Sahla

Acts at Sahla Mosque

15 min read

It is highly recommended to offer at Sahla mosque a two-unit prayer between the obligatory Maghrib (Sunset) and Ishā' (Evening) prayers, for it has been reported that Imām Ṣādiq(a) said that Almighty Allah shall definitely save whoever offers this prayer and supplicates Almighty Allah from all grievances. In the word of some guidebooks of ziyārah, when you intend to enter Sahla mosque, you may stop at its gate and say the following words:

بِسْمِ الله وَبِالله وَمِنَ الله وَإِلَى الله

bismi allāhi wa billāhi wa min allāhi wa ilā allāhi

In the Name of Allāh (I begin), in Allāh (I trust), from Allāh (I derive power), to Allāh (I refer all my affairs),

وَمَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَخَيْرُ الأسْمَاءِ لله

wa mā shā'a allāhu wa khayru al-asmā'i lillāhi

only that which Allāh wills shall come to pass, and the most excellent Names are Allāh’s.

تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى الله وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّه الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ

tawakkaltu `alā allāhi wa lā ¦awla wa lā quwwata illā billāhi alalīyyi al`a¨¢mi

I rely upon Allāh. There is neither might nor power except with Allāh the All-high and All-great.

اَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنْ عُمَّارِ مَسَاجِدِكَ وَبُيُوتِكَ

allāhumma ij`aln¢ min `ummāri masājidika wa buy£tika

O Allāh, (please) make me of those who construct Your mosques and houses.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أتَوَجَّهُ إِلَيْكَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَأقَدِّمُهُمْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ حَوَائِجِي

allāhumma inn¢ atawajjah£ ilayka bimu¦ammadin wa āli mu¦ammadin wa uqaddimuhum bayna yaday ¦awā'ij¢

O Allāh, I turn my face toward You, asking You in the name of Muḥammad and the Household of Muḥammad and I present them before my requests;

فَاجْعَلْنِي اللَّهُمَّ بِهِمْ عِنْدَكَ وَجِيهاً فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

faj`aln¢ allāhumma bihim `indaka waj¢han f¢ alddunyā wal-ākhirati wa min almuqarrab¢na

so, O Allāh, (please) make me worthy of Your regard in their names, in this world and the Hereafter and make me of those who are made near to You.

اَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ صَلاَتِي بِهِمْ مَقْبُولَهً وَذَنْبِي بِهِمْ مَغْفُوراً

allāhumma ij`al ¥alāt¢ bihim maqb£lahan wa dhanb¢ bihim maghf£ran

O Allāh, (please) accept my prayers in their names, forgive my sins in their names,

وَرِزْقِي بِهِمْ مَبْسُوطاً وَدُعَائِي بِهِمْ مُسْتَجَاباً وَحَوَائِجِي بِهِمْ مَقْضِيَّةً

wa rizq¢ bihim mabs£§an wa du`ā'¢ bihim mustajāban wa ¦awā'ij¢ bihim maq¤iyyatan

expand sustenance for me in their names, respond to my supplications in their names, grant me all of my requests in their names,

وَانْظُرْ إِلَيَّ بِوَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ نَظْرَةً رَحِيمَةً أسْتَوْجِبُ بِهَا الْكَرَامَةَ عِنْدَكَ

wan¨ur ilayya biwajhika alkar¢mi na¨ratan ra¦¢matan astawjibu bihā alkarāmata `indaka

and look at me with Your All-noble Face; such a kind look due to which I shall attain Your honor,

ثُمَّ لاَ تَصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي أبَداً بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

thumma lā ta¥rifhu `ann¢ abadan bira¦matika yā ar¦ama alrrā¦im¢na

and (please) never turn Your Face away from me in the name of Your mercy, O most merciful of all those who show mercy.

يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ وَالأبْصَارِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ وَدِينِ نَبِيِّكَ وَوَلِيِّكَ

yā muqalliba alqul£bi wal-ab¥āri thabbit qalb¢ `alā d¢nika wa d¢ni nabiyyika wa waliyyika

O He Who changes hearts and sights, (please do) make my heart permanently steady in following Your religion and the religion of Your Prophet and Intimate servant,

وَلاَ تُزِغْ قَلْبِي بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنِي وَهَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ

wa lā tuzigh qalb¢ ba`da idh hadaytan¢ wa hab l¢ min ladunka ra¦matan innaka anta alwahhābu

do not cause my heart to deviate after You have guided me (to the true path), and grant me mercy from You, for You are the most liberal Giver.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ تَوَجَّهْتُ وَمَرْضَاتَكَ طَلَبْتُ وَثَوَابَكَ ابْتَغَيْتُ

allāhumma ilayka tawajjahtu wa mar¤ātaka §alabtu wa thawābaka ibtaghaytu

O Allāh, I am turning my face towards You, seeking Your pleasure, desiring for Your reward,

وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ

wa bika āmantu wa `alayka tawakkaltu

having full faith in You, and putting all trust in You.

اَللَّهُمَّ فَأقْبِلْ بِوَجْهِكَ إِلَيَّ وَأقْبِلْ بِوَجْهِي إِلَيْكَ

allāhumma fa'aqbil biwajhika ilayya wa aqbil biwajh¢ ilayka

So, O Allāh, meet me with Your face and allow me to meet You with my face.

Next, recite the verse of Kursī, followed by Sūrahs Falaq and Nās, each one seven times. Upon completion, repeat the subsequent supplication seven times:

سُبْحَانَ الله وَالْحَمْدُ لله وَلاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أكْبَرُ

sub¦āna allāhi wal¦amdu lillāhi wa lā ilāha illā allāhu wallāhu akbaru

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

Then say:

اَللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى مَا هَدَيْتَنِي وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى مَا فَضَّلْتَنِي

allāhumma laka al¦amdu `alā mā hadaytan¢ wa laka al¦amdu `alā mā fa¤¤altan¢

O Allāh, all praise be to You for You have guided me. All praise be to You for You have favored me.

وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى مَا شَرَّفْتَنِي وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى كُلِّ بَلاءٍ حَسَنٍ ابْتَلَيْتَنِي

wa laka al¦amdu `alā mā sharraftan¢ wa laka al¦amdu `alā kulli balā'in ¦asanin ibtalaytan¢

All praise be to You for You have honored me. All praise be to You for all of the good turns that You have bestowed upon me.

اَللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ صَلاَتِي وَدُعَائِي وَطَهِّرْ قَلْبِي وَاشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي

allāhumma taqabbal ¥alāt¢ wa du`ā’¢ wa §ahhir qalb¢ washra¦ l¢ ¥adr¢

O Allāh, (please do) accept my prayer and supplication, purify my heart, expand my breast for me,

وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ إِنَّكَ أنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

wa tub `alayya innaka anta alttawwāwābu alrra¦¢mu

and accept my repentance. You are indeed the Oft-returning to mercy and the All-merciful.

Sayyid b. Ṭāwūs recommends that those intending to visit Sahla mosque should aim to do so between the Maghrib and Ishā' obligatory prayers on a Tuesday night, as this particular timing is deemed superior to others. Upon arrival at Sahla, you may begin with the obligatory Maghrib prayer, followed by the supererogatory Maghrib prayer. Subsequently, you could offer a two-unit prayer as a form of salutation to the mosque, with the intention of drawing closer to the Almighty Allah. Upon completion, raise your hands heavenwards and recite the following:

أنْتَ اللَّهُ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ أنْتَ مُبْدِئُ الْخَلْقِ وَمُعِيدُهُمْ

anta allāhu lā ilāha illā anta mubdi' alkhalqi wa mu`¢duhum

You are Allāh; there is no god save You. You are the Beginner of the process of creation and the Repeater of it.

وَأنْتَ اللَّهُ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ أنْتَ خَالِقُ الْخَلْقِ وَرَازِقُهُمْ

wa anta allāhu lā ilāha illā anta khāliqu alkhalqi wa rāziquhum

You are Allāh; there is no god save You. You are the Creator of creatures and the Sustainer of them.

