Mashhad

Ziyārat Imām Riḍā(a)

18 min read

Numerous versions of the ziyārah for Imām Riḍā(a) exist. However, the most well-known and esteemed is reported by the illustrious Shaykh Muḥammad b. Ḥasan b. Walīd and has been cited in the most trustworthy of resources. We discern from Ibn Qūlawayh's work, al-Mazār, that this ziyārah has its roots in the wisdom of the Holy Imāms.

The instructions for this prominent ziyārah, as stated in Shaykh Ṣaduq's manuscript, Man lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh, are as follows:
As you prepare to visit Imām Riḍā(a) in Ṭūs, commence your spiritual journey from your home. Cleanse yourself through a ritual bath and voice the following invocation:

اَللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْنِي وَطَهِّرْ قَلْبِي وَاشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَأجْرِ عَلَى لِسَانِي مِدْحَتَكَ وَالثَّنَاءَ عَلَيْكَ

allāhumma §ahhirn¢ wa §ahhir qalb¢ washra¦ l¢ ¥adr¢ wa ajri `alā lisān¢ mid¦atika walththanā'a `alayka

O Allāh, (please) cleanse me, cleanse my heart, expand my breast, and let Your praise and eulogy flow out from my tongue;

فإِنَّهُ لاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِكَ اَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ لِي طَهُوراً وَشِفاءً

fa'innah£ lā ¦awla wa lā quwwata illā bika allāhumma ij`alhu l¢ §ah£ran wa shifā'an

since indeed there is neither might nor power except with You. O Allāh, (please) establish it as a means of cleansing and healing for me.

As you prepare to leave your home, saying the following words:

بِسْمِ الله الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ بِسْمِ الله وَبِالله وَإِلَى الله وَإِلَى ابْنِ رَسُولِ الله

bismi allāhi alrra¦māni alrra¦¢mi bismi allāhi wa billāhi wa ilā allāhi wa ilā ibni ras£li allāhi

In the name of Allāh; the All-beneficent, the All-merciful. In the Name of Allāh (I begin), in Allāh (I trust), to Allāh and towards the son of Allāh’s Messenger (I trun my face).

حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى الله اَللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ تَوَجَّهْتُ وَإلَيْكَ قَصَدْتُ وَمَا عِنْدَكَ أرَدْتُ

¦asbiya allāhu tawakkaltu `alā allāhi allāhumma ilayka tawajjahtu wa ilayka qa¥adtu wa mā `indaka aradtu

Allāh is Sufficient unto me and on Allāh do I rely. O Allāh, I have set out to You, directed toward You, and desired for what You have in possession.

Before stepping outside, pause at your door and recite the following:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي وَعَلَيْكَ خَلَّفْتُ أهْلِي وَمَالِي وَمَا خَوَّلْتَنِي وَبِكَ وَثِقْتُ فَلاَ تُخَيِّبْنِي

allāhumma ilayka wajjahtu wajh¢ wa `alayka khallaftu ahl¢ wa māl¢ wa mā khawwaltan¢ wa bika wathiqtu falā tukhayyibn¢

O Allāh, to You am I turning my face and with You do I keep my family members, my property, and everything with which You have allowed me to behave. I have trusted in You; so, do not disappoint me.

يَا مَنْ لاََ يُخَيِّبُ مَنْ أرَادَهُ وَلاَ يُضَيِّعُ مَنْ حَفِظَهُ

yā man lā yukhayyibu man arādah£ wa lā yu¤ayyi`u man ¦afi¨ah£

O He Who saves those who trust in Him from disappointment and He Who does not give up those whom He safeguards.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَاحْفَظْنِي بِحِفْظِكَ فَإِنَّهُ لا يَضِيعُ مَنْ حَفِظْت

allāhumma ¥alli `alā mu¦ammadin wa āli mu¦ammadin wa¦fa¨n¢ bi¦if¨ika fa'innah£ lā ya¤¢`u man ¦afi¨ta

O Allāh, (please do) send blessings upon Muḥammad and the Household of Muḥammad and guard me under Your custody, since nothing that You guard may be ruined.

