علي بن عبد الله

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: Allāh will register those who go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) among those (who will be) in ‘Illīyyīn.

“I once wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), the 3rd, asking him about visiting abu ‘Abd Allah, al-Husayn (a.s.), and about visiting abu al-Hassan and abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhim al-Salam. He (the Imam) wrote back to me this: ‘Visiting abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has a greater priority and it has more and complete greater rewards.’”

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.

One day when the children of Abil Ḥasan, Mūsā (Imam Kāżim (a.s.)), were gathered around him, his son (Imam Riďā (a.s.)), who was young at the time, passed by him. Imam (Kāżim (a.s.)) said: This son of mine will die lonely in a distant land. Verily those who go to his Ziyārah while submitting to him and knowing his rights will be regarded by Allāh, the Great and Almighty, as the martyrs of (the Battle of) Badr.

I wrote to Abil Ḥasan the Third (Imam Hādi (a.s.)) asking him about the Ziyārah of the grave of Abī ‘Abdillāh (Imam Ḥusain (a.s.)) and about the Ziyārah of the graves of Abil Ḥasan (Imam Kāżim (a.s.)) and Abī Ja’far (Imam Jawād (a.s.)). Imam (a.s.) replied, “Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Ḥusain (a.s.)) comes first but that (the Ziyārah of Imam Kāżim and Imam Jawād) is more complete and has a greater reward.”

I said to Abil Ḥasan (Imam Kāżim (a.s.)), “Some people go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) and they take people to lament and (they also take) food with them.” Imam (a.s.) said, “I have heard this. O Qā`id! Those who go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain ibn ‘Ali (a.s.) knowing his rights will be forgiven for all of their past and future sins.”

I said to Abī ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)), “May I sacrifice myself for you! I do not have the means to go to Hajj every year.” Imam (a.s.) replied: If you ever wanted to go to Hajj but did not have the means (to do so), go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.), for verily it will be registered as a Hajj for you. And if you ever wanted to go for ‘Umrah but did not have the means (to do so), go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.), for verily it will be registered as an ‘Umrah for you.

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: Verily Allāh has dedicated four thousand angels to the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) who are disheveled and covered with dust. They cry over Ḥusain (a.s.) from dawn until midday, at which point they ascend to the heavens and they are replaced with another four thousand angels who cry over him until dawn. These angels will testify to the loyalty of those who go to the Ziyārah of Ḥusain (a.s.), will accompany them back to their families, visit them if they become ill, and establish prayers on them when they die.