وَأنْتَ اللَّهُ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ أنْتَ الْقَابِضُ الْبَاسِطُ

wa anta allāhu lā ilāha illā anta alqābi¤u albāsi§u

You are Allāh; there is no god save You. You are the Straightener and the Expander.

وَأنْتَ اللَّهُ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ أنْتَ مُدَبِّرُ الأمُورِ وَبَاعِثُ مَنْ فِي الْقُبُورِ

wa anta allāhu lā ilāha illā anta mudabbiru al’um£ri wa bā`ithu man f¢ alqub£ri

You are Allāh; there is no god save You. You are the Manager of all affairs and the Resurrector of those who are in graves.

أنْتَ وَارِثُ الأرْضِ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا أسْألُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الْمَخْزُونِ الْمَكْنُونِ الْحَيِّ الْقَيُّومِ

anta wārithu al-ar¤i wa man `alayhā as'aluka bismika almakhz£ni almakn£ni al¦ayyi alqayy£mi

You are the Inheritor of the earth & whatever/ whoever is on it. I beseech You by Your Name: the concealed, the obscured, the ever-living, and the self-subsistent.

وَأنْتَ اللَّهُ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ أنْتَ عَالِمُ السِّرِّ وَأخْفَى

wa anta allāhu lā ilāha illā anta `ālimu alssirri wa akhfā

You are Allāh; there is no god save You. You are the Knower of secrets and what is yet more hidden.

أسْألُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي إِذَا دُعِيتَ بِهِ أجَبْتَ وَإِذَا سُئِلْتَ بِهِ أعْطَيْتَ

as'aluka bismika alladh¢ idhā du`¢ta bih¢ ajabta wa idhā su'ilta bih¢ a`§ayta

I beseech You by Your Name: the Name that You respond to him who beseeches You by it and the Name that You give him who asks You by it.

وَأسْألُكَ بِحَقِّكَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَأهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَبِحَقِّهِمُ الَّذِي أوْجَبْتَهُ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ

wa as'aluka bi¦aqqika `alā mu¦ammadin wa ahli baytih¢ wa bi¦aqqihim alladh¢ awjabtah£ `alā nafsika

And I beseech You in the name of the duty of Muḥammad and his Household towards You and in the name of the duty that You have made incumbent upon Yourself towards them

أنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَأنْ تَقْضِيَ لِي حَاجَتِي السَّاعَةَ السَّاعَةَ

an tu¥alliya `alā mu¦ammadin wa āli mu¦ammadin wa an taq¤iya l¢ ¦ājat¢ alssā`ata alssā`ata

to send blessings upon Muḥammad and the Household of Muḥammad and to grant me my requests at this very hour! At this very hour!

يَا سَامِعَ الدُّعَاءِ يَا سَيِّدَاهُ يَا مَوْلاَهُ يَا غِيَاثَاهُ

yā sāmi`a alddu`ā’i yā sayyidāhu yā mawlāhu yā ghiyāthāhu

O Hearer of prayers! O my Master! O my Lord! O my Aide!

أسْألُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ أوِ اسْتَأثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ

as'aluka bikulli ismin sammayta bih¢ nafsaka aw ista'tharta bih¢ f¢ `ilmi alghaybi `indaka

I beseech You by all the Names that You used for Yourself and the Names that You take exclusively for Yourself in the Unseen Knowledge of You

أنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَأنْ تُعَجِّلَ فَرَجَنَا السَّاعَةَ

an tu¥alliya `alā mu¦ammadin wa āli mu¦ammadin wa an tu`ajjila farajanā alssā`ata

to send blessings upon Muḥammad and the Household of Muḥammad and to expedite our relief to this very hour.

يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ وَالأبْصَارِ يَا سَمِيعَ الدُّعَاءِ

yā muqalliba alqul£bi wal-ab¥āri yā sam¢`a alddu`ā'i

O He Who changes hearts and sights! O Hearer of prayers!