Upon your safe arrival, if you plan to visit the Imām(a), cleanse yourself with a bath, uttering the following words as you do so:

اَللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْنِي وَطَهِّرْ لِي قَلْبِي وَاشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَأجْرِ عَلَى لِسَانِي مِدْحَتَكَ وَمَحَبَّتَكَ وَالثَّنَاءَ عَلَيْكَ

allāhumma §ahhirn¢ wa §ahhir l¢ qalb¢ washra¦ l¢ ¥adr¢ wa ajri `alā lisān¢ mid¦atika wa ma¦abbataka walththanā'a `alayka

O Allāh, (please) cleanse me, cleanse my heart for me, expand my breast, and let Your praise, eulogy, and love flow out from my tongue;

فإِنَّهُ لاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِكَ وَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ أنَّ قِوَامَ دِينِي التَّسْلِيمُ لأمْرِكَ وَالِاتِّبَاعُ لِسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ

fa'innah£ lā quwwata illā bika wa qad Alīmtu anna qiwāma d¢n¢ alttasl¢mu li'amrika walittibā`u lisunnati nabiyyika

since indeed there is no power except with You. I know for sure that the basis of my faith is to submit to Your decree, to keep to the traditions of Your Prophet,

وَالشَّهَادَةُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ خَلْقِكَ اَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ لِي شِفَاءً وَنُوراً إِِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

walshshahādatu `alā jam¢`i khalqika allāhumma ij`alhu l¢ shifā'an wa n£ran innaka `alā kulli shay'in qad¢run

and to bear witness to all Your creatures. O Allāh, (please) make it curative and light for me. You verily have power over all things.

Wear the purest and cleanest clothes from your wardrobe. Walk barefoot, embodying a sense of tranquility and submission, while silently praising the Almighty in your heart, reciting the following phrases:

اللَّهُ أكْبَرُ لاَ إِِلهَ إِِلاَّ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَ الله الْحَمْدُ لله

allāhu akbaru lā ilāha illā allāhu sub¦āna allāhi al¦amdu lillāhi

Allāh is the Most Great. There is no god save Allāh. All glory be to Allāh. All praise be to Allāh.

As you step into the sacred shrine, recite the following words:

بِسْمِ الله وَبِالله وَعَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ الله صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ

bismi allāhi wa billāhi wa `alā millati ras£li allāhi ¥allā allāhu `alayhi wa ālih¢

In the Name of Allāh (I begin), in Allāh (I trust), and the course of Allāh’s Messenger (I follow), peace be upon him and his Household.

أشْهَدُ أنْ لاََ إِِلهَ إِِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاََ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأشْهَدُ أنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَأنَّ عَلِيّاً وَلِيُّ الله

ashhadu an lā ilāha illā allāhu wa¦dah£ lā shar¢ka lah£ wa ashhadu anna muḥammadan `abduh£ wa ras£luh£ wa anna Alīyyan waliyyu allāh

I bear witness that there is no god save Allāh, One and Only God and having no partner. And I bear witness that Muḥammad is His servant and Messenger and ʿAlī is Allāh’s most intimate servant.

Gradually make your way to the tomb, stand facing it, and say the following:

أشْهَدُ أنْ لاََ إِِلهَ إِِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاََ شَرِيكَ لَهُ

ashhadu an lā ilāha illā allāhu wa¦dah£ lā shar¢ka lah£

I bear witness that there is no god save Allāh, One and Only God and having no partner.