I heard Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) say: When you go to the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.), recite (the following): Salām to you, O son of the Messenger of Allāh. Salām to you, O Abā ‘Abdillāh. May Allāh’s curse be upon those who killed you. And may Allāh’s curse be upon those who heard about your killing and were pleased with it. I seek nearness to Allāh by dissociating myself from them. Ḥusain ibn Muḥammad ibn ‘Āmir narrated to me from Aḥmad ibn Isḥāq ibn Sa’d, from Sa’dān ibn Muslim – Abī Basīr’s guide, from some of our companions, who said: Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: When you go to the Grave (of Ḥusain (a.s.)), start by praising Allāh, the Great and Almighty, and sending blessing on the Prophet (s.a.a.w.), and strive in doing so. Thereafter, recite (the following): Salām of Allāh be upon you and Salām of His angels be upon you along with the Purified and the Blessed greetings which reach you at all times. Salām of Allāh and Salām of His High-Ranked angels be upon you as well as the Salām of those whose hearts are submissive to you, those who speak of your merits, and those who testify that you are honest and truthful, that you were truthful about that which you invited (the people) to, that you are the one whom Allāh will avenge on earth, and (who testify) that your blood cannot be avenged by anyone from among the inhabitants of the earth and that no one but Allāh shall avenge it. I have come to you, O son of the Messenger of Allāh as your guest, beseeching Allāh through you for all of my requests in this life and in the Hereafter. Verily those who beseech Allāh, beseech Him for their requests through you, and those who seek revenge from among Allāh’s slaves will be avenged (by Allāh) through you. Then take a few steps, face the grave with your back toward Qiblah, and recite (the following): Praise be to Allāh, the One, the Only One who runs all of the affairs, the Creator of the creation, who is aware of all of the affairs of His creation, and the One who has the knowledge of everything without learning. O son of the Messenger of Allāh! The earth and everyone on it is responsible for your blood and for avenging you. I testify that Allāh will fulfill His promise of support and victory to you and (I testify) that Allāh will fulfill His true promise to you and complete it by destroying your enemies. : I testify that innumerable godly men fought beside you as Allāh, the Exalted, says, “And many a prophet has fought with innumerable godly men beside him, while they did not lose heart for anything that befell them” (3:146). Then say "Allāhu Akbar" seven times, take a few steps, face the grave, and recite (the following): Praise be to Allāh who has not taken (unto Himself) a wife or a son, neither has He any partner in the kingdom, the One who created everything and determined for it a fixed measure. I testify that you announced (to people) that which Allāh ordered you to (announce) on His behalf, that you fulfilled the covenant of Allāh, and that Allāh’s words are complete with you. (I testify that) you fought in the way of Allāh until that which is certain (death) came to you. May Allāh’s curse be upon the nation who killed you and upon the nation who abandoned you. And may Allāh’s curse be upon the nation who made others abandon you. O Allāh! I testify that I love those whom You and Your messengers love. And I testify that I dissociate myself from those from whom You and Your messengers dissociate yourselves. O Allāh! Curse those who belied Your Messenger, destroyed Your Ka’bah, modified (the meaning of) Your Book, spilled the blood of the family of Your Prophet, and ruined Your slaves and disgraced them. O Allāh! Multiply Your curses on them based on Your traditions in Your lands and Your seas. O Allāh! Curse them in Your heavens and in Your earth. O Allāh! Appoint for me a truthful tongue among Your Divine Authorities and make me love their sites until You unite me with them. (O Allāh!) Make them my leaders and appoint me among their followers in this life and in the Hereafter. Then take a few steps, recite Takbīr seven times, recite Tahlīl seven times, praise Allāh seven times, and sanctify Allāh, the Exalted, seven times. Then answer the call of Ḥusain (a.s.) seven times by saying: I am at your service, O caller to Allāh! Then recite (the following): Even though my body could not answer your call (for help), my heart, my hair, my skin, my volition, and my desire have answered your call and have submitted to the remainder of the Prophet who was sent as a messenger, the chosen grandson, the knowledgeable guide, the entrusted guardian, the successor who announced the message (of Allāh), and the wronged and oppressed one. I have come solely to you, to your son, and to the son of your son, the one who, with the blessing of Ḥaqq, remains after you. My heart has submitted to you. I follow you in my affairs and my support is ready for you until Allāh judges for my religion, and He is the best of judges. And until Allāh resurrects you, I shall be with you and only with you, and not with your enemies. Verily I believe in your return (at the end of time). I do not deny the power of Allāh, I do not belie His Will, and I do not believe that something that Allāh has willed might not take place. Then walk to the grave, stand next to it, and recite (the following): Glory be to Allāh. All of Allāh’s creation glorify Him and sanctify the names of Allāh, the Owner of the Kingdom and the Sovereignty. Glory be to Allāh, the King, the most Holy, our Lord and the Lord of the Angels and the Spirit. O Allāh! Register me among Your guests who have come to the best of Your places and to the best of Your creation. O Allāh! Curse the Jibt and the Ťāghūt. Then raise your hands and spread your arms on the grave and recite (the following): I testify that you are purity and you are pure, and you are (the son) of purity and the pure one. Verily the lands have been purified through you and the land in which you are (buried) is purified (through you). You are Allāh’s unavenged one on earth until He takes your revenge from all of His creation. Then place both your cheeks and hands on the grave. Thereafter, sit next to his head and extol Allāh however you wish. Beseech Him and ask for your needs. Then (go next to his feet and) place your hands and your cheeks next to his feet and recite (the following): May Allāh’s blessing be upon you, upon your soul and your body. Verily you said the truth and you stayed patient. You are the truthful one whose truthfulness is authenticated (by Allāh). May Allāh kill those who killed you with their hands and their tongues. Then go to the grave of his sons and praise them however you wish. Then ask your Lord for your needs and for that which you want. Then face the graves of the martyrs and recite (the following) while standing: Salām to you, O godly men. You have preceded us and you are our leaders while we are the followers and the supporters. Rejoice in the promise of Allāh which will not fail. Verily Allāh shall avenge you (as He promised you). You are the Masters of the Martyrs in this life and in the Hereafter. Then stand behind the grave and establish prayers as much as you want. Imam (a.s.) added: Every time you go to the Ḥā`ir, say Salām and then walk to the grave and place both your hands and your cheeks on the grave. Do the same when you want to leave. Establish the prayers in full form next to his grave as long as you stay (in Karbalā). When you want to leave (the Ḥā`ir), bid farewell to him by saying: Salām of Allāh and Salām of His High-Ranked Angels and His prophets who were sent as messengers and His Righteous Slaves be upon you, O son of the Messenger of Allāh, upon your soul and your body, upon your offspring, and upon those of your friends who come to you. The above Ziyārah has also been narrated to me through the following chain: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Ḥasan ibn Sahl, from his father, from his grandfather, from Mūsā ibn Ḥasan ibn ‘Āmir, from Aḥmad ibn Hilāl, from Umayyah ibn ‘Ali Al-Qaysi Al-Shāmi, from Sa’dān ibn Muslim, from someone, from Abī ‘Abdillāh (a.s.) – with the following addition at the end: And when you want to return (to your home), repeat this entire Ziyārah just like when you first entered the Ḥā`ir. Once you arrive at your home, recite (the following): Praise be to Allāh who kept me safe and kept others safe from me. Praise be to Allāh in all of the affairs and in every state. Praise be to Allāh, the Lord of the Worlds. Then say “Allāhu Akbar” twenty-one consecutive times. Recite them carefully and without haste In-Shā`allāh.

