Strong Desire to Visit Imām al-Ḥusayn^(a)

Abū Usāma Zaid al-Shaḥām narrates: I heard Imām Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq^(a) say, “Allāh will record those who perform the ziyārah of the grave of al-Ḥusayn^(a) while having a strong desire to visit Imām al-Ḥusayn^{( a)} in their heart amongst those who will be safe on the Day of Judgment. He will give them their book of deeds in their right hand and they will be under the flag of al-Ḥusayn^(a) until they enter paradise. Al-Ḥusayn^(a) will make them dwell at his station in paradise. Allāh is all Mighty and Wise.”

Abū Baṣīr narrates: Imām Muḥammad al-Bāqir^(a) said: “Those who desire their final destination and their final abode to be paradise should not neglect performing the ziyārah of the Master of Karbalā.”

I asked, “Who is the Master of Karbalā?”

Imām^(a) replied, “Al-Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī^(a), the Master of Karbalā. Those who long for him while having love for Rasūl Allāh^(s), ʾAmīr al-Muʾminīn^(a), and Lady Fāṭima^(a), Allāh will seat them at the table spreads of paradise. They will be eating with them while others are facing reckoning on the Day of Judgment.”

Muḥammad b. Muslim narrates: Imām Muḥammad al-Bāqir^(a) said, “If people knew the reward for performing the ziyārah of the grave of al-Ḥusayn^(a), their souls would leave their bodies out of remorse of not having performed ziyārah and they will die while longing for it.”

I asked, “What is the reward for performing his ziyārah?”

Imām^(a) replied, “Allāh will record for those who performing the ziyārah of al-Ḥusayn^(a) while longing for him the reward of one thousand accepted Ḥajj, one thousand accepted ʿUmrah, one thousand martyrs from the martyrs of the battle of Badr, fasting of one thousand people, one thousand accepted ṣadaqah (alms) and the reward of freeing one thousand slaves in the way of Allāh. He will be protected for one year from every plague, the least evil of which is Shaytan. And Allāh will devote an honorable angel who will protect him from the front, from behind, from the left side, from the right side, from above his head, and under his feet. If he dies within that year, the angels of mercy will attend his ablution and shrouding. They will follow his funeral while seeking forgiveness for him. His grave will be widened as far as he can see. Allāh will keep him safe from the squeezing of the grave and remove his fear from the angels Munkar and Nakīr. A door from his grave to paradise will be opened. On the Day of Judgment his book of deeds will be placed in his right hand, and he will be illuminated by a light so bright it will brighten everywhere from the east to the west. A crier will call out, “This is a person who performed the ziyārah of al-Ḥusayn^(a) while longing for him.” There will be none on the Day of Judgment who will not wish he had performed the ziyārah of al-Ḥusayn^(a).”

Muḥammad b. Muslim narrates: I asked Imām Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq^(a), “What is the reward for those who perform the ziyārah of the grave of al-Ḥusayn^(a)?”

Imām^(a) replied, “Those who perform the ziyārah of al-Ḥusayn^(a) while having a longing for al-Ḥusayn^(a) in their heart will be counted amongst Allāh’s most honorable slaves. On the Day of Judgment they will be under the flag of al-Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī^(a) until Allāh takes them to paradise with al-Ḥusayn^{( a)}.”

Tharīḥ al-Muḥaribī narrates: I complained to Imām Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq^(a) about the way my family treat me when I tell them about the reward for performing the ziyārah of the grave of al-Ḥusayn^(a). I told how they call me a liar; accusing me of forging lies against Jaʿfar b. Muḥammad^(a).

Imām^(a) replied, “O’ Tharīḥ! Let the people do as they want! I swear by Allāh that Allāh glorifies those who perform the ziyārah of al-Ḥusayn^(a) to the high-ranking angels and to the carriers of His throne who welcome those who arrive at the grave of al-Ḥusayn^(a). Allāh says to them, “Do you not see the visitors of the grave of al-Ḥusayn^(a) who have come to him while having a desire for him and for Lady Fāṭima^{( a)}, the Daughter of Rasūl Allāh^(s)? I swear by my glory, magnificence, and greatness that I will decree for them to be honored. I will take them to my paradise, the one that I have prepared for friends, prophets, and messengers. O’ My angels! These are the visitors of al-Ḥusayn^(a), who is the beloved of My messenger Muḥammad^(s), who is My beloved. Those who love Me, love the one whom I love, and those who love the one whom I love also love the one beloved by him. Those who hate My beloved, hate Me. It is My right to punish those who hate Me with My most intense chastisements, to burn them with the blazing flames of fire, and to make Hell their final abode and their final destination where I will torment them with such an intense chastisement which I will not torment any other with.”