وَأشْهَدُ أنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَأنَّهُ سَيِّدُ الأوَّلِينَ وَالآخِرِينَ وَأنَّهُ سَيِّدُ الأنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ

wa ashhadu anna muḥammadan `abduh£ wa ras£luh£ wa annah£ sayyidu al-awwal¢na wal-ākhir¢na wa annah£ sayyidu al-anbiyā'i walmursal¢na

And I bear witness that Muḥammad is His servant and Messenger, the chief of the past and the coming generations, and the chief of the Prophets and Messengers.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَرَسُولِكَ وَنَبِيِّكَ وَسَيِّدِ خَلْقِكَ أجْمَعِينَ صَلاَةً لاََ يَقْوَى عَلَى إِِحْصَائِهَا غَيْرُكَ

allāhumma ¥alli `alā mu¦ammadin `abdika wa ras£lika wa nabiyyika wa sayyidi khalqika ajma`¢na ¥alātan lā yaqwā `alā i¦¥ā'ihā ghayruka

O Allāh, (please) bless Muḥammad, Your servant, messenger, prophet, and the chief of all Your creatures, with such blessings that none can calculate save You.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى أمِيرِ الْمُؤمِنِينَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أبِي طَالِبٍ عَبْدِكَ وَأخِي رَسُولِكَ

allāhumma ¥alli `alā am¢ri almu’min¢na Alīyyi bni ab¢ §ālibin `abdika wa akh¢ ras£lika

O Allāh, (please) bless the Commander of the Faithful ʿAlī the son of Ab¢-±ālib, Your servant and the brother of Your Messenger,

الَّذِي انْتَجَبْتَهُ بِعِلْمِكَ وَجَعَلْتَهُ هَادِياً لِمَنْ شِئْتَ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ

alladh¢ intajabtah£ bi`ilmika wa ja`altah£ hādiyan liman shi'ta min khalqika

whom You have selected on the basis of Your knowledge and thus made lead (to the truth) whomever You willed amongst Your creatures

وَالدَّلِيلَ عَلَى مَنْ بَعَثْتَهُ بِرِسَالاَتِكَ وَدَيَّانَ الدِّينِ بِعَدْلِكَ

walddal¢la `alā man ba`athtah£ birisālātika wa dayyāna aldd¢ni bi`adlika

and made the guide to those whom You sent with Your messages, the establisher of the true religion owing to Your justice,

وَفَصْلِ قَضَائِكَ بَيْنَ خَلْقِكَ وَالْمُهَيْمِنَ عَلَى ذٰلِكَ كُلِّهِ وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْهِ وَرَحْمَةُ الله وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

wa fa¥li qa¤ā'ika bayna khalqika walmuhaymina `alā dhālika kullih¢ wa alssalāmu `alayhi wa ra¦matu allāhi wa barakātuh£

the decisive judge among Your creatures, and the prevalent over all that. Peace and Allāh’s mercy and blessings be upon him.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ نَبِيِّكَ وَزَوْجَةِ وَلِيِّكَ وَأمِّ السِّبْطَيْنِ الْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ سَيِّدَيْ شَبَابِ أهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ

allāhumma ¥alli `alā fā§imata binti nabiyyika wa zawjati waliyyika wa ummi alssib§ayni al¦asani wal¦usayni sayyiday shabābi ahli aljannati

O Allāh, (please) send blessings on Fāṭima the daughter of Your Prophet, the wife of Your friend, the mother of the two grandsons al-Ḥasan and Al-Ḥusayn the two chiefs of the youth of Paradise;

الطُّهْرَةِ الطَّاهِرَةِ الْمُطَهَّرَةِ التَّقِيَّةِ النَّقِيَّةِ الرَّضِيَّةِ الزَّكِيَّةِ سَيِّدَةِ نِسَاءِ أهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ أجْمَعِينَ صَلاَةً لاََ يَقْوَى عَلَى إِِحْصَائِهَا غَيْرُكَ

al§tuhrati al§§āhirati almu§ahharati alttaqiyyati alnnaqiyyati alrra¤iyyati alzzakiyyati sayyidati nisā'i ahli aljannati ajma`¢na ¥alātan lā yaqwā `alā i¦¥ā'ihā ghayruka

(she is) the genuinely pure, the immaculate, the purified, the pious, the perfect, the pleased, the pristine, and the doyenne of all the women of Paradise, (bless her) with such blessings that none can count except You.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى الْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ سِبْطَيْ نَبِيِّكَ وَسَيِّدَيْ شَبَابِ أهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ

allāhumma ¥alli `alā al¦asani wal¦usayni sib§ay nabiyyika wa sayyiday shabābi ahli aljannati

