Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

LETTER OF YUSHA THE SON OF NUN

Through a valid chain of authority, Imam al-Rida(a.s.) is reported to have related the following story:

A man found a sheet of paper with an inscription and brought it to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) who, once he read it, called out at people to gather for a congregational prayer. As everybody came, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) ascended the minbar (i.e. a pulpit in the mosque) and said: This is the scripture of Yusha’, the son of Nun (Prophet Joshua), the successor of Prophet Moses (a.s.). The inscription reads the following: In the Name of Allah; the All-beneficent, the All-merciful. Your Lord is certainly Kind and Merciful. The best of Allah’s servants are the pious, pure, and affectionate; while the most wicked of Allah’s servants are so identified that fingers can point at them. He who wishes to have his deeds measured by the fairest balance and to carry out his duties towards the graces that Almighty Allah has bestowed upon him, must say the following litany every day:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحيمِ سُبْحانَ اللّٰهِ كَما يَنْبَغى لِلَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَما يَنْبَغى لِلَّهِ وَ لا اِلهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ كَما يَنْبَغى لِلَّهِ وَ لا حَوْلَ وَلاقُوَّةَ اِلاّ بِاللّهِ وَ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ النَّبِىِّ الاُمِّىِّ وَ عَلَى جَميعِ الْمُرْسَلينَ وَالنَّبِيّينَ حَتّى يَرْضَى اللّٰهُ .

In the book of al-Balad al-Amin, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is quoted to have said: He who repeats the following statement ten times every day, will be released from his sins as if he is on the day when his mother gave birth to him, and Almighty Allah will fend off from him seventy categories of tribulation, including lunacy, mycobacterium, leprosy, and paralysis, and Almighty Allah will appoint seventy angels to pray Him to forgive that person:

بسم اللّه الرّحمن الرّحيم لا حول‏ و لا قوّة الاّ باللّه العلى العظيم

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said: He who repeats the following litany one hundred times every day, will not be afflicted by poverty:

لا حول و لا قوّة الاّ باللّه العلىّ العظيم

Whoever repeats the following statements one hundred times every day, Almighty Allah will prohibit Hellfire to consume his body:

سبحان اللّه و الحمد للّه و لا اله الاّ اللّه و اللّه اكبر

MERITS OF RECITING THE DUA (اعددت لکل هول)

In the book of al-Balad al-Amin, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is reported to have said: He who says these words ten times every day, Almighty Allah will forgive four thousand of his grand sins, will save him from the death agonies, the grave pressure, and one hundred of the horrors on the Resurrection Day, will also save him from the evil of Iblis (i.e. Satan) and his troops, will help him settle his debts, and will relieve him from his distress, grief, and anguishes:

اَعْدَدْتُ لِكُلِّ هَوْلٍ لا اِلهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ وَ لِكُلِّ هَمٍّ وَ غَمٍّ ما شاءَاللّٰهُ وَ لِكُلِّ نِعْمَةٍ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ لِكُلِّ رَخآءٍ اَلشُّكْرُ لِلَّهِ وَ لِكُلِّ اُعْجُوبَةٍ سُبْحانَ الِلَّهِ وَ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ اَسْتَغْفِرُاللّٰهَ وَ لِكُلِّ مُصيبَةٍ اِنّا لِلّهِ وَ اِنّا اِلَيْهِ راجِعُونَ وَ لِكُلِّ ضيقٍ حَسْبِىَ اللّٰهُ وَ لِكُلِّ قَضآءٍ وَ قَدَرٍ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللّٰهِ وَ لِكُلِّ عَدُوٍّ اِعْتَصَمْتُ بِاللّٰهِ وَ لِكُلِّ طاعَةٍ وَ مَعْصِيَةٍ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلاّ بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِىِّ الْعَظيمِ .

Al-Kulayni, Ibn Baabwayh, and al-Barqi, may Allah’s mercy be upon them, have reported through valid chains of authority that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) said: He who repeats the following statement ten times every day, Almighty Allah will record for him forty-five thousand rewards, erase forty-five thousand of his sins, raise him forty-five thousand ranks towards Paradise, his saying will be shelter against Satan and despotic rulers, and no grand sin will surround him.

According to another narration, …he will be granted the reward of one who has recited the entire Qur’an twelve times and Almighty Allah will build a house in Paradise for him.