Commander of the Faithful Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) said, “One of my offspring will be killed by poison in the land of Khorasan. His name will be the same as mine. And his father’s name will be the same as the name of (Prophet) Musa ibn Imran (a.s.). God will forgive the sins of whoever goes to visit him in his loneliness, even if his sins are as many as there are stars, rain drops and tree leaves.”

“I heard my master (the 10th Imam) Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) say, ‘Whenever one needs something from God, he should go on pilgrimage to my grandfather’s shrine (i.e. Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.)) in Toos after having taken the ritual bath (Ghusl). He should say two units of prayer at the position of his head, and ask for what he wants in the ‘Qunut (when he raises his hands up to pray to God). If what he is asking for is not a sin or cutting off ties with his relatives, then God will surely fulfill his needs. Indeed the place of the shrine is one of the palaces of Heaven. Whenever a believer visits it, God will free him from the Fire and let him enter the Eternal Abode.”

I heard Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) say: Allāh will register one thousand good deeds and erase one thousand bad deeds for every step taken by those who go to the Ziyārah of the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) on foot. He will also increase their status one thousand times (for every step taken). Imam (a.s.) added: When you arrive at the Euphrates (River), perform Ghusl, carry your shoes, and walk barefoot like a humble slave. Once you arrive at the door of the Ḥā`ir, recite (the phrase of) TAKBǏR four times. Then walk a little and repeat this four more times. Then approach the location close to his head, stand there and repeat it four more times. Establish prayers next to his grave and ask Allāh for your needs.