O Allāh, (please) send blessings upon al-Ḥasan and Al-Ḥusayn, the two grandsons of Your Prophet, the two chiefs of the youth of Paradise,

الْقَائِمَيْنِ فِي خَلْقِكَ وَالدَّلِيلَيْنِ عَلَى مَنْ بَعَثْتَ بِرِسَالاَتِكَ وَدَيَّانَيِ الدِّينِ بِعَدْلِكَ وَفَصْلَيْ قَضَائِكَ بَيْنَ خَلْقِكَ

alqā'imayni f¢ khalqika walddal¢layni `alā man ba`athta birisālātika wa dayyānay aldd¢ni bi`adlika wa fa¥lay qa¤ā'ika bayna khalqika

the two who establish authority among Your creatures, who guide to those whom You sent with Your messages, who manage the religious affairs on the basis of Your justice, and who judge on the basis of Your decrees among Your creatures.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَبْدِكَ الْقَائِمِ فِي خَلْقِكَ وَالدَّلِيلِ عَلَى مَنْ بَعَثْتَ بِرِسَالاَتِكَ

allāhumma ¥alli `alā Alīyyi bni al¦usayni `abdika alqā'imi f¢ khalqika walddal¢li `alā man ba`athta birisālātika

O Allāh, (please) send blessings upon ʿAlī the son of Al-Ḥusayn, Your servant who undertakes Your mission among Your creatures, who guides to those whom You sent with Your messages,

وَدَيَّانِ الدِّينِ بِعَدْلِكَ وَفَصْلِ قَضَائِكَ بَيْنَ خَلْقِكَ سَيِّدِ الْعَابِدِينَ

wa dayyāni aldd¢ni bi`adlika wa fa¥li qa¤ā'ika bayna khalqika sayyidi al`ābid¢na

who manages the religious affairs on the basis of Your justice, who judges according to Your decrees among Your creatures, and who is the prime of all worshippers.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَبْدِكَ وَخَلِيفَتِكَ فِي أرْضِكَ بَاقِرِ عِلْمِ النَّبِيِّينَ

allāhumma ¥alli `alā muḥammadi bni Alīyyin `abdika wa khal¢fatika f¢ ar¤ika bāqiri `ilmi alnnabiyy¢na

O Allāh, (please) send blessings on Muḥammad the son of ʿAlī, Your servant and Your representative in Your lands, who split asunder the knowledge of the Prophets.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الصَّادِقِ عَبْدِكَ وَوَلِيِّ دِينِكَ وَحُجَّتِكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ أجْمَعِينَ الصَّادِقِ الْبَارّ

allāhumma ¥alli `alā Jaʿfari bni mu¦ammadin al¥¥ādiqi `abdika wa waliyyi d¢nika wa ¦ujjatika `alā khalqika ajma`¢na al¥¥ādiqi albārri

O Allāh, (please) send blessings upon Jaʿfar the son of Muḥammad, Your servant, the authority of Your religion, Your argument against all of Your creatures, the veracious, and the dutiful.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عَبْدِكَ الصَّالِحِ وَلِسَانِكَ فِي خَلْقِكَ النَّاطِقِ بِحُكْمِكَ وَالْحُجَّةِ عَلَى بَرِيَّتِكَ

allāhumma ¥alli `alā mūsā bni Jaʿfarin `abdika al¥¥āli¦I wa lisānika f¢ khalqika alnnā§iqi bi¦ukmika wal¦ujjati `alā bariyyatik

O Allāh, (please) send blessings upon Mūsā the son of Jaʿfar, Your righteous servant, Your spokesman among Your creatures, who speaks with Your judgment, and who is the argument against Your created beings.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى عَليِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضَا الْمُرْتَضَى عَبْدِكَ وَوَلِيِّ دِينِكَ

allāhumma ¥alli `alā Alīyyi bni mūsā alrri¤ā almurta¤ā `abdika wa waliyyi d¢nika

O Allāh, (please) send blessings upon ʿAlī the son of Mūsā, the cordial, the well-pleased, the servant of You, the authority of Your religion,