In the narration of Ibn Baabwayh, it is not mentioned that the statement must be repeated ten times:

اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لا اِلهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لاشَريكَ لَهُ اِلهاً واحِداً اَحَداً صَمَداً لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ صاحِبَةً وَ لا وَلَداً

In the book of Thawab al-A’mal, al-Mahasin, and al-Kafi, Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have quoted the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as saying: He who repeats the following saying fifteen times every day, Almighty Allah will receive him with His Face and will not turn His Face away from him before he enters Paradise:

لا اِلهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ حَقّاً حَقّاً لا اِلهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ ايماناً وَ تَصْديقاً لا اِلهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ عُبُودِيَّةً وَرِقّاً

In the book of al-Mahasin, the following is reported from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.):

To glorify Almighty Allah one hundred times every day is better than offering one hundred camels as presents to the Holy House of Allah:

سبحان اللّه

To praise Almighty Allah one hundred times every day is better than manumitting one hundred slaves:

الحمد للّه

To profess Almighty Allah being the Greatest (i.e. too great to be described) one hundred times every day is better than offering hundred horses, along with their saddles and reins, in the way of Allah (i.e. in holy wars):

اللّه اكبر

To profess Almighty Allah being the one and only god one hundred times every day is better than the deeds of all peoples, except those who repeat it more than one hundred times:

لا اله الاّ اللّه

Al-Qutb al-Rawandi has related the following story:

A worshipper from the children of Israel (i.e. Israelites) asked Allah the Almighty and Majestic, saying, “O Lord! What is my status with You? If it is praiseworthy, then I will try to add up to my good deeds; but if it is blameworthy, I will repent to You before I die.”

Replying to his question, Almighty Allah sent to him one of His angels to tell him that he has no good point with Allah.

“O Lord!” asked the man, “Where are then all my deeds?”

The Lord answered, “Whenever you did a good deed, you told people about it so that they would consider you virtuous and mention you reputably. Therefore, no reward will be given for your deeds except the reward that you have accepted for yourself.”

This fact disturbed and aggrieved the man extremely; therefore, Almighty Allah sent the same angel to convey the following message to him: “Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, says to you that you must purchase yourself from Him with alms that you must give every day for each one of your veins.”

The man asked, “O Lord! Is there any creature able to do that?”

The Almighty instructed, “You may repeat the following statement three hundred and sixty times, the number of your veins, every day:

سُبْحانَ اللّٰهِ وَالْحَمْدُلِلَّهِ وَلا اِلهَ اِلا اللّٰهُ وَاللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ وَلا حَوْلَ وَلاقُوَّةَ اِلاّ بِاللّٰهِ

The man said, “O Lord! Please, give me more.”

The Almighty said, “If you add to the number, I will add to you.”

Al-Kulayni has reported through a valid chain of authority that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) said: The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to repeat the following doxology three hundred and sixty times, the number of the veins, each day:

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمينَ كَثيراً عَلى كُلِّ حالٍ

DUA FOR SEEKING FORGIVENESS WHICH LEADS TO MORE KNOWLEDGE & MORE FORTUNE

Another tradition reported from Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) holds: He who says the following imploration for Almighty Allah’s forgiveness four hundred times each day for two successive months, will be granted much knowledge or much fortune:

اَسْتَغْفِرُاللّٰهَ الَّذى لا اِلهَ اِلاّ هُوَ الْحَىُّ الْقَيُّومُ الرَّحْمنُ الرَّحيمُ بَديعُ السَّمواتِ وَالاَرْضِ مِنْ جَميعِ ظُلْمى وَ جُرْمى وَ اِسْرافى عَلى نَفْسى وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ

Al-Tusi and other scholars have stated that it is a highly recommended tradition to say the following supplicatory prayer every day:

اَللّهُمَّ اِنّى اَسْئَلُكَ بِنُورِ وَجْهِكَ الْمُشْرِقِ الْحَىِّ الْباقىِ الْكَريمِ وَ اَسْئَلُكَ بِنُورِ وَجْهِكَ الْقُدُّوسِ الَّذى اَشْرَقَتْ بِهِ السَّمواتُ وَانْكَشَفَتْ بِهِ الظُّلُماتُ وَ صَلُحَ عَلَيْهِ اَمْرُ الاَوَّلينَ وَالاْ خِرينَ اَنْ تُصَلِّىَ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ اَنْ تُصْلِحَ لى شَاْنى كُلَّهُ

Al-Kaf’ami has reported Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) as saying: He who says the following supplication every day, Almighty Allah will suffice him from the troubles of his two abodes (i.e. the worldly life and the Next Life):

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ حَسْبِىَ اللّٰهُ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللّٰهِ اَللّهُمَّ اِنّى اَسْئَلُكَ خَيْرَ اُمُورى كُلِّها وَ اَعُوذُبِكَ مِنْ خِزْىِ الدُّنْيا وَ عَذابِ الاْخِرَةِ