Bow down in prostration, demonstrating your submission to the Almighty Allah and present your needs before Him. Following this, navigate to the north-western corner of the mosque, identified as Prophet Abraham's house, the place where he prepared for his battles against the giants. Here, perform a two-unit prayer, followed by tasbīḥ, and then recite:

اَللَّهُمَّ بِحَقِّ هذِهِ الْبُقْعَةِ الشَّرِيفَةِ وَبِحَقِّ مَنْ تَعَبَّدَ لَكَ فِيهَا

allāhumma bi¦aqqi hādhih¢ albuq`ati alshshar¢fati wa bi¦aqqi man ta`abbada laka f¢hā

O Allāh, (I beseech You) in the name of this holy area and in the name of him who used to worship You here.

قَدْ عَلِمْتَ حَوَائِجِي فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَاقْضِهَا

qad Alīmta ¦awā’ij¢ fa¥alli `alā mu¦ammadin wa āli mu¦ammadin waq¤ihā

You know my needs; so, (please) send blessings upon Muḥammad and the Household of Muḥammad and settle them for me.

وَقَدْ أحْصَيْتَ ذُنُوبِي فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَاغْفِرْهَا

wa qad a¦¥ayta dhun£b¢ fa¥alli `alā mu¦ammadin wa āli mu¦ammadin waghfirhā

You have accounted my sins; so, (please) send blessings upon Muḥammad and the Household of Muḥammad and forgive them for me.

اَللَّهُمَّ أحْيِنِي مَا إِذَا كَانَتِ الْحَيَاةُ خَيْراً لِي وَأمِتْنِي إِذَا كَانَتِ الْوَفَاةُ خَيْراً لِي

allāhumma a¦yin¢ mā idhā kānat al¦ayātu khayran l¢ wa amitn¢ idhā kānat alwafātu khayran l¢

O Allāh, (please do) keep me alive as long as life is better for me, cause me to die if death is better for me,

عَلَى مُوَالاَةِ أوْلِيَائِكَ وَمُعَادَاةِ أعْدَائِكَ وَافْعَلْ بِي مَا أنْتَ أهْلُهُ يَا أرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

`alā muwālāti awliyā'ika wa mu`ādati a`dā’ika waf`al b¢ mā anta ahluh£ yā ar¦ama alrrā¦im¢na

cause me to die bearing loyalty to Your intimate servants and antagonism against Your enemies, and do to me that which befits You, O most merciful of all those who show mercy!

Proceed to the opposite side, aligning yourself in the direction of the qiblah, and engage in a two-unit prayer. Following your prayer, lift your hands toward the sky and recite the following words:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي صَلَّيْتُ هذِهِ الصَّلاَةَ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِكَ وَطَلَبَ نَائِلِكَ وَرَجَاءَ رِفْدِكَ وَجَوَائِزِكَ

allāhumma inn¢ ¥allaytu hādhih¢ al¥¥alāta ibtighā'a mar¤ātika wa §alaba nā’ilika wa rajā'a rifdika wa jawā'izika

O Allāh, I have offered this prayer seeking Your pleasure, wishing for Your gift, and hoping for Your prizes and rewards;

فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّي بِأحْسَنِ قَبُولٍ

fa¥alli `alā mu¦ammadin wa āli mu¦ammadin wa taqabbalhā minn¢ bi-a¦sani qab£lin

so, (please do) send blessings upon Muḥammad and the Household of Muḥammad, accept it from me with the best acceptance,

وَبَلِّغْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ الْمَأمُولَ وَافْعَلْ بِي مَا أنْتَ أهْلُهُ يَا أ رْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

wa ballighn¢ bira¦matika alma’m£la waf`al b¢ mā anta ahluh£ yā ar¦ama alrrā¦im¢na

make me gain what I hope, out of Your mercy, and do to me that which befits You, O most merciful of all those who show mercy!

