Acts at Kūfa

Muslim b. ʿAqīl

12 min read

Muslim b. ʻAqīl was an integral figure in the history of Islam, being the first cousin of Imām Ḥusayn(a) and the son of ʻAqīl b. Abū Ṭālib. Born in 607 AD, Muslim held a pivotal role in the events leading to the tragic Battle of Karbala. He is particularly revered for his loyalty, courage, and steadfastness in the face of adversity.

Muslim was dispatched to Kūfa by his cousin, Imām Ḥusayn(a), to assess the willingness of the people there to support the Imam's stand against Yazīd, the Umayyad caliph. The people of Kūfa demonstrated an overwhelming support, which they expressed through thousands of letters inviting Imām Ḥusayn(a) to lead them. However, the political climate in Kūfa dramatically shifted with the arrival of ʻUbayd Allah b. Ziyād, the newly appointed governor, whose reign of terror led to the imprisonment of Imām Ḥusayn's supporters in Kūfa.

The steadfastness of Muslim b. ʻAqīl during this period of intense pressure is seen as emblematic of the unyielding faith and commitment of the Ahlul Bayt. He maintained his allegiance to Imām Ḥusayn(a) despite the all hardships and faced his tragic end bravely, refusing to pledge allegiance to Yazīd. Muslim's martyrdom marked a significant turning point leading up to the Battle of Karbala and Imam Ḥusayn's subsequent martyrdom.

Muslim bin ʻAqīl's sacrifice symbolises commitment to justice and resistance against tyranny. His unwavering loyalty to Imām Ḥusayn(a) and his courage under pressure are held in high esteem. He is commemorated annually in the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, and his narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the costs of standing against oppression and the nobility of such a stand, regardless of the outcome.

Ziyārah of Muslim b. ʿAqīl

Upon completing all the rituals and acts at Masjid al-Kūfa, walk towards the sacred resting place of Muslim b. ʿAqīl(r). As you arrive at the blessed tomb, you are encouraged to recite the following words:

الْحَمْدُ لله الْمَلِكِ الْحَقِّ الْمُبِينِ الْمُتَصَاغِرِ لِعَظَمَتِهِ جَبَابِرَةُ الطَّاغِينَ

al¦amdu lillāhi almaliki al¦aqqi almub¢ni almuta¥āghiri li`a¨amatih¢ jabābiratu al§§āgh¢na

All praise be to Allāh: the Lord and the evident Truth. All the tyrannical oppressors are subservient to His almightiness.

الْمُعْتَرِفِ بِرُبُوبِيَّتِهِ جَمِيعُ أهْلِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأرَضِينَ الْمُقِرِّ بِتَوْحِيدِهِ سَائِرُ الْخَلْقِ أجْمَعِينَ

almu`tarifi birub£biyyatih¢ jam¢`u ahli alssamāwāti wal-ara¤¢na almuqirri biTawhidih¢ sā'iru alkhalqi ajma`¢na

All the inhabitants of the heavens and the layers of the earth admit His Godhead. All the created beings confess of His Oneness.

وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى سَيِّـدِ الأنَامِ وَأهْلِ بَيْتِهِ الْكِرَامِ

wa ¥allā allāhu `alā sayyidi al-anāmi wa ahli baytih¢ alkirāmi

May Allāh send blessings upon the master of all created beings and upon the members of his Household; the noble ones,

صَلاةً تَقَرُّ بِهَا أعْيُنُهُمْ وَيَرْغَمُ بِهَا أنْفُ شَانِئِهِمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالإِنْسِ أجْمَعِينَ

¥alātan taqarru bihā a`yunuhum wa yarghamu bihā anfu shāni’ihim min aljinni wal-insi ajma`¢na

such blessings that delight them and humiliate all those who antagonize them from all jinn and mankind.