It is also reported that whoever repeats the following litany seven times every day, Almighty Allah will suffice him from the troubles of his two abodes:

حَسْبِىَ اللّٰهُ رَبِّىَ اللّٰهُ لا اِلهَ اِلاّ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَ هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظيمِ

It has been also reported that whoever says the following words of glorification every day for a whole year, will not die before he sees (in dream) his place in Paradise:

سُبْحانَ الدّآئِمِ الْقآئِمِ سُبْحانَالْقآئِمِ الدّآئِمِ سُبْحانَالْواحِدِ الاَحَدِ سُبْحانَ الْفَرْدِ الصَّمَدِ سُبْحانَ الْحَىِّ الْقَيُّومِ سُبْحانَ اللّٰهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ سُبْحانَ الْحَىِّ الَّذى لايَمُوتُ سُبْحانَ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ سُبْحانَ رَبِّ الْمَلائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ سُبْحانَ الْعَلِىِّ الاَعْلى سُبْحانَهُ وَ تَعالى

SECOND CHAPTER: MUSTAHAB PRAYERS

The Prayer of The Bedouin (Salat Al-Rabi)

This section comprises some highly recommended (but not obligatory) prayers that have not been mentioned in the book of Mafatih al-Jinan.

THE PRAYER OF THE BEDOUIN (SALAT AL-A’RABI)

In his book of Jamal al-Usbu’, Sayyid Ibn Tawus has reported the following story from Shaykh al-Tal’akbari through his own chain of authority that is connected to Zayd ibn Thabit:

One day, a man from the Bedouins stood up before the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and said, “May Allah accept my father and mother as ransoms for you, O Allah’s Messenger. We live in the desert away from al-Madinah and it is unfeasible for us to present ourselves every Friday before you. I therefore want you to teach me an act, which collects the rewards of performing the Friday Prayers so that, when I leave for my people, I will teach them to do it.”

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said:

When the daylight rises up, you should offer a two-unit prayer. In the first unit, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah once and repeat Surah al-Falaq seven times. In the second unit, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah once and repeat Surah al-Nas seven times. When you accomplish the prayer (by saying the Taslim statement), you may recite Ayah al-Kursi seven times. After that, you should stand up to offer eight units of prayer with two Taslim statements. After every couple of units, you may sit (for a while) but do not say the Taslim statement. When you accomplish offering four units of prayer, you should say the Taslim statement and then stand up for offering the other four units as same as you have just done. In each unit, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah once, Surah al-Nasr once, and Surah al-Tawheed twenty-five times. If you accomplish these four units, you may say the tashahhud and Taslim statements and repeat the following supplicatory prayer seven times:

يا حَىُّ يا قَيّوُمُ يا ذَاالْجَلالِ وَالاِكْرامِ يا اِلهَ الاَوَّلينَ وَ الاْ خِرينَ يا اَرْحَمَ الرّاحِمينَ يا رَحْمنَ الدُّنْيا وَ الاْ خِرَةِ وَ رَحيمَهُما يا رَبِّ يا رَبِّ يا رَبِّ يا رَبِّ يا رَبِّ يا رَبِّ يا رَبِّ يا اَللَّهُ يا اَللَّهُ يا اَللَّهُ يا اَللَّهُ يا اَللَّهُ يا اَللَّهُ يا اَللَّهُ صَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَاغْفِرْلى

You can now mention what you need.

Repeat the following litany seventy times:

لاحَوْلَ وَلاقُوَّةَ اِلاّ بِاللّهِ الْعَلِىِّ الْعَظيمِ وَسُبْحانَ اللّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَريمِ

Then say the following:

سُبْحانَ اللّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَريمِ

I swear by Him Who has sent me and chosen me in truth, I will certainly guarantee Paradise for any believer, man or woman, who offers this prayer as exactly as I have explained. Moreover, he who offers this prayer will not leave his place before Almighty Allah has forgiven his and his parents sins, given him the reward of every individual who performed a prayer in all regions of Muslims, recorded for him the reward of every individual in the east and the west of the earth who observed fasting and offered prayers on that day, and given him rewards that no eye could ever saw and no ear could ever heard.

In his book of Misbah al-Mutahajjid, al-Tusi has explained this prayer, yet he has not mentioned the aforesaid supplicatory prayer; rather, he said that when you finish the prayer, you may repeat the following statements seventy times:

سُبْحانَ اللّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَريمِ وَلا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلاّ بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِىِّ الْعَظيمِ

NAMAZ HADIYAH MASOOMEEN (A)

The Infallible Imams (a.s.) are reported to have said that a servant (of Allah) may offer eight units of prayer on Friday, separating each couple of units with the Taslim statement. Four of these units may be dedicated to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) while the other four units to Lady Fatimah (a.s.).