Perform prostration and place your cheek on the ground. Then, walk to the eastern side of the mosque where you offer a two-unit prayer. After that, extend your hands and say the following:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَتِ الذُّنُوبُ وَالْخَطَايَا قَدْ أخْلَقَتْ وَجْهِي عِنْدَكَ

allāhumma in kānat aldhdhun£bu walkha§āyā qad akhlaqat wajh¢ `indaka

O Allāh, if my sins and faults have caused my face to be tattered in Your view;

فَلَمْ تَرْفَعْ لِي إِلَيْكَ صَوْتاً وَلَمْ تَسْتَجِبْ لِي دَعْوَةً

falam tarfa` l¢ ilayka ¥awtan wa lam tastajib l¢ da`watan

therefore, they impeded my voice from reaching You and You thus have not responded to any of my prayers,

فَإِنِّي أسْألُكَ بِكَ يَا اَللَّهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِثْلَكَ أحَدٌ

fa'inn¢ as'aluka bika yā allāhu fa'innah£ laysa mithlaka a¦adun

I then beseech You in Your Name, O Allāh, for there is verily nothing like You,

وَأتَوَسَّلُ إِلَيْكَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ وَأسْألُكَ أنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

wa atawassalu ilayka bimu¦ammadin wa ālih¢ wa as'aluka an tu¥alliya `alā mu¦ammadin wa āli mu¦ammadin

I seek the intercession of Muḥammad and his Household to You, and I beseech You to send blessings upon Muḥammad and the Household of Muḥammad,

وَأنْ تُقْبِلَ إِلَيَّ بِوَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ وَتُقْبِلَ بِوَجْهِي إِلَيْكَ

wa an tuqbila ilayya biwajhika alkar¢mi wa tuqbila biwajh¢ ilayka

to come to me with Your Noble Face, to accept my turning my face towards You,

وَلاَ تُخَيِّبْنِي حيِنَ أدْعُوكَ وَلاَ تَحْرِمْنِي حيِنَ أرْجُوكَ يَا أرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

wa lā tukhayyibn¢ ¦¢na ad`£ka wa lā ta¦rimn¢ ¦¢na arj£ka yā ar¦ama alrrā¦im¢na

not to let me down when I supplicate You, and not to deprive me (of Your response) when I please You. O most merciful of all those who show mercy!

As per the guidelines of a ziyārah manual, it is suggested that you then proceed to the opposite eastern corner of the mosque. There, dedicate a two-unit prayer, following which you may recite this supplication:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أسْألُكَ بِاسْمِكَ يَا اَللَّهُ أنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

allāhumma inn¢ as'aluka bismika yā allāhu an tu¥alliya `alā mu¦ammadin wa āli mu¦ammadin

O Allāh, I do beseech You by Your Name, O Allāh, to send blessings upon Muḥammad and the Household of Muḥammad,

وَأنْ تَجْعَلَ خَيْرَ عُمْرِي آخِرَهُ وَخَيْرَ أعْمَالِي خَوَاتِيمَهَا

wa an taj`ala khayra `umr¢ ākhirah£ wa khayra a`māl¢ khawāt¢mahā

to cause the best of my lifetime to be the last of it, the best of my deeds to be the last of them,

وَخَيْرَ أيَّامِي يَوْمَ ألْقَاكَ فِيهِ إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

wa khayra ayyām¢ yawma alqāka f¢hi innaka `alā kulli shay'in qad¢run

and the best of my days to be the day on which I meet You. Verily, You have power over all things.

اَللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ دُعَائِي وَاسْمَعْ نَجْوَايَ

allāhumma taqabbal du`ā’¢ wasma` najwāya

O Allāh, (please) accept my prayer and listen to my confidential speech (with You).

يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَظِيمُ يَا قَادِرُ يَا قَاهِرُ يَا حَيّاً لاَ يَمُوتُ

yā Alīyyu yā `a¨¢mu yā qādiru yā qāhiru yā ¦ayyan lā yam£tu

O All-high! O All-great! O All-powerful! O All-prevalent! O He Who is Ever-living and never dies,

صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَاغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكَ

¥alli `alā mu¦ammadin wa āli mu¦ammadin waghfir liya aldhdhun£ba allat¢ bayn¢ wa baynaka

(please) send blessings upon Muḥammad and the Household of Muḥammad, forgive my sins that I have committed between You and me,