I went to Abī ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) and asked, “May I sacrifice myself for you! Should I go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.)?” Imam (a.s.) replied: Yes, O Abā Sa’īd! Go to (the Ziyārah of) the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.), the most blessed of the blessed ones, the most purified of the purified ones, and the most pious of the pious ones. O Abā Sa’īd! When you go to his Ziyārah, recite the TASBǏḤ of the Commander of the Believers (a.s.) next to his (Ḥusain’s) head one thousand times and recite the Tasbīḥ of Fāťimah Al-Zahrā (s.a.) next to his feet one thousand times. Then establish two Rak’ah of prayers there. Recite Yāsīn in the first Rak’ah and Al-Raḥmān in the second Rak’ah. Verily if you do this, Allāh will register its (special) rewards for you In-Shā`allāh. I said, “May I sacrifice myself for you! Teach me the Tasbīḥ of ‘Ali and Fāťimah (a.s.).” Imam (a.s.) replied: Yes, O Abā Sa’īd! The Tasbīḥ of ‘Ali (a.s.) is as follows: Sanctified is He whose Treasury is inexhaustible. Sanctified is He whose signs do not perish. Sanctified is He whom that which is with Him will not vanish. Sanctified is He who does not share His ruling with anyone. Sanctified is He whose Glory does not fade away. Sanctified is He whose time does not end. Sanctified is He besides whom there is no god. And the Tasbīḥ of Fāťimah (s.a.) is as follows: Sanctified is the Owner of Majesty, the Exalted, the Great. Sanctified is the Owner of Glory, the High, the Exalted. Sanctified is the Owner of the Kingdom, the Superior, the Everlasting. Sanctified is the Owner of Grace and Beauty. Sanctified is He who is covered with Light and Dignity. Sanctified is He who sees the markings of an ant on flat stones and the perching of the birds (which fly) in the sky.

I said to Abī Ja’far (Imam Jawād (a.s.)): (Let’s assume there is) a person (who) decides to go to Hajj to perform his obligatory Hajj after having performed the ‘Umrah of Tamattu’ and Allāh helps him and he completes his Hajj and ‘Umrah. Then he goes to Madīnah and says Salām to the Messenger of Allāh (s.a.a.w.), then comes to you, while believing in your rights and knowing that you are Allāh’s Decisive Proof on His creation and the door which leads to Allāh, and says Salām to you. Thereafter, he goes to (the Ziyārah of) Abī ‘Abdillāh Al-Ḥusain (a.s.) and says Salām to him, and then he goes to Baghdād and says Salām to Abil Ḥasan, Mūsā ibn Ja’far (Imam Kāżim (a.s.)), and then returns to his home country. If Allāh sustains this person in the next year with enough wealth to go for Hajj again, is it better for him to repeat the Hajj as he did in the last year or to go to Khurāsān to (the Ziyārah of) your father, ‘Ali ibn Mūsā Al-Riďā (a.s.), and say Salām to him? Imam (a.s.) replied: It is better to go to Khurāsān and say Salām to Abil Ḥasan (Imam Riďā (a.s.)). He should go in the month of Rajab but this is not applicable now because there is fear for us and for you from the King and it outrages him.”