On Saturday, other four units of prayer are offered and dedicated to Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.). Likewise, four units of prayer may be offered every day and dedicated to one of the Holy Imams respectively. Thus, on Thursday, four units are offered and dedicated to Imam Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq(a.s.). On Friday, eight units of prayer are offered; four of them are dedicated to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and four to Lady Fatimah (a.s.). On Saturday, four units of prayer are offered and dedicated to Imam Musa ibn Ja’far al-Kazim (a.s.). Likewise, four units of prayer may be offered every day and dedicated to one of the Holy Imams respectively. Hence, on Thursday, the four units of prayer are dedicated to Imam al-Mahdi the Patron of the Age, may Allah hasten his reappearance. The supplicatory prayer to be said between each couple of units is the following:

اَللّهُمَّ اَنْتَ السَّلامُ وَ مِنْكَ السَّلامُ وَ اِلَيْكَ يَعُودُ السَّلامُ حَيِّنا رَبَّنا مِنْكَ بِالسَّلامِ اَللّهُمَّ اِنَّ هذِهِ الرَّكَعاتِ هَدِيَّةٌ مِنّا اِلى وَلِيِّكَ

You should mention the name of the Imam to whom these units are dedicated.

فَصَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ بَلِّغْهُ اِيّاها وَاَعْطِنى اَفْضَلَ اَمَلى وَ رَجآئى فيكَ وَ فى رَسُولِكَ صَلَواتُكَ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ فيهِ

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

PRAYER FOR THE NIGHT OF BURIAL.

The prayer to be offered at the burial night consists of two units. In the first unit, Surah al-Faatehah and Ayah al-Kursi are recited. In the second unit, Surah al-Faatehah is recited one time and Surah al-Qadr repeated seven times. When you say the Taslim statement, you may say the following supplication:

اَللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَابْعَثْ ثَوابَها اِلى قَبْرِ ..

ANOTHER PRAYER AT THE BURIAL NIGHT

Sayyid Ibn Tawus, may Allah have mercy upon him, has reported that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, “The harshest time for a dead is his first night in the grave. Therefore, have mercy upon your dead people through almsgiving. If you do not have anything to give as alms, you may offer a two-unit prayer, reciting Surah al-Faatehah once and Surah al-Tawheed twice in the first unit and Surah al-Faatehah once and Surah al-Takathur ten times in the second unit. When you accomplish the prayer (by uttering the Taslim statement), you may say the following:

اَللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَابْعَثْ ثَوابَها اِلى قَبْرِ ذلِكَ الْمَيِّتِ ..

If you do so, Almighty Allah will immediately send one thousand angels to the grave of that individual; each angel carrying a dress and a garment. Moreover, Almighty Allah will expand his grave, saving him from tightness up to the day when the Trumpet will be blown. As for the one who has offered this prayer, he will be given rewards as many as every thing touched by the sunlight and he will be raised forty ranks.

DEDICATION TO THE DEAD

Al-Kaf’ami has recorded this prayer in the same aforementioned method. Yet, he added that he saw in some books of our master scholars that in the first unit of this prayer, Surah al-Faatehah and Ayah al-Kursi are recited once and Surah al-Tawheed twice.

The following is quoted from the book of Zad al-Ma’ad by ‘Allamah al-Majlisi, may Allah have mercy upon him:

It is highly advisable not to neglect mentioning the dead, because they are now too short to do any righteous or charitable deed. They therefore hope that their sons, relatives, and brethren-in-faith will do charitable acts on behalf of them or pray for them, especially at the nocturnal prayers. An individual is required to pray for his parents in the post-prayer supplicatory utternances and at visiting the holy shrines and to do charitable and righteous acts on behalf of them.

A tradition holds that an individual who may be impious to his parents can be recorded as pious to them after their death when he does charitable and righteous acts on behalf of them; while an individual who is pious to his parents in their lifetimes may be decided as impious to them after their death, because he disregards doing any charitable or righteous act on behalf of them. The best charitable favor that is done to one’s parents or relatives is to settle their debts and to release them from any liability towards Almighty Allah or towards other people. Hence, one may do his best to go on the ritual pilgrimage (Hajj) on behalf of the dead or to make up for the obligatory acts of worship that they missed to do, either voluntarily or by employing someone to do that for a certain wage.

In this respect, an authentic tradition holds that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) used to offer a two-unit prayer each night on behalf of his son and another two-unit prayer each day on behalf of his parents. In the first unit, he used to recite Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Qadr, and in the second Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Kawthar (No. 108).

