Bidding Farewell After the Ziyārah of the Messenger of Allāh (s.a.a.w.)

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: When you want to leave Madīnah, perform Ghusl. After asking for your needs, come to the grave of the Prophet (s.a.a.w.) and bid farewell to him. Perform the same rituals (that were observed) when entering. Then recite the following: O Allāh! Do not make this my last Ziyārah of the grave of Your Prophet. And if You take my life before I come here again, then I testify after my death to that which I testify during my life, which is, “There is no god but Allāh and Muḥammad is Your slave and Your messenger.”

I asked Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) about how to bid farewell to the grave of the Messenger of Allāh (s.a.a.w.). Imam (a.s.) replied: Recite the following: Allāh’s blessing be upon you. Salām to you. May Allāh not make this the last time I say Salām to you.

I saw Abal Ḥasan (Imam Riďā (a.s.)) bidding farewell (to the Messenger of Allāh (s.a.a.w.)) when he wanted to go for ‘Umrah. It was after sunset when he approached the grave of the Messenger of Allāh (s.a.a.w.) from the direction of the head. He said Salām to the Messenger of Allāh (s.a.a.w.) and clung to the grave. Then he came to the pulpit of the Messenger of Allāh (s.a.a.w.). Thereafter, he moved back to the grave and established prayers (so close to the grave that) his left shoulder touched the part of the grave which is close to a pillar. This pillar is situated on the opposite side of (another) pillar which is by the head of the Prophet (s.a.a.w.). He prayed six or eight Rak’ah while wearing his sandals and the length of his RUKŪ’ and SUJŪD was as long as reciting TASBǏḤĀT three or more times. After he finished his prayers, he prostrated for such a long time that the sand (on which he had prostrated) became moistened from his sweat. And some of our companions added that he was seen placing his cheek on the ground of the Mosque.