“Stop when you arrive at the door. Express the two testimonies after you have performed the ritual bathing (Ghusl). And then when you enter and see the tomb, stop and say God is the Greatest thirty times. Then take short steps, be serene and calm, and approach the tomb. Then stop and say God is the Greatest thirty times. Then get closer to the tomb and say God is the Greatest forty times, so that you complete saying it one-hundred times. Then say, ‘Peace be upon you! O Members of the Holy Household of Prophethood, and the holders of the position of the Prophetic mission and the place where angels will come and go: the landing sites for the descension ofrevelations; the Treasurers of Affection; the Treasurers of Knowledge; the limits of patience; the fundamentals of magnanimity; the Commanders of the nations; the Masters of the pious ones; the Sources of benevolence; the Pillars of the company of the good; the Managers of the affairs of the servants (i.e. the people); the Chiefs of the towns; the Gates to belief; the Trustees of the Merciful (God); the Progeny of the Prophets; the Elite of the Messengers; and the best progeny created by the Lord of the Two Worlds. And may God’s Grace and His Blessings be upon you. Peace be upon the leaders towards guidance, the lanterns for darkness, the signs of piety, the possessors of intelligence, and the origins of wisdom. Peace be upon the Divine Leaders (Imams) who are the secure turning point for mankind; the inheritors of the Prophets; the best similitude and the best call; and the Proofs of God to the people in the Hereafter and this world. And may God’s Grace and His Blessings be upon you.Peace be upon the centers of Divine Recognition; the sources of God’s Blessings; the Treasurers of God’s Wisdom; the Guardians of God’s Secrets; the carriers of God’s Book; the Trustees of God’s Prophet, and the Progeny of God’s Messenger (a.s.). And may God’s Grace and His Blessings be upon you.Peace be upon the Callers to God; the Directors towards God’s Satisfaction; the Steadfast ones in Divine Decrees and in what He has admonished mankind against; the Ones filled with the love of God; the Sincere ones in their belief in God’s Unity; the Ones who manifest Divine Decrees, and what He has admonished mankind against; the Noble servants who never proclaim anything other than what He has declared, and those that act according to His Orders! And may God’s Grace and His Blessings be upon you.Peace be upon the Divine Leaders (Imams) who invite; the Commanders to the right guidance and the Masters of the believers; and the Defenders of the rights of the oppressed; and the People who remember (God); and the Possessors of authority; and God’s Remainders (the Imams); His chosen ones and His party; the Base of His Knowledge; and His Reason; and His path; and His Light, and His Proof. May God’s Grace and His Blessings be upon you.I bear witness that there is no god but God and there are no partners for Him, as that is God’s Testimony for Himself; and that is His Angels testimony for Him; and the testimony of His Possessors of Knowledge (divine leaders) among His creatures for Him. I bear witness that there is no god but Him the Honorable the Wise. And I bear witness that Muhammad (a.s.) is His servant - the chosen one and his Messenger - the content one. He has sent him (the Prophet Muhammad (S)) with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, so that he may proclaim it to be superior over all other religions, even though the pagans may detest it. And I bear witness that you are the Divine Leaders (Imams) who walk in righteousness; the ones who guide; the Infallible ones; the highly honored ones; the close ones (to God); the pious ones; and the truthful ones. You are the chosen ones and the ones obedient to God. You are the ones steadfast to His Decrees. You are the ones who act according to His Will. You are the triumphant ones due to His Nobility. You are chosen by His Knowledge. You are pleased with His Religion. And you are chosen to safekeep His Secrets. You are chosen by His Power. And you are honored by His Guidance. You are dedicated to be His Proof, and you are chosen for His Illumination. You are approved of by His Spirit, and He has approved of your Divine Leadership on His Earth. He has established you as His Proofs for His creatures; and as Helpers of His Religion; as Guardians of His Secrets; and as Treasures of His Knowledge; and as a Depository of His Wisdom; as Translators of His Revelations; as the Pillars of His Unity; and as Witnesses over His creatures; as signs for His servants; and as Landmarks in His towns; and as Conductors on His Way. God protected you (the Imams) from making mistakes, secured you from sedition, purified you from impurities, cleansed you of any uncleanliness and purified you - What a purification! Then you glorified His Magnificence, and held high His Rank. You praised His Magnanimity, continued His Remembrance, stressed His Covenant, and strengthened the bonds of His Obedience. You guided others in secret and in public towards Him, and