Another authentic tradition holds that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) said, “It happens that the tight grave of a dead is expanded for him. He is then informed that this expansion has been made due to the prayer of your brother-in-faith, so-and-so, for you.”

The reporter asked, “Is it permissible to dedicate a two-unit prayer to two dead persons?”

The Imam (a.s.) answered, “Yes, it is. Indeed, a dead person takes pleasure in the prayers and forgiveness-seeking implorations that are dedicated to him just as a living person feels happy when a present is gifted to him. The reward of such act is recorded for both the dead and the dedicating person.”

According to another tradition, Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) said, “Prayers, fasting, going on Hajj, almsgiving, charitable acts, and supplications - these things join the dead in his grave.”

According to another tradition, Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) said, “Any Muslim who does a (righteous) act on behalf of a dead, Almighty Allah will double his reward and make his act beneficial for the dead.”

Other traditions hold that when one gives something as alms on behalf of a dead, Almighty Allah will order Archangel Gabriel to lead seventy thousand angels to the grave of that dead, each angel carrying a saucer and saying to the dead, “Peace be upon you, O Allah’s intimate servant. This is the gift of so-and-son, the faithful, to you.” The grave of that dead will then glitter. Moreover, Almighty Allah will give him one thousand cities in Paradise, one thousand Paradisiacal women in marriage, one thousand garments to dress, and will grant him one thousand of his requests.

PRAYER FOR PARENTS

The prayer for the parents is of two units. In the first unit, Surah al-Faatehah is recited once and the following supplicatory prayer is repeated ten times:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْلى وَ لِوالِدَىَّ وَ لِلْمُؤْمِنينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسابُ

In the second unit, Surah al-Faatehah is recited once and the following supplicatory prayer is repeated ten times:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْلى وَ لِوالِدَىَّ وَ لِمَنْ دَخَلَ بَيْتِىَ مُؤْمِناً وَ لِلْمُؤْمِنينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِناتِ

When the prayer is accomplished (by uttering the Taslim statement), the following supplicatory prayer is repeated ten times:

رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُما كَما رَبَّيانى صَغيراً

PRAYER OF THE HUNGRY

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said:

He who feels hungry may do the ritual ablution (wudu’) and offer a two-unit prayer, after which he may pray Almighty Allah, saying:

يا رَبِّ اِنّى جائِعٌ فَاَطْعِمْنى

According to another tradition, the supplication is as follows:

رَبِّ اَطْعِمْنى فَاِنّى جائِعٌ

If he does so, Almighty Allah will immediately give him food.

PRAYER FOR FENDING OFF EVIL SELF INSPIRATIONS

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said, “No forty mornings passed on a believer unless evil self-inspirations jump to his mind. When you are attacked by such evil inspirations, you may offer a two-unit prayer and pray Almighty Allah to protect you against so.”

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is also reported to have said: When Prophet Adam (a.s.) complained to Almighty Allah against evil self-inspirations, Archangel Gabriel came down to him and asked him to say the following:

لا حول و لا قوّة الاّ باللّه

Once Prophet Adam (a.s.) did, he could get rid of evil self-inspirations.

Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) has reported that when a man complained to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) against obsession, evil self-inspiration, and unbearable debts, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) taught him the following litany:

تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى الْحَىِّ الَّذى لايَمُوتُ وَ الْحَمْدُلِلّهِ الَّذى لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَداً وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ شَريكَ فِى الْمُلْكِ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَلِىُّ مِنَ الذُّلِّ وَ كَبِّرْهُ تَكْبيراً

After some time, the man returned to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) to tell him that Almighty Allah had removed obsession from him, helped him settle all his debts, and saved him from poverty.

The following holy verse is reported to be said for fending off Satan’s evil inspiration when doubt is arisen in one’s mind:

هُوَ الاَوَّلُ وَالاْ خِرُ وَالظّاهِرُ وَالْباطِنُ وَ هُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَليمٌ

RECITATIONS FOR FENDING OFF EVIL SELF INSPIRATIONS

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is also reported to have said: To get rid of Satan’s evil inspirations, you may rub your chest with your hand and say the following:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ بِاللّٰهِ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ وَلاحَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلاّ بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِىِّ الْعَظيمِ اَللّهُمَّ امْسَحْ عَنّى ما اَحْذَرُ

You may then rub your abdomen and repeat the same supplication three times. If you do so, evil inspirations will fade away, Allah willing.

For fending off obsessions, it is useful to wash the head with the leaves of lote-trees (jujube trees), to cleanse the teeth with the stick known as siwak, to eat pomegranates, to drink from the rainwater in April, and to observe fasting on three days in every month: the first and the last Thursdays and on Wednesday in the middle of the month.