وَلاَ تَفْضَحْنِي عَلَى رُؤُوسِ الأشْهَادِ وَاحْرُسْنِي بِعَيْنِكَ الَّتِي لاَ تَنَامُ

wa lā taf¤a¦n¢ `alā ru'£si al-ashhādi wa¦rusn¢ bi`aynika allat¢ lā tanāmu

do not expose me in the presence of the witnesses, guard me with Your Eye that never sleeps,

وَارْحَمْنِي بِقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَيَّ يَا أرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ الطَّاهِرِينَ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ

war¦amn¢ biqudratika `alayya yā ar¦ama alrrā¦im¢na wa ¥allā allāhu `alā sayyidinā mu¦ammadin wa ālih¢ al§§āhir¢na yā rabba al`ālam¢na

and have mercy upon me as You have full power over me. O most merciful of all those who show mercy! May Allāh send blessings upon our master Muḥammad and upon his Immaculate Household. O Lord of the worlds!

Proceed to offer a two-unit prayer within the centrally located house in Sahla mosque. Upon completion, recite the following:

يَا مَنْ هُوَ أقْرَبُ إِلَيَّ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ يَا فَعَّالاً لِمَا يُرِيدُ

yā man huwa aqrabū ilayya min ¦abli alwar¢di yā fa``ālan limā yur¢du

O He Who is nearer to me than my life-vein! O He Who does whatever He wills!

يَا مَنْ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ

yā man ya¦£lu bayna almar'i wa qalbih¢ ¥alli `alā mu¦ammadin wa ālih¢

O He Who intervenes between man and his heart! (Please do) send blessings upon Muḥammad and his Household

وَحُلْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ مَنْ يُؤْذِينَا بِحَوْلِكَ وَقُوَّتِكَ

wa ¦ul baynanā wa bayna man yu’dh¢nā bi¦awlika wa quwwatika

and intervene between us and those who intend harm to us, in the name of Your might and power.

يَا كَافِياً مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَلاَ يَكْفِي مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ

yā kāfiyan min kulli shay’in wa lā yakf¢ minhu shay'un

O He Who saves from all things and nothing can ever save from Him!

اكْفِنَا الْمُهِمَّ مِنْ أمْرِ الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ يَا أرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

ikfinā almuhimma min amri alddunyā wal-ākhirati yā ar¦ama alrrā¦im¢na

(Please do) relieve us from whatever aggrieves us from our worldly and religious affairs. O most merciful of all those who show mercy!

You may then place both your cheeks on the ground.

This holy area of Sahla mosque is currently known as Maqām Zaynul ʿAbidīn (the Place of Imām Zaynul ʿAbidīn).

As outlined in the book "al-Mazār al-Qadīm", one is suggested to offer a two-unit prayer at this location, followed by the supplicatory prayer previously mentioned, which commences as follows:

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أسْألُكَ يَا مَنْ لاَ تَرَاهُ الْعُيُون

allāhumma inn¢ as'aluka yā man lā tarāhu al`uy£nu…

O Allāh, I beseech You, O He Whom cannot be seen by eyes…

Adjacent to this location is an area recognised as Maqām al-Mahdī(a), denoting the Place of Imām Mahdī. Thus, it would be fitting to pay homage to Imām Mahdī(a) from this very spot.

Nevertheless, some ziyārah guidebooks suggest that while standing at this locale, one may honour Imām Mahdī(a) using the ziyārah formula that commences with these phrases:

سَلاَمُ الله الْكَامِلُ التَّامُّ الشَّامِلُ الْعَامُّ…

salāmu allāhi alkāmilu alttāmmu alshshāmilu al`āmmu…

Peace of Allāh—perfect, complete, comprehensive, and thorough…

This particular form of ziyārah is discussed later in this book, under the heading "Seeking Aid from Imām Mahdī(a)." Sayyid b. Ṭāwūs has included this variant of ziyārah among others used for visiting Imām Mahdī(a) in the Holy Vault (sirdāb) in Sāmarrā, following the performance of a two-unit prayer.