Hadith record

17. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) on his own initiation said to me, ‘O Mu’awiyah, bear in mind that a man once came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) complaining of the delay for the answer to his prayer. Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) asked, “Why do you not pray with the quick for acceptance supplication (prayer quickly accepted)?” The man then said, ‘Please tell me what that supplication is?’ The Imam told him to say, ‘O Lord, I plead before You through Your great name, the greatest one, the glorious one, the magnanimous one, the one treasured and hidden, the light of the truth, and the clear authority in the argument. It is a light with light, a light from a light, a light in a light, a light over a light, a light above all lights, a light that illuminates all darkness, crumbles down all hardships, all condemned devils and every hardheaded tyrant. (It is such) a light that the earth cannot hold and the sky cannot not withstand. With it every frightened person feels secure, every magician’s magic will turn invalid, and the transgression of every transgressor, the envy of every envier will turn ineffective. Due to its greatness the ocean splits open, the ships sail in safety when the angel speak with it, the waves will have no way to it and that is Your greatest of great, glorious of glorious name, the great light with which You have named Yourself and with it You have established Your power over Your Throne. I turn to You through Muhammad and his family and I plead before You to grant al-Salat (favors) upon Muhammad and his family, to provide me help in such and such of my needs. (One then should mention his wishes)”’

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.