How to Establish Prayers Next to the Grave of Ĥusain (a.s.)

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: Prayers should be established next to the head of the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.). The above Ḥadīth has also been narrated to me through the following chain: Muḥammad ibn ‘Abdillāh, from his father ‘Abdillāh ibn Ja’far Al-Ḥimyari, from Abī ‘Abdillāh Al-Barqi, from Ja’far ibn Nājiyah, from Abī ‘Abdillāh (a.s.).

I heard a man ask Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)), “When I go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.), can I pray toward Qiblah facing the grave?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Move to the side a little.”

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said (as part of a longer Ḥadīth): After saying Salām to the martyrs, come (back) to the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) and face the grave and establish as many prayers as possible.

I said to Abī ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)), “When we go to the Ziyārah of the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.), how should we establish prayers next to him?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Stand behind the grave near his shoulders and then send blessing on the Prophet (s.a.a.w.) and send blessing on Ḥusain (a.s.).”

I heard a man ask Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) about performing Ghusl before going to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.). Then he asked, “Can I pray toward Qiblah facing the grave?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Move to the side a little.” The man asked, “Can I take some of the clay of the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) and keep it to seek blessings from it?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes – or he said – there is nothing wrong with doing so.”

A man came to Abī ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) and asked, “O son of the Messenger of Allāh! Should one go to the Ziyārah of your father (Ḥusain (a.s.))?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes and establish prayers next to his grave. But one should not establish prayers in front of the grave, but rather, should stand behind it when establishing prayers.”