سَلامُ الله الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ وَسَلاَمُ مَلاَئِكَتِهِ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

salāmu allāhi alalīyyi al`a¨¢mi wa salāmu malā'ikatih¢ almuqarrab¢na

Peace of Allāh the All-high and All-great, and peace of His favorite angels,

وَأنْبِيَائِهِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ وَأئِمَّتِهِ الْمُنْتَجَبِينَ وَعِبَادِهِ الصَّالِحِينَ

wa anbiyā'ih¢ almursal¢na wa a'immatih¢ almuntajab¢na wa `ibādih¢ al¥¥āli¦¢na

His missioned Prophets, His choice Imāms, His righteous servants,

وَجَمِيعِ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالزَّاكِيَاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ فِيمَا تَغْتَدِي وَتَرُوحُ

wa jam¢`i alshshuhadā'i wal¥¥idd¢q¢na walzzākiyātu al§§ayyibātu f¢mā taghtad¢ wa tar£¦u

and all the martyrs and veracious ones, and all blessings that are pure and delightful, that are coming and going,

عَلَيْكَ يَا مُسْلِمُ بْنَ عَقِيلِ بْنِ أبِي طَالِبٍ وَرَحْمَةُ الله وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

`alayka yā muslimu bna ʿAqīli bni ab¢ §ālibin wa ra¦matu allāhi wa barakātuh£

be upon you, Muslim the son of ʿAqīl the son of Ṭālib. Allāh’s mercy and benedictions be upon you.

أشْهَدُ أنَّكَ أقَمْتَ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتَيْتَ الزَّكَاةَ

ashhadu annaka aqamta al¥¥alāta wa ātayta alzzakāta

I bear witness that you performed the prayers, defrayed the zakāt,

وَأمَرْتَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَيْتَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ

wa amarta bilma`r£fi wa nahayta `an almunkari

enjoined the right, forbade the wrong,

وَجَاهَدْتَ فِي الله حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ وَقُتِلْتَ عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ فِي سَبِيلِهِ

wa jāhadta f¢ allāhi ¦aqqa jihādih¢ wa qutilta `alā minhāji almujāhid¢na f¢ sab¢lih¢

strove in the way of Allāh in the best manner of striving, and you were slain following the course of those who strive in Allāh’s way

حَتَّى لَقِيتَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَهُوَ عَنْكَ رَاضٍ

¦attā laq¢ta allāha `azza wa jalla wa huwa `anka rā¤in

until you met Allāh, to Whom belong all might and majesty, while He is pleased with you.

وَأشْهَدُ أنَّكَ وَفَيْتَ بِعَهْدِ الله وَبَذَلْتَ نَفْسَكَ فِي نُصْرَةِ حُجَّةِ الله وَابْنِ حُجَّتِهِ حَتَّى أتَاكَ الْيَقِينُ

wa ashhadu annaka wafayta bi`ahdi allāhi wa badhalta nafsaka f¢ nu¥rati ¦ujjati allāhi wabni ¦ujjatih¢ ¦attā atāka alyaq¢nu

And I bear witness that you fulfilled your covenant with Allāh and sacrificed yourself for the sake of supporting Allāh’s argument and the son of Allāh’s argument (namely, Imām Al-Ḥusayn) until death came upon you.

أشْهَدُ لَكَ بِالتَّسْلِيمِ وَالْوَفَاءِ وَالنَّصِيحَةِ لِخَلَفِ النَّبِيِّ الْمُرْسَلِ وَالسِّبْطِ الْمُنْتَجَبِ

ashhadu laka bilttasl¢mi walwafā’i walnna¥¢¦ati likhalafi alnnabiyyi almursali walssib§i almuntajabi

I bear witness that you submitted and acted loyally to him and that you acted sincerely to the successor of the missioned Prophet, the select grandson (of the Prophet),

وَالدَّلِيلِ الْعَالِمِ وَالْوَصِيِّ الْمُبَلِّغِ وَالْمَظْلُومِ الْمُهْتَضَمِ

walddal¢li al`ālimi walwa¥iyyi almuballighi walma¨l£mi almuhta¤ami

the guide (to the right path), the knowledgeable, the Prophet’s successor, the conveyor (of his mission), the wronged, and the oppressed Imām.

فَجَزَاكَ اللَّهُ عَنْ رَسُولِهِ وَعَنْ أمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَعَنِ الْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ أفْضَلَ الْجَزَاءِ

fajazāka allāhu `an ras£lih¢ wa `an am¢ri almu’min¢na wa `an al¦asani wal¦usayni af¤ala aljazā'i

May Allāh reward you on behalf of His Messenger, on behalf of the Commander of the Faithful, and on behalf of al-Ḥasan and Al-Ḥusayn with the best of rewarding

بِمَا صَبَرْتَ وَاحْتَسَبْتَ وَأعَنْتَ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ

bimā ¥abarta wa i¦tasabta wa a`anta fani`ma `uqbā alddāri

that befits your steadfastness, reliance (on Allāh), and assistance. How excellent is the final home!

لَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنْ قَتَلَكَ وَلَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنْ أمَرَ بِقَتْلِكَ وَلَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنْ ظَلَمَكَ

la`ana allāhu man qatalaka wa la`ana allāhu man amara biqatlika wa la`ana allāhu man ¨alamaka

May Allāh curse him who slew you. May Allāh curse him who ordered of slaying you. May Allāh curse him who wronged you.

وَلَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنِ افْتَرَى عَلَيْكَ وَلَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنْ جَهِلَ حَقَّكَ وَاسْتَخَفَّ بِحُرْمَتِكَ

wa la`ana allāhu man iftarā `alayka wa la`ana allāhu man jahila ¦aqqaka wastakhaffa bi¦urmatika

May Allāh curse him who forged lies against you. May Allāh curse him who underestimated your position and belittled your sanctity.

وَلَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنْ بَايَعَكَ وَغَشَّكَ وَخَذَلَكَ وَأسْلَمَكَ وَمَنْ ألَّبَ عَلَيْكَ وَلَمْ يُعِنْكَ

wa la`ana allāhu man bāya`aka wa ghashshaka wa khadhalaka wa aslamaka wa man allaba `alayka wa lam yu`inka

May Allāh curse those who cheated you after they had sworn allegiance to you, those who disappointed and let you down, and those who allied against you instead of assisting you.

الْحَمْدُ لله الَّذِي جَعَلَ النَّارَ مَثْوَاهُمْ وَبِئْسَ الْوِرْدُ الْمَوْرُودُ

al¦amdu lillāhi alladh¢ ja`ala alnnāra mathwāhum wa bi'sa alwirdu almawr£du

All praise be to Allāh Who decided Hellfire to be the eternal abode of those peoples. Woeful indeed will be the place to which they are led!

أشْهَدُ أنَّكَ قُتِلْتَ مَظْلُوماً وَأنَّ اللَّهَ مُنْجِزٌ لَكُمْ مَا وَعَدَكُمْ

ashhadu annaka qutilta ma¨l£man wa anna allāha munjizun lakum mā wa`adakum

I bear witness that you were slain wrongly and that Allāh shall fulfill His promise to you.

جِئْتُكَ زَائِراً عَارِفاً بِحَقِّكُمْ مُسَلِّماً لَكُمْ تَابِعاً لِسُنَّتِكُمْ وَنُصْرَتِي لَكُمْ مُعَدَّةٌ

ji'tuka zā'iran `ārifan bi¦aqqikum musalliman lakum tābi`an lisunnatikum wa nu¥rat¢ lakum mu`addatun

As I am visiting you, I recognize your right, I am submissive to you, I am imitating your course, and I am preparing myself for supporting you

حَتَّى يَحْكُمَ اللَّهُ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحَاكِمِينَ

¦attā ya¦kuma allāhu wa huwa khayru al¦ākim¢na

until Allāh judges, and He is the best of judges.

فَمَعَكُمْ مَعَكُمْ لاَ مَعَ عَدُوِّكُمْ

fama`akum ma`akum lā ma`a `aduwwikum

So, I am always with you and I never am with your enemies.

صَلوَاتُ الله عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَلَى أرْوَاحِكُمْ وَأجْسَادِكُمْ وَشَاهِدِكُمْ وَغَائِبِكُمْ

¥alwātu allāhi `alaykum wa `alā arwā¦ikum wa ajsādikum wa shāhidikum wa ghā'ibikum

May Allāh’s peace be upon you and upon your souls and bodies and upon the present from you and the absent one.

وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ الله وَبَرَكَاتُهُ قَتَلَ اللَّهُ أمَّةً قَتَلَتْكُمْ بِالأيْدِي وَالألْسُنِ

wa alssalāmu `alaykum wa ra¦matu allāhi wa barakātuh£ qatala allāhu ummatan qatalatkum bilayd¢ wal-alsuni

Allāh’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you. May Allāh kill the groups that have killed you with deeds and words.

