheed in each unit of the Night Prayer. It is also permissible to recite Surah al-Faatehah alone.

QUNUT

Like obligatory prayers, it is highly recommended to practice Qunut in the second unit of each couple of the units of supererogatory prayers. At least, it is sufficient to repeat the following statement three times in Qunut:

سبحان اللّه

It is also sufficient to say this supplicatory prayer:

اَللّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَنا وَارْحَمْنا وَ عافِنا وَاعْفُ عَنّا فِى الدُّنْيا وَ الاْخِرَةِ اِنَّكَ عَلى كُلِّشَىْءٍ قَديرٌ

خدايا بيامرز ما را و به ما رحم كن،و به ما عافيت ده،و در دنيا و آخرت از ما درگذر،به درستى كه تو بر هرچيز توانايى.

or this supplicatory prayer:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَتَجاوَزْ عَمّا تَعْلَمُ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الاَعَزُّ الاَجَلُّ الاَكْرَمُ

It is narrated that Imam Musa ibn Ja’far al-Kazim (a.s.) used to say the following supplicatory prayer in his night worship:

اللّهمّ انّك خلقتنى سويّا...

THE SHAF’ AND THE WITR PRAYERs

When you accomplish the eight-unit Night Prayer, you may then offer the two-unit Shaf’ Prayer and the one-unit Witr Prayer. In these three units, you are advised to recite, after Surah al-Faatehah, Surah al-Tawheed once so that you may be considered as having recited the entire Qur’an. Narrations have confirmed that Surah al-Tawheed is equivalent to one-third of the Holy Qur’an.

You may also recite in the first unit of the Shaf’ Prayer Surah al-Nas (No. 114) and in the second Surah al-Falaq (No. 113).

When you accomplish the Shaf’ Prayer, you may say this supplicatory prayer:

الهى تعرّض لك فى هذا اللّيل‏ المتعرضون...

This supplicatory prayer has been mentioned in the book of Mafatih al-Jinan within the recommended acts on the fifteenth night of Sha’ban.

Upon accomplishment of the Shaf’ Prayer, you may stand up for offering the Witr Prayer. After Surah al-Faatehah, you may recite Surah al-Tawheed once or three times alone or with Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nas.

You may then raise your hands for Qunut and implore Almighty Allah for anything you desire.

In the words of Shaykh al-Tusi, the supplications for Qunut are too numerous to be counted. Generally, there are not definite supplications to be said in Qunut, for it is permissible to say anything.

It is also recommended, during Qunut, to weep, or even try to weep, out of fear of Almighty Allah and fear of His chastisement. It is also desirable to pray Almighty Allah for the good of one’s brethren-in-faith, for narrations have confirmed that one who prays for the good of forty of his friends shall have all his prayers responded.

Shaykh al-Saduq, in his book of Man-La-Yahduruhul-Faqih, has recorded that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to say the following supplicatory prayer in the Witr Prayer:

اَللّهُمَّ اهْدِنى فيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَ عافِنى فيمَنْ عافَيْتَ وَ تَوَلَّنى فيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَ بارِكْ لى فيما اَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنى شَرَّ ما قَضَيْتَ فَاِنَّكَ تَقْضى وَلايُقْضى عَلَيْكَ سُبْحانَكَ رَبَّ الْبَيْتِ اَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْكَ وَ اوُمِنُ بِكَ وَاَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ وَلاحَوْلَ وَلاقُوَّةَ اِلاّ بِكَ يا رَحيمُ

It is also highly advisable to repeat the following imploration seventy times and, meanwhile, raise the left hand for supplicating and count with the right hand:

اَسْتَغْفِرُاللّهَ رَبّى وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ.

It is also narrated that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to implore for Almighty Allah’s forgiveness seventy times during the Witr Prayer and then say the following statement:

هذا مَقامُ الْعائِذِ بِكَ مِنَ النّارِ

It is also narrated that Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-’Abidin (a.s.) used to repeat the following word three hundred times during the Witr Prayer:

اَلْعَفْوَ اَلْعَفْوَ

After that, the Imam (a.s.) would say the following supplicatory prayer:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْلى وَارْحَمْنى وَ تُبْ عَلىَّ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ التَّوّابُ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحيمُ

It is highly advisable to extend your Qunut as long as possible. Thereafter, you go to the ritual genuflection of the prayer and when you raise your head, you should say the following supplicatory prayer that Shaykh al-Tusi, in his book of Tahdhib al-Ahkam, reports from Imam Musa ibn Ja’far al-Kazim (a.s.):

