The Minimum Number of Times One Should Go to the Ziyārah of Ĥusain (a.s.) and the Longest Time Allowed to Delay the Ziyārah for the Wealthy and Poor

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: It is an obligation on those who are wealthy to go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) twice a year and on those who are poor to go once a year.

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: Go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) once a year.

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: Go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) once a year.

I asked Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) about the Ziyārah of the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.). Imam (a.s.) said, “(Go) once a year because I do not want you to be identified.”

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: It is an obligation on those who are poor to go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) once a year and on those who are wealthy to go twice a year.

I asked Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) about the Ziyārah of the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.). Imam (a.s.) said, “(Go) once a year because I do not want you to be identified.”

Abul Ḥasan (Imam Kāżim (a.s.)) said: Do not be negligent toward him (Ḥusain (a.s.)). Those who are wealthy should go to him once every four months and as for the insolvents, “Allāh does not impose on any soul a duty but to the extent of its ability” (2:286). ‘Abbās (ibn ‘Āmir) added: I do not remember if the Imam (a.s.) said this statement to ‘Ali (ibn Abī Ḥamzah) or to Abī Nāb.

I asked Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) about the Ziyārah of Ḥusain (a.s.). Imam (a.s.) said, “(Go) once a year because I fear that you will be identified.”

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: Go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) once a year.

I asked Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)), “Is there an obligatory prayer which should be established after the Ziyārah of the Grave (of Ḥusain (a.s.))?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “There are no obligatory prayers for Ziyārah.” I asked, “How frequently should I go to his Ziyārah?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “As frequently as you wish.”

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said to me, “O ‘Ali! I have heard that some of our Shia allow one or two years to pass without going to the Ziyārah of Ḥusain (a.s.)!” I replied, “May I sacrifice myself for you! I know many people who are like this.” Imam (a.s.) said, “I swear to Allāh that they have turned their backs to their own fortune, they have declined Allāh’s rewards, and they have distanced themselves from nearness to Muḥammad (s.a.a.w.).” I asked, “May I sacrifice myself for you! How often should one go to his Ziyārah?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “O ‘Ali! If you can go to his Ziyārah once every month, do so.” I said, “I cannot do that because I am a manual labourer; people’s affairs are pending in my hands and I cannot be absent from my work for even one day.” Imam (a.s.) replied: You are excused, as are other manual labourers. I was referring to people other than manual labourers, people who have the possibility of going (to the Ziyārah) every week. Such people will have no excuse in front of Allāh and His Messenger (s.a.a.w.) on the Day of Judgment (if they do not go to the Ziyārah of Ḥusain (a.s.)). I asked, “Is it permissible for them to send someone on their behalf?” Imam (a.s.) replied: Yes. However, it is better for them and they will have a greater reward with their Lord if they go themselves, for He will see them sleepless at night and tired during the day (traveling to Ḥusain (a.s.)). Allāh will look at them with a glance which will inevitably cause them to dwell with Muḥammad (s.a.a.w.) and his family (a.s.) in the greatest places of Firdaws. Therefore, compete with one another in going (to the Ziyārah of Ḥusain (a.s.)) and be among those who adhere to it.

I heard Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) say: Go to the Ziyārah of the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) even if it is only once a year.

I asked Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) – as part of a longer Ḥadīth, “After one returns from the Ziyārah of Ḥusain (a.s.), how soon should he return to his Ziyārah? And how often should one go to his Ziyārah? And what is the longest time one is allowed to stay away from his Ziyārah?” Imam (a.s.) replied: It is not permissible to stay away from his Ziyārah longer than a month (for those who live close to his grave). However, for those who live far from him, it (the Ziyārah of Ḥusain (a.s.)) should be (performed at least) once every three years. If three years pass and they do not go to his Ziyārah, they are (considered) ungrateful to the Messenger of Allāh (s.a.a.w.) and they have dishonoured him, except those who have a (valid) excuse.

I said to Abī ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)), “We go to the Ziyārah of the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) two or three times a year.” Abū ‘Abdillāh (a.s.) replied, “I do not like you to go there frequently. Go to his Ziyārah once a year.” I asked, “How should I send blessing on him (when I go to his Ziyārah)?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Stand behind him (the grave) next to his shoulders and send blessing on the Prophet (s.a.a.w.) and then send blessing on Ḥusain (a.s.).”

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: Verily four thousand angels establish prayers next to the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) (everyday) from dawn to dusk. Thereafter, they ascend (to the heavens) and are replaced by an equal number of angels who establish prayers (next to his grave from dusk) until dawn. A Muslim should not refrain from (going to) the Ziyārah of his grave for longer than four years.

I asked Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) about (the reward for) going to the Ziyārah of the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.). Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes. It is equal to performing an ‘Umrah and one should not refrain from (going to) him for longer than four years.”

I asked Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) on the route from Madīnah to Makkah, “O son of the Messenger of Allāh! Why do I see you so depressed, saddened, and grieved?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “If you could hear what I hear, you would have been distracted from asking me this question.” I asked, “What do you hear?” Imam (a.s.) replied: (I hear) the voices of the angels beseeching Allāh to curse the killers of the Commander of the Believers (a.s.) and the killers of Ḥusain (a.s.). And (I hear) the voice of lamentation of the Jinn on them (the Commander of the Believers and Ḥusain (a.s.)) and the intense grief and weeping of the angels who are around them. So who can enjoy food, drink, or sleep after hearing these voices?! I asked, “After one returns from the Ziyārah of Ḥusain (a.s.), how soon should he return to his Ziyārah? And how often should one go to his Ziyārah? And what is the longest time one is allowed to stay away from his Ziyārah?” Imam (a.s.) replied: Those who live close to his grave, should not go to his Ziyārah less than once a month. However, those who live far from him, should perform it (the Ziyārah of Ḥusain (a.s.)) (at least) once every three years. If three years pass and they do not go to his Ziyārah, they are (considered) ungrateful to the Messenger of Allāh (s.a.a.w.) and they have disowned him, except those who have a (valid) excuse. If the Zā`ir of Ḥusain (a.s.) knew how happy he made the Messenger of Allāh, the Commander of the Believers, Fāťimah, the Imams (a.s.), and the martyrs among our family, and how they pray for him, and the rewards which are prepared for him in this life and the rewards which have been preserved for him with Allāh in the Hereafter, he would have wished that his house was next to the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) for as long as he lived. Verily when the Zā`ir leaves his dwelling (in Karbalā to return after the Ziyārah), his shadow does not cover anything without it praying for him. And when the sun shines (down) on him, it burns his sins just like fire burns firewood. The sun will not allow any of his sins to remain. Therefore, he will return without any sins while his rank has been elevated for him to a level which cannot be achieved even by those who are ensanguined with their own blood in the way of Allāh. Then an angel will be dedicated to him who will replace him (in performing the Ziyārah of Ḥusain (a.s.)) and who will seek forgiveness for him until he returns to the Ziyārah or until three years pass or until he dies (if he dies within the three year period). The above Ḥadīth has also been narrated to me through the following chain: My father, from Aḥmad ibn Idrīs, and from Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā, from ‘Amraki ibn ‘Ali Al-Būfaki, from Yaḥyā – who was the servant of Abī Ja’far the Second (Imam Jawād (a.s.)), from ‘Ali, from Safwān ibn Mihrān Al-Jammāl from Abī ‘Abdillāh (a.s.).