invited others to His Path through wisdom and eloquent sermons. You gave your lives to please Him. You suffered any calamities that befell you due to being on His Side. You established the prayers. You paid the alms-tax. You advised to do what is right, and you admonished against what is wrong to do. You struggled in the way of God in the best manner, until you made His Call public; clarified what He has made obligatory; established His Limits;disseminated His Jurisprudence; and clearly expressed His Traditions. You went to Him and in doing so you submitted to what He had destined for youy and acknowledged His previously-sent Messengers.Therefore, whoever turns away from you is an apostate, and whoever stays with you joins you. Whoever neglects your rights will perish. The Truth is with you, in you, from you, and goes towards you. You are the people of the Truth, and its Treasure. The inheritance of the Prophets is with you. The return of the people is to you, their reckoning is with you, and the elucidation of the message is carried out by you.God’s verses are with you, and His Obedience is accomplished through you. His Light and Proof are with you. His Decrees are entrusted to you. Whoever is your friend is indeed God’s friend. Whoever is your enemy is indeed God’s enemy. Whoever loves you indeed loves God. Whoever adheres to you has indeed adhered to God. You are the most direct path towards God. You are the witnesses in this ephemeral abode, and are the ones who intercede in the eternal abode. You are the continuous mercy, the stored signs, and the protected Trusteeship. You are the gate through which people are tested. Whoever comes to you is saved, and whoever does not gets destroyed. You call out to God, and reason on His Behalf. You believe in Him, submit to Him, act according to His Decrees and direct us towards His Path. You rule according to His Words.I swear by God that whoever makes friends with you becomes prosperous; whoever becomes your enemy is destroyed; and whoever denies you fails; whoever separates from you goes astray; whoever adheres to you becomes victorious; whoever takes refuge in you is safe and sound; whoever acknowledges you attains peace; whoever comes under your custody is guided; whoever follows you, his abode will be in Paradise; whoever opposes you, his dwelling place will be in the Fire; whoever denies you is an unbeliever; whoever fights with you is a polytheist; and whoever rejects you will have the lowest rank in the Fire. I bear witness that these issues have held true for you in the past as they will hold true for the rest of time. I bear witness that your spirits, light, and nature are all the same. Each of you have obtained health and purity from the others. God created you as rays of light. Then He set you up encircling His Throne, until He favored us with you. Then He placed you in homes which God permitted to be honored and in which His Name ismentioned. And He established our supplications to you; and our loving you which He has made unique to us as a means of goodness of our temper; cleanliness of ourselves; purification of us; and as an expiation for our sins since we acknowledge your nobility near Him and are known to acknowledge you. Thus may God grant you the most honorable position among those held in honor and the highest mansions of those nearest to God; and the highest ranks among the Trustees of the Messengers where no one who is not deserving can reach and no transgressor can attain supremacy; no rival can triumph; and no greedy one can be voracious to obtain. So then there remains no nearby-stationed angels, Messengers, trusted friends, martyrs, scholars, ignorant ones, debased ones, noble ones, good believers, vicious villains, obstinate oppressors, or disobedient Satans, nor any creature amongst them remains as a witness, unless God makes them realize the loftiness of your decrees; the exaltedness of your significance; the greatness of your rank; and the perfection of your light; the truthfulness of your positions; the firmness of your standing; the honor of your position and your residence near Him; your being honored by Him; and your being especial in His court; and the extent of the closeness of your position near Him.May my father, mother, spouse, property, and family be your ransom! May God and you bear witness that I believe in you and what you believe in. I renounce your enemies, and that by which they have disowned you. I am fully aware of your status, and of the deviation of those who oppose you. I am your friend and a friend of your friends. I despise your enemies and am their adversary. I am at peace with those who are at peace with you. I am at war with those who are at war with you. I accept as true whatever you verify, and consider as false whatever you refute. I obey you. I recognize your rightfulness. I confess to your nobility. I carry your knowledge. I seek protection under your shelter. I confess to you. I believe that you will return. I testify to your promised return. I am awaiting your orders. I am awaiting your reign. I hold fast