هذا مَقامُ مَنْ حَسَناتُهُ نِعْمَةٌ مِنْكَ وَ شُكْرُهُ ضَعيفٌ وَ ذَنْبُهُ عَظيمٌ وَ لَيْسَ لِذلِكَ اِلاّ رِفْقُكَ وَ رَحْمَتُكَ فَاِنَّكَ قُلْتَ فى كِتابِكَ الْمُنْزَلِ عَلى نَبِيِّكَ الْمُرْسَلِ صَلَّى اللّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ كانُوا قَليلاً مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ما يَهْجَعُونَ وَبِالاَسْحارِهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ طالَ هُجُوعى وَ قَلَّ قِيامى وَ هذَا السَّحَرُ وَ اَ نَا اَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِذُنُوبى اِسْتِغْفارَ مَنْ لايَجِدُ لِنَفْسِهِ ضَرّاً وَلا نَفْعَاً وَلا مَوْتاً وَلاحَيوةً وَلا نُشُوراً

You may then prostrate yourself and accomplish the prayer. After the accomplishment, you may say Tasbih al-Zahra’. After that, you may say the following doxology:

اَلْحَمْدُ لِرَبِّ الصَّباحِ الْحَمْدُ لِفالِقِ الاِصْباحِ

You may then repeat the following doxology three times:

سُبْحانَ رَبِّىَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ الْعَزيزِ الْحَكيمِ

You may then say the following supplicatory prayer:

يا حَىُّ يا قَيُّومُ ،يا بَرُّ يا رَحيمُ يا غَنِىُّ يا كَريمُ اُرْزُقْنى مِنَ التِّجارَةِ اَعْظَمَها فَضْلاً وَ اَوْ سَعَها رِزْقاً وَ خَيْرَها لى عاقِبَةً فَاِنَّهُ لا خَيْرَ فيما لا عاقِبَةَ لَهُ

It is also highly advisable to say the following supplicatory prayer, which is called Dua al-Hazin (The Supplication of the Sad):

اناجيك يا موجود فى كلّ مكان...

This supplicatory prayer will be mentioned in the appendixes of Mafatih al-Jinan.

You may then prostrate yourself and repeat the following doxology five times:

سبّوح قدّوس،ربّ الملائكة و الرّوح

You may then sit and recite Ayah al-Kursi after which you may return to the prostration position and repeat the aforesaid doxology five times again.

NAFILAH FAJR

Upon accomplishment of the Night Prayer, you may stand up for offering the supererogatory dawn prayer, which consists of two units in the first of which you may recite Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Kafirun and in the second unit Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Tawheed. When you accomplish the prayer, you may sleep on the right side like a dead in the grave, put your right cheek on your right hand, and say the following:

اِسْتَمْسَكْتُ بِعُرْوَةِ اللّهِ الْوُثْقىَ الَّتى لاَانْفِصامَ لَها وَاعْتَصَمْتُ بِحَبْلِ اللّهِ الْمَتينِ وَ اَعُوذُ بِاللّهِ مِنْ شَرِّ فَسَقَةِ الْعَرَبِ وَالْعَجَمِ وَ اَعُوذُ بِاللّهِ مِنْ شَرِّ فَسَقَةِ الْجِنِّ وَالاِنْسِ

You may then repeat the following doxology three times:

سُبْحانَ رَبِّ الصَّباحِ فالِقِ الاِصْباحِ

You may then recite the previously mentioned five verses of SurahAl-’Imran.

You may then sit and say Tasbih al-Zahra’.

In the book of Man-La-Yahduruhul-Faqih, it is reported that whoever invoke blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household one hundred times between the supererogatory and the obligatory dawn prayers, Almighty Allah will save his face from the heat of Hellfire.

Whoever repeats the following supplicatory prayer one hundred times, Almighty Allah will build for him a house in Paradise:

سبحان ربّى العظيم و بحمد استغفر الله ربّى و اتوب اليه‏

Whoever recites Surah al-Tawheed twenty-one times, Almighty Allah will build for him a house in Paradise, and whoever recites it forty times, Almighty Allah will forgive him.

After accomplishing the Night Prayer, it is highly advisable to say the thirty-second supplication of al-Sahifah al-Kamilah al-Sajjadiyyah:

اللّهمّ يا ذا الملك المتابدّ..

You may then do a thanksgiving prostration during which you are highly advised to pray for the good of your brothers-in-faith and say the aforementioned supplication that is said in the thanksgiving prostrations and begins with the following statement:

اللّهمّ ربّ الفجر...

I please my faithful brothers to mention me - the sinful whose face has been blackened by sins - in their supplications, because I am in urgent need for prayers. Eventually, Allah is the source of success.