The following guard-seeking supplication may be also said for fending off evil inspirations:

اَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ الْقَوِىِّ مِنَ الشَّيْطانِ الْغَوِىِّ وَ اَعُوذُ بِمُحَمَّدٍ الرَّضِىِ مِنْ شَرِّ ما قُدِّرَ وَ قُضِىَ وَ اَعُوذُ بِاِلهِ النّاسِ مِنْ شَرِّ الْجِنَّةِ وَ النّاسِ اَجْمَعينَ

PRAYER OF ISTIKHARAH WITH SHEETS

Istikharah is the process of praying Almighty Allah for leading to the best option from among many options.

When you are too confused to decide on a certain matter and you thus intend to ask Almighty Allah to lead you to the most suitable option, you may take six sheets of paper and write down the following on three of them:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحيمِ خِيَرَةٌ مِنَ اللّٰهِ الْعَزيزِ الْحَكيمِ لِفُلان بْنِ فُلان اِفْعَلْ

On the other three sheets of paper, you may write down the following:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحيمِ خِيَرَةٌ مِنَ اللّٰهِ الْعَزيزِ الْحَكيمِ لِفُلان بْنِ فُلان اِفْعَلْ لاتَفعَل

You may then put all these sheets under your prayer-rug and offer a two-unit prayer. Upon accomplishment, you may prostrate yourself and repeat the following words one hundred times while prostrating:

اَسْتَخيرُ اللّٰهَ بِرَحْمَتِهِ خِيَرَةً فى عافِيَةٍ

You may then take the position of sitting and say the following:

اَللّهُمَّ خِرْلى وَاخْتَرْلى فى جَميعِ اُمُورى فى يُسْرٍ مِنْكَ وَ عافِيَةٍ

You may then put your hand on the sheets of paper and scatter them randomly and then take them out one by one. If the three sheets carrying the word “do it” come out in sequence, then you may do what you have intended to do. If the three sheets carrying the word “do it not” come out in sequence, then you must not do what you have intended to do. If the first sheet you pick up contains the word “do it” while the second contains the word “do it not”, then you must put all the sheets together again and pick up five sheets. If three out of these five sheets contain the word “do it”, then you must do what you have intended to do, and vice versa.

ISTIKHARAH

Istikharah means asking for goodness. Hence, if you intend to do something, you may ask Almighty Allah to lead you to the best option. A tradition holds that one may ask Almighty Allah for the best option in the last prostration of the Night Prayer, repeating the following statement one hundred times:

استخير اللّه برحمته

Istikharah is also recommended in the last prostration of the supererogatory Dawn Prayer and in every genuflection of the supererogatory Noon Prayer.

ISTIKHARAH WITH ROSARY (TASBEEH)ATTRIBUTED TO IMAM MEHDI (A)

It is worth mentioning that ‘Allamah al-Majlisi has reported from his father that his mentor, Shaykh al-Baha’i, said: In one of their instructions, we heard from our mentors that the Rising Imam (al-Qa’im), may Allah hasten his reappearance, instructed a method of Istikharah with rosaries as follows: Hold the rosary in your hand and invoke blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household three times.

You should then grasp two edges of the rosary randomly and pull each two beads together. If the remaining is one bead only, then you may do what you have intended to do. If the remaining is two beads, then you must not do it.

ISTIKHARAH OF THE AUTHOR OF AL-JAWAHIR

The sublime and well-versed jurisprudent, the author of Jawahir al-Kalam, says: There is another method of Istikharah practiced by some people of this age and probably ascribed to our master, the Rising Imam, may Allah hasten his reappearance: You may grasp a rosary from two ends randomly and pull each eight beads together after you say some holy verses and a supplication. If the remaining (to the other end) is one bead, this means that it is good in general. If two beads remain, this is an indication of warning against doing what you have intended to do. If three beads remain, then you have the choice to do or not to do. If four beads remain, then this is double warning. If fives beads remain, then the mission will be tiresome (according to some scholars) or blameworthy (according to others). If six beads remain, this means that the matter is utterly good to do and it must be done as soon as possible. If seven beads remain, the matter is as same as the remaining of five beads. If eight beads remain, this means that warning is extremely confirmed.

THE TIME OF ISTIKHARAH

In his book of Taqwim al-Muhsinin, al-Muhaddith al-Kashani has mentioned special times in the week for practicing Istikharah with the Glorious Qur’an, stating that these special times have been specified according to what is familiarly known by people, yet I have not found any tradition reported from the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) in this respect.

