Visiting on Foot

Ḥusayn b. Thuwayr recounts: Imām Ṣādiq^(a) once declared to me, "O' Ḥusayn! Each person who walks from their home intending to visit the grave of Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī^(a) will have one good deed recorded and one misdeed erased for every step they take. Upon their arrival at al-Ḥāʾir, they will be inscribed among those who have achieved salvation and success. After completing the rituals of the ziyārah, they will be listed among the triumphant. As they prepare to depart, an angel will approach them and relay, 'The Messenger of Allah^(p) extends his salutations to you and informs you that all of your past sins have been forgiven. Proceed with righteous deeds.'"

Imām Ṣādiq^(a) said: "When a man parts from his family to visit the grave of Ḥusayn^(a), the act of his first step will absolve all his sins. Each subsequent step purifies him further. Upon reaching Ḥusayn's grave, Allah will address him directly, 'O my servant! Ask of me, and it shall be granted. Call out to me, and I will respond. Request anything, and it will be fulfilled. Seek your needs, and I will provide.' The Imām^(a) added, "This reward is due to him from Allah for his sacrifices."

Imām Ṣādiq^(a) discloses: "Allah has assigned angels to the grave of Ḥusayn^(a). When someone resolves to visit Ḥusayn^(a), Allah entrusts his sins to these angels. The angels erase his sins at his first step, and multiply his good deeds with each subsequent stride. His merits will continue to amass until he achieves Paradise. Then, the angels will encircle him, showering blessings upon him. They will announce to the heavenly angels, 'Bless the visitors of the beloved of Allah.' Upon performing ghusl, Muḥammad^(p) will hail them, 'O' guests of Allah! Rejoice, for you shall join me in Heaven.' Then Amīr al-Muʼminīn^(a) will assure them, 'I guarantee the fulfilment of your requests and protection from afflictions in this life and the next.' Finally, The Messenger of Allah^(p) will accompany them on both sides until they reunite with their families."

Abūl Ṣāmit narrates: I heard Imām Ṣādiq^(a) express, "For each step towards the ziyārah of Ḥusayn's grave, Allah will register a thousand good deeds, erase a thousand misdeeds, and elevate their rank a thousandfold. Upon reaching the Euphrates, perform ghusl, carry your shoes, and walk barefoot in humility. As you approach the door of al-Ḥāʾir, pronounce takbīr four times. Proceed a little further and repeat the takbīr another four times. Then, approach the site where his head rests and utter takbīr four more times. Offer prayers beside his grave and petition Allah for your necessities."

ʿAbdullah b. Hilāl reports: I once queried Imām Ṣādiq^(a), "What might be the minimum reward for those who visit the grave of Ḥusayn^(a)?" The Imām^(a) responded, "O' Abdullah! The least they can expect is for Allah to shield them and their families until their safe return, and on the Day of Judgment, Allah will serve as their guardian."

As told by Alī b. Maʾmūn Ṣāʾigh: Imām Ṣādiq^(a) instructed me, "O' Ali! Perform the ziyārah of Ḥusayn^(a). Do not overlook it." When I asked about the reward of this deed, the Imām^(a) replied, "For each footstep taken towards the ziyārah of Ḥusayn^(a), Allah will attribute one good deed and abolish one misdeed. Moreover, with each step, they will ascend one level higher in rank. Upon their arrival at Ḥusayn's grave, two angels will be commissioned to record their good utterances and actions while ignoring the negative. Upon their departure, these angels will salute them, declaring, 'O friend of Allah! Your sins are pardoned. You belong to the camp of Allah, His Messenger^(p), and the Household of Muḥammad^(a). By Allah, neither you shall see hellfire nor shall it ever lay sight or inflict harm upon you."

Sadīr Sayrafī recounts: While in the presence of Imām Muḥammad Bāqir^(a), a young man referred to the grave of Ḥusayn^(a). Addressing him, the Imām^(a) announced, "Each step taken by those journeying to perform the ziyārah of Ḥusayn's grave will earn them one good deed and the removing of one misdeed in Allah's records."

Imām Ṣādiq^(a) said: "Our Shīʿa who conduct the ziyārah of Ḥusayn^(a) shall return absolved of all their sins. For every step they or their mount takes, Allah will inscribe a thousand good deeds, eradicate a thousand misdeeds, and enhance their rank by a thousandfold."

Abū Saʿīd Qādī relates: I entered the room of Imām Ṣādiq^(a), where I found him in the company of Murazim. I heard the Imām^(a) say, "For each step taken by those journeying on foot for the ziyārah of Ḥusayn's grave, Allah will bestow upon them the reward of emancipating a slave from Ismail's^(a) descendants. This applies for every instance they lift and subsequently place their foot down. As for those voyaging by ship for the ziyārah of Ḥusayn^(a), even if their vessel should sink, a heavenly voice will assure them, 'Rejoice and bask in the delights of Paradise.'"

ʿAbdullah b. Najjār narrates: Imām Ṣādiq^(a) asked me, "Do you perform the ziyārah of Ḥusayn^(a) by ship?" When I affirmed, the Imām^(a) responded, "Are you aware that even if the ship were to sink, a celestial voice would call out, 'Rejoice, for you are to savour the joys of Paradise.'"