In "al-Mazār al-Kabīr", the aforementioned supplication is considered a way to respectfully request permission before entering the shrine of Muslim b. ʿAqīl(r). Upon granting this formality its due, you may confidently step inside, drawing closer to the tomb. As you approach, say:

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أيُّهَا الْعَبْدُ الصَّالِحُ الْمُطِيعُ لله وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلأمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلاَمُ

alssalāmu `alayka ayyuhā al`abdu al¥¥āli¦u almu§¢`u lillāhi wa liras£lih¢ wa li'am¢ri almu’min¢na wal¦asani wal¦usayni `alayhim alssalāmu

Peace be upon you, O righteous servant (of Allāh), who is obedient to Allāh, to His Messenger, to the Commander of the Faithful, to al-Ḥasan, and to Al-Ḥusayn, peace be upon them.

الْحَمْدُ لله وَسَلاَمٌ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ

al¦amdu lillāhi wa salāmun `alā `ibādih¢ alladh¢na i¥§afā mu¦ammadin wa ālih¢

All praise be to Allāh and all peace be upon His servants whom He has chosen: Muḥammad and his Household.

وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ الله وَبَرَكَاتُهُ وَمَغْفِرَتُهُ وَعَلَى رُوحِكَ وَبَدَنِكَ

wa alssalāmu `alaykum wa ra¦matu allāhi wa barakātuh£ wa maghfiratuh£ wa `alā r£¦ika wa badanika

Peace, Allāh’s mercy, blessings, and forgiveness be upon you and upon your soul and your body.

أشْهَدُ أنَّكَ مَضَيْتَ عَلَى مَا مَضَى عَلَيْهِ الْبَدْرِيُّونَ الْمُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ الله

ashhadu annaka ma¤ayta `alā mā ma¤ā `alayhi albadriyy£na almujāhid£na f¢ sab¢li allāhi

I bear witness that you died for the same principles for which the martyrs of the Battle of Badr died: those who strove in Allāh’s way

الْمُبَالِغُونَ فِي جِهَادِ أعْدَائِهِ وَنُصْرَةِ أوْلِيَائِهِ

almubāligh£na f¢ jihādi a`dā’ih¢ wa nu¥rati awliyā'ih¢

and did their best in struggling against Allāh’s enemies and in supporting Allāh’s friends.

فَجَزَاكَ اللَّهُ أفْضَلَ الْجَزَاءِ وَأكْثَرَ الْجَزَاءِ وَأوْفَرَ جَزَاءِ أحَدٍ مِمَّنْ وَفَى بِبَيْعَتِهِ

fajazāka allāhu af¤ala aljazā’i wa akthara aljazā’i wa awfara jazā'i a¦adin mimman wafā bibay`atih¢

So, may Allāh reward you with the best rewarding, with the most abundant rewarding, and with the most affluent rewarding that He grants to one who fulfilled his allegiance to Him,

وَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُ دَعْوَتَهُ وَأطَاعَ وُلاَةَ أمْرِهِ

wastajāba lah£ da`watah£ wa a§ā`a wulāta amrih¢

responded to His invitation, and obeyed His representatives.

أشْهَدُ أنَّكَ قَدْ بَالَغْتَ فِي النَّصِيحَةِ وَأعْطَيْتَ غَايَةَ الْمَجْهُودِ

ashhadu annaka qad bālaghta f¢ alnna¥¢¦ati wa a`§ayta ghāyata almajh£di

I bear witness that you exerted all efforts in acting sincerely and you put forth all possible endeavors

حَتَّى بَعَثَكَ اللَّهُ فِي الشُّهَدَاءِ وَجَعَلَ رُوحَكَ مَعَ أرْوَاحِ السُّعَدَاءِ

¦attā ba`athaka allāhu f¢ alshshuhadā’i wa ja`ala r£¦aka ma`a arwā¦i alssu`adā'i

so that Allāh has included you with the martyrs, put your soul with the souls of the delighted ones,

وَأعْطَاكَ مِنْ جِنَانِهِ أفْسَحَهَا مَنْزِلاً وَأفْضَلَهَا غُرَفاً

wa a`§āka min jinānih¢ afsa¦ahā manzilan wa af¤alahā ghurafan

has decided for you the most spacious abode in the gardens of His Paradise and the best rooms therein,