On Sundays, the suitable time for Istikharah is from the beginning of the day up to the noon and then from the afternoon up to sunset.

On Mondays, the suitable time is from the beginning of the day up to sunrise, from lunchtime to noon, and from afternoon to later evening.

On Tuesdays, the suitable time is from lunchtime to noon and from afternoon to later evening.

On Wednesdays, the suitable time is from the beginning of the day up to noon and from afternoon to later evening.

On Thursdays, the suitable time is from the beginning of the day up to sunrise and from noon up to later evening.

On Fridays, the suitable time is from the beginning of the day up to sunrise and from midday to afternoon.

On Saturdays, the suitable time is from the beginning of the day up to lunchtime and from midday to afternoon.

This table is quoted from the versified book of al-Madkhal by al-Muhaqqiq al-Tusi, may Allah purify the soil of his grave.

PRAYER FOR SETTLING THE DEBTS AND SAVING FROM DESPOTIC RULERS

Al-Tusi has reported that a man came to Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) and complained, “My master, I complain to you about the debt in which I am involved and the ruler who has oppressed me. I thus want you to teach me a supplication by which I can win a treasure so that I will settle my debts and protect myself against the oppression of the ruling authorities.”

The Imam (a.s.) thus said: When night befalls you, you should offer a two-unit prayer. In the first unit, recite Surah al-Faatehah and Ayah al-Kursi. In the second unit, recite Surah al-Faatehah and the last four verses of Surah al-Hashr (No. 59):

You should then carry the book of the Holy Qur’an, put it on your head, and say the following supplication:

اَللّٰهُمَّ بِحَقِّ هذَا الْقُرْآنِ وَ بِحَقِّ مَنْ اَرْسَلْتَهُ بِهِ وَ بِحَقِّ كُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ مَدَحْتَهُ فيهِ وَ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَلا اَحَدَ اَعْرَفُ بِحَقِّكَ مِنْكَ

You should then repeat each of the following words ten times:

بِكَ يا اللّٰهُ یا مُحَمَّدُ ، يا عَلِىُّ،يا فاطِمَةُ ، يا حَسَنُ ، يا حُسَيْنُ ،عَلِىَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ،يا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِي يا جَعْفَرَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ،يا مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ ،يا عَلِىَّ بْنَ مُوسى ، يا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِي ، يا عَلِىَّ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ ، يا حَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِي ، بِالْحُجَّةِ

You may then ask for what you need.

The reporter added: After some time, the man returned to Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) after he had settled his debt, built good relations with the ruling authorities, and become financially well-appointed.

It seems this supplication must be said after the prayer.

PRAYER FOR SETTLING THE NEEDS

In al-Rawandi’s book of al-Da’awat, it is reported that Imam Zayn al-’Abidin (a.s.) passed by a man sitting at the doorstep of another man’s house. “What for are you sitting at the door of this lavish tyrant?” the Imam (a.s.) asked.

“It is because of ordeal,” the man answered.

“Stand up, “ the Imam (a.s.) said, “I will guide you to a door better than this tyrant’s door and to a Lord who is better than this man.”

Hence, the Imam (a.s.) took the man from the hand to the Holy Prophet’s Mosque where he instructed him to turn his face towards the kiblah direction, offer a two-unit prayer, raise the hands towards Almighty Allah to praise Him, invoke His blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household, pray Him by reciting the last verses of Surah al-Hashr (No. 59), the first six verses of Surah al-Hadid (No. 57), and the two verses in SurahAl-’Imran (either verses 81-19 according to al-Rawandi, or 26-27 according to al-Majlisi), and then pray Him for the personal needs. Any prayer that is said in this situation will be definitely granted.

It is worth mentioning that Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) said, “If you need something to be settled, you may go for seeking it on early Thursdays and you may recite the last verses of SurahAl-’Imran, Ayah al-Kursi, Surah al-Qadr, and Surah al-Faatehah before you leave your house, because these holy verses and Surahs contribute to solving all the needs for this life and the life to come.”

PRAYER FOR SETTLING URGENT NEEDS

You may offer a four-unit prayer with precise Qunut and other pillars (i.e. genuflection, prostration, and the other parts of prayers). In the first unit, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah one time and repeat the following verses seventy times:

حَسْبُنَا اللّٰهُ وَ نِعْمَ الْوَكيلُ

In the second unit, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah once and the following verse seven times:

ماشآءَاللّٰهُ لا قُوَّةَ اِلاّ بِاللّهِ اِنْ تَرَنِ اَنَا اَقَلَّ مِنْكَ مالاً وَ وَلَداً

In the third unit, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah once and the following verse seven times:

لا اله الاّ انت سبحانك انّى كنت من الظّالمين

In the fourth unit, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah once and the following verse seven times:

افوّض امرى الى اللّه انّ اللّه بصير بالعباد

You may then mention your need.