الْقَائِمِ بِعَدْلِكَ وَالدَّاعِي إِلَى دِينِكَ وَدِينِ آبَائِهِ الصَّادِقِينَ صَلاَةً لاََ يَقْوَى عَلَى إِِحْصَائِهَا غَيْرُكَ

alqā'imi bi`adlika walddā`¢ ilā d¢nika wa d¢ni ābā'ih¢ al¥¥ādiq¢na ¥alātan lā yaqwā `alā i¦¥ā'ihā ghayruka

who undertakes the mission with Your justice, who calls to the religion of You and of his veracious fathers; (bless him) with such blessings that none can count except You.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَبْدِكَ وَوَلِيِّكَ الْقَائِمِ بِأمْرِكَ وَالدَّاعِي إِلَى سَبِيلِك

allāhumma ¥alli `alā muḥammadi bni Alīyyin `abdika wa waliyyika alqā'imi bi’amrika walddā`¢ ilā sab¢lika

O Allāh, (please) send blessings upon Muḥammad the son of ʿAlī, Your servant, Your authority, who undertakes the mission by Your command and calls to Your path.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى عَليِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَوَلِيِّ دِينِكَ

allāhumma ¥alli `alā Alīyyi bni mu¦ammadin `abdika wa waliyyi d¢nika

O Allāh, (please) send blessing upon ʿAlī the son of Muḥammad, Your servant and the authority of Your religion.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْعَامِلِ بِأمْرِكَ الْقَائِمِ فِي خَلْقِكَ وَحُجَّتِكَ الْمُؤَدِّي عَنْ نَبِيِّكَ

allāhumma ¥alli `alā al¦asani bni Alīyyin al`āmili bi’amrika alqā'imi f¢ khalqika wa ¦ujjatika almu'add¢ `an nabiyyika

O Allāh, (please) send blessings upon al-Ḥasan the son of ʿAlī who carries out Your commands, who undertakes the mission among Your creatures, Your argument who acts on behalf of Your Prophet,

وَشَاهِدِكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ الْمَخْصُوصِ بِكَرَامَتِكَ الدَّاعِي إِلَى طَاعَتِكَ وَطَاعَةِ رَسُولِكَ صَلَوَاتُكَ عَلَيْهِمْ أجْمَعِين

wa shāhidika `alā khalqika almakh¥£¥i bikarāmatika alddā`¢ ilā §ā`atika wa §ā`ati ras£lika ¥alawātuka `alayhim ajma`¢na

Your witness on Your creatures, the exclusively endued with Your honor, and the caller to the obedience to You and to Your Messenger. Your blessings be upon them all.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى حُجَّتِكَ وَوَلِيِّكَ الْقَائِمِ فِي خَلْقِكَ صَلاَةً تَامَّةً نَامِيَةً بَاقِيَةً

allāhumma ¥alli `alā ¦ujjatika wa waliyyka alqā'imi f¢ khalqika ¥alātan tāmmatan nāmiyatan bāqiyatan

O Allāh, (please) send blessings upon Your argument and authority who undertakes the mission among Your creatures with such blessing that is perfect, ever-increasing, and everlasting

تُعَجِّلُ بِهَا فَرَجَهُ وَتَنْصُرُهُ بِهَا وَتَجْعَلُنَا مَعَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ

tu`ajjilu bihā farajah£ wa tan¥uruh£ bihā wa taj`alunā ma`ah£ f¢ alddunyā wal-ākhirati

due to which You may hasten his Relief, grant him victory, and include us with him in this world and the Hereafter.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِِنِّي أتَقَرَّبُ إِِلَيْكَ بِحُبِّهِمْ وَأوَالِي وَلِيَّهُمْ وَأعَادِي عَدُوَّهُمْ

allāhumma inn¢ ataqarrabū ilayka bi¦ubbihim wa uwāl¢ waliyyahum wa u`ād¢ `aduwwahum

O Allāh, I am seeking nearness to You through bearing love for them, and I am loyal to their loyalists and enemy of their enemies.