وَرَفَعَ ذِكْرَكَ فِي الْعِلِّيِّينَ وَحَشَرَكَ مَعَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أولئِكَ رَفِيقاً

wa rafa`a dhikraka f¢ al`illiyy¢na wa ¦asharaka ma`a alnnabiyy¢na wal¥¥idd¢q¢na walshshuhadā'i wal¥¥āli¦¢na wa ¦asuna ulā'ika raf¢qan

raised your name to the `illiyy¢n (the loftiest place), and added you to the group of the Prophets, the veracious ones, the martyrs, and the righteous ones. How excellent is the company of these.

أشْهَدُ أنَّكَ لَمْ تَهِنْ وَلَمْ تَنْكُلْ وَأنَّكَ قَدْ مَضَيْتَ عَلَى بَصِيرَةٍ مِنْ أمْرِكَ

ashhadu annaka lam tahin wa lam tankul wa annaka qad ma¤ayta `alā ba¥¢ratin min amrika

I bear witness that you never slackened or recoiled (from your duty) and that you died while you are certain of your doctrine

مُقْتَدِياً بِالصَّالِحِينَ وَمُتَّبِعاً لِلنَّبِيِّينَ

muqtadiyan bil¥¥āli¦¢na wa muttabi`an lilnnabiyy¢na

as you followed the righteous ones and imitated the Prophets.

فَجَمَعَ اللَّهُ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ رَسُولِهِ وَأوْلِيَائِهِ فِي مَنَازِلِ الْمُخْبِتِينَ فَإِنَّهُ أرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

fajama`a allāhu baynanā wa baynaka wa bayna ras£lih¢ wa awliyā’ih¢ f¢ manāzili almukhbit¢na fa'innah£ ar¦amu alrrā¦im¢na

So, may Allāh gather us with you and with His Messenger and intimate servants in the abodes of the modest ones. Surely, He is the most merciful of all those who show mercy.

Beside his head, dedicate a two-unit prayer as a tribute to him. After completing this, proceed with the following recitation:

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَلا تَدَعْ لِي فِي هٰذَا المَكَانِ المُكَرَّمِ وَالمَشْهَدِ المُعَظَّمِ ذَنْباً إِلاَّ غَفَرْتَهُ

allāhumma salli `ala muhammadin wa ali muhammadin wa la tada` li fi hadha almakani almukarrami walmashhadi almu`azzami dhanban illa ghafartahu

O Allāh, (please) send blessings upon Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad and do not leave for me, in this honored place and glorified shrine, any sin that I did but that You forgive it,

وَلا هَمّاً إِلاَّ فَرَّجْتَهُ وَلا مَرَضاً إِلاَّ شَفَيْتَهُ وَلا عَيْباً إِلاَّ سَتَرْتَهُ

wa la hamman illa farrjtahu wa la maradan illa shafaytahu wa la `ayban illa satartahu

any care but that You relieve it, any illness but that You cure it, any defect but that You cover up,

وَلا رِزْقاً إِلاَّ بَسَطْتَهُ وَلا خَوْفاً إِلاَّ آمَنْتَهُ وَلا شَمْلاً إِلاَّ جَمَعْتَهُ وَلا غَائِباً إِلاَّ حَفِظْتَهُ وَأَدْنَيْتَهُ

wa la rizqan illa basattahu wa la khawfan illa amantahu wa la shamlan illa jama`tahu wa la gha'iban illa hafiztahu wa adnaytahu

any source of sustenance but that You expand it, any item of terror but that You pacify it, any disunity but that You reunify it, any absent one but that You guard it and approach (him to me),

وَلا حَاجَةً مِنْ حَوَائِجِ الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ لَكَ فِيهَا رِضَىٰ وَلِيَ فِيهَا صَلاحٌ إِلاَّ قَضَيْتَهَا يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

wa la hajatan min hawa'iji alddunya wal-akhirati laka fiha ridan wa liya fiha salahun illa qadaytaha ya arhama alrrahimina

and any single need, among the many needs for this life as well as the life to come whose settlement achieves your gratification and my good, but that You grant it. O He Who is the most merciful of all the merciful ones!