to what you have said. I carry out your orders. I take shelter in your neighborhood. I go on pilgrimage to you. I seek refuge in you since for me your ’resting abodes’ are sanctuaries. I ask God the Honorable the Exalted for your intercession, and I seek nearness to Him through you. Under all circumstances I put the first priority on you rather than my wants, needs,desires and all affairs. I am a believer in what you have kept as secrets and what you have made public, in your presence and absence - your first one (i.e. absence or ‘Ghaybat) and your last one. I entrust all my affairs in this regard to you. And I submit to God in this regard along with you. And I whole-heartedly believe in you. My viewpoints agree with yours. I am ready to assist you until God the Highest revives His Religion through you (the Al-Mahdi (a.s.)); and brings you back during His Days; and makes you victorious for the sake of His Justice; and makes you powerful on His Earth. Then I am with you. I am not with your enemies. I believe in you. I love the last one (Imam) of you just as much as I love the first one.I acquit myself in the sight of God of your enemies; of sorcery and evil; the Satans; and their party that is oppressive to you; and of the ones who denied your rightfulness; the apostates who turn away from your Divine Leadership; the ones who usurped the authority which you inherited; and of the ones who doubted in you; the ones who deviated from you. And I acquit myself of all intimate friends but you; and of obeying anyone but you; and of the leaders who invite us towards the Fire. May God make me steadfast in your assistance, friendship, love, and religion for as long as I live. May He grant me success in obeying you, grant me your intercession on my behalf, and establish me as one of your best followers who follow what you have invited them to. And establish me as one who investigates your traces and trots on your path; is guided by your guidance; is resurrected amongst you; returns when you return; attains rule in your government; is honored due to your health; gets established during your time; and gets pleased to see you. May my father, mother, spouse, property, and possessions be your ransom! Whoever desired to reach God started out with you. And whoever considers Him to be the One and Only has accepted this belief from you. And whoever intended to go towards Him was directed towards you. O my Masters! Your praise is beyond measure. Your true nature is beyond praise. Your majesty is beyond description. And you are the light of the Company of the Good. And you are the true guidance for the pious, and the proofs of the Omnipotent. God has initiated everything with you, and He shall terminate everything with you. He will send down rain due to you. For your sake, He will prevent the sky from collapsing down onto the Earth without His Permission. He will remove the sorrows through you.And He will solve the difficulties through you. And whatever He has sent down to His Messenger which the angels have brought down to him (Muhammad) is with you (the Imams). And the Spirit of Faith and Truth (Gabriel) - was dispatched to your forefather (the Prophet Muhammad (S)).[And if you are visiting the shrine of the Commander of the Faithful - Imam Ali (a.s.) say:And the Spirit of Faith and Truth - was dispatched to your brother (implying the Prophet Muhammad (S).]God has granted you what He would not grant to any of the people of the Two Worlds. All the noble ones bow down to your dignity. And all the arrogant ones humble themselves in your obedience. And all the powerful people yield to your nobility. All things yield themselves to you. The Earth is brightened with your light. The triumphant ones become victorious due to your friendship. One can trot towards Paradise with your assistance. And the Wrath of God Most Gracious is upon those who disclaim your Trusteeship. May my father, mother, myself, my spouse and my property be your ransom!You are remembered as other people are remembered. Your names are mentioned amongst other people’s names. Your corpses are buried amongst other people’s corpses. Your spirits are amongst other people’s spirits. Your souls are amongst other souls. Your traces are amongst other traces. Your tombs are among other tombs. How delightful are your names! And how noble are your souls! How majestic is your honor! How exalted is your significance! How honored are your promises! Your words are similar to light! Your decrees are a basis for growth! Your advice is to be God-fearing! And your deeds are good! Your habits are kindnesses!Your nature is generosity! Your concerns are truth, honesty and moderation! Your words are full of wisdom and are binding! Your opinions are full of knowledge, patience and wisdom! Indeed, whenever there is a mention of goodness, you are the first, the next, the source, and the termination of goodness!May my father, mother, myself, my spouse and my property be your ransom! How can I describe the charm of your praise? How can I measurethe nobility of your rank? And God has taken us out of the state of humiliation, has removed from us over-abundance of anguish, and He has saved us from the verge of the cliff of destruction and the Fire.May my father, mother, and myself be your ransom! God taught us the secrets of our religion due to our following you. And He improved those of our worldly affairs that had become ruined. And due to our following you, the Word was perfected, the blessings were increased, and disunion was converted into union. God accepted our obligatory deeds from us because we follow you. And cordiality for you is obligatory, and you have high ranks, and a commendable station before God the Highest and a known place, a great high rank, a high status, and accepted intercession. Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Apostle; then write our names down among those who bear witness. Our Lord! (they say), Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence; for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure. Glory be to our Lord! Truly has the promise of our Lord been fulfilled!O friend of God [O friends of God]! Indeed there are sins in between me and God that cannot be removed unless you approve of that. I ask you by the One who has established you as His Trustees of His Secrets and has entrusted the affairs of His creatures to you, and has equated your obedience with His own obedience to kindly implore forgiveness for my sins, and be the ones who intercede on my behalf as I am obedient to you and whoever is obedient to you has indeed obeyed God.Whoever disobeys you is disobedient to God. And whoever loves you has indeed loved God. And whoever despises you has indeed loathed God.O God! Could I ever have found ones to intercede with Thee on my behalf who would be closer to Thee than Muhammad and the Members of his Household - the leaders of the Company of the Good and the pious ones? I beseech Thee by their right (the Divine Leaders) that Thou establish them as the ones to intercede on my behalf.I ask Thee to place me amongst those who know them (the Divine Leaders) and recognize their rightfulness - and amongst those who hope for their intercession - as Thou art the Most Merciful of those that are merciful. And may God’s Blessings and Salutations with much respect be upon our Master Muhammad (a.s.) and his Household. And God sufficeth for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.Then when you decide to depart, recite the following:O Members of the Holy Prophet’s Household! Peace be upon you! Peace be upon one who says farewell, but is neither tired of you nor is he discontented with you.And may God’s Grace and His Blessings be upon you - as He is indeed Praiseworthy and Glorious. Peace be upon you from a friend who is neither willing to depart from you; nor to choose anyone else and substitute him for you; one who does not stray away from you; and one who does not abstain from being near you.May God not let this be the last time I make pilgrimage to your tomb and visit your shrine. And peace be upon you. May God resurrect me amongst you; make me be one who enters your Pool Kawthar); let me join your party; please you with me; empower me from your government; and revive me during your return; and give me a position during your rule. And may God grant me gratitude for my efforts for you; and forgive me for my sins due to your intercession; overlook my faults due to your love; increase my eminence due to my adherence to you; revere me due to my obedience to you; and honor me due to your guidance.And when I return home please make me successful with a happy ending, a winner, in good shape, healthy, wealthy, and having attained the satisfaction of God and His Grace and with better things than what God would normally return your visitors, friends, lovers, and followers with.And may God grant me another chance to return on pilgrimage after I arrive home as long as my Lord keeps me alive with a sincere intention, faith, piety, humbleness, and legitimate, prolonged and pure sustenance.O my God! Please do not let this be the last time I visit them, remember them and supplicate to them. And please make forgiveness; the good; blessings; light; faith; and fair acceptance of my prayers a certainty for me - just as Thee has done so for Thy friends who have recognized the truth about them (the Prophet’s Household); consider it incumbent upon themselves to obey the Imams; are inclined to visit the Imams; and are close to Thee and them. May my father, mother, family, property, and possessions be your ransom! Please pay attention to me and let me join your party. Include me amongst those on whose behalf you intercede,and mention me in the presence of your Lord. O my God! Please send blessings upon Muhammad (a.s.) and the Household of Muhammad (a.s.). And express my greetings to their souls and their bodies. And peace be upon you; and may God’s Grace and His Blessings be upon you. And may God’s Blessings, and Salutations with much respect be upon our Master Muhammad (a.s.) and his Household. And God sufficeth for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.