فَارْزُقْنِي بِهِمْ خَيْرَ الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّي بِهِمْ شَرَّ الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ وَأهْوَالَ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ

farzuqn¢ bihim khayra alddunyā wal-ākhirati wa¥rif `ann¢ bihim sharra alddunyā wal-ākhirati wa ahwāla yawmi alqiyāmati

So (please) provide me in their names the goodness of this world and the Hereafter and fend off from me the evils of this world and the Hereafter as well as the horrors of the Resurrection Day.

Sit beside the Imām's head and say the following:

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَلِيَّ الله اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا حُجَّةَ الله

alssalāmu `alayka yā waliyya allāhi alssalāmu `alayka yā ¦ujjata allāhi

Peace be upon you, O Allāh’s friend. Peace be upon you, O Allāh’s argument.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا نُورَ الله فِي ظُلُمَاتِ الأرْضِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا عَمُودَ الدِّينِ

alssalāmu `alayka yā n£ra allāhi f¢ ¨ulumāti al-ar¤i alssalāmu `alayka yā `am£da aldd¢ni

Peace be upon you, O Allāh’s light in the darkness of the earth. Peace be upon you, O pillar of the religion.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ آدَمَ صَفْوَةِ الله اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ نُوحٍ نَبِيِّ الله

alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha ādama ¥afwati allāhi alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha n£¦in nabiyyi allāhi

Peace be upon you, O inheritor of Adam the choice of Allāh. Peace be upon you, O inheritor of Noah the prophet of Allāh.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ إِِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلِ الله اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ إِِسْمَاعيلَ ذَبيحِ الله

alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha ibrāh¢ma khal¢li allāhi alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha ismā`¢la dhab¢¦i allāhi

Peace be upon you, O inheritor of Abraham the intimate friend of Allāh. Peace be upon you, O inheritor of Ishmael the slain for the sake of Allāh.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ مُوسَى كَلِيمِ الله اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ عِيسَى رُوحِ الله

alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha mūsā kal¢mi allāhi alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha `¢sā r£¦i allāhi

Peace be upon you, O inheritor of Moses the spoken by Allāh. Peace be upon you, O inheritor of Jesus the spirit of Allāh.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ الله

alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha mu¦ammadin ras£li allāhi

Peace be upon you, O inheritor of Muḥammad the messenger of Allāh.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ أمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيٍّ وَلِيِّ الله وَوَصِيِّ رَسُولِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha am¢ri almu’min¢na Alīyyin waliyyin allāhi wa wa¥iyyi ras£li rabbi al`ālam¢na

Peace be upon you, O inheritor of the Commander of the Faithful ʿAlī the authority of Allāh and the successor of the Messenger of the Lord of the worlds.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ فَاطِمَةَ الزَّهْرَاءِ

alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha fā§imata alzzahrā'i

Peace be upon you, O inheritor of Fāṭima the luminous lady.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ الْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ سَيِّدَيْ شَبَابِ أهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ

alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha al¦asani wal¦usayni sayyiday shabābi ahli aljannati

Peace be upon you, O inheritor of al-Ḥasan and Al-Ḥusayn the two chiefs of the youth of Paradise.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ عَليِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ زَيْنِ الْعَابِدِينَ

alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha Alīyyi bni al¦usayni zayni al`ābid¢na

Peace be upon you, O inheritor of ʿAlī the son of Al-Ḥusayn the adornment of the worshippers.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ بَاقِرِ عِلْمِ الأوَّلِينَ وَالآخِرِينَ

alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha muḥammadi bni Alīyyin bāqiri `ilmi al-awwal¢na wal-ākhir¢na

Peace be upon you, O inheritor of Muḥammad the son of ʿAlī the splitter of the knowledge of the past and the last generations.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الصَّادِقِ الْبَارِّ

alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha Jaʿfari bni mu¦ammadin al¥¥ādiqi albārri

Peace be upon you, O inheritor of Jaʿfar the son of Muḥammad the veracious and dutiful.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ

alssalāmu `alayka yā wāritha mūsā bni Jaʿfarin

Peace be upon you, O inheritor of Mūsā the son of Jaʿfar.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أيُّهَا الصِّدِّيقُ الشَّهِيدُ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أيُّهَا الْوَصِيُّ الْبَارُّ التَّقِيُّ

alssalāmu `alayka ayyuhā al¥¥idd¢qu alshshah¢du alssalāmu `alayka ayyuhā alwa¥iyyu albārru alttaqiyyu

Peace be upon you, O ever-truthful and martyr. Peace be upon you, O dutiful and pious successor.

أشْهَدُ أنَّكَ قَدْ أقَمْتَ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتَيْتَ الزَّكَاةَ وَأمَرْتَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَيْتَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَر

ashhadu annaka qad aqamta al¥¥alāta wa ātayta alzzakāta wa amarta bilma`r£fi wa nahayta `an almunkari

I bear witness that you performed the prayers, defrayed the poor-rate (and alms), enjoined the right, forbade the wrong,

وَعَبَدْتَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصاً حَتَّى أتَاكَ الْيَقِينُ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أبَا الْحَسَنِ وَرَحْمَةُ الله وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

wa `abadta allāha mukhli¥an ¦attā atāka alyaq¢nu alssalāmu `alayka yā abā al¦asani wa ra¦matu allāhi wa barakātuh£

and serve Allāh sincerely until death came upon you. Peace be upon you, O Abu’l-°asan. Allāh’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

Then, throw yourself on the tomb and say the following prayer:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِِلَيْكَ صَمَدْتُ مِنْ أرْضِي وَقَطَعْتُ الْبِلاَدَ رَجَاءَ رَحْمَتِكَ

allāhumma ilayka ¥amadtu min ar¤¢ wa qa§a`tu albilāda rajā'a ra¦matika

O Allāh, for Your sake alone have I set out from my homeland and covered many countries in the hope of winning Your mercy;

فَلاَ تُخَيِّبْنِي وَلاَ تَرُدَّنِي بِغَيْرِ قَضَاءِ حَاجَتِي

falā tukhayyibn¢ wa lā taruddan¢ bighayri qa¤ā'i ¦ājat¢

so, (please) do not disappoint me and do not make me return without having my needs settled (by You),

وَارْحَمْ تَقَلُّبِي عَلَى قَبْرِ ابْنِ أخِي رَسُولِكَ صَلَوَاتُكَ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ

war¦am taqallub¢ `alā qabri ibni akh¢ ras£lika ¥alawātuka `alayhi wa ālih¢

and have mercy upon my turning over on the tomb of the son of Your Prophet’ brother, Your blessings be upon him and his Household.

بِأبِي أنْتَ وَأمِّي يَا مَوْلاَيَ أتَيْتُكَ زَائِراً وَافِداً عَائِذاً مِمَّا جَنَيْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَاحْتَطَبْتُ عَلَى ظَهْرِي

bi'ab¢ anta wa umm¢ yā mawlāya ataytuka zā'iran wāfidan `ā'idhan mimmā janaytu `alā nafs¢ wa¦ta§abtu `alā ¨ahr¢

May my father and mother be ransoms for you, O my master. I have come to you visiting and getting to you, seeking protection against all that which I have committed against myself and overburdened my back with.

فَكُنْ لِي شَافِعاً إِِلَى الله يَوْمَ فَقْرِي وَفَاقَتِي فَلَكَ عِنْدَ الله مَقَامٌ مَحْمُودٌ وَأنْتَ عِنْدَهُ وَجِيهٌ

fakun l¢ shāfi`an ilā allāhi yawma faqr¢ wa fāqat¢ falaka `inda allāhi maqāmun ma¦m£dun wa anta `indah£ waj¢hun

So, (please) be my intercessor with Allāh on the day of my poverty and neediness, for you enjoy with Allāh a praiseworthy position and you are worthy of regard with Him.

Raise your right hand towards the sky, extend your left hand onto the tomb, and invoke the following prayer:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِِنِّي أتَقَرَّبُ إِِلَيْكَ بِحُبِّهِمْ وَبِوِلاَيَتِهِمْ أتَوَلَّى آخِرَهُمْ بِمَا تَوَلَّيْتُ بِهِ أوَّلَهُمْ وَأبْرَأ مِنْ كُلِّ وَلِيجَةٍ دُونَهُمْ

allāhumma inn¢ ataqarrabū ilayka bi¦ubbihim wa biwilāyatihim atawallā ākhirahum bimā tawallaytu bih¢ awwalahum wa abra'u min kulli wal¢jatin d£nahum

O Allāh, I do seek nearness to You through bearing love for them and being loyal to them; I am loyal to the last of them in the same way as I am loyal to the first and I repudiate any adherence to any one other than them.

اَللَّهُمَّ الْعَنِ الَّذِينَ بَدَّلُوا نِعْمَتَكَ وَاتَّهَمُوا نَبِيَّكَ وَجَحَدُوا بِآيَاتِك

allāhumma il`an alladh¢na baddal£ ni`mataka wattaham£ nabiyyaka wa ja¦ad£ bi'āyātika

O Allāh, pour curses on those who have altered Your bounty, suspected Your Prophet, denied Your signs,

وَسَخِرُوا بِإِِمَامِكَ وَحَمَلُوا النَّاسَ عَلَى أكْتَافِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

wa sakhir£ bi’imāmika wa ¦amal£ alnnāsa `alā aktāfi āli mu¦ammadin

scoffed at Your Imām, and placed the burden of the people upon the shoulders of Muḥammad’s Household.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِِنِّي أتَقَرَّبُ إِِلَيْكَ بِالْلَّعْنَةِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَالْبَرَاءَةِ مِنْهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ يَا رَحْمنُ

allāhumma inn¢ ataqarrabū ilayka billa`nati `alayhim walbarā'ati minhum f¢ alddunyā wal-ākhirati yā ra¦mānu

O Allāh, I do seek nearness to You through invoking curse on these peoples (i.e. the enemies of the Holy Prophet’s Household) and disavowing them in this world and the Hereafter, O All-beneficent Lord.

Direct yourself towards the side of the Imām's feet and voice the following words:

صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أبَا الْحَسَنِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى رُوحِكَ وَبَدَنِكَ

¥allā allāhu `alayka yā abā al¦asani ¥allā allāhu `alā r£¦ika wa badanika

Allāh’s blessings be upon you, O Abu’l-°asan. Allāh’s blessings be upon your soul and body.

صَبَرْتَ وَأنْتَ الصَّادِقُ الْمُصَدَّقُ قَتَلَ اللَّهُ مَنْ قَتَلَكَ بِالأيْدِي وَالألْسُنِ

¥abarta wa anta al¥¥ādiqu almu¥addaqu qatala allāhu man qatalaka bil-ayd¢ wal-alsuni

You did act patiently and you are veracious and believed. May Allāh kill those who killed you with hands and tongues.

As part of your ritual, you may fervently seek Allāh's curse upon those who slew the Commander of the Faithful, Imāms Ḥasan, and Ḥusayn, and all who unjustly took the lives of the Holy Prophet's family.

Subsequently, position yourself at the side of the Imām's head and engage in a two-unit prayer. In the first unit, after Sūrah Fātiḥa, you may recite Sūrah Yā-Sīn. In the second unit, follow Sūrah Fātiḥa with Sūrah Raḥmān. Take this opportunity to beseech and appeal to the Almighty Allah with all your heart. Consider making intercessions for yourself, your parents, and your brothers and sisters in faith. Spend as much time as you desire at the side of the Imām's head, dedicating all your prayers there.