PRAYER FOR SOLVING DIFFICULTIES

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said: When you face a difficulty, you may offer a two-unit prayer at midday. In the first unit, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah, Surah al-Tawheed, and the first three verses of Surah al-Fath (No. 48):

In the second unit, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah, Surah al-Tawheed, and Surah al-Inshirah (or al-Sharh No. 94).

This prayer has been personally experienced.

PRAYER FOR MORE SUSTENANCE

It is reported that a man came to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and said, “I have many dependants and I am suffering too much because of debts. Therefore, instruct me a supplication by which Almighty Allah will provide me sustenance so that I can settle my debts and cover the needs of my dependants.” The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) taught him to do the following: You may do the ritual ablution very accurately and then offer a two unit prayer with accurate genuflection and prostration. Upon accomplishment, you may say the following supplication:

يا ماجِدُ يا واحِدُ يا كَريمُ اَتَوَجَّهُ اِلَيْكَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيِّكَ نَبِىِّ الرَّحْمَةِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ يا مُحَمَّدُ يا رَسُولَاللّٰهِ اِنّى اَتَوَجَّهُ بِكَ اِلَى اللّٰهِ رَبّى وَ رَبِّكَ وَ رَبِّ كُلِّ شَيْئٍ وَ اَسْئَلُكَ اللّهُمَّ اَنْ تُصَلِّىَ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ اَسْئَلُكَ نَفْحَةً كَريمَةً مِنْ نَفَحاتِكَ وَ فَتْحاً يَسيراً وَ رِزْقاً واسِعاً اَلُمُّ بِهِ شَعَثى وَ اَقْضى بِهِ دَيْنى وَاَسْتَعينُ بِهِ عَلى عِيالى

ANOTHER PRAYER FOR MORE SUSTENANCE

Before you go to your shop (or place of work), you may go to the mosque to offer two or four units of prayer after which you may say the following supplication:

غَدَوْتُ بِحَوْلِ اللّهِ وَ قُوَّتِهِ وَ غَدَوْتُ بِلا حَوْلٍ مِنّى وَلا قُوَّةٍ وَلكِنْ بِحَولِكَ وَ قُوَّتِكَ يا رَبِّ اَللّهُمَّ اِنّى عَبْدُكَ اَلْتَمِسُ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ كَما اَمَرْتَنى فَيَسِّرْ لى ذلِكَ وَ اَنَا خافِضٌ فى عافِيَتِكَ

ANOTHER PRAYER FOR MORE SUSTENANCE

You may offer a two unit prayer; in the first unit, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah once and repeat Surah al-Kawthar (No. 108) three times. In the second unit, you may recite Surah al-Faatehah once and repeat Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nas each three times.

PRAYER FOR SETTLING NEEDS

The following is quoted from the book of Makarim al-Akhlaq:

At midnight, you may bathe yourself and offer a two-unit prayer. In both units, you should recite Surah al-Faatehah once and repeat Surah al-Tawheed five hundred times. After repeating this Surah in the second unit, you may recite the last verses of Surah al-Hashr:

لو انزلنا هذا القران...

You may then recite the first six verses of Surah al-Hadid. While standing up, you may then repeat the following holy verse one thousand times:

ايّاك نعبد و ايّاك نستعين

You may then accomplish your prayer and praise Almighty Allah.

If your need is not settled, you may repeat this prayer. If it is still not settled, you may repeat it once more and your need will be settled, Allah willing.

PRAYER ON FRIDAY NIGHT & THE NIGHTS BEFOR EID AL ADHA FOR FULFILLMENT OF NEEDS

Sayyid Ibn Tawus, may Allah have mercy upon him, has reported the following: At Friday nights and the night before the ‘Id al-Adha Day (i.e. the tenth of Dhu’l-Hijjah), you may offer a two-unit prayer. In each unit, recite Surah al-Faatehah, but when you reach the following verse, you should repeated it one hundred times:

اياك نعبد و اياك نستعين

You may then recite the next verses of Surah al-Faatehah and then recite Surah al-Tawheed two hundred times. Upon accomplishment of the prayer, you may repeat the following statement seventy times:

لا حول و لا قوة الاّ باللّه العلىّ العظيم

You may then prostrate and repeat the following word of supplication two hundred times:

يا ربّ يا ربّ

Then, you may pray Almighty Allah for whatever you want, and all your requests